Monday 10 November 2008

"T'was on the Monday morning ...

... that the gasman came to call" So opens the wonderful circular song by Flanders & Swan. On this particular Monday morning British Gas have recived their payment and a formal complaint about the way they have handled my transfer to another electricity supplier has been made. I should hear the result by Friday. It's unlikely that they will see things my way, but at least I've voiced my concerns.

No progress yet with Holiday Inn. The man with whom I need to speak is still on holiday. I bet his dates were booked correctly!

7 comments:

  1. I used to work in customer service for a major hotel chain (not Holiday Inn). You probably already know what to do, but here's my advice: be firm but polite with the Reservations guy at the hotel. This sort of thing happens a lot, so they probably won't make things difficult for you, especially since you actually stayed at their hotel on another night. If by some odd circumstance they do not cancel the no-show charge, do not rant and rave. Contact Holiday Inn's Customer Care people. You can find info about them at http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/c/2/content/dec/hi/1/en/cs.html?cm_re=hi_nhm-_-hdr-_-a2
    Remain calm and polite, but firm.

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  2. Thanks, billyd ... I am controlled on the phone, even when complaining. I've got the HI Customer Care number, but their first response was that I had to sort it out with the hotels concerned. If I get stalemated by them, neither taking responsibility, I shall go back to Customer Care and ask for arbitration from them.

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  3. Question: Have you called your Amex/Visa/Mastercard to declare a charge as in"dispute?" I have only had to do this a few times in my life but it was amazing how quickly the guilty party responded in each case and sorted out my complaint.

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  4. Just remember --- The squeaky wheel gets the grease!!!!!!
    So keep on squeaking.

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  5. Squeaky ... squeaky ... squeaky.

    It may be a bit late to challenge the payment as it appeared on my September bill. I thought it was an advance payment for my October night, but it turns out it was for the no-show on Sept 12th. In other wards, a Penalty charge. Now, when the error is mine I don't mind paying a penalty, but when it's not, I'll be blowed if I am going to metaphorically "Go directly to Jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect £200."

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  6. So there's one Flanders & Swan song still acceptable? "The English Are Best" is utterly politically incorrect and "Have Some Madeira M'dear" turn out to be about date rape.

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  7. Lots are still acceptable ... The Hippopotamus Song, I'm a Gnu, Slow Train, The Weather Song, etc. I have yet to get CD copies of the first two albums "At the Drop of a Hat" and "At the Drop of Another Hat". They're wonderful!

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