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Saphos Trains 2018

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by gwr4090, Dec 19, 2017.

  1. Dobbs0054

    Dobbs0054 Member

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

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    Same story for me.
     
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  3. Cal.N

    Cal.N New Member

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    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
     
  4. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  6. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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

    pjhliners Member Friend

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    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
     
  8. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    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
     
  9. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    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 :)
     
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  10. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    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?
     
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  11. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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

    Kingston Flyer Member

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    My money went yesterday.

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

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Was this the company who were going to show other TOCs how it should be done?
    Just askin'.
     
  14. Platform 3

    Platform 3 Member

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

    Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk
     
  15. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    Isn't it spelled stirrin' rather than askin'? ;)
     
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  16. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Here we go again, anyone can make detrimental comments about other TOCs and not be questioned, but if I have a go it's wrong.
     
  17. Chris_Sav

    Chris_Sav Member

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    Any chance of keeping on topic for once instead of this boring infantile ping-pong
     
  18. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    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.
     
  19. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    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?
     
  20. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    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.
     

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