railcard + excess ticket charge- will i get my money back?

A question about : railcard + excess ticket charge- will i get my money back?

Hi,

I bought a railcard three days before traveling to Cardiff, the ticket staff gave me my photocard and a piece of cardboard that looked like a ticket receipt, with the date and cost etc.

I have never bought a railcard before and I was not told by this staff member the 'railcard' [plural] is in fact BOTH the photocard and piece of cardboard.

Long story short I got hit for excess on the return trip from Cardiff.

I have terrible short term memory because of my disability and
I thought I'd left the receipt portion at home where I leave all my receipts but when I got home I found it in one of the bags I was traveling with, so it was with me the whole time.

They said I have to contact customer services and tell them the situation but I get the feeling they will say tough?

I don't understand why when every other major company gives you a real plastic card the rail company can get away with two pieces of cardboard. These are barely fit for purpose, they are a flimsy joke and i'm suppose to keep them a whole year or longer undamaged?

Will I get my money back? What are my chances?

The Government cut my ESA benefits when I joined college, I literally have nothing, I am leeching of my Parents and I feel terrible. I can't afford to lose Ј15.

Best answers:

• Did you read the second card? It's a while since I've had one but it used to be pretty clear that it was needed for travel.
  If you put them in a wallet they should be fine for a year, mine lasted three years with no problems.
  As for your chances of a refund, write to them and see what they say.
• They usually put railcards into a plastic wallet for you to protect them. Go and ask for one at the station.
  If you buy online you do get a plastic all-in-one card so if you'd prefer one like that go online next time.
  You may get some kind of refund from the Customer Services of the train company you travelled on since you can produce a railcard dated prior to your journey. This is ex gratia as showing a valid railcard is required at the time of travel so may well be vouchers etc, if anything.
  If doing this my advice is just to concentrate on not being aware that you needed both parts.
• It is clear. One part of the railcard is your photo id, the other part is the railcard with the date in large when its expires. It does not look like a normal ticket, it is a completely different colour.
  It is clear that both pieces are needed to travel.
  You are also given a receipt explaining the terms and conditions of use. It is two pieces of the leaflet you filled in to obtain the railcard.
  The train stations do not have the technology to print a piece of plastic with your picture on.
  Maybe take a little responsibility to understand what you are buying next time instead of trying to offload your mistake on others.
• The card with a photo says '16-25 Photocard'.
  The railcard says '16-25 Railcard'.
  If you are looking for a sympathetic hearing and a refund from CS, my advice is to apologise to them for your honest mistake and not to attempt to blame them for the situation.
• Wealdroam is a highly respected poster who helps numerous folks usually in a factual and non emotive manner. I guess even he/she gets fed up with others always trying to pass the blame, make it someone elses fault. No one on this thread is responsible for your problem except you.
  You have a history of accusing posters of working for the railways if they disagree with you.