Ryan Air Additional Charges Rip Off
Monday, November 10th, 2008 | Life, Online Reputation Management, Travelling | No Comments
I have just recently booked four flights to Prague for a trip at the end of the month after seeing an offer on the extremely popular TravelZoo weekly top 20.
The offer was free flights and only £10 tax on selected dates. I logged on to RyanAir.com and found suitable dates and true to the offer I was able to book 4 flights for £80, what a deal.
Unfortunately this is where the deal turns sour, firstly I needed to enter the details of all passengers and what luggage was being taken. So I entered the details and specified 2 passengers would be taking a back that would need to be checked in at £8 per bag per flight that added another £32, not the end of the world.
I then selected online checkin as this would save another £32 but unfortunately this was not available from Prague airport, so more money was added to the bill, by this stage we are at £144.
Now for the real kick in the balls, online checkout. With my flight nearly at double the original cost I selected credit card from the available options, to my amazement a £32 booking fee, yes that’s not a typo thirty two whole English pounds.
So I thought, switch to my Debit card and that figure will reduce down, but it didn’t. I noticed there was a Ryan Air credit card option so I selected that to see if customers loyal enough to embrace the Ryan Air credit card would be fortunate enough not be ripped off like this, but no even Ryan Airs on credit card customers get charged.
The way they justified the charge was £4 per person per flight, in actual fact the credit card fee for processing would have been around 2.20 if that.
Now the point of this post is not to complain about the price £174 for 4 return flights to Prague at sensible times is great value, but increasing the price by over 50% once deciding to book is an absolute disgrace, something should be done about this kind of advertising.
Had the price been advertised I would have been telling lots of people what a great deal I had got from Ryan Air on my flights to Prague instead I have written this blog, told countless people and added feedback to Business Rating site Plebble.
Come on Ryan Air play the game, engage your customer solicit feedback and leverage the power of a great online reputation, it really isn’t difficult.
No amount of Online Reputation Management will help Adam Smith
Monday, November 10th, 2008 | Business, Comedy, Online Reputation Management | No Comments
When a drunken britsh journalist Adam Smith from Birmngham was filmed covering the US elections after a few to many beers by a dutch reporter he may not of expected to become an overnight YouTube hit, for more info read the article on the Daily Mail Site
Unfortunately for Adam thats what happened and he may have just ruined his career as any dilligent employer is likely to google potential employees and may be shocked when they come across the video below, it may take more than a bit of Online Reputation Management to sort this one out.
US Election What Would Boris Do
Saturday, November 1st, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
So the circus US election is nearly upon us and it has been fascinating to watch how our friends across the pond get so passionate about their Politics, I would like to see something similar in the UK. Although I would rather put pins in my eyes then listen to another uninspiring speech from Mr Brown, why can’t all politicians be like Boris.
I have to say I think Obama will win as all the Polls suggest which I believe is a good thing, the last thing we need is another 4 years of Bush style incompetence and administration.
Also what is Sarah Palin all about, many believe she is the future of the Republican Party, could her folksy hockey mom approach be any more irritating.
Trip to Thailand Part 1
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 | Travelling, Trips | No Comments
So I have been here for 3 days now and it has been quite an experience.
Arrived on the 22:00 from Heathrow, was sat next to an australian guy called Andy who was a fairly broad chap and a girl who was off to New Zealand for a year, was good to sit next to 2 decent people rather than the obligatory in flight idiot.
On arriving in Bangkok it was genuinely hotter than the sun and I nearly melted, I had an hour wait before getting a 40 minute internal flight to Hua Hin. I was the only person on the small 12 seater plane – my own plane for £55 quid – lovely stuff.
Met gilesey at the airport, and jumped aboard a Tuk Tuk back to his Villa.
Quick turnaround and we were straight out into Hua Hin, home to the king of Thailand and quite possibly the highest concentration of Brass per Sq Km in the world. Went a got a great meal in a restaurant opposite the Hilton around 7 dishes, copious amounts of beer all for £20.
Have had a relaxing first few days chilling at the Hilton pool and drinking in some crazy bars, it is is certainly authentic thailand. It is almost impossible to work down a street with out being propositioned. It must be like this for celebrities constantly – I would hate it.
Of to Koh Samui tomorrow on a five hour train for the weekend, I hope they have a first class carriage!! I had suggested riding down on the scooters we have hired but it is 300 miles and thats a long way on a hair dryer.
The Tuk Tuk
Gilesey’s Villa
12 cocktails £15 quid – lovely stuff
Some Welsh people we met whilst very very drunk – they loved us!
Chilling at the Hilton
Hilton Pool – a place to watch the world go by.
Ronaldo Leaves United – Hitler Parody
Saturday, June 28th, 2008 | Comedy, Football, Viral | No Comments
I was sent a great you tube video yesterday and thought it needed sharing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RsQg1dnwiY]
Absolute genius
Choosing a new gas barbecue
Sunday, April 27th, 2008 | Food, Life | No Comments
I need to get myself a new barbeque for the summer, if it ever arrives and I have been scouring the web looking at all kinds of different contraptions and have come across a site that seems to have a wide range of Barbeques at good prices.
If your looking checkout Keen BBQ
Now I have decided that a gas barbecue would be a much better option than a charcoal barbecue but there is still lots to decide. Do I need 1,2,3 or even 6 burners, which make is the best Weber or Outback, what a nightmare.
After an hours research online I finally picked out the barbecue that was going to be up to the job, a Weber 3 burner which even comes with a 25 year warranty!!
I chose a Weber Spirit e310 all I need now is some sunshine, cold beers and some home made burgers.
Its time to get grilling!
View from the Top of Burj Dubai Worlds Tallest Building
Sunday, April 27th, 2008 | Life, Travelling | 32 Comments
A friend sent me this amazing picture from the top of the Burj Dubai the world tallest building (still underconstruction).
The tiny skyscrapers on the left are over 55 stories and look like toy houses. Also checkout the guys standing on the top balancing on a beam, crazy builders!
Rupert Parkin Runs Marathon
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 | Comedy, Life | No Comments
Unbelievably my friend Rupert Parkin managed to complete 26.2 miles of the London marathon without his heart exploding, who would have thought.
He raised over £5000 for United Response a great charity, and is now firmly back in his drinking boots.
Blogging…Seriously Where do you find the time
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 | Internet, Life | 1 Comment
It always amazes me how much great content there are on peoples blogs. Some of my favourite blogs include www.seomoz.org , www.holymoly.co.uk and www.marketingpilgrim.com but the big question I have to ask is where do people get the time to blog.
In between twittering, being poked, emails, sms oh and doing work for clients where do people find the time!