Trainline fault left me with tickets I didn't want

Trainline fault left me with tickets I didn't want

Edinburgh-bound passenger hits the buffers as website fails to verify credit card details.

I tried to book online train tickets to Edinburgh through The Trainline. I was unable to verify my credit card details two days running so booked directly through South West Trains. I then received a confirmation email from Trainline even though I did not "confirm" my booking. I now have two sets of tickets costing more than £100 each. Trainline says it can't find the booking reference and, despite sending frequent emails, nothing happens. MLT-B, Batcombe, Somerset The Trainline says you encountered a "technical error" when verifying your credit card details. The on-screen message said payment had not been authorised, although it had. It has refunded the cost of one set of tickets and added £10 to apologise. It described this as an isolated incident, but other readers have had difficulties confirming purchases through Verified by Visa. Like most of them, you bank with First Direct. Clearly something is going wrong and one weakness occurs to me: banks can still choose to allow payment even after Verified by Visa flags a refusal although. Customers are unaware of this until they find multiple sums debited from their bank accounts. I would like to hear from anyone who has encountered this problem. • Email Margaret Dibben at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Margaret Dibben, Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU and include a telephone number. Do not enclose SAEs or original documents. Letters are selected for publication and we cannot give personal replies. The newspaper accepts no legal responsibility for advice.

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Trainline.com ads banned for exaggerating online savings

Trainline.com ads banned for exaggerating online savings

Watchdog censures ticketing firm Trainline.com's TV adverts portraying rail users who buy tickets at stations as sheep.

Link to this video A high-profile TV advertising campaign by the ticketing firm Trainline.com, promising big discounts and portraying rail users who buy tickets at train stations as sheep, has been banned by the advertising watchdog for exaggerating the amount that can be saved online. The TV and poster campaign, developed by ad agency Delaney Lund Knox Warren, featured sheep queueing for tickets at a train station. A voiceover asked why commuters were still "paying full price" by buying tickets at the station. It said that on average 39% could be saved by buying tickets in advance at the firm's website, thetrainline.com. The Advertising Standards Authority received 27 complaints that the ads were misleading. Complainants said that the ads were misleading because they exaggerated the savings that could be made, implied that cheap advance tickets could only be bought on the thetrainline.com website, and suggested that special advance tickets for some journeys could not be bought online. Trainline.com admitted that same-price tickets could be bought from railway stations and other outlets, but said that the aim of the ad was to publicise the savings that could be made buying in advance. The company also said that advance tickets were available "for the vast majority of the most popular routes". The ASA dismissed the complaints that the ad implied that thetrainline.com was the only place to buy advance tickets. However, the watchdog banned the TV ad because the basis of the claim of 39% savings online, as opposed to buying on the day of travel at a station, was not included in the commercial. The ASA also upheld complaints that the TV and poster ads were misleading because there were a number of rail routes on which savings were not available. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

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Job Interview Dress

Often when you need to learn how to tie a tie it is because you have to show up for a job interview in the near future. To help you along and get the most out of your tie knot I put together this page.

At a formal job interview, one of the things you want to project is confidence. This is best accomplished if you use the thick, wide and triangular Windsor Knot to tie your tie.

However, while the tie knot is a very important aspect of your job interview attire, your overall appearance counts as well. Hence, it is important to understand what makes up your entire conservative job interview dress that is still the standard in most corporations.

The following list should give you a good idea of how to dress for a job interview:

• Suit: A conservative, two-piece dark grey or a dark blue business suit would be the ideal suit to wear on the day of your job interview.
• Shirt: A white, long-sleeved dress shirt that is neatly pressed and has a good fit is recommendable.
• Tie: Go for a plain colored, non-distracting, conservative dark blue or dark red necktie made of 100% pure silk.
• Tie accessories: A classic silver tie bar ensures that your tie is held in place during the interview. Without one, you often end up adjusting your tie several times during the interview, which will make you look nervous.
• Shoes: Clean and polished conservative dress shoes, black lace-ups if possible, would be your best choice.
• Socks: Dark socks, black if possible, would be ideally suited.
• Belt: The belt should match the color of your shoes, so go with a black one if possible
• Hair: Make sure that you get a well-groomed hairstyle before the interview. Be aware that short always fares best in interviews.
• Beard: A beard needs to be shaved off.
• Mustache: Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, then at least make sure it is neat and trimmed.
• Fingernails: Ensure that they are clean and trimmed.
• Rings: Wedding or college rings are generally acceptable but other rings are not.
• Earrings & piercings: Both earrings and visible body piercings should be taken out on the day of the interview.
• Body odor & fresh breath: Make sure that you do not smell badly and chew some gum before the interview, yet never during the interview.
• Perfume & cologne: Keep perfume and cologne to a minimum.
• Briefcase: Take along a briefcase with a notepad and a pen for any notes you may have to take during or after the interview.

Realizing that this list is quite exhaustive, I still think that you should try to make effort to ensure your job interview attire resembles the one above. Remember, it is almost always better to be higher than the standard than lower. In the end, you are interviewing for your future so every additional effort that sets you apart from your competitors will benefit you eventually.

Consider putting all your clothes on the day before the interview to get an idea of the "big picture", especially if you are not used to wearing formal clothes. In that case, it is better to feel a bit awkward the day before the interview than on the day itself.

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Windsor Knot Tie

Windsor Knot

The Windsor Knot is a thick, wide and triangular tie knot that projects confidence. It would therefore be your knot of choice for presentations, job interviews, courtroom appearances etc. It is best suited for spread collar shirts and it's actually quite easy to do.

While just about everyone can use this tie knot to tie his tie, it looks especially well on men with longer necks as its wide form shortens the perceived height of the neck a little bit.

Step-by-Step Windsor Knot Instructions

To tie the Windsor Knot, select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:

	1) Start with the wide end ("W") of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end ("N") on the left.
	2) Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.
	3) Bring the wide end up through the loop between the collar and your tie.
	4) Then bring the wide end back down.
	5) Pull the wide end underneath the narrow end and to the right, back through the loop and to the right again so that the wide end is inside out.
	6) Bring the wide end across the front from right to left.
	7) Then pull the wide end up through the loop again.
	8) Bring the wide end down through the knot in front.
	9) And -- using both hands -- tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar.

Congratulations, you did it! You see, it is not rocket science after all. Simply keep practicing the Windsor Knot a few more times until you can tie this necktie knot within less than two minutes.

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Half Windsor Knot Tie

Half Windsor Knot

The Half Windsor Knot, a modest version of the Windsor Knot, is a symmetrical and triangular tie knot that you can use with any dress shirt. It works best with somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics.

Step-by-Step Half Windsor Knot Instructions

To tie the Half Windsor Knot, select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:

	1) Start with the wide end ("W") of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end ("N") on the left.
	2) Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.
	3) Bring the wide end around and behind the narrow end.
	4) Then bring the wide end up.
	5) Pull the wide end through the loop and to the right.
	6) Bring the wide end around front, over the narrow end from right to left.
	7) Again, bring the wide end up and through the loop.
	8) Then, bring the wide end down through the knot in front.
	9) And -- using both hands -- tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar.

And there you are! Simply keep working on this necktie knot and be sure to practice a few times until you are really good at it.

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Pratt Knot Tie

Pratt Knot

The Pratt Knot -- also known as the Shelby Knot -- is tidy and fairly wide, yet not as wide as the Windsor Knot. It is well suited for any dress shirt and somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics.

Step-by-Step Pratt Knot Instructions

To tie the Pratt Knot, select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:

	1) Start with the necktie inside out, with the wide end ("W") on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end ("N") on the left.
	2) Then cross the wide end under the narrow end.
	3) Take the wide end over and under the narrow end.
	4) Pull the loop down and tighten.
	5) Then, take the wide end over to the right.
	6) Pull the wide end up, behind the loop.
	7) And finally, bring the wide end through the knot and tighten gently.

Awesome, you did it! Always remember that with any necktie knot -- such as the Pratt Knot -- a little practice is all it takes to become a real expert at tying your tie in no time.

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Four in Hand Knot Tie

Four in Hand Knot

The Four in Hand Knot makes for a narrow, more discreet and slightly asymmetrical tie knot. It is best suited for a standard button-down dress shirt and works best with wide neckties made from heavy fabrics.

While this tie knot can be worn by anyone, it looks especially well on men with shorter necks as the knot's rather narrow and elongated form stretches the perceived height of the neck a tiny bit.

Step-by-Step Four in Hand Knot Instructions

To tie the Four in Hand Knot, select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:

	1) Start with the wide end ("W") of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end ("N") on the left.
	2) Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.
	3) Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end.
	4) Continue by bringing the wide end back over in front of the narrow end again.
	5) Then, pull the wide end up and through the loop around your neck.
	6) Hold the front of the knot loosely with your index finger and bring the wide end down through the front loop.
	7) At last, remove your finger and tighten the knot carefully to the collar by holding the narrow end and sliding the knot up.

That's it! That is all there is to the Four in Hand Knot. You will quickly learn to tie this necktie knot in less and less time every time you practice it. Just keep going, my friend!

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Pocket Dragons

The Whimsical World Of Pocket Dragons are all modelled by Real Musgrave and were produced by Collectible World Studios. The first Pocket Dragons were sculpted by Real in 1989 although he has been drawing his wonderful creatures since 1974. Real modelled well over 200 dragons, gargoyles and wizards until his retirement in 1996.

Pocket Dragons have been a strong collectable line with older pieces being difficult too find. Gargoyle Hoping for Raspberry Teacakes is one of the hardest to find and most sought after pieces.

The Pocket Dragon Collectors Club began in 1991 and ran until 1996. The club provided news, information and special edition pieces available to members only. Pictured above right is 2004-2005 membership gift is The Cookie Pirate.

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Wizards & Dragons

Hap Henriksen has been producing fantasy art and collectibles since 1975. He had originally studied anthropology and became a successful artist and with the rise of Fantasy Art in the 1970s he started creating fantasy pieces. His work has won many awards and included an exhibition for NASA in 1983.

Pictured right - Taihun - Every decade the wizards gather to seek council from the sanctuary of the Ten. Taihun, as Master of the Council of Ten, presides over the gathering. Knowledge is shared and swift justice is brought to bear on those judged to have done evil. In a fortnight the wizards scatter to all reaches of the globe until the next gathering.

During a trip to Annapolis in 1988, David Tate founder of Lilliput Lane came across Hap's work and invited him to join the new Lilliput Lane Land of Legend Limited (5L) team. The company was having considerable success with their initial sculptures of Fantasy Castles, especially in North America.

 The much acclaimed "Wizards - Jesters - Dragons" range was created by Hap and to this day remains one of the most popular fantasy ranges. The range eventually became known as just Wizards & Dragons and was produced until 2000 by Collectible World Studios. Collectible World Studios went into receivership in 2006 and many of its brands were taken over by Xystos.
 Among other pirces Hap Henriksen created a wonderful Dealer's Sign, "The Jester", which was only available for a few months in 1989. Lines under his direction were "Wizards" - such as "Moriah";   "Jesters" - such as "Baldrick. the Incredibly Simple", a limited edition piece; and "Fantasy Figurines" - such as the limited edition dragon, "Behemoth".

Pictured left - Decemuirs - Decemuirs is one of the ten dragons who rules the Lands Of Ice and Frost. Massive ice crystals jut from his lair of solitude. From his cave he rules the frozen seas and his breath is the North wind. Whales bring him news from all other parts of the world, and he teaches them ancient songs.
 Hap now holds a pre-eminent position in the world of Fantastic Art, having work featured in museums, galleries and private collections, Hap lectures on the subject of Fantastic Art, and has won both National and International awards.

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Wizard of Oz

Lyman Frank Baum (1856–1919) was an American author and is responsible for one of the most popular books ever written The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, better known today as simply The Wizard of Oz.

Pictured right an aerly edition Wizard of Oz book

It was originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago in 1900. The story chronicles the adventures of a girl named Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Initial sales were excellent which led Baum to write 13 more Oz books.

The fame of Oz was ensured when in 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced the musical film based on the Wizard of Oz. It has captured the hearts of every generation since and continues to generate a cult following nearly 70 years later.

Numerous films and adaptations have been made since including Muppets' Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz and recently Wicked a hit

stage musical version of the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by by Gregory Maguire. Although this latest version takes a slightly revisonist view of Oz history. A sequel to Wicked, entitled Son of a Witch, was published in fall of 2005 and a third book A Cowardly War is planned.
With Oz as popular now as it has ever been there is a huge demand for Wizard of Oz items and luckily for the collector there is massive array of merchandise and collectibles available.

Pictured left Wizard of Oz movie poster.

From first and early editions of the fourteen Oz books to posters, to dolls and snowglobes, and from figurines to music boxes, to collectors specialising in particular characters and themes.

Pictured right the original dress worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz

Original Memorabilia

Original memorabilia from the film has seen record prices notably the famous Ruby Slippers which fetched $660,000 when at auction at Chritie's East in New York in May 2000.

Pictured left Ruby Slippers from the Wizard of Oz

The original dress worn by the star Judy Garland when she immortalised the character of Dorothy in the classic film masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz, sold for a staggering £140,000 at Bonhams in April 2005.

Jon Baddeley, Group Head of the Collector’s Department at Bonhams said,“We are absolutely delighted at this world record price. This is a fairytale ending to one of the most romantic pieces of movie costume to be offered at auction.”

Waterglobes and Music Boxes

The San Franciso Music Box Company is the largest retailer of musical gifts in the world with a collection of almost 1,000 musical boxes and gifts.

They produce a range of musical themed Wizard of Oz collectibles ideal for playing the many famous tunes from the film.

Pictured right is the Wizard of Oz Tornado Waterglobe which plays the tune "It Really Was No Miracle" and pictured left is the Wizard of Oz Four Character Figurine which plays the tune "We're off to see the Wizard".

Dolls

The range of colourful characters has led to many great collections of dolls over the years. Many doll companies and designers have created dolls including Barbie, Madame Alexander and Rober Tonner.

The latest Rober Tonner Wizard of Oz Collection includes some spectacular designs.

Pictured right are Glinda, Dorothy and The Wicked Witch of the West. and pictured left are the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion & Tinman.

We will be adding more Wizard of Oz collecting sections shortly.

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