Commuting - Why you should always bike commute.

My GF drove me to work yesterday because I had to return tables and chairs that i borrowed for a weekend LAN party. So I took a cab home. The cab driver ridiculed me for paying with visa, instead of cash (of which i had none), and that he's losing 5% on every visa transaction and how he's supposed to feed his family. I'm sitting there thinking, "I always tip in the service industry, this guy is going to get his 5% back plus more from me. I just busted my ass at work to put food on the table and have to pay for the cab on credit for crap sake. Who is he to b1tch?" I take his banter, tip my usual amount and play video games for 5 hours straight. It was eating me up inside and just got off the phone with his manager and feel much better about it.

Too bad cager's get so uptight about everything. I was back on the bike this morning and it felt great.

/vent off

How is he losing the 5%? Its the company he works for that foots the card company's service charge. I don't see how he can whine about it. Probably upset because he cannot pocket a tip on your Visa like he can the cash or something.

Your counter arguement is interesting. I never thought of it that way. Although, usually before I even get in a cab I ask if they take a C.C. I don't carry a lot of cash on me. Maybe $10 bucks or just enough for a coffee or two that's it. Hey don't let it get to you. For what its worth you got my vote on this one.

The proper response is: "Then don't accept credit cards!"

He was probably hoping to make you feel guilty and therefore upsize his tip.

I wouldn't have tipped him at all -- a service worker who gives me a hard time does not deserve it. And I say that as a service worker (albeit a very different service).

How is he losing the 5%? Its the company he works for that foots the card company's service charge. I don't see how he can whine about it. Probably upset because he cannot pocket a tip on your Visa like he can the cash or something.


Actually, in many places taxi drivers own their car and function as an independent, personally owned business. They are "licensed" by the taxi company (think franchise), the company handles the transaction, phone orders, computer/radio service etc, but they don't pay the service charge. Everything falls back on the owner of the car.

Now, it's piss poor customer service for the driver to whine about it, but technically he is probably right in what he is saying.


Sverre

I've heard that though the "license" is really expensive in some big cities, they can make six figure incomes in a year! :eek: I wouldn't feel too bad about sticking them with the 5%.

once i didn't have any cash and needed a cab. I flagged one down and asked if he took credit cards. He said no....so I started walking away. He said "ok, ok, I take credit". then at the end of trip, he left the meter running while he took 5mins to do the paperwork for my credit card. I dont' remember how much I tipped him, but I was not happy about it.

Cabs are expensive around here, but sometimes it's the only way to get home late at night.

When you pay with credit they can't pull the "I don't have change for that" trick. 2 cab rides the last time I was in Boston and amazingly neither one could had change for a $20 ($13 fare). What a racket.

blwyn,

Never let a driver pull that crap. Just get out and don't pay. Don't pay even when they magicly come up with the change. Tell them to call a cop if they want their money. They won't becuase, 1) they aren't legal to drive a cab. 2) Cops hate scummy cabbies 3) The cops won't show up anyway.

As a guy who has driven cab-- it's a really tough way to make a living without some kind of scam, like prositution or dope transportation.

blwyn,

Never let a driver pull that crap. Just get out and don't pay. Don't pay even when they magicly come up with the change. Tell them to call a cop if they want their money. They won't becuase, 1) they aren't legal to drive a cab. 2) Cops hate scummy cabbies 3) The cops won't show up anyway.

As a guy who has driven cab-- it's a really tough way to make a living without some kind of scam, like prositution or dope transportation.

Careful. Cabbies almost always have some weapon nearby and remember, if you don't pay you are in the wrong (if that cop does show up).

Better to not leave the cab at all. Good luck to him picking up any fares with you in the back seat.

Actually, in many places taxi drivers own their car and function as an independent, personally owned business. They are "licensed" by the taxi company (think franchise), the company handles the transaction, phone orders, computer/radio service etc, but they don't pay the service charge. Everything falls back on the owner of the car.

Now, it's piss poor customer service for the driver to whine about it, but technically he is probably right in what he is saying.


Sverre

A lot of cabbies around the baltimore area pay a per diem every day to "rent" a cab from a company, and they keep the money...so they would foot the bill ffrom a credit card.

anyway, my worst taxi experience was when I was getting a ride back from the airport in raleigh. I'm waiting in line, and a few steps in front of me, there is someone getting in a cab. the cabbie looks at the line and says, "anybody else going to NC state?" Me and this other guy were like, "yea". I was thinking that with three people, my 24 dollar fare would be reduced to $8. however, I got out, and I had to pay the whole freakin' fare, and so did the other two people! If I had known that, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN MY OWN FRICKEN CAB! I didn't feel like arguing since I had gotten up at 4:00 in the morning that day...but I tipped the guy a quarter for a 24 dollar fare. he can **** off as far as I'm concerned.