I travelled from Macau to Hong Kong on the 5.30pm Turbojet on September 28. I wanted a standard economy ticket, but was told, in excellent English, that only first class tickets were available. I said I preferred economy and was told that I could take the next ferry, but that would be a night sailing and the ticketing clerk said the economy fare would be higher than the first class fare he was quoting now. I paid for first class, but when I boarded the ferry I found that there were many empty economy seats. I complained and asked to be reassigned to economy and refunded the difference. The crew members were polite, but had no authority to refund money and asked for someone from the ticket office to come. Two gentlemen came. Neither spoke to me. They spoke to the crew and with my limited Cantonese I gathered that they were explaining that it must be a mistake caused by my lack of Cantonese, which was nonsense as the ticket seller had spoken in English. They refused to give me a refund. A crew member apologised and offered to give me a note for the ticketing office in Hong Kong, but being short of time I let the offer go. To mislead customers on seat availability in this way is not the conduct expected of a reputable ferry company. Such sales methods will not boost tourism and I fear that the loss of competition on this route is already leading to a reduction in standards. I wanted an economy fare and there were seats available. It was a 'mistake' on the part of Turbojet to force a first class fare on me. Reimbursement, with an apology, should have been immediate. I should not have to argue with Turbojet over what would appear to be very shabby behaviour on its part. DICK TIBBETTS Kowloon