Jack
09-03-2008, 10:46 AM
A newish taxi firm has opened in Leith and being local I like to give local businesses a chance when I can. So when the family were invited to a wedding at the Norton House Hotel, it was yesterday, I thought give them a try. They advertise a £15 deal to the airport from Leith.
I dropped into their office earlier in the week and after a bit of chat 2 cars were booked and £15 a car agreed.
The taxi I was in first picked up the in-laws then picked us up, on time, things going well.
In Leith Walk, I noticed the meter was running (about a fiver on the clock). So I told the guy we had an agreed fare. “Not with me you don’t.” and starts taking a mini fit. He gets on to the controller says he’s no happy and we’re no happy. Then tells us pay the meter fare or get out. We’re at Elm Row by now.
I phone the company "What about our agreement?" and they say they’ll get in touch with the driver. Comes back with the same story. Because of the road works we’ve only got half way along Queen Street.
I didn’t say it but I felt like telling him to stick is taxi up his :asshole:.
On a point of principle the end result was, with almost a tenner on the meter, which we didn’t pay :bitchy:, we got out and continued our trip in a black cab. About £17, I gave the guy a £20 and told him to keep the change.
The thing was any mistake that was made wasn’t by us, a price was agreed, it wasn’t our fault so why should we have to pay? The cowboy driver estimated £30!!!!
I think if any extra was to be paid to the driver it should have been sorted out quietly between the driver and the taxi company.
At the end of the day it cost me £20 instead of £15 but if we had agreed £20 at the start that would have been fine.
The stroppy driver lost a fare, the amount that was on the clock, goodwill and someone with a large extended family, who will never use them again.
So you might think you have a deal but in this case it was no deal and there's a local taxi firm I couldn’t care less about if/when it goes down the tubes.
Remember the name – forget the number!
PS We still got there in plenty of time, in fact we had time for a wee drink before the ceremony began.
I dropped into their office earlier in the week and after a bit of chat 2 cars were booked and £15 a car agreed.
The taxi I was in first picked up the in-laws then picked us up, on time, things going well.
In Leith Walk, I noticed the meter was running (about a fiver on the clock). So I told the guy we had an agreed fare. “Not with me you don’t.” and starts taking a mini fit. He gets on to the controller says he’s no happy and we’re no happy. Then tells us pay the meter fare or get out. We’re at Elm Row by now.
I phone the company "What about our agreement?" and they say they’ll get in touch with the driver. Comes back with the same story. Because of the road works we’ve only got half way along Queen Street.
I didn’t say it but I felt like telling him to stick is taxi up his :asshole:.
On a point of principle the end result was, with almost a tenner on the meter, which we didn’t pay :bitchy:, we got out and continued our trip in a black cab. About £17, I gave the guy a £20 and told him to keep the change.
The thing was any mistake that was made wasn’t by us, a price was agreed, it wasn’t our fault so why should we have to pay? The cowboy driver estimated £30!!!!
I think if any extra was to be paid to the driver it should have been sorted out quietly between the driver and the taxi company.
At the end of the day it cost me £20 instead of £15 but if we had agreed £20 at the start that would have been fine.
The stroppy driver lost a fare, the amount that was on the clock, goodwill and someone with a large extended family, who will never use them again.
So you might think you have a deal but in this case it was no deal and there's a local taxi firm I couldn’t care less about if/when it goes down the tubes.
Remember the name – forget the number!
PS We still got there in plenty of time, in fact we had time for a wee drink before the ceremony began.