Car service price fluctuations

brookfinn · October 2009

Last night at 9:30 p.m., going from Park Slope to Ditmas Park, the car service (based in Park Slope) charged me $7. On the return trip, at 11:30, the same service charged $11. Can they do that? Well, obviously they did.
But are they allowed to charge varying rates like that?

j0518 · October 2009

technically? probably not.

does it happen every day? i'm sure.

hello living · October 2009

I use Eastern all the time for 12 years. I know that if I go from my house in WT to anywhere in PS below Union Street it's $6. Above Union = $7.

I usually don't allow them to get the chance to rip me off by saying something like "That's $6 right?" when I am about to pay them. If they say no, I say "well, that's what the dispatcher told me when I asked and that's what I paid for the same exact trip 2 other times this week".

I called Eastern to complain once and the guy told me that he wanted me to call immediately if it happened because he has heard word that some of the drivers are doing it and he will suspend them. I don't know if it's true or not, but one guy was a total asshole and I did report him.

It makes me mad because 1) I'm not a fool - I know how much the same trip costs each time and if I don't, I probably asked the dispatcher or can guess and 2) I was gonna tip the driver anyway, but now that they pissed me off, tip is gone

gtrain · October 2009

ask the price before you get in - you don't like it then don't take the cab. it cuts down on problems and fare price shock.

baretguy · October 2009

Gtrain wrote: ask the price before you get in - you don't like it then don't take the cab. it cuts down on problems and fare price shock.

Not only is this good, but sometimes you'll get half way out of the car and they'll cut the price to something fair. I always schedule bargaining in whenever I take car service.

charise · October 2009

Ask the dispatcher or refuse to pay. If you took the exact same ride, you know the higher charge is unfair. The driver almost always takes what you give, if he knows it's fair.

carmen · October 2009

When living in bedstuy I noted what i called a "hazard fee"- if I went from bedstuy to park slope, it was $8 (on multiple car services.) If I went from park slope to bedstuy it was $12 on multiple car services (the same companies.) I noticed similar fee changes to trips in and out of bushwick. I guess they hike up the price if they don't anticipate a ride back.

brooklynjack · October 2009

I always ask the dispatcher when I call for the car.

I always use the car service that comes from where I am going, unless I am going into Manhattan. But coming back from Manhattan I call Eastern

mpmav1 · October 2009

Said a few times, but worth saying again!

1) Ask dispatcher price.
2) DON'T ASK THE DRIVER ANYTHING. Just had them money and get out. Done. No problems. If you ask, you are saying, "hey, rip me off please, thanks."

veets · October 2009

My opinion.. Last 2 posters have the best suggestions.
I use Continental if I am on this side of the park. If I am on the other side of the park (towards Midwood/Ditmas Park I call new Mexicana for the return trip.

gadmo · October 2009

There are car services that charge higher fees for trips that originate further away from their base. If I'm in PS and call a PS car service to take me to Williamsburg, it will almost always be cheaper than if I'm in Williamsburg and call the same PS car service to take me back to the slope. The best bet is to always try to call a car service local to where you're starting from.

aasslt503inf · February 2010

Hi,

I'm Joseph, Assistant Manager for Eastern Car Service.

Currently pricing maps, or "Zone Maps" are not currently used in any car service other than the pricier Luxury car companies. However, Eastern Car Service is in the process of being the first to make one in order for all of our prices to remain consistent. We have listened to our customers concerns, and are striving to improve our services daily. The Zone maps should be in place sometime within the first quarter of 2010. Also, we are very strict with drivers who attempt to abuse our customers, we take incidents such as over charging very seriously. If you ever feel that a driver has not performed as he/she should have, please do not hesitate in contacting us at the email provided below; we normally respond within 48 hours.

P.S.
The best tip I can give you is to ask the dispatcher the price, and go based on that (Please be aware that until our zone pricing system is in effect, the price is an estimate, which is true of all car services).

Cordially yours,

Joseph
Eastern Car Service
Assistant Manager
[email protected]

Car service price fluctuations

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