When I was about 15 I was getting on a National Express bus from London to Cornwall
Two guys before me were told the bus was full. I saw money change hands and the two men were seated. I went to get on and was told sorry the bus is full. I had a valid ticket for that exact bus so complained loudly and shouted at the guy that I had seen him tell the other two that the bus was full yet they slip him money and are seated. Arguements went back and forth and I said I was going to the office to report him. I went to the luggage bay and grabbed my guitar and backpack. He grabbed me as I walked away and pushed me to the floor. I Got up and he then grabbed my guitar and threw it to the floor breaking it. He then walked back to the bus got in and drove away.

I went to the office where I was promptly grabbed by security. The driver had got on the bus and reported that he had just had to throw a violent man with a guitar off the bus and not to let me board any other bus. I told my story and they agreed that they couldn't leave a 15 year old stranded in London. I was placed on a bus but told that I would be thrown off if any trouble happened. Again I explained that I had never been able to board the bus in the first place as they guy sold my seat to someone else.

When I got home a long letter of complaint was written. I got no reply. I phoned and it was confirmed that they had received it. I still heard nothing. More letters were sent this time recorded, still no response. I made more calls and was never allowed to speak with the person in charge. When I called they seemed to know exactly who I was and fob me off with more and more excuses of why I couldn't talk to her.

Eventually I went to a solicitor and paid big bucks to get them to write a letter demanding they pay for the repairs on my guitar. Surprise surprise I hear nothing. We pay more money for copy of CCTV footage, we had exact date and time. We get a letter saying that they are unable to provide as they are unable to see who I am amongst the other people there. I wrote another letter giving them a clue that I was the one being pushed over and having his guitar broken. No response. More calls came to nothing and they started denying the woman worked there anymore. Then they started claiming to have no record of it. As they never wrote to me except to say they couldn't provide CCTV I had no proof they had any details about me and gave up. It had been going on for 2 years.

These days with no win no fee I'd just phone one of the numbers of the telly and let them deal with it. National Express are cunts. I've taken the train ever since.
( Peej, Thu 2 Sep 2010, 13:37, Reply)