"Am absolutely appalled at my current…"

Am absolutely appalled at my current situation. Brought some what I was told were significantly reduced paint balling tickets last year at the KENT show. Was very very apprehensive initially as I am a university student, and I told them this. The difficulty I have is that I and my 3 children were given a very very hard sell, and when I kept hesitating to part with my pretty non existent cash, more and more excitement was built up with my 3 children, but the sales men. The result is that I walked away with 3 lots of 10 paint balling packs and a mini paint balling pack. I was very clear that I was on a very limited budget, as I have twins, and explained what my needs would be, to be told that there would only be a booking on fee when I booked for the older children. No mention of the super expensive paintballs that you would need thousands of

Imagine my surprise when I tried to book to be given a total of over £500. My 13 year old twins have been ridiculously excited ever since we got the tickets, and they only wanted to take 4 friends each.

I actually burst in to tears when I realised that the party for my little 8 year old would be an additional £360!!! He was so so desperate to be involved, and was so excited as the sales man said he could have a party when he was 8. Being a January baby, we postponed his party until the weather would be nice enough for them to all run around and not be cold and miserable......so that is me with 3 currently distraught children, what amounts to 40 tickets and absolutely no way of being able to deliver on any party at all, and a cats in hells chance of a refund.

I have called the company, and although the lady seemed very sympathetic, ideas such as......limit them to 20 paintballs per game, reduce the amount of children coming or just come for half the day (where they cant use the 1000 free paintballs that the salesman made an enormous great big deal over the final activity of the day) whichever way you look at this, I am going to have to disappoint all 3 children, and that as a mum is a nasty thing to have to do.

The best they can do is reduce the 9.99 fee for each child to 7.99, but that doesn't help with the pinball cost. I could just plan it as a fun day out, where they get to watch the other people running around shooting and having an amazing time....but to be fair, that suggestion is tantamount to torture and couldn't believe my ears when that was suggested!!!

So I requested a refund as this is not what I was told I was buying.....result......not a chance, I didn't request this within 7 days.....although I was not told of this at the time of purchase.

After reading all of the other reviews here, I feel that the underhand sales tactics of the independent sellers needs investigation. It is not fair to target children and put parents on the spot like they did to me. This is not the package I was told I was buying and frankly I think this whole episode needs to be raised with the trading standards.

For me, I think I just need to accept that I have wasted well over £100, with little to no hope of actually fulfilling the promise of paint ball parties.....and when I qualify next year, even when I have a job, midwives don't get paid that much and so I will never part with my wages to buy from this company. If I were able to do this for my children, I shall be back here, reading reviews and making more sensible, less pressured choices.

This whole affair has left me with 3 very upset children, and me at my wits end as to how on earth I can rescue this and pull some rabbit out of the hat to ensure my children still have a lovely birthday.

BUYERS BEWARE

"Pushy and misleading saleman has left me feeling scammed"

I bought my tickets at the Bath and West show nearly a year ago as the friendly salesman made it all sound so great and good value for money. Once I'd paid the money for 10 tickets, with 1000 free paintballs added on to convince me when I wasn't sure, I felt that my sons birthday party was sorted for this June.
Fast forward to today where I called up to see if I could book a date in the next few weeks. I'd logged the details online and it brought up an order with payment needed of £106.88. I felt a bit worried as the salesman had been adamant I'd have nothing to pay for on the day if I took up his deal, which I thought was great as I'd treat the boys to lunch there.
The phone call confirmed that I'd need to pay this sum of money for the paintball session (9.99 per child), plus I'd need an open wallet on the day for what could be endless and incredibly expensive paintball supply. The free 1000 balls that I have are really only for the last game, even though the 'helpful' salesman, Neil, had said ignore that bit as they'll let you use them at the start and you won't need anymore. In reality these IPG sale people will say any old BS to get you to sign up and then as they're a faceless company you don't really have a lot to follow up with as it's your word against theirs. At the end of the day you are tied by what it says on the leaflet and anything the salesperson says to convince you make that purchase is just lies.
I'm just going to cut my losses and run as it'll still be cheaper to book direct with a paintball centre for the same thing than go through IPG, even with the payment I made last year. I'm sure other people do the same and they make a pretty penny from this. I would call back and discuss the shady sales tactics I had that do not tally up with what is actually on offer, but at 5p per minute it's not happening on my £'s!

"Appalling sales tactics"

My experience of the company appears to be similar to that of most negative reviews.
Purchased the tickets in Tesco (quoted as all inclusive) as a gift for my sons. When booking told that an additional payment is required.
Returned them for a refund. Told refund was being processed. Got a letter back saying no refund. Disagraceful and have referred to Trading Standards.

"Do not use this company!"

Do not use this company!! We were misold tickets and were mislead and have so far refused to refund us. They are a complete nightmare to communicate with too 😠😠

"I am really desapointed"

I am really desapointed, we were misled to buy something that does not exist. The customer service is rubbish and they are useless. Well disappointed 😞.

"I bought my paintball ticket pack in…"

I bought my paintball ticket pack in October 2016 and was promised I would be able to get a refund up to two years if I didn't use my tickets. I was so hesitant to buy them, but the set up I was in I felt heavily peer pressured by the seller himself and a 'friend' that was with him telling me how easy it is to make bookings, easy accessible locations for people who don't drive... All of which is lies! And if I want a phone call, their phone lines charge.
Absolutely outraged by their misrepresentation. These sellers came to my flat, came into my kitchen and it makes it a very awkward situation (especially for someone with severe anxiety) to say no and back track from. Avoid this company, and avoid their sellers. Con artists!

"Avoid their 'Independent' re-sellers and check the costs."

(06/Jul/18) As promised when I posted the original review, I'm now updating it having had several conversations with IPG's customer services which has been exceptionally good. While I still recommend that customers don't rush into the purchase and carefully read the details before signing the contract, they can be assured that IPG is a company that has great customer service that'll help thru any issues after purchase.


(23/May/18) First of all I will come back to this review and update once I've spoken to IPG. I bought paintball tickets outside a local Tesco Extra. The location (inside the forecourt of Tesco) gives the company some sort of legitimacy but please be AWARE that these guys adopt an aggressive selling strategy (offer being just for that day, 80% or 90% cheaper than online, hassle-free refund if you change your mind) and offer incomplete details upfront. The tickets sold directly here are essentially just entry tickets to the paintball park and rental for the paintball gun if you like. You pay for everything else - paintballs, food etc.

The booklet has these £30 entry coupons printed but their own attached T&C card states £5.99 entry pp. So what the touted 80 or 90% discount was, I can't fathom - clear misrepresentation which I might take to the Consumer Forum depending on IPG's response.

I just bought this last night and having changed my mind, set about seeking a refund. I was told that I could drop the cards in a post box within 7 days for a 'full' refund. Having checked it now, it's not a full refund but they charge £5 admin fee. Again, clear misrepresentation. The ticket coupons need to get to IPG within 7 days of purchase - so you're almost obliged to send it by recorded delivery or similar. There is no phone number for customer services - only a number for booking that I'll try next.

And if you're returning the tickets, I suggest taking a scan or a photo of the full booking card before sending it by post.

In my opinion, best would be to just call a local paintball company and get a better deal. Avoid these IPG 'independent' resellers and be very careful what you sign up for.

"IPG group - Be careful, while buying Paintball Tickets from IPG Salesman"

I have disappointed, angry and frustrated with overall IPG sales agent process. I bought tickets at Ideal Home Show - sold as all inclusive except food payment (with 1000 free balls per 10 tickets). When you call up to book the event, you will be hit by 7-10 £/pp bill.. Paintball venue denies relationship with IPG group (ticket sellers), IPG denies relationship with Sales person. Overall sales and customer service process is not great and consumer informative. Please be aware of this Sales process and never ever go near Paintball / IPG group tickets. I will be complaining to authorities and will be seeking action against the group.. BE CAREFUL!

"Worst Paintball Group Ever"

I have never been more disappointed, angry and frustrated than I am right now. If I was able to give IPG 0/5 stars then I would. IPG provide false advertising and sugar coat everything, making you completely oblivious of the costs to come. After I bought the tickets which were supposedly 'so cheap', I called to book and found out I had to pay for each person on the phone which I wasn't prepared for, and on top of that a handling fee which cost me an extra $50. The venue I wanted to go to supposedly closed and I was forced to go to an indoor centre which didn't even have paint -balls. It was paint-less ones, hence the experience was not fulfilled. Look, overall this place is the worst and you're better off booking directly with a paintball centre which is way way cheaper (IPG just profit off you). I have 20 extra tickets that I refuse to give to anyone because I don't want them to have the awful experience I had to endure. So do yourself a favour and do not be fooled by IPG. If i asked for a refund which I 100% deserve, they would come up with another "terms/conditions" to bombard me with.

"Best Birthday party ever!!!"

Had an amazing day for my sons 8th birthday, couldn’t fault anything at delta force east Glasgow ! Th staff were amazing my son and his friends had the best day ! !