I am so angry, I am spitting chips. I cannot believe I have been taken for a "patsy" by Debenhams in Oxford on behalf of The Activity Superstore
I was given a gift of an "experience" - my choice to select high adrenalin or more sedate. The receiver of the gift does not know the value (it is promoted at £99, as if that amount buys everything on the list) - but then it becomes clear when you as the recipient tries to book, that you find that anything worth booking will be at extra (significantly extra!) cost. In the end I chose London theatre and meal for 2 - my husband gave me the present so I thought it would be nice to share. We went yesterday, to see "Wicked" - great show, but totally spoilt by the greed of the providers of the voucher. "Best seats available" were promised, which should say "best seats available within the price range we (Activity Superstore) have bought". Since the only tickets booked by The Activity Superstore were the cheapest in the house, at the back of the gods, this does not leave much room for a pleasant experience. Not the theatre's fault, these were the seats that Activity Superstore purchased, and as the theatre booking office Manager rightly said, they have no control over what agencies sell the tickets on for. The face value of the theatre tickets was £20.
The meal bit has to be written off. Not exactly a dining experience. This was a pub meal (but one could not call it a meal), one course, cheapest item on the menu. Total disgrace. We would not stoop so low for a lunchtime snack let alone a special outing. Max cost would not have exceeded £5 per head. We said no thank you and went elsewhere..
This is mis-selling, and is a product not fit for purpose. Total price paid to Debenhams £99; face value of product £50 (max) not taking account of purchasing power of vendor.
I'm always happy to pay for a worthwhile experience, but I cannot believe I have been so "shafted" by these con merchants. Debenhams should not risk their reputation on such a con. Activity Superstore should be shut down.
Only light on the horizon was the brilliant performance of the theatre booking office who, despite everything, moved us to seats where we had a decent view. They didn't have to do that, but they were just as angry as we were and were prepared to help us.
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