Taxi Driver Online

It was a shame that a discussion thread on this topic had to be locked because of a discussion unrelated to the thread.

So I thought I would set up another.

Good thinking Tom, in fact I'll post below the warning received from a TaxiBank supplier, since it seemed to get lost in the melee somewhat!

Taxi Driver Online

TDO has been contacted by someone who wishes to pass a warning onto operators dealing with Taxibank.

That person has asked that the following post be published on TDO, with there personal details blanked out.

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Hi
Just some information regarding taxibank.
We was approached by them * years ago and asked to cover the ********************** for them ( ********************)
They were giving us on average 1 job every couple of weeks, they were mostly RAC related jobs and in theory good quality bookings. Mainly people who needed to get home after there car had broken down. We took the decision to stop accepting bookings off them sometime this year after serious delays with payment. The last straw cam when we had invoices that were 4 months old. We were being told the same think every time we chased payment, ' that invoice was missed off the last payroll - it will be on the next one ! ' etc
After many phone calls over a 3 week period we eventually got the outstanding amount down to approx £ 80.00.
I was then told by the managing director that they literally did not have the money in the bank until the following week!!
Next time they call you - ask yourself a couple of questions.
' Should you go to the trouble of taking a booking of a company that will take so long to pay the invoice ?'
' How much credit should you give to a company that can't write you a cheque for £80 ?'

I would like to pass this cautionary tale on please. I would appreciate it if you could post this with out my name/details.

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TDO has no reason to believe this poster is wrong, but if anyone from Taxibank would like to come on TDO and put their side, we would be only too pleased to accommodate them

For all those that do deal with firms such as this, but not nessecaily TB, who do work for the likes of the AA, RAC, Green Flag etc. Then please don't take any excuse for late payments from firms like TB, because it just doesn't happen.

A friend of mine has a company that does a load of breakdown work for all three. He does the job one week, it's paid for by the middle of the next, straight into his bank.

Not 4 weeks, not 8 weeks but 7 days without fail.

I have to make a contrary note to that.

When I did work direct for the RAC etc we always waited three months. And if a telephonist had misrecorded 1 single figure in the reference number then you might not get paid at all.

If your a 'breakdown' service with these folks your relationship would be on a far more organised basis.

Clearly we are in the wrong trade then.

Of course we are. If we wanted to get rich quick, we'd all be Lawyers!

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There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

Well according to some, we already are.

Im not sure I know enough out taxibank.
But whats the difference between them controlling a station and keeping taxi chaps out. And the taxi drivers little group that keeps some of my friends out of our station.
But not me.

Thing is we never hear our local breakdown recovery merchants moaning that the RAC and AA have carved up the business and put themselves between the stranded motorist and them.

It is common business practice that big multi nationals call in Facilities Management companies to deal with their non core activities.

This company saw the opporunity and went for it. From my discussions with them they say they are actually owned by Taxi companies.

I'm really not sure about this company, and perhaps it's best for me that I stay that way.

Alex

wise guy!

taxibank have recently taken over BBC transport's taxi booking system which arranges all taxi movements for the corporation throughout the UK.

Cor blimey someone has gone back in the archives.

I saw this contract advertised in The MiniCab Courier, and it was for nearly 500 jobs a day.

All to be paid for by a tax on the telly.

[size=24][/sizeW A bit of advise keep away from taxibank they owe us hurnrads of pounds and are still trying to book more taxis