Very disappointingly, after being fully booked for QPR over a week ago and turning people away, we've had numerous late cancellations and have ended up with 18 empty seats. This will cost us £800 of lost income. As a result of this, next season, anyone who books on and then cancels within 5 days of a game will still be required to pay the coach fare. Anyone who then doesn't pay what they owe will be refused future bookings.

Its a pi$$ take, id be fuming

Leisure wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:58 pm

Very disappointingly, after being fully booked for QPR over a week ago and turning people away, we've had numerous late cancellations and have ended up with 18 empty seats. This will cost us £800 of lost income. As a result of this, next season, anyone who books on and then cancels within 5 days of a game will still be required to pay the coach fare. Anyone who then doesn't pay what they owe will be refused future bookings.

I don't envy you organising these Pete ... must be like herding cats at times

Even a deposit taking on booking wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Absolute jokers some people, don’t envy you in the slightest Pete.

Don't know how you do it Leisure, it seems you have a thankless task at times from things I read on here.
I've never travelled with Accy Clarets or by coach for that matter, yet I applaud you and your mates for your great efforts in getting fans to away games.

You can see the effort that goes in from the posts on here. Im generally a good judge of character but you can see the pi$$ takers from a mile off.

Nobody on a Friday afternoon suddenly finds out - they've now got to go there for work, decided to make a weekend of it, "medical reasons" it's all just lies. And when asked if their tickets are available silence.

Just liars, Id not give them the benefit of the doubt. Just ban them. Any first time bookers pay on booking is what I'd do.

Leisure wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:58 pm

Very disappointingly, after being fully booked for QPR over a week ago and turning people away, we've had numerous late cancellations and have ended up with 18 empty seats.....

"The Barnsley 9" springs to mind Leisure!

IAmAClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:20 pm

"The Barnsley 9" springs to mind Leisure!

Them were the days! Didn't charge anybody on that bus!

Can you create a link that allows people to pay deposits for each game? Or just set up a separate bank account and ask people to pay into it for deposits?

Just a consideration, may be worth thinking about anyone who let's you down paying up front via transfer the next time they want to go.

Incredible.

For what it’s worth, I think what you’re proposing is way too generous.

I would insist on at least half payment up front to secure the booking. Immediately sorts out those who are serious and those who are not.

The chances are, most people on your waiting list will have made other plans 5 days in advance - booked elsewhere, bought train tickets, arranged car shares, etc.

Could you not sort out online banking?
Get people to pay when they book, just like they would on any other travel service.
I'd happily pay upfront

It sounds as though the 18 have more probably found alternative travel arrangements, sat with quite a few on the train that only booked yesterday. It would be nice if those that have pulled out at such short notice did the decent thing and honoured the coach cost. Only use Accy Clarets infrequently but a superb service and commitment from Leisure.

When we put coaches on everyone has to pay up front.
It works for us, and I do think you should think about this.
Not confirming a booking until you have received the money.
I know its more work, but at least you are not losing money.

Burnleybabe wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 9:00 am

When we put coaches on everyone has to pay up front.
It works for us, and I do think you should think about this.
Not confirming a booking until you have received the money.
I know its more work, but at least you are not losing money.

Replied to you on the other thread.

chipbutty wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 11:42 pm

Could you not sort out online banking?
Get people to pay when they book, just like they would on any other travel service.
I'd happily pay upfront

Thousands of people don't do online banking, rather unfair to put them in a position to have to do in order to travel on a football supporters coach imo, people should honour their booking or surely do the right thing, or perhaps not book in the first place.

Leisure needs to be fan of the year. What a service he gives to fans only travelled once as moved to the south west.
The organisation and time he gives to allow claret fans to travel is above and beyond.

alwaysaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 9:29 am

Thousands of people don't do online banking, rather unfair to put them in a position to have to do in order to travel on a football supporters coach imo, people should honour their booking or surely do the right thing, or perhaps not book in the first place.

How do they manage to book holidays etc?

Well I don't atm, unfortunately have a dog to sort out, and yes there's kennels but that's another story. But if I was booking a holiday I'd likely do it through high st travel agent in the shop.

alwaysaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 9:54 am

Well I don't atm, unfortunately have a dog to sort out, and yes there's kennels but that's another story. But if I was booking a holiday I'd likely do it through high st travel agent in the shop.

However, do fully appreciate it's a problem, and as others have said you do an absolutely fabulous job.

alwaysaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 9:29 am

Thousands of people don't do online banking, rather unfair to put them in a position to have to do in order to travel on a football supporters coach imo, people should honour their booking or surely do the right thing, or perhaps not book in the first place.

I don't buy into that one .
I don't use apps , don't book flights, match tickets or banking , I even get Mrs Tribes to load my phone credit .
Yep I get someone to do it for me , now if I was by myself I am dam sure I would be quick to learn .

Leisure wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:58 pm

Very disappointingly, after being fully booked for QPR over a week ago and turning people away, we've had numerous late cancellations and have ended up with 18 empty seats. This will cost us £800 of lost income. As a result of this, next season, anyone who books on and then cancels within 5 days of a game will still be required to pay the coach fare. Anyone who then doesn't pay what they owe will be refused future bookings.

Very disappointing to hear. I've booked through you on here (although come to think of it maybe way back on CM) and have travelled with Accy clarets a few times. You offer a fantastic service and you've always been very helpful. At 16 you warned me and my mate not to stray too far from Tottenham's ground or we could find trouble. Something which we followed your advice on and we stayed safe.
I'm happy if you create a just giving page or something to chuck 10 or 20 quid in to help you, maybe a few more might and it can help reduce your 800 quid cost?

You could set yourself up with a Revolut Pro account leisure. Works a bit like a business account so keeps things separate and then people can easily send you the cash, you can send them links to easily pay or use your phone to take contactless payments. Quick and easy to set up on your side and allows you to easily track everything.

I'd be willing to bet at least 90% of the letdowns will be young lads. Suppose apart from your regulars you don't know who anybody is behind their username on here.

alwaysaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 9:29 am

Thousands of people don't do online banking, rather unfair to put them in a position to have to do in order to travel on a football supporters coach imo, people should honour their booking or surely do the right thing, or perhaps not book in the first place.

I'll wager those who didn't show up all use online banking, and pay for most stuff via their phone

You deserve a medal for what you do!

It does feel like there needs to be a requirement of upfront payment in full, or at least a sizeable, say 50%, deposit.

That said, you know much better than me and most others on the best way to run it.

Leisure wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:58 pm

Very disappointingly, after being fully booked for QPR over a week ago and turning people away, we've had numerous late cancellations and have ended up with 18 empty seats. This will cost us £800 of lost income. As a result of this, next season, anyone who books on and then cancels within 5 days of a game will still be required to pay the coach fare. Anyone who then doesn't pay what they owe will be refused future bookings.

It's a very sad state of affairs.

You and the other fan clubs who organise away travel, irrespective of the football club, bust a gut to help people. And despite all your patience, requests to inform - it's not rocket science contacting you in advance - and tolerance, some people show a total lack of respect.

YOU deserve a break. Like us all, you'll miss matches until August but you won't have to be organising trips for a few months.

Take care, Pete.

Row x wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 10:28 am

I'll wager those who didn't show up all use online banking, and pay for most stuff via their phone

Very likely I'd say.

Tribesmen wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 10:05 am

I don't buy into that one .
I don't use apps , don't book flights, match tickets or banking , I even get Mrs Tribes to load my phone credit .
Yep I get someone to do it for me , now if I was by myself I am dam sure I would be quick to learn .

Absolutely get what you say, but what a sad state of affairs to contemplate having to do this.

taio wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 26, 2025 10:37 am

You deserve a medal for what you do!

It does feel like there needs to be a requirement of upfront payment in full, or at least a sizeable, say 50%, deposit.

That said, you know much better than me and most others on the best way to run it.

Upfront payments and bookings under proper names, not untraceable anonymous user names on here, would sort out a lot of the problems.

Many thanks for suggestions/comments.

Leisure wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:58 pm

Very disappointingly, after being fully booked for QPR over a week ago and turning people away, we've had numerous late cancellations and have ended up with 18 empty seats. This will cost us £800 of lost income. As a result of this, next season, anyone who books on and then cancels within 5 days of a game will still be required to pay the coach fare. Anyone who then doesn't pay what they owe will be refused future bookings.

Nothings changed then Pete , some could have genuine excuses and some are still taking the **** because you and your team have put a lot of hard work in over the years when i used to travel with you...

Cheers for everything once again Pete, still baffles my mind that some on here book on with no content of going!

Always a cracking service & a great bunch of lads for whom make the days very enjoyable!

Leisure wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:41 am

Many thanks for suggestions/comments.

I haven’t read all the thread and I’m sure you have already thought about it, but if someone doesn’t turn up and then doesn’t pay up what’s to stop them using a different name to book next year.

I’m sure if you decided to take money up front there would be some of your regulars that would help with the extra work involved.

I only used the service once last year to book for a friend and her son but I know they enjoyed the experience and once again thanks for all your efforts

Yorkshirelad wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 28, 2025 1:11 pm

I haven’t read all the thread and I’m sure you have already thought about it, but if someone doesn’t turn up and then doesn’t pay up what’s to stop them using a different name to book next year.

There's nothing to stop them and that's why we'll trial upfront payments.

A tip of the hat to you Leisure and your team in providing a fantastic service for fellow Clarets. I’ve travelled with Accy Clarets a few times and each time had a great day.

It beggars belief how people think it is acceptable to simply cancel bookings at the last minute without a moments thought of how that impacts other people.

Sadly, a deposit or full payment is definitely the way forward.

Bank transfers have worked superb on ours after being introduced this season , And it actually benefits both ways ..
If someone ducks the club doesn't lose out plus the supporter has already shelled out for his ticket and coach so
the day works out cheaper with only beer /food money to find , makes a big difference for a family ..