My Fred forgot to mention that we have booked our next flight with another airline.
But let's be fair to Globespan. OK, their trading methods need total reconstruction, especially the lack of a responsive customer email system. But it's easy to see why they get away with what they do.
For the many people who live in East Scotland, no other carrier can give direct flights to many destinations from Edinburgh (supposedly our CAPITAL city). TD has little competition to Majorca. (try booking on internet--routes,journey times&prices.) He flies to many destinations impossible to reach from Edinburgh. His unfortunate foray into the Big Pond market was that he saw substantial gaps in the market, but tried to fill these gaps without fully experienced staff & equipment.
His competitors are as much to blame for many of our complaints, as if THEY flew from Edinburgh, TD would have to pull his socks up and learn the meaning of CUSTOMER SERVICE. Lack of competition is what's really behind Globespans shortcomings. Whilst we all back stab Globespan, and rightly so, if they fold, pity help us who are so very fortunate to live in East Scotland.
News Update:Reply from Trading Standards:- If you have issues about flight delays etc.etc. or wish to claim compensation, these complaints are dealt with by Air Transport Users Council at
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=306.
Changes to routes/times etc. are handled by Edinburgh Trading Standards, by alan.j.brown@edinburgh.gov.uk
Mr Brown will be speaking to Globespan shortly!
Hope this helps some victims.
Meeting between Trading Standards and globespan is scheduled for 12thDec. So. if you want your complaints heard, you should contact Trading Standards PDQ. Replies may take some time, but you will get a response. I have asked questions in certain quarters as to how much Terms & Conditions are legal and just how far they can be stretched. Again, reply will take time.
VIP Click on to Fred Flintstones thread for comments relating to who to complain to. Trading standards need your input before 12/12/07
Further to comments under Fred Flintstone, trading standards meeting with globespan has been postponed due to illness. Will now take place early in new year. Got strange email from globespan---email came from news@flyglobespan. IT WAS BLANK--just like globespans promises!
There was no picture or words, subject was Happy Christmas! Not possible to reply to news@flyglobespan!
As you all know, some of the money scammed from you by VWP goes to Gold Crown Resort to buy accommodation. GCR & ventura1 (frank madden) have threatened legal action to another website which posts victims views & stories.
The neck of some people ! It's the victims that should be taking legal action over them, not the other way round.
Some Sale ! Globespans January sale is on and offering up to 50% off flights. What this eye catching advert doesn't say is that as of March 2008, all passengers will be charged £8 per trip for their suit case.£16 if you pay at airport. They are following in the steps of Jet2.com. So much for the reduced flight prices. A typical Edinburgh company---screw the B------s for what you can get.
I have read the post from B Tamsin and find it absolutely ridiculous that Trading Standards apparently don't have the powers to make rouge traders toe the line. When will we have an organisation in this country that has the balls and laws behind them to close businesses that cheat or mislead. Perhaps the new EU law on unfair business practices will help.
Despite rumours that VWP would close if they failed to recruit sufficient ### to their sales deck for 2008, it appears that they are still AT IT.
PLEASE warn all friends and family going to Majorca this year to be on their guard for the touts. Expect different story this year, but scam just the same.
Despite being interviewed by trading standards, globespan are still AT IT. Advertising good flight times on their website to entice people to book early(getting interest on your money). A few weeks after booking, when plane is nearly fully booked, they change flight times to the unaceptable, causing clients great headaches in arranging forward transport and getting access to appartments at some ungodly hour.
Information update: In 2004 Globespan was reported to the OFT Re their "Terms & Conditions". As a result of this, they had to make several changes. In light of volume of current complaints, the OFT are to be asked to intervene yet again.
You would think that because of all the trouble that they had in 2007, that they would be going flat out to improve their reputation, but this not so. Still no customer service email facility, and when I phoned head office the other day, they are still completely intransigent to even the simplest customer requests.
VIP update VIP.
The most recent information from OFT is that each individual complaint is being logged. When there are sufficient numbers, members of the investigation team will take action, as they did in 2017.
It's now up to you folks, either forward your complaint to OFT, or put up and shut up.!
To contact Office of Fair Trading, e-mail
enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk. Mark email FAO Adenrele Ogayemi.
Apparently, a woman who lives locally has also had her holiday to Barcelona messed up due to change in flight times, similar to other contributers.
Kenny, there is NO cooling off period with VWP. After fighting with them, they will allow cancellation of contract, but will keep your deposit. Most of us victims have had to fight long and hard to try and recoup all/some of our deposit back.
Apart from Edinburgh Trading Standards and the CAA. You can also contact the Office of Fair Trading, who are presently building a file of complaints on Globespan. It is imperative that as many victims as possible complain in this fashion. To contact OFT
enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk. mark for attention of Adenrele Ogayemi. Alternatively, Kyla.Brand@oft.gsi.gov.uk
Only when a number of complaints are received will action be taken!
Just heard from OFT. They are working with Spanish Authorities to build cases against holidayclubs in Spain. They ask that all victims of holidayclub scams contact them with details of scam. You can contact them on scams@oft.gsi.gov.uk, mark "subject "FAO Pierre Cagnon. Or, enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk, marking FAO Kristine Martinenko.
For those requiring individual advice on consumer rights in Europe, contact UK European Consumer Centre on ecc@tsi.org.uk
In order to have action taken against these pond life, it is imperative that as many people as possible bring their complaints to the prper authorities. PLEASE HELP
PROSECUTION
In todays local paper(Dundee Courier)27/5/08, there is an article stating that the CAA are to prosecute globespan for allegedly operating an aircraft with a faulty engine warning gauge. Another charge relates to allegedly failing to file a safety report about this defect.
Pity CAA don't prosecute for the disgusting treatment Globespan enforce upon their loyal customers!
It may not be long however, until such treatment infringes "the unfair terms in consumer contracts" law which recently is being adopted accross Europe. This will over-ride globespan's infamous "Terms & Conditions" which they appear to use as a bible, to absolve them from any responsibility & complaints.
Steve, not much travel agents can do as many people now booking DIY holidays. Holidaywatchdog .com has explanation about this (page 10/11) I think. If you want to help then contact British Airport Authorities and ask them to warn passengers at check in. Some people already done this but needs several more complaints to activate these sort of companies. Also report story to scams@oft.gsi.gov.uk. Mark fao Adenrele Ogayemi.
