Booking tickets in advance - beware

[paulfoel]

Just seen this in travelrepublics T+Cs :-

Delivery of documents

All documents (including invoices / tickets / insurance policies) will be sent to you by first class post. Once documents leave our offices we are not responsible for their loss unless such loss is due to our negligence. If tickets or other documents need to be reissued all related costs must be paid by you. You can elect for delivery by other means subject to payment of an additional charge.


So, if the tickets get lost in the post its tough luck you gotta pay again?

I had this argument with a concert ticket seller the other month. Legally, they aint got a leg to stand on but its a bit worrying, aint it?

Cant see the credit card company charging you if you say they aint turned up and you aint signed for surely?

Just wondered it all the ticket places were like this. Anyone every have any problems with them?

 

[2Tiggies]

This is quite common. A merchant is not liable for loss or damage to a product or item once it has been dispatched. Not every company draws the consumer's attention to it however. It is sometime hidden in the lengthy small print of the terms and conditions. In fact, many make no disclaimer whatsoever but will give the consumer a run-around should things go wrong. It may sound incredible to those of us who pursue an issue to the very end but in reality, it take time (and money and inconvenience) to reach resolution and the vast majority throw in the towel after a couple of weeks, cutting their losses.

However to cover themselves against liability, companies require proving that they did not act negligently and particularly, that they did indeed dispatch the item. Most purchases online or over the phone offer an option for the consumer to purchase extra insurance or pay up the additional costs for tracked or secure delivery although you may need to ask for it as it is not always automatically offered. This then allows either party to make a claim through the courier or postal service. If a tracking option is not used, it is very difficult to prove that the item was sent unless a receipt or similar proof of sending was obtained at the point of hand over of the item.

So this is certainly not unique to this company, but it is probably in their best interests and the best interests of the consumer that they highlight this.

If the tickets were to go astray you would still be able to make a claim either through your credit card company or by a Section 75 refund for debit card purchases. They would probably request proof from the company through whom the purchase was made that the items in question were dispatched. Generally you don't have problems obtaining this as said company is rather keen to absolve themselves of all responsibility.

 

[Pegasus928]

On the occassions that we have ordered tickets to be delivered we have always opted for the special delivery, although that meant paying a little extra for the privilege.
To be honest I have never had much of an issue doing this, as I would rather know that I have taken all precautions to ensure that we didn't have to pay again or go without tickets.

 

[paulfoel]

Yeh, I'm sure they are a reputable company..

True enough - I'm sure credit card company would shell out if they didnt show up.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

If you ask me this is just another good reason to buy e-tickets, at least you know they won't get lost!

 

[2Tiggies]

If you ask me this is just another good reason to buy e-tickets, at least you know they won't get lost!

True. Although if you think about it, even Disney UK and VH send their tickets by ordinarly mail unless you opt to pay for a different delivery method. The only time it is drawn to your attention is when you book shortly before departure and they have to send it special delivery for reasons of promptness, rather than security.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

True. Although if you think about it, even Disney UK and VH send their tickets by ordinarly mail unless you opt to pay for a different delivery method. The only time it is drawn to your attention is when you book shortly before departure and they have to send it special delivery for reasons of promptness, rather than security.

Disney UK send vouchers out not real tickets, well this is what they did last year! Most of the other tickets we purchased last year were print out 'e-tickets' that we handed over for real tickets when we got there.

I have always thought this is the best way to get your tickets but I know lots of people prefer have real tickets posted to them.

 

[wayneg]

Bought from both Disney UK & VH over the past 2 years, all vouchers.