Flashback
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2006
- Posts
- 12,552
A cautionary tale!
Almost fell victim, but luckily rectified eventually (with the help of the tourist police, but even they needed to be carefully guided/shoved to actually be of any use!). I left some bags at left luggage run by Guardforce on BKK level 2 arrivals, before heading out for the day. The real problems with these clowns started once I arrived back and tried to pickup my bags. After a bit of a wait, I handed over my ticket and the 200 THB as requested and waited.... a few people came in after, did the same and were all given their bags. Anyway, after 5 minutes I asked where my bags were and was told I hadn't paid.... obviously I had, which I pointed out but was told that no I hadn't. Ah, fun times were ahead!
I told them to check their CCTV (could see 2 cameras in plain sight from where I was) but they wouldn't. I said I'd go and get the police, they still didn't budge. So off I went (my wife stayed at the counter) and grabbed the tourist police which were conveniently next door! After a short explanation they came over with me and had a chat, but still no progress. Another 10 minutes had passed and they finally agreed to review the CCTV. No invite to me of course..... taking a risky approach, I invited myself out the back with them and watched as they played back the footage. No cash was to be seen at. That's odd I thought, play it back again please! Watched it again... same thing. Then it clicked, I asked to watch from the beginning. As I walked in..... I went straight to the counter, no wait. Ahhh! Sneaky buggers. They were playing the footage from 11am in the morning when we dropped off the bags, even though I made it clear I paid only 15 minutes earlier (as they won't accept payment when you drop off the bags). I told them they were reviewing the wrong video but was told to be quiet and keep watching. Umm, OK - can't understand why but fair enough.... Waited, saw me walk off the CCTV screen... then I said to them, again, that they were reviewing the wrong footage and needed to review just before 6pm. I was told no, I hadn't paid and I needed to pay.
So another 5 minutes later, after me being rather stubborn (foolishly perhaps? it was a matter of principle though!) they eventually agreed to play the correct footage (this was the tourist police at this stage - previously it had been the Guardforce supervisor). Roll on..... we play, but it's too late - they show me waiting at the counter after the money had been taken already. No, I said - this is too far ahead. They refused to wind it back - so again, rather riskily I took the mouse and set it to the right time. Lo and behold, 30 seconds later you see me put the cash on the counter and then the lady who swore she didn't receive the money, take it and put it into her pocket. Ahh...... yes, thanks, I'll take my bags now.
An unbelievably annoying situation and all over 200 THB, but out of principle there's no way in heck I was going to back down and pay again - plus, I didn't have any more cash on me.
Is this a one off? Perhaps. But if not, good for others to know and be wary when using it. I'd be interested to see if anyone else has had anything similar happen!
Almost fell victim, but luckily rectified eventually (with the help of the tourist police, but even they needed to be carefully guided/shoved to actually be of any use!). I left some bags at left luggage run by Guardforce on BKK level 2 arrivals, before heading out for the day. The real problems with these clowns started once I arrived back and tried to pickup my bags. After a bit of a wait, I handed over my ticket and the 200 THB as requested and waited.... a few people came in after, did the same and were all given their bags. Anyway, after 5 minutes I asked where my bags were and was told I hadn't paid.... obviously I had, which I pointed out but was told that no I hadn't. Ah, fun times were ahead!
I told them to check their CCTV (could see 2 cameras in plain sight from where I was) but they wouldn't. I said I'd go and get the police, they still didn't budge. So off I went (my wife stayed at the counter) and grabbed the tourist police which were conveniently next door! After a short explanation they came over with me and had a chat, but still no progress. Another 10 minutes had passed and they finally agreed to review the CCTV. No invite to me of course..... taking a risky approach, I invited myself out the back with them and watched as they played back the footage. No cash was to be seen at. That's odd I thought, play it back again please! Watched it again... same thing. Then it clicked, I asked to watch from the beginning. As I walked in..... I went straight to the counter, no wait. Ahhh! Sneaky buggers. They were playing the footage from 11am in the morning when we dropped off the bags, even though I made it clear I paid only 15 minutes earlier (as they won't accept payment when you drop off the bags). I told them they were reviewing the wrong video but was told to be quiet and keep watching. Umm, OK - can't understand why but fair enough.... Waited, saw me walk off the CCTV screen... then I said to them, again, that they were reviewing the wrong footage and needed to review just before 6pm. I was told no, I hadn't paid and I needed to pay.
So another 5 minutes later, after me being rather stubborn (foolishly perhaps? it was a matter of principle though!) they eventually agreed to play the correct footage (this was the tourist police at this stage - previously it had been the Guardforce supervisor). Roll on..... we play, but it's too late - they show me waiting at the counter after the money had been taken already. No, I said - this is too far ahead. They refused to wind it back - so again, rather riskily I took the mouse and set it to the right time. Lo and behold, 30 seconds later you see me put the cash on the counter and then the lady who swore she didn't receive the money, take it and put it into her pocket. Ahh...... yes, thanks, I'll take my bags now.
An unbelievably annoying situation and all over 200 THB, but out of principle there's no way in heck I was going to back down and pay again - plus, I didn't have any more cash on me.
Is this a one off? Perhaps. But if not, good for others to know and be wary when using it. I'd be interested to see if anyone else has had anything similar happen!
