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ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek


#115878 10-Apr-2013 13:12
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Hi a few months ago a friend booked Naked Bus from Waihi and ended up having a 6 hour trip to Auckland; she said it was a horror story.

I forgot about it and booked my wife today to leave Waihi Beach to Auckland.
There was a $12 seat available for the same day needed, so went through the booking process.
There was NO mention of the route during the entire booking process and when I got to the invoice page the booking price had gone up to almost $20; a $4 booking fee, an unwanted cancellation fee of $2 (which only works for floods/war/earthquake/major events), an unwanted SMS fee of $1.30. After unchecking unwanted items proceeded to checkout and only after checkout found that the bus goes south to Tauranga then to Hamilton, then to Auckland taking 6 hours for a 2 hour trip.
Unacceptable for wife, so I changed booking to depart Waihi direct Auckland which cost another $5.99 booking fee change (same ticket price).

I suspect that since there is no hint of the unusual route prior to payment apart from '2 changes' that its against Sale of Goods/Services as they are hiding the product detail.
You can check the route by going to their Routes tab, but they keep changing their routes so you just dont know where you are likely to end up!

Its possible if you make a similar mistake that you can pay their wrought fee of $6 to change the booking, but you cant cancel booking once made.

Go Intercity and you cant go wrong!
Cheers,
Al




Alistair Grant George


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jaymz
1133 posts

Uber Geek


  #797142 10-Apr-2013 13:36
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Interesting to know.

I have used Nakedbus in the past and not had any issues with them, however I caught the bus from Hamilton to Auckland (Major Centres)

I just performed the same search you (i assume) did to find bus tickets and noted that there are two options for the trip.



Is it possible that there was the two showing and the wrong one was selected? (Note there are arrival times on the seat you book) .  The second option also shows there are two changes, which i assume means you change bus twice.

I do agree though, their site does need to be a bit clearer with the routes that are in use.



ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #797151 10-Apr-2013 13:46
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jaymz: Interesting to know.

I have used Nakedbus in the past and not had any issues with them, however I caught the bus from Hamilton to Auckland (Major Centres)

I just performed the same search you (i assume) did to find bus tickets and noted that there are two options for the trip.

 

Is it possible that there was the two showing and the wrong one was selected? (Note there are arrival times on the seat you book) .  The second option also shows there are two changes, which i assume means you change bus twice.

I do agree though, their site does need to be a bit clearer with the routes that are in use.


Yes I now notice the trip times are displayed in the little box you show above. But its easy to miss if you are in a hurry.

Still think they need to be more up front with the trip detail before the customer pays their money.
Also see here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g255104-i125-k5029457-Naked_Bus-New_Zealand.html
Al.

1eStar
1604 posts

Uber Geek


  #797177 10-Apr-2013 14:29
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I've used them a bit. They run a pretty good service I reckon. You do need to be a bit savvy when you book online (like most things). I've been with them running way ahead of schedule often. But I don't mind getting to a place early! I once got from Auckland to the Mount an hour earlier than the schedule suggested.



mattwnz
20141 posts

Uber Geek


  #797186 10-Apr-2013 14:41
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Personally I think that fees that you don't see until the checkout shouldn't be allowed. To be fair there are many companies that do it and other countries have cracked down on it. Things like booking fees, it is an automated online system so shouldn't incur them.

Klipspringer
2385 posts

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Inactive user


  #797187 10-Apr-2013 14:43
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$12 for a seat from Waihi Beach to Auckland, that’s cheap as chips!!!
I would have been cautious due to the cheap price.

ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #797323 10-Apr-2013 19:08
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Klipspringer: $12 for a seat from Waihi Beach to Auckland, that’s cheap as chips!!!
I would have been cautious due to the cheap price.

Pricing has never been an issue up till lately when they have these extra charges. Even so, its still competitive but they do change things around a lot, and bus companies cant afford to do that without losing customers.

I just did a quick search on Intercity and for the same trip with better bus it cost $17 which is less and no mucking around with routes eg direct from here to Auckland whereas to get to Auckland direct from here I have to drive my wife to Waihi.
Intercity seem to be more reliable it arrival/departure times too.


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