Not Impressed with Turkish Airlines - and I have not even checked in yet! Things Can Only Get Better????

I am going to Uzbekistan tomorrow, the trip has been booked with Intrepid. And, in a very unusual move, I booked the flight through Intrepid as well. 

The flights: Manchester to Istanbul, Istanbul to Tashkent are with Turkish Airlines. Economy class, the price of the flights was extortionate- over £1300.00 each. I have paid less for Business class to South Africa, and so far I am less than impressed with Turkish Airlines. 

On Line Check in opened 24 Hours prior to the flight, I logged on; but could not add my Turkish Airlines loyalty member number, the system defaults to the Intrepid account. (It took 4 attempts and well over an hour to register with the 'World of Miles& Smiles' programme; but that's a whole different blog!)

On Line Check In; 

Issue one, cant add my loyalty number. 

Issue two, I can not select my seat with out paying and extra US$70.00 per leg. I could not figure it out so rang customer services. 

Customer Services advised me that if I want a seat I must pay the extra, or 'just be allocated a seat at the Check in Desk at the airport', adding that 'by then all the good seats will be gone'. I was advised to pay the extra as this was the only way to get a 'good' seat.

So... my first experience with Turkish Airlines is one of disappointment. I have not checked in, and will take my chance tomorrow at the airport. Hopefully this is the only disappointment of this Journey.