To be really upset

[catgirl1976]

It is DHs 40th birthday today

Have booked him a surprise for Friday - a full day driving steam trains on the East Lancs railway. (He's a geek)

He was so delighted when I gave to him today - just thrilled and really excited.

I have booked Friday off work (unpaid) and arranged childcare

This morning at about 11am as we are celebrating and he's generally being delighted, a letter pops through the door.

East Lancs railway cancelling due to circumstances beyond their control. There is some problem with the train and they can't say when it will be sorted.

It cost £335 quid.

They have offered a refund in the letter but they are not answering the phone to sort that out

We can't afford to do anything else as they have our £335. If I could get it back we could so something else but as it stands we can't.

I am just so upset and worried by the fact they are not answering the phone.

This morning when I rang it rang out, but now it is ringing off after a couple of rings which is making me think they are rejecting the call.

I am just gutted :( I know in the scheme of things is not that bad but they've ruined a really carefully planned and expensive surprise for DHs 40th on his actual birthday :(

Buggers :( Is there an email address? Get on the top man/woman if poss. How horrible.

There is an email address

I will email them and let them know how upset I am.

I am sure it is something that can't be helped but it's just rubbish :(

Do they have a FB page? Often a good way to make your displeasure known (and public).

Oh good thinking!

I will have a look now x

YANBU. You are clearly someone who likes to give good gifts. It's not the end of the world, but you know that already. I'm sure that they will answer the phone and that you will either get the money back, or will get the experience at a later date.

OK i dont know what that link is in my post so dont click on it

Could you try getting hold of them on Facebook? or ]]twitter.com/eastlancsrly twitter?]]

It looks like they've been on both in the last 3 hours. I agree, in the grand scheme of things it's nothing to get worked up over, but in your shoes I'd feel really upset too.

Oops twitter

Thanks Mrs Mango - I will try the Twitter route

I would just feel better if I could get in touch. I loved giving it to him so I just feel a bit deflated now and a bit worried I can't contact them

Just praying they haven't gone bust or something

Have tweeted, emailed and left another phone message

Hopefully I will hear from them soon. If they can process a refund quickly we can do something else on Friday.

I would be worried they've gone under. Hope you get hold of them fast.

They won't have gone bust, don't worry. More likely the stations aren't manned properly given its midweek. If they can process your refund ASAP the north York moors does a similar thing and its a much more beautiful railway.

(Also a geek).

I'll look at north york manchester - thank you for that

They said it was something to do with maintenance for the loco and "discussion between owners and the railway are slow to reach a conclusion"

I know a lot about these things a friend of the family is a part owner of Princess Elizabeth and they are always slow to sort stuff.

What state are you calling? There will only be manning at Bury and Ramsbottom today by the look of the timetable.

Oh, how rubbish. Honestly, if they're going to cancel, with that amount of money they need a system for refunding you asap, not just promising it in a letter.

They're still advertising a whole load of other stuff for this weekend on their pages. I think it's a bit shoddy not to respond to you immediately given that they're clearly at fault and are busy tweeting away.

Try this number too 07814 302183, mrs Duncan the organiser of the driving experiences.

There's a mobile number for the Footplate Experience Manchester so I am ringing that. (DH would be vair impressed with your friend!)

I agree it's shoddy as, given they have sent out the l :)etter - presumably to other customers, they would be expecting people to ring and should sort of be on stand by to deal with the calls :(

How did you pay for it?

I'd be really upset too. And another one who thinks the North York Moors Railway is fab.

Thanks Manchester :)

That;s the one I am ringing, but just rings out or gets rejected after a couple of rings

I will keep trying. Maybe they are really busy trying to sort out whatever the issue is (am trying to think the best of people)

It's run by volunteers isn't it? I can't see them going bust, there just won't be a lot of people around in the week.

Given your DH loved the present so much would he not be prepared to wait and do it when the engine is sorted?

I paid by debit card Max so I don;t think Ive got any protection there. On the other hand it should be straightforward for them to refund as opposed to waiting for a cheque

North York Moors does look more scenic

It's still a great gift which obviously a lot of thought went into, I'm sure you are more upset than your DH, hope you get a quick refund or sort another day soon.

East Lancs Railway aren't a big organisation - I used to live in Ramsbottom. I doubt they have a call centre. It'll be a number ringing in a small office where a couple of people work. Don't give up trying to get through - they're probably with a customer / on lunch / taking ages in the toilet.

Hope you sort it out and get another equally awesome present.

This number is answering straight away 0161 764 7790. You will have protection if its a visa debit card.