Bad Cab experience

josseleen · August 2007

Lovely story re: cab home last night.

So, in Continental (cab) car on way home.

I get the b*tch in the silver/gray car. She'd extolled $15 from my sister for a $9 ride once; when my sister called to tell me that's what she'd been charged, I called Continental and they agreed that it should have been only $9.

Last night, I only have a $20 and I'm on the phone with a friend. Get off the phone as we pull up.

Mind you, I had the same argument with her once before -- last time she took the "long way" -- small streets -- just like she did for my sister -- and has said to me, "Oh no honey, is not $10." and I'd called Continental and they said $9 and she agreed.

THIS TIME I GAVE HER THE $20 AND ASKED FOR $11 BACK. I fully intended to re-hand her the $1 if she agreed, like I often do. Take my change, give a tip. It's ALWAYS $9 whether it's Arecibo or Continental, and I always "tip" $1.

She threw a fit about how it's not $9 it's $10 and she wouldn't take anyone here for $9. I call Continental and the guy who knows me says to me, "It's what you always pay, honey. It's $9"

The b*tch is yelling at me in the cab while I'm yelling at her and talking to the guy on the phone.

She hands me $10 and tells me to get out of the car. I refuse and she finally hands me a $1 and tells me to get out and no one will ever pick me up again.

WHAT THE F*CK.

I then, as she's pulling away, call Continental and apologize but explain that she's tried to rip us off before. The Continental guy who knows me (knows my voice, I alwas call Continental first and he recognizes my voice, knows where my drop-off is and all) is very apologetic. I take a car from them 3 times a week. 4 if my sister comes out with me then goes home before me. Pissed me off.

Just felt like sharing. I love Continental, every driver I've had except for her. They are all super nice and know where they are going and if I get a good ride, I'll tip well, $1 or $2 for a $9 ride. I just wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience.

alafairnadia · August 2007

wow, that sounds really obnoxious. I'd be pissed, too. glad you stood your ground and glad you told the company. I'm sure other folks have had similar experiences and haven't reported her.

I once took a car home from work (I work for a law firm so after a certain time at night I get to take a car on our client's tab) and the driver started talking about how we should stop at a local bodega, buy some beer, and go up to my apartment. I was totally freaked out about it and, the next day, called the company and talked to the president (who, incidentally, was just indicted in Brooklyn - part of the Russian mob, apparently) of the company who fired the guy. made me feel much better (not the mobster part, just that I'd never have to ride with the scary, scummy guy again).

josseleen · August 2007

I really do like Continental. I call them all the time and only resort to Arecibo (also good, just, well, they don't recognize my voice) when Continental's line is busy or they take FOREVER (which does happen on occasion).

I didn't mean to be rude before but... She takes my sis from point a to point B. Charges her way 50% more than we are usually charged. Sis was tipsy and timid so just handed the$ over. I call Continental and they agree it should have been $9. Two days later same driver picks me up and takes me from same points A to B and tried to charge $15 again. We have the little discussion above and she agrees to $9. Then 2 weeks later she picks me up again, same points A to B, and refuses to accept the amount that she'd taken before, that every cab driver charges, and that Continental is telling her to charge.

It's a shame, I felt bad for her (I always feel bad for really unhappy, angry people), but I'm not gonna let someone walk all over me just because its 1 am.

brooklynbound · August 2007

Do you have the numbers to any good car services that service Prospect Heights, places I could call from the Slope, Ft. Greene, W-burg, or even Manhattan for a ride back to the Heights? The last car I took was about $14 from W-burg to P Heights.

Also, any suggestions on getting to Macarthur Airport at Islip - Long Island?

Thank you!

josseleen · August 2007

Can't help with the Macarthur airport fare but what I usually do when I need to go to the airport and don't want/can't get a yellow cab or take public transportation it, I call car services local to me and get a price check. I usually compare 2 or 3, then call whichever is cheapest and book it the night before.

Car services:

718 499 0909 - Continental (really, EVERY OTHER DRIVER is super nice as are the dispatchers)

718 783 6465 - Arecibo

718 230 4244 - Evelyn

718 965 1616 - 7th Avenue Cab (sunshine sticker)

718 633 4444 - Church, good if you are in Kensington or Windsor Terrace. A little pricey, I've found.

718 449 1111 - Always Available Cab - Greenpoint-based

Another P Slope service I used to use alot (but whose # I've lost) is called, I think, 11th st. Car Service. Very nice.

apollonia666 · August 2007

Brooklynbound wrote: Do you have the numbers to any good car services that service Prospect Heights, places I could call from the Slope, Ft. Greene, W-burg, or even Manhattan for a ride back to the Heights? The last car I took was about $14 from W-burg to P Heights.

I have yet to find one cheaper than that for coming home from Wburg, but I'd love to hear it if it exists.

brooklynbound · August 2007

Wow. Excellent list. Thank you! I'm going to call now.

josseleen · August 2007

Brooklynbound wrote: Wow. Excellent list. Thank you! I'm going to call now.

Also, if you're ever at Freddy's bar, right by the door and pay phone they have a larger list of local car companies.

kick rocks!!!! · August 2007

We do not use Evelyn anymore. We have a friend who has CP and has needed to take a cab from our place home to SI. Twice we have had them come out and then try to refuse a ride. Granted, you really have to listen to my friend to understand her because her speech is impaired a bit, but she is understandable! The first guy was afraid that she did not know how to get home and assumed that she was mentally challenged. We had to call to demand that they take her (she is a graduate of Barnard). They got to her house w/out a problem. The second guy didn't say why he didn't want to take her...we couldn't understand what HE was saying. We called again and he took her! We now use Arecibo w/out fail. Evelyn is fine if you aren't impaired in some way, but if not...good luck!

evan · August 2007

if you gave her a $20 and it was $9 and you were going to give a dollar tip, why ask for $11 back and then give the dollar back instead of just asking for $10 back?

jocelyn · August 2007

evan: i would assume the poster wanted to see if the woman was going to be honest first, before they decided if they would give her a tip. it's the principle of the thing.

jocelyn · August 2007

OP: thanks goodness neither you or your sister ended up like this woman:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/2007/08/24/2007-08-24_raped_by_cabbie_as_my_tot_watched_says_m.html

annie830 · April 2008

Express 11 Car Service really great. They are located on 11th Street and 5th Avenue.
718 499 3800 great dispatchers, and friendly drivers.

daver · April 2008

Annie830 wrote: Express 11 Car Service really great. They are located on 11th Street and 5th Avenue.
718 499 3800 great dispatchers, and friendly drivers.

All of your posts (literally) are shills for this service, perhaps you need to review the rules:

If you comment on a business in which you (or your friend or relative) have a financial interest, YOU HAVE TO DISCLOSE THAT IN THE POST. Shilling is when someone who has an interest in a business or event pretends to just be a happy, satisfied customer or patron who wants to tell everyone how awesome Joe Schmoe's Coffee Shop is or whatever. Even if you are a well-meaning friend or relative of the business owner, participating in this deceitful tactic does more harm than good for your business. Shilling is subject to removal at the discretion of the moderators and admins. The naming and shaming thing goes double here!

whatchuwant · April 2008

Brooklynbound wrote: Do you have the numbers to any good car services that service Prospect Heights, places I could call from the Slope, Ft. Greene, W-burg, or even Manhattan for a ride back to the Heights? The last car I took was about $14 from W-burg to P Heights.

Also, any suggestions on getting to Macarthur Airport at Islip - Long Island?

Thank you!

I would take the LIRR out to the Sayville train station (Ronkonkoma line). From there, hop a cab (if you check the LIRR website, they have the phone numbers of local cab companies that service each specific area, so just look under Sayville). Cabs on LI aren't cheap, it will probably cost you $10-15 from station to airport, however you'll save money by taking the train out there. All told, it will cost under $30.

raw · April 2008

I hold my cash and have the drivers pass me the change back first. Once I have the change in my hand, I pass the driver the fare and tip.

joseph11 · April 2008

Wow a 1 dollar tip. I would want to drive you either. Guess you never worked for tips.

veets · April 2008

Joseph basically caught what i was gonna say... $1 tip? And did the OP say that she had encountered this woman before? No kidding if the driver remembered you and your previous $1 tip I can see where she might have been a little wary of you!!

But bottom line... I don't care how many times you have taken the ride.. get in the car and say immediately, "I take this route all the time. the fare is $xx, correct?" The driver says yes, no, whatever but if you have a conflict you know it going in.. not after you have consumed the service.

I use Continental all the time and though I believe they might have one rip off, skanky driver... consistently this Car Serice company is on the top of my list.

Bad Cab experience

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