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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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 Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:36 am Post subject: Significant problems with CONNECTRUSSIA.NET |
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I'll say in advance that I feel pretty bad posting this here - this isn't the way I want to do it, but Alexander is not replying to my emails and I've sent four or five since July 1st.
I paid for tickets with Alexander at ConnectRussia.net for the trans-sib back in April. I had no problem paying up front, and, in fact, have used Alexander & ConnectRussia.net for transsib tickets in the past - and have been very satisfied. But, regretfully, I'm not getting *any* feedback from Alexander as to the status of the tickets.
I leave on my trip in just two weeks - and am scheduled to depart on the TransSib on August 14th. We're well past the 45-day windows within which tickets may be printed.
I don't know what's going on here - and am pretty frustrated. I've sent a handful of emails, have called countless times, all with no response. I've defended Alexander here in the past when folks have posted similar stores - heck, I *am* a satisfied customer of ConnectRussia.net - I've received tickets before and know them to be a reputable company. But I don't know what's going on now? Perhaps Alexander is ill? Does anyone know if there are other folks at ConnectRussia.net to whom we can direct inquiries?
I am really worried that I'll arrive in Moscow without my tickets. What happens then? Assuming that the reservation has been made and the tickets have already been purchased, can I have the train service reprint the tickets for me? Or if they have not yet been purchased (paid for), but the reservation has been made, would it have been made with my name/passport number? I'd be steamed if I had to pay for the tickets twice, but would do that if a reservation had been made and they were holding tickets in my name.
I'm not sure I can recommend ConnectRussia at this point - travel to Russia is complex enough - this is the last thing we need to be worried about. My entire trip to Russia & China could literally fall apart if I am unable to obtain train tickets.
Any pointers would be sincerely appreciated.
Daniel Brewster
danbrew |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:09 am Post subject: |
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| Dan...wow how frustriting and certainly no way to conduct business...do you think that the tickets will be there at the station for you to pick up? Anyways I hope you get this mess sorted out...Good luck with everything. I too plan to do the trasn siberian and will stay away from connect russia |
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Fire_Goddess
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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It seems to be a pattern with this company to not provide details for how they do business, before you buy the tickets, then ignore phone calls and e-mails from people until they are frothing at the mouth and showing up on this forum to complain about it. Does anybody know what customer service is? If this was happening anywhere else, people would assume it was some sort of "fly by night" operation. I dont understand how they are able to book tickets for you on a specific day, but unable to mail the said tickets until a few days prior to your travel.  |
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Fire_Goddess
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Well Dan, has anyone gotten back to you on this issue? |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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| frustraiting...but I would be willing to bet that the tickets will be waiting at the station |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 3:48 am Post subject: |
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Yes, I received a note from Alexander the day after this post:
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The problem is that the 1st class train tickets are still not available on the sale. And we still try finally to book the 1st class compartment for you. And this moment we are can't to say the exact date when your train tickets will be ready, they can be ready tomorrow or on the departure date.
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I shot him back a reply about 20 minutes after he sent the note above and asked whether this was just a delay in issuing the tickets or if this meant that I might not have any tickets...
My reply:
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Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. Is it certain that I still have a reservation and will actually travel on the 14th? I don't have a problem picking up the tickets from you in person when I arrive in Moscow, but if I am not going to be able to travel on the 004Z train on the 14th I'm not certain that I will complete the trip - the entire purpose of the trip is the train.
If I arrive in Moscow and will not travel on the train (as I doubt I would be able to secure other tickets on the train at the last minute), I'm going to be faced with additional hotel nights in Moscow plus airfare to Beijing. Any pointers or insight would be appreciated.
thanks,
daniel
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I'm still waiting on a response to my questions above. I'll keep everyone posted here as to status and let you know what happens. For the record I don't think that the ticket issues originate with Alexander or ConnectRussia - I know the summer is a busy time and they probably get lots of requests. I do wish the communication were a bit better, though.
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:54 am Post subject: |
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| yes sounds like the tickets are not available yet.... |
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eddyderuwe
Just Starting
Joined: 20 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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Having received the same message about the 1st class from Alexander. Have reserved and paid 2 x 1st class tickets Moscow-Ulan Bataar on the 12th of juin07.
Alexander proposed me yesterday 2nd class tickets. That's OK for me. Should get a refund.
Problem is that I don't have confirmation today the 20th of July. Tomorrow morning I have to take the plane for Moscow, and the train should be on the Wednesday 25th of July. I should get the tickets at the hostel in Moscow on Monday, the 23th of July. I'm starting to worrying because I'm the impression I will NOT get any tickets at all. Am I wrong or right? Any idea?
Eddy Deruwe |
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eddyderuwe
Just Starting
Joined: 20 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:09 am Post subject: |
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I`m happy that I received an e-mail of Alexander on Sunday in order to assure me that he will book the tickets on monday.
Today on monday I received the following message:
| Quote: | Your train tickets are booked, the 2nd class, and we will send them to your hostel in Moscow today and they will be delivered to your hostel tomorrow during the day.
When we will calculated the refund for you I will email you.
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I think everything will be OK. Good to know for all of us. Glad we have free internet at the hostel to check all this.
eddy |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:45 am Post subject: |
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Alexander informed me this morning that he has been unable to obtain the tickets. I had previously told him that today was my GO / NO GO date and I had to know one way or the other whether I had tickets for the train. I didn't really care (and said this) whether I couldn't get the tickets until I got to Moscow, but I was scheduled to leave for Moscow the day after tomorrow and didn't want to make the trip if I was to get to Moscow and then not have train tickets. I guess I did not have a confirmed reservation after all.
Alexander did suggest that I take the #020 train next Friday (the 17th) in lieu of the #004 train that I was supposed to take on the 14th. Unfortunately, I don't have the extra time due to vacation schedules and airplane tickets already purchased (which I will now try to exchange, etc.).
Alexander did say that he'll refund the payment made (which I believe he will do), but the whole trip has pretty much fallen apart. The original idea was to do Moscow - Beijing, and then Beijing to Hanoi. I'll probably just fly into Beijing and do the Beijing/Vietnam portion of the trip.
I've asked Alexander to help me understand the best way to work with him in the future as I do want to (eventually) do the trans-sib, and will let everybody know how this works out.
Train stuff happens, I guess.
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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| try mircorp.com to book your tickets |
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danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Have you looked at their prices? |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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| yes very expensive for the tours...but I think you can book just the tickets through them. I've traveld on there tours in the past and they are top notch |
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eddyderuwe
Just Starting
Joined: 20 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject: still didn't get a refund after 4 months |
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I booked train tickets through the services of Connectrusia. Got the tickets and the trip in July 2007 went very well.
Nevertheless I didn't received any message about the refund, neither got someting on my account now more than 4 months after. No way of communication, no e-mail, no website <www> running anymore. |
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eddyderuwe
Just Starting
Joined: 20 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject: Immediate reactio about refund |
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After I send the last message about the refund. In a timeframe of 5 minutes I got some answr from Alexander (now InterGroup).
I'm impressed.
Very glad to know.
Eddy
Got the message:
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Dear Eddy,
This is Alexander from ConnectRussia.Net team.
We will refund you the difference shortly. Please accept our apologies for this delay.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reply to this e-mail.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Alexander Oskin
Inter Group, Inc.
internet: http://www.intergrouprussia.com
e-mail: *
phone: +7 495 221-1266
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