AVOID for Railcard Purchases
I had to renew my railcard and was aware of a promotion via MSE for 23% discount on network railcards with TrainPal. I downloaded the app using this link. This showed the 23% discount code in the app. When completing the checkout I noted the stated price of £35 but it was not clear that the discount had been removed or was in anyway invalid, so I assumed this was poor web app design. I was however charged the full £35. I contacted TrainPal via email (which took a while to find) expecting them to swiftly provide me with a refund of 23% to honour the terms of the promotion I used to purchase the railcard. After a few days I was advised "we have identified unusual activity associated with your account. Consequently, you are ineligible to participate in related promotional events". I cannot understand what 'unusual activity' this can mean as - to the best of my knowledge - this was the first time I had downloaded and used the app, my first railcard with TrainPal, and the MSE 23% discount offer was clearly still in place. Moreover none of this was made clear to me during the booking process i.e. that the 23% discount would not apply. TrainPal have provided no specific explanation as to what the 'unusual activity' is in my case. I have therefore asked TrainPal to cancel the railcard and provide me with a full refund. They say this is not possible. I have pointed out to the that buying the same railcard from Network Rail entitles the consumer to a 14 day cancellation period - there is no reason under consumer protection law why TrainPal can't cancel my railcard - I haven't even used it!