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Russian Rail Tickets

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Trans-Siberian

Author	Message
lisatrav Just Starting Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Springfield Oregon USA	Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 11:23 pm    Post subject: Russian Rail Tickets I am a travel agent trying to purchase Russian Rail tickets in advance. However my clients leave the US next week, and InterGroup has failed to deliver their tickets, that I ordered 3 months ago. Can anybody tell me if it is possible to get a ticket for a Premium (1st Class) Cabin on the trains without an advance reservation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. They are traveling Moscow to Irkutsk, and then Irkutsk to Ulan Bataar. Are the trains full in June??? Thank You Lisa Ledford
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danbrew Just Starting Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 9	Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:49 am    Post subject: Lisa - search for Intergroup and Connect Russia on this forum and others. Unfortunately, it seems that you'll fallen victim to Alexander at Connect Russia. I would not hold your breath in anticipation of tickets from Alexander. Period. Regardless of what he says. Start here to try to get tickets: http://www.waytorussia.net/Services/TrainTickets.html. Follow the RSVP system and then select Svezhy Veter. Or try http://www.sv-agency.udm.ru/sv/rutrains.htm for tickets - if anyone can obtain them for you at the last minute, they can. Yes, the trains are full in the summer - especially first class. You may not be able to obtain 2nd class. Alexander punked me last year (Aug) to the tune of $1200 or so for two first class tickets that never showed up. I've seen dozens of folks online indicate the exact same problem. Good luck. danbrew
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Inter-Group Frequent Guest Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 21	Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Russian Rail Tickets Dear Lisa, your train tickets were sent to you how we promised, but UPS for some reasons failed to deliver them and now your train tickets here in Moscow. We will send them tomorrow again and email you UPS tracking number so you can control the delivery process, they must be delivered to you on Wednesday morning, if everything will be fine. The 1st class train tickets are booked for you, how you requested. Thank you.
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lisatrav Just Starting Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Springfield Oregon USA	Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:50 pm    Post subject: Dear Danbrew, Thanks for your advice! I hope you were able to recover your money from InterGroup. I should have checked these forums before I committed my clients to purchase. Alexander wrote me back and I am to have tickets by Wed. (2 days). But I am not holding my breath. I will move forward with order from the agency you recommended and have my clients pick up in Moscow. Thanks again, and if I end up being stung by Alexander, i'm sure to post it for all to see. lisatrav
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danbrew Just Starting Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 9	Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:36 am    Post subject: Well, here we have Alexander (I guess) responding to your post. He says that the tickets will arrive in Oregon by Wednesday. I suppose it wouldn't hurt for you to wait another day. To answer your question, no, I never received any satisfaction from Alexander, no refund, no apology, no nothing. I did, though, receive a refund from my bank when I reversed charges on the credit card. I never expected Alexander to "pay me twice" - but it took months and months to discuss with him and I never even got an update email from him. It's pretty interesting that Connect Russia would respond to this thread - and it would be nice to hear that you've received your tickets. But I won't be holding my breath either. As a recent newcomer to the moderator staff here in Way To Russia, I'm tempted to delete the post above and ban the user - but I really would like to see improvements made in this situation. Contrary to how my post sounds (this and others), I'm not out to "get" Alexander or Connect Russia, but I absolutely REFUSE to sit by passively when folks such as yourself have the same problems that I did. While I'm not the honcho around here, I'm willing to let this post stay and would encourage you to report back on your experiences. I'll say this, though, should Alexander not come through for you, I'll delete every single reference to Alexander and Connect Russia that I come across unless and until the site owners kick me to the curb. This nonsense with Connect Russia has gone on for way too long. danbrew
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lisatrav Just Starting Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Springfield Oregon USA	Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:47 pm    Post subject: russian trains I was very surprised to see Alexander post here myself. If he has time to read these threads, he has time to process his orders in a timely manner! I bombarded Way to Russia with emails as well as contacted Chrono Pay to initiate a refund for my clients in the event the tickets were not delivered. I am grateful that you guys put the pressure on him!! It is that back office support that is critical to us travel agents!! As far as getting the tickets, I have been following the UPS tracking, and the tickets left Europe, and should reach the US any moment, probably delivered tomorrow (Thurs). Now lets hope the order is accurate. So, many thanks for your attention here. I will use Way to Russia again, and refer my clients and co-workers. Maybe your attention here will serve to help Alexander see the value of communication promptly with his clients, and learn to organize his work load! I will also post again when tickets arrive. Thanks Much lisatrav
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lisatrav Just Starting Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Springfield Oregon USA	Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:19 am    Post subject: dear danbrew, I am happy to say i got the tickets from Alexander in time. The order was accurate. Maybe he is trying to redeem himself. Anyway, I really appreciate your advice! thank you much!
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danbrew Just Starting Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 9	Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:11 am    Post subject: Very nice to hear, thanks for sharing with us.
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