TUI SOLD US TO SUN EXPRESS, after sitting on a S.E.plane for over 3hrs, now around midnight, (N.B. NO WATER WAS OFFERED UNLESS WE PURCHASED IT, HOT AIR CIRCULATING THE PLANE) that had technical issues, we were herded off, no tui rep, LGW staff helped locate a coach/hotel. 2hrs at 1.30 am waiting in the rain to check in, ( hubby n myself nearly 70!), got to room 3am, phone TUI help line who told us to phone S.E. Phoned S.E., rang and cut off. Rerang TUI, who knew there was a problem, didnt know what it was as S.E. now had our records and it was data protection🤬 got told flight could be at 7am, so as I had a migraine, I stayed upstairs, hubby went to breakfast, after approx 3hrs sleep! Eventually a coach came at 12ish, but TUI rep at LGW was unaware of our and whole planes plight and basically hopeless. Eventually left baggage and at 4pmish boarded, we were then informed we had to wait in our seats yet again for approximately 3hrs for take off as they had 'forgot' to refuel the plane! Things happen, my grievance is the fact although we entered what we believe to be a contract with TUI., they SOLD US ON, then when something went wrong they do not want to know, from the high street, Worthing branch were hopeless, we purchased on line, but the shop said TUI, and the smirking lady had a TUI badge on, when we asked them for help!. We never once had any communication from TUI, until last week (over 4wks after the incident and in answer to an email we'd submitted), they just stated we need to contact S.E. direct, for compensation. 9 days ago we obtained a case number from S.E. still awaiting a follow up. PLEASE THINK BEFORE BOOKING A TUI HOLIDAY. ESPECIALLY IF FLYING VIA A THIRD PARTY. TUI DO NOT CARE. HOW THEY EVER GOT 4STARS ON TRIP ADVISOR ILL NEVER KNOW, ALTHOUGH I AND MANY OTHERS ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THIS