Saphos Trains 2018

So are they holding a file of peoples credit/debit card details that could be accessed/stolen???

 

Same story for me.

 

Obviously some seats are more favourable than others, and if (for example) all window seats are taken, people would simply wait for a tour when they can get the seat they want. While I imagine we would all love this system, it leaves Saphos with only a half full train

 

If so, that begs some pretty serious questions both under data protection law and probably under their merchant agreement to take card payments.

 

GDPR comes into force shortly after the third Saphos Tour will have run, which in theory should mean it should be made known to you in advance (ie at signup) where and for how long any of your personal data (credit/debit details included) will be stored. I'd be quite surprised if this has not been covered off by Saphos. I doubt very much they'll have card details stored anywhere that isn't secure and encrypted, but that should made be clear to any customer before you hand details over.

 

Posts from @staffordian and @lil Bear don't inspire confidence that this is the case as it should be today, let alone post GDPR.

 

I got my confirmation of reservation and payment yesterday for the Welsh Borders Explorer on 28 April. The address from which it came looked familiar. A quick Google showed it was the same address (in St Erth, Cornwall) as Statesman Rail. So you buy another railway touring company and there's a booking organisation ready made for you. Though the general experience doesn't reflect a smooth and slick operation, which was the impression I always had of Statesman.

The proof of the puidding will be in the eating. If the tour runs well, all will be fine

Peter after a lovely sunny day in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

I had an email inviting me to phone and pay for my July trip two days ago. They sent it again today under a heading 'FINAL REMINDER.' I've tried ringing them several times, but only get a recorded message telling me when the office opens. I'll keep trying of course but wondering if they are having a 'poets day?' lol

 

Finally got through! Having read some previous comments here, I asked if payment would be taken today and was told it would not, but at a point fairly soon. That prompted me to ask about my card details security and was told the data would be held in a secure safe with CCTV coverage and in total compliance with PCI requirements. Had I not read the comments above, it would not have occurred to me to ask...so thanks guys

 

It all sounds bizarrely tin pot and not sure whats its got to do with the Presbyterian Church of Ireland .... Especially when they has a company in the group that does the same thing and has the software and ability to take online bookings and payments, really don't understand why at worst Statesman cannot just act as booking agents for them like UKRT? do for the A1 Trust?

 

In which case, you may want to ask what the Department for Social Security have to do with the whole thing...

 

My money went yesterday.

(a bit short & to the point, but nothing further to post)

 

Oh hello Ralph - I wondered how long it would take you to turn up on this topic...

Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk

 

Isn't it spelled stirrin' rather than askin'?

 

Any chance of keeping on topic for once instead of this boring infantile ping-pong

 

Ralph's comment is very valid.

Can't believe Saphos are operating like this in 2018; nor that anyone on this site was happy to provide the information without getting confirmation that the payment has gone through as you get with RTC, SD, UKRT etc. You're probably in breach of your card agreements.

 

Totally agree that on the basis of various posts the transactional arrangements of Saphos appear inadequate and apparently not in any state of readiness to deal with demand. Perhqps too much of a rush to get to market in the first quarter?
As to the validity of Ralphs coment, this is neither a TOC issue nor is it right to pretend remarks about other promoters go unchallenged by criticism - Ralph being usually the first to leap in. Less of the mock outrage?

 

Saphos have now processed the payment for my December 2018 trip. I phoned them and gave my the card details on 7th February or thereabouts. The transaction is dated 24 February.