On The Beach tomfoolery - beware

[KARL]

Tonight I have been trying to book a flight through www.onthebeach.co.uk with an absurd carry on. My first attempt produced an error message saying I had nothing in the basket, even after selecting the desired offer and going through the payment process. The next again produced an error message saying something had gone wrong. I phoned them and a very pleasant voice answered immediately and said nothing was visible on the system but to leave it another hour, then phone back rather than risk making a duplicate booking. I phoned and waited 12 minutes on the free number given with only a recording over and over again, When I tried the premium number I was told I was in a queue so I went back to the free number and waited over an hour without knowing if I was anywhere near being answered. I went online and asked to be called back - but up to now nothing. I also sent feedback explaining I am not happy. In a final attempt to book I tried on another computer and a different connection and again got an error message. I may end up with three bookings or none at all (most likely).

I rather suspect the attractive fare simply is there as a form of a carrot or false advertising, really. I tell this story so others can watch out when dealing with this crowd, and/or also tell of their experience if they have already used them.

[boxtops]

I've no experience of this agency, we always book straight with the airlines. It's really easy and you are not paying any agents' fees. I hope you get this sorted out.

[KARL]

Here is an update: I phoned them on the freephone number as soon as they opened this morning. An extremely pleasant voice answered and the flight was still available at that price. I made the booking and got it through with accommodation added as well. So a good ending to what was an unpleasant experience. Yes, I have paid perhaps £15 more than going straight to the airline and booking the accommodation separately but it was an urgent requirement and I was tired of searching all the combinations which are not available on the airline sites without putting in each one at a time whereas the agency sites sweep through. Yes, it is possible to use the agency site and then use the optimum choice there over on the actual airline's site. With more time I might do things differently but above all I needed to get hold of the agency to clarify whether I had one, more or any booking before doing anything else. There was no explanation as to what had happened.

[bednobs]

looks like you are not the only one http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews98729.html