We have all had problems with being overcharged for goods and services and normally you would just put it down to experience and try not to get caught again.  However, normally the overcharging does not come from a household name who then refuses to accept responsibility for their guarantee and who continues to blatantly overcharge its customers.

This is exactly what has happened to me when I used the Flybe car parking service that they advertise on the front page of their web site "Book Parking - Up to 60% off".  

When booking I was even more convinced to use the service when I saw their “Best price guarantee” on booking page.

My Email of complaint went as follows:

“When I booked my ticket from Norwich to Charles de Gaulle on the 15th October returning on the 21st October I used your Drop and Go Parking service, happy in the knowledge that you guaranteed the lowest price.  I left my car at approximately 1300 and picked it up 18.30.  This was 6 days and 9 hours and was charge £55.49

I was therefore surprised to see at the airport the NCP advertising 5-7days at £5.80 or a total of £40.60 for 7 full days.  Some £14.89 cheaper.

As you will probably be aware your collection and delivery service operates from the NCP car park at Norwich so there is no benefit in using this service in time saved etc and, when you make a cost comparison on their web site as I have done on the attached pictures, the cost comes down still further if you are prepared to put the car in the long stay parking adjacent to the short stay to £38.50 a saving of £16.99.

In summary it would appear that your prices are not the best prices guaranteed and that you are being beaten on a daily basis, both by the standard prices clearly marked in the car park, which all your operators must see on a daily basis (16.8%), and by and even greater margin (26.8%) on the internet.

I would welcome your comments.”

Their letter of response is as follows:

“Thank you for your e-mail of the 23rd October 2007, concerning your reservation with Flybe.

I am sorry to note your dissatisfaction regarding booking car parking facilities through our website, for which I offer our apologies. It is always the aim of Flybe to ensure that all aspects of our passengers’ travel with us are acceptable and satisfactory.

I can advise that the car parking facilities offered to passengers through our Flybe website are operated by Holiday Extras and in view of this they would be responsible for the charges advertised. Please be assured that your comments have been forwarded to those concerned for information.

Thank you for taking the time to write to us, bringing your comments to our attention. Once again our apologies for any dissatisfaction felt.”

I leave it up to you to decide who you think you are dealing with when you look at their web Home Page and car parking page

Below are the comparison pages that I sent them: