Kingfisher cancellations

These rumours have been around for at least 4 years now, and resurface every time there is a cancellation, even if it's due to (in these cases) engineering works, or non-availability of a locomotive. They do really need to pull their fingers out regarding refunds though...

 

If we want steam or diessel hauled excursions to continue we must support the organisers. Speading gossip about possibly bankrupcy will not help these guys obtain bookings.

In essence, the future of steam on the mainline is like your village post office use it or loose it.

JS

 

Intersted in all the comments about Kingfisher - i was booked on the Dalesman on the 7/9/08 and received an email on the 4th advising that this was cancelled due to the lack of suitable motive power ( Leander apparently was allocated for the train) it was going to run with heritage diesel power but the booked passengers apparently raised objections to this so it was cancelled- as was the run on the following Wednesday.
It seems very strange to me with all the "pool of locos" at Carnforth (Kingfisher advert) that something could not be found to work these two Dalesman trains. I have been in contact with Kingfisher by email on a many occasions asking about a refund -£140.00 for the train on the 7th and £40 from last years Christmas Dalesman which ran diesel hauled and the passengers were advised by letter that they would receive £15 per adult & £10 per child - this has never been received.
I have just emailed them again ( asking if they have ceased trading)so when i receive a response i will advise.

It would be a shame if they have ceased trading as they put on a good tour and cater for the North of England at sensible prices - too many of the tours commencing in the south pick up ay Preston etc but we are expected to pay the same fares as people joining the trains in the south and when you are travelling as a family this prevents you friom travelling

 

Its not a matter of support the organiser - its a matter of pay for a product, and part of that product is a timely attention to refunds when tours don't run.

The money that so many complain is not being returned is not the property of the promoter, but the property of the client, but at risk until it is returned to its proper owner - as any client of Zoom or XL will tell you.

If anyone can unfold the company structure of Kingfisher that would be instructive, as there is no Kingfisher Productions Ltd, or Kingfisher Railtours Ltd, registered at Companies House, but there is a Wessex Trains Ltd registered at the same address as Kingfisher and Ribblesdale Railtours.

Transparency inspires confidence - company and trading name webs don't

 

This is the problem. I'd love to sign up for the 33s to Pwllheli, but from past experience I just don't want the hassle of trying to get my money back if the trip is cancelled.

So, I'll just show up on the day and hope there is a spare seat. I know that isn't very good for cashflow, but there isn't much incentive to book in advance - except that it helps to make sure the train runs.

Oh, these moral dilemmas!

John

 

Are you aware there are engineering works on the Cambrian on the said date anyway ? be amazed if that one runs.

Edit: the date has changed so ignore above info.

 

Wessex Trains Ltd. used to own Tangmere and (surprisingly) the Wessex Set. Kingfisher bought them out, and Tangmere was sold to Ian Riley and John Bunch...if I remember correctly. Not exactly a web is it? Stop inventing conspiracies.

 

Kingfisher Railtours is a trading name if it is not a company.

It is either Fred Bloggs trading as, or an arm of a limited company, but it is impossible to say from publicly available information what calibre of organisation a customer is paying.

That's not a conspiracy, but a fact.

Like I said - transparency breeds confidence - uncertainty doesn't

 

I have also heard that Kingfisher have gone bust.
No replies to emails sent this week about postponed 70013 trip on Aug 3
Surely someone from Kingfisher should be able to confirm or deny this?

 

A while ago we booked a trip with Kingfisher, it was cancelled at short notice caused by loco. problems. We live in Yorkshire , the trip started and finished in London, this involved a lot of non refundable expense for myself. I had the devils own job getting my refund for the trip out of Kingfisher. Thet is the reason I will not book with them again. Refunds. Mine took 5 months to arrive, afer endless calls, emails and recorded delivery post.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they have gone down the pan. I've had problems getting refunds from Kingfisher for trips in 2006 - they seemed to be having cash flow problems then.
I agree they have run some excellent tours, but when it comes to customer service, they are well short of the mark.

 

As engineering works are planned months in advance it never ceases to amaze me that excursions are advertized then cancelled due to the above.

The closure of Bath Station for six weekends has been planned for a long time so why advertize a Weymouth to Bristol excursion with 30777 .Iwould of thought that the first thing a tour operator would do is speak to Network Rail about gauging issues and engineering work before they post details on their website.It has put me off booking on railtours as i do not have confidence that they will run on the date advertised and with the designated motive power.

 

I'm not defending their slowness with refunds, but can we please have a gentlemen's agreement not to suggest they (or any other operators) have gone bust, unless sure it's true? I'd be sorry to see them go out of business.

John

 

Like to say that I have travelled with Kingfisher several times and have had no problems either with the trains or customer service side. The one sure way to sink a company is for unfounded rumours to circulate wildly.

 

I too hope that Kingfisher continue to offer unique and interesting rail tours. However, when it comes to responding to customers' correspondence and issuing timely refunds, the fact is their service is very poor. As such it does not inspire confidence in those customers affected to book with them again. Kingfisher only have themselves to blame...

 

Another thing Kingfisher could usefully do is to pay more attention to their website and how they update it. A few days ago,they suddenly withdrew(without any explanation) the on-line booking facility.This possibly helped to fuel the rumours of them going under. Today it seems to be back on again,but there is no news or updates section to tell people what is going on and why. Why not have an emailed newsletter to past customers like Steam Dreams do?

I actually really like the sound of the Pwllheli trip on 25th October but I am loath to part with my cash because I have so little confidence it will actually run. I have booked 2 trips with Kingfisher in recent times,both were cancelled,and I (eventually) got a refund.Maybe I was lucky!

Unfortunately unless they sort out their customer service and information I can't see a lot changing.

 

One thing concerning the Kingfisher name: There is a TV production company called Kingfisher, based in Derby. They make regional programs for Central TV, including the "Railway Lives" series a couple of years ago. (I and some friends contributed a few clips to the episode featuring 71000, which is how I know about them.) As far as I can work out, they have no connection with Roger Hardingham's Kingfisher publishing and rail-tour business.

 

Which ones?

 

Has anyone booked on any of the trips or contacted Kingfisher since the rumours were spread? I will shortly be booking 8 tickets for the November trip from Rose Grove to Scarborough (Leander Carnforth to Scarborough). I am just collecting funds from my mates before I book so will post anything I hear when I speak with them in the next week or so.

 

I booked a trip from Hellifield, Settle to Carlisle in July Premier Dining for 4 people (this was my husband's birthday present) they took the full amount £420 straightaway which was booked online. This trip was scheduled on the 10th September 2008. I received a phone call at 5.05pm Tuesday 9th September to say that the trip had been cancelled! There was no explanation why and I thought it was very short notice! I have now tried every day since then to phone for a refund, all I keep getting is the engaged tone on both lines and answering machine after 5pm. I have sent an email and not yet received a reply! Any advice?? ](*,)