Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - Ups and Downs of taking over a taxi office!

Anyway, I hope I have not bored!!

If anyone is interested I would like to say how things are going after buying a taxi office in Wrexham town centre!

I bought the office the begining of November 08 and boy it sure has been a nightmare to get to where I am after six months! Ups and downs doesnt come close to it!

Two initial things I got completely wrong was that I thought I would get new drivers easliy and work would take a while to build up, wrong! Drivers have been an absolute nightmare to find and wok has been very easy to come by, although due to lack of drivers I have not been able to progress!

One driver lasted only four hours! He did a few jobs then said to the receptionist he has going home for something then I did not see him again! I had to call at his house to get my radio and he would not come to the door, sent a young lad to get the radio out! Another driver handed in his radio after one and a half shifts when I was out on a job and dropped me in the crap as he had jobs that I had to get another driver from another office to cover.

The office is only open from 6pm until we close everynight where the phones are diverted to my mobile so I keep going until 6pm the next night when the office opens again. This is the cheapest way to operate when I have only a few drivers and as more come in the office will be open more. Catch 22 really, cant open more to get more drivers as I not got the wages to pay receptionists!

Vehicles have been a nightmare! My Mondeo engine gone kaput so bought a new Skoda Octavia, then repairs on the bus crippled me when it came up for test, then the jockey car has cost over £2500 in repairs alone! Driver smashed into post so needed new bonnet, then he hit somthing else so needed a new front bumper again! He paid for repairs but it has certainly been a nightmare.

I think everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, so heres to the next six months as I am more positive because the work is building up.

Oh yes, when I took over we had including me three drivers and in November 08 we did 609 jobs, last month April 08 we did over 1400 jobs with three drivers. Not huge figures but big considering when I took it over the phone rarely rung and the run sheets from the previous week before I took ot over showed the driver doing only 4 phone jobs over friday, saturday and sunday nights!

I am now going to start looking at how to build up the days with the office shut as I have a driver interested. Anyone got any ideas? I been thinking about offering 50p off all runs to and from supermarkets. Any other suggestions.

Anyway, I hope I have not bored!!

Sounds like you are on a hiding to nothing, have you thought of employing drivers on your own cars, i.e go get 4 cheap roadworthy cars and build up a bit and let word of mouth bring in the owners later, if you look shaky owners will avoid you because they will fear not getting paid, or if you are a creamer that will also drive them away, not saying you are either, but I watched a 50 car company reduce to 12 cars and go bust over a 2 yr period all because the 3 owners decided to feed their cars and family members , causes bad feeling, anyway I hope you get things turned around.

Doom wrote:

I cannot believe feeding goes on.....................

Alpha 1 - take Mrs Jones to the shops, £2

Alpha 2 - Heathrow quoted £150

Yes Alpha 1, I know your next on th elong run list but Mrs Jones asked for you...

Thanks for all the feedback guys it shall all be taken on board!

I now have a new night time owner driver, who after one week is already taking more than he did in the previous office and because he is saying he is doing so well another two drivers want to come across! But, I will wait for the work to build up a little and am planning another leaflet drop to co-incide with taking on another driver.

I have thought about opening the office at 8am but as I am still working 24hrs a day I do need to sleep! I dont think the idea of someone walking in for a taxi and seeing me asleep on the desk will fill them with enthusiasm!!

I have been looking into slot machines and will be getting a skill game and a drinks and food machine in when I can afford them. Also, you can no longer have fruit machines in taxi offices after this year, cant remember the month but I have been in touch with the gaming comission which said the rules are changing.

Anyway, off to work again in a min, never stop! And, yes I hope to have a day off soon and I totally believe it will be worht it in the end!

Author:	wrexhamdriver [ Mon May 18, 2009 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Ups and Downs of taking over a taxi office!
If anyone is interested I would like to say how things are going after buying a taxi office in Wrexham town centre! I bought the office the begining of November 08 and boy it sure has been a nightmare to get to where I am after six months! Ups and downs doesnt come close to it! Two initial things I got completely wrong was that I thought I would get new drivers easliy and work would take a while to build up, wrong! Drivers have been an absolute nightmare to find and wok has been very easy to come by, although due to lack of drivers I have not been able to progress! One driver lasted only four hours! He did a few jobs then said to the receptionist he has going home for something then I did not see him again! I had to call at his house to get my radio and he would not come to the door, sent a young lad to get the radio out! Another driver handed in his radio after one and a half shifts when I was out on a job and dropped me in the crap as he had jobs that I had to get another driver from another office to cover. The office is only open from 6pm until we close everynight where the phones are diverted to my mobile so I keep going until 6pm the next night when the office opens again. This is the cheapest way to operate when I have only a few drivers and as more come in the office will be open more. Catch 22 really, cant open more to get more drivers as I not got the wages to pay receptionists! Vehicles have been a nightmare! My Mondeo engine gone kaput so bought a new Skoda Octavia, then repairs on the bus crippled me when it came up for test, then the jockey car has cost over £2500 in repairs alone! Driver smashed into post so needed new bonnet, then he hit somthing else so needed a new front bumper again! He paid for repairs but it has certainly been a nightmare. I think everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, so heres to the next six months as I am more positive because the work is building up. Oh yes, when I took over we had including me three drivers and in November 08 we did 609 jobs, last month April 08 we did over 1400 jobs with three drivers. Not huge figures but big considering when I took it over the phone rarely rung and the run sheets from the previous week before I took ot over showed the driver doing only 4 phone jobs over friday, saturday and sunday nights! I am now going to start looking at how to build up the days with the office shut as I have a driver interested. Anyone got any ideas? I been thinking about offering 50p off all runs to and from supermarkets. Any other suggestions. Anyway, I hope I have not bored!!

Author:	wannabeeahack [ Mon May 18, 2009 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:
each time you+drivers get to "cant cope" point, advertise in the local paper for owners to rent a radio "free for a month", if you get someone then you stand down and see how it goes

Author:	toots [ Mon May 18, 2009 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:
It seems to me you don't need to offer anything off the runs if the work is building up. I would suggest you take on owner drivers with incentives off their settle for the initial few weeks. I also think that not having the office open 24hr will put drivers off it would certainly put me off. Do you not have family who could perhaps answer the phones until such a time as you can afford to pay somebody to do it.

Author:	Sussex [ Mon May 18, 2009 6:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Ups and Downs of taking over a taxi office!
wrexhamdriver wrote: Anyway, I hope I have not bored!! Certainly not, and I hope the next six months is a lot better than the last. I hope you working all those hours will be beneficial for you in the years to come, and one day you will be able to maybe have a day off. But 10 out of 10 for effort.

Author:	wannabeeahack [ Mon May 18, 2009 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:
just remember "you cant take it with you" and dont worry to much about life, no-one gets out alive anyway

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Author:	Smoked Glass [ Mon May 18, 2009 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Ups and Downs of taking over a taxi office!
wrexhamdriver wrote: If anyone is interested I would like to say how things are going after buying a taxi office in Wrexham town centre! I bought the office the begining of November 08 and boy it sure has been a nightmare to get to where I am after six months! Ups and downs doesnt come close to it! Two initial things I got completely wrong was that I thought I would get new drivers easliy and work would take a while to build up, wrong! Drivers have been an absolute nightmare to find and wok has been very easy to come by, although due to lack of drivers I have not been able to progress! One driver lasted only four hours! He did a few jobs then said to the receptionist he has going home for something then I did not see him again! I had to call at his house to get my radio and he would not come to the door, sent a young lad to get the radio out! Another driver handed in his radio after one and a half shifts when I was out on a job and dropped me in the crap as he had jobs that I had to get another driver from another office to cover. The office is only open from 6pm until we close everynight where the phones are diverted to my mobile so I keep going until 6pm the next night when the office opens again. This is the cheapest way to operate when I have only a few drivers and as more come in the office will be open more. Catch 22 really, cant open more to get more drivers as I not got the wages to pay receptionists! Vehicles have been a nightmare! My Mondeo engine gone kaput so bought a new Skoda Octavia, then repairs on the bus crippled me when it came up for test, then the jockey car has cost over £2500 in repairs alone! Driver smashed into post so needed new bonnet, then he hit somthing else so needed a new front bumper again! He paid for repairs but it has certainly been a nightmare. I think everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, so heres to the next six months as I am more positive because the work is building up. Oh yes, when I took over we had including me three drivers and in November 08 we did 609 jobs, last month April 08 we did over 1400 jobs with three drivers. Not huge figures but big considering when I took it over the phone rarely rung and the run sheets from the previous week before I took ot over showed the driver doing only 4 phone jobs over friday, saturday and sunday nights! I am now going to start looking at how to build up the days with the office shut as I have a driver interested. Anyone got any ideas? I been thinking about offering 50p off all runs to and from supermarkets. Any other suggestions. Anyway, I hope I have not bored!! You should consider opening in the morning, Start at 8am. There may be some walk in activity, but you will be there and visible. I find that the odd day driver [from another company]may come in for an informal chat & brew. Make him feel comfortable & easy going. Mention the new driver intro offer of half settle for 2 months. If you get a few more drivers just for 2 months your on a winner. If you keep them busy they wont leave even after 2 months. Even if they do their hissed off m8 will be over scouting your offer for themselves. Another gimmic, Get a Bandit in and make it a good payout. you will make up the other half of their settle no bother. I am available to work 4 on 4 off for 30k as office Manager if it gets too much for you.

Author:	wannabeeahack [ Tue May 19, 2009 9:24 am ]
Post subject:
have you gone after school contracts? I set out at 7.30am on mine, so youd have an excuse to get started earlier than 8am, give a renter a start.... and ambulance work

Author:	Doom [ Tue May 19, 2009 9:32 am ]
Post subject:
Sounds like you are on a hiding to nothing, have you thought of employing drivers on your own cars, i.e go get 4 cheap roadworthy cars and build up a bit and let word of mouth bring in the owners later, if you look shaky owners will avoid you because they will fear not getting paid, or if you are a creamer that will also drive them away, not saying you are either, but I watched a 50 car company reduce to 12 cars and go bust over a 2 yr period all because the 3 owners decided to feed their cars and family members, causes bad feeling, anyway I hope you get things turned around.

Author:	wannabeeahack [ Tue May 19, 2009 9:34 am ]
Post subject:
Doom wrote: Sounds like you are on a hiding to nothing, have you thought of employing drivers on your own cars, i.e go get 4 cheap roadworthy cars and build up a bit and let word of mouth bring in the owners later, if you look shaky owners will avoid you because they will fear not getting paid, or if you are a creamer that will also drive them away, not saying you are either, but I watched a 50 car company reduce to 12 cars and go bust over a 2 yr period all because the 3 owners decided to feed their cars and family members , causes bad feeling, anyway I hope you get things turned around. I cannot believe feeding goes on.....................

Author:	Doom [ Tue May 19, 2009 9:37 am ]
Post subject:
wannabeeahack wrote: Doom wrote: Sounds like you are on a hiding to nothing, have you thought of employing drivers on your own cars, i.e go get 4 cheap roadworthy cars and build up a bit and let word of mouth bring in the owners later, if you look shaky owners will avoid you because they will fear not getting paid, or if you are a creamer that will also drive them away, not saying you are either, but I watched a 50 car company reduce to 12 cars and go bust over a 2 yr period all because the 3 owners decided to feed their cars and family members , causes bad feeling, anyway I hope you get things turned around. I cannot believe feeding goes on.....................

Author:	wannabeeahack [ Tue May 19, 2009 9:56 am ]
Post subject:
Alpha 1 - take Mrs Jones to the shops, £2 Alpha 2 - Heathrow Yes Alpha 1, I know your next on th elong run list but Mrs Jones asked for you...

Author:	Doom [ Tue May 19, 2009 10:09 am ]
Post subject:
We had one yrs ago who used the old can you ring your mum routine, his mum rang at least 8 times a day, husband and wife on the same firm never works.

Author:	wrexhamdriver [ Mon May 25, 2009 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:
Thanks for all the feedback guys it shall all be taken on board! I now have a new night time owner driver, who after one week is already taking more than he did in the previous office and because he is saying he is doing so well another two drivers want to come across! But, I will wait for the work to build up a little and am planning another leaflet drop to co-incide with taking on another driver. I have thought about opening the office at 8am but as I am still working 24hrs a day I do need to sleep! I dont think the idea of someone walking in for a taxi and seeing me asleep on the desk will fill them with enthusiasm!! I have been looking into slot machines and will be getting a skill game and a drinks and food machine in when I can afford them. Also, you can no longer have fruit machines in taxi offices after this year, cant remember the month but I have been in touch with the gaming comission which said the rules are changing. Anyway, off to work again in a min, never stop! And, yes I hope to have a day off soon and I totally believe it will be worht it in the end!

Author:	Nigel [ Tue May 26, 2009 6:26 am ]
Post subject:
wrexhamdriver wrote: Thanks for all the feedback guys it shall all be taken on board! I now have a new night time owner driver, who after one week is already taking more than he did in the previous office and because he is saying he is doing so well another two drivers want to come across! But, I will wait for the work to build up a little and am planning another leaflet drop to co-incide with taking on another driver. I have thought about opening the office at 8am but as I am still working 24hrs a day I do need to sleep! I dont think the idea of someone walking in for a taxi and seeing me asleep on the desk will fill them with enthusiasm!! I have been looking into slot machines and will be getting a skill game and a drinks and food machine in when I can afford them. Also, you can no longer have fruit machines in taxi offices after this year, cant remember the month but I have been in touch with the gaming comission which said the rules are changing. Anyway, off to work again in a min, never stop! And, yes I hope to have a day off soon and I totally believe it will be worht it in the end! Stick in there mate it will be worth it in the end, if your night driver is taking more money than he did on the other firm your doing something right. Leaflet drops are a good marketing tool, make sure you put something eye catching on the leaflet so the punters will think hmmm this sounds like a decent firm we'll give them a whirl.

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