Canceling a ticket bought by travel agent's credit card

[Deewhy]

Need some advice please folks.

A relative was looking at travel options within Europe and one option was to book a BA flight. In April He asked an Australian travel agent to book a flight. He asked if any payment was necessary and the agent said no, he'd tell him when it was due. So said relative assumed he'd just reserved the ticket and would decide if he needed it by the time payment was due.. He didn't authorize any payment for the ticket to the agent. So today he rang and asked to cancel the booking. But the agent says it has been ticketed and inferring it can't be cancelled and emailed the ticket showing the agent's card was used for the purchase .

So where do we stand?
Is it normal practice for agents to use their own card for ticket purchases? (seems strange to me)
No payment was authorized, just a request to book a flight with the assumption (maybe wrongly) that it wasn't committed to, and by not paying for it when the agent asked for it, that it would be "cancelled"".

 

[horseman]

Hmmm, interesting. If a customer of mine asked me to order him a particular part, then decides he doesn't want it, I'd be making him pay for it, otherwise I would be out of pocket for something I may never need use or be able to sell

 

[Hvr]

You asked the agent to book the ticket, therefore my understanding is that you're liable for the costs incurred.

If you had specific requirements, i.e. refundable fares then you should have put them in your written instructions.

 

[ButFli]

Yeah look it sounds like your "relative" committed to buy the ticket. It sounds like if payment had been due at the time your "relative" would have paid then and there, and hence gave the impression to the TA that they were fully committed to the purchase. So why is it any different when the payment is due later? The TA was purchased the ticket in you "relative's" name. Should the TA be out of pocket just because your "relative" is indecisive? Personally, I don't think so. Just sayin.

 

[Maca44]

Maybe the TA used his/her credit card to get the points