Taxi Driver Online

Well, this takes the biscuit. I've just bee emailed by one of my regulars to do a few trips this weekend. Pick up at an outlying hamlet, to the local steam railway, return to hamlet 2 hours later. so that's 24 miles total, without waiting time. Then in the afternoon, back to the pick up, take to another village about 20 miles away; wait 45 mins, take them to a restaurant for 1930, wait while they eat, then return home after. That trip is about 35 miles each way plus 3 hours waiting. It's not worth returning to base for the couple of £5 trips that may be around.

I quoted £24 for the first trip and return, 24 miles total, and about £100 for the evening, reckoning that on good eveing that "could" be earnt around town.

The customer said thanks very much, but he's got "someone at the other end " to do the whole day for £50!!!!! That person has to come at least 30 miles to the pick up, then12 miles from there to the steam railway, then the 70 mile round trip to the restaurant and back, then 30 miles back to his base....122miles and 12 hours work for £50.

Am I missing something? I've suggested to my customer he asks whether this operator is licenced or indeed insurd for that price!

The customer will not be bothered with the legalities, all they want is the cheap price.

_________________
Grandad,

No way he is licenced.

Are you sure he hasn't done the trick some of the less scrupulous firms round here do and quote only for the first bit and when they turn up for the return later the driver insists on more money adamant that the price wasn't for everything

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

More likely they got an acquaintance to ferry them about for little more than petrol money.....cheapskates!

Around here the local important people have formed a wee clique to ferry each other about on the cheap....they've already made their wealth but are so tight that they won't share it or see anyone else make a living off the back of it...unless of course the weathers bad then it's phone the profesionals.

Does he care?

_________________
IDFIMH

So what have we learned from this?

The next time the "regular" calls, tell him to ring the cheap guy, when he says he cant get him tell him your rates have doubled.

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Well hopefully there wont be a next time as the punter would have been killed in the iffy motor.

_________________
IDFIMH

I'm sorry sussex but that is a bit beyond the pale to wish death and destruction on a customer just because they won't pay a realistic price ! besides which I'm sure Roythebus would like the customer to use him again


I'm hoping that the customer has a very unpleasant but safe journey and decides to stick to the professional company he normally uses in future

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

That's my thoughts. He'll probably be back, but as he lives in a remote part of the Romney Marsh, the costs WILL have gone up by then. I'm sure his cheap mate won't want to come from Hastings to there for a short trip!

Any stupid tvvat can work for nothing. Let them carry on with it.

Wouldnt surprise me if your customer is being economical with the truth just so that you will drop your price.

That is a very valid point. The number of people who ring me up saying that another company will do the job for a far lower price and can I match it. My answer is always the same. Sorry but that is a very good price, I sugest that you take it. It is even more suprising that many still book with me anyway.

_________________
Grandad,

Funnily enough we have that too, especially with our wedding bus business!