thank you Mr value cab

drew2k9

recently when i was injured from rugby and on crutches i ahd to use taxis to get to and from work, using both value cabs and fona cab too, and i can honestly say every driver i encountered were extremely helpful with my crutches and backpack etc, and also they were very good company on the ride to work as well, both companies offered me a great service, and its great to hear these stories since taxi drivers sometimes get a bad rep.

tara747

BigAndy_79 wrote: »

Good to read such good stories ! On the other side of the coin, I have experienced bad times with Fona Cab. I obtained one of those fobs giving the 25% off, but the attitude of some of the drivers when you produce the thing has been pretty shocking. Most notably, I recently had a trip where the driver (involuntarily) used a short part of a bus lane in order to get to destination sooner. (He maybe saved about a minute by doing this) When we arrived he then snapped that he would have thought about doing that if he had known that I had one of those money off fobs ! Unbelievable !!
A couple of my mates actually stopped using the things as they felt it was creating too bad a vibe when producing it ! Really bad.

Are Value Cabs still starting their metres at £2-40 ?? Might well begin using them....!

Andy.

I've had this too. It really embarrassed me, I actually called up to complain afterwards grr!! They were very nice on the phone and told me to stick to my guns as I was well within my rights to use it.

I haven't used Fonacab since (not that I take taxis much, I'm too MSE lol).

gawa75

Had this treatment from Fonacab too. The driver was a bit grumpy when I produced the fob at the end of the journey, saying "Thought I'd managed to get through a full day without one of those flamin things..."

belfastgirl

I had a fob and went to use it last week but the driver went and got a laminated sign out of his boot that said they had stopped it from 30 November. He was pleasant about it, just confirmed it was no longer valid.

psybear

It's all down to individual personalities really, in terms of whether you have a good experience or not.

I invariably use Value Cabs for business and pleasure trips - and 99% of the time I'm very happy.

A few weeks ago however I called a taxi to pick us up from a restaurant on the Lisburn Road - told them I was ready to go as I was literally leaving money on the table to cover the bill. The driver met us on the stairs - I commented on how quick he was to get there and he said "just shows you how busy we are". When we got into the taxi i noticed the meter was running and was already showing £3.00 (bear in mind they start at £2.40). When I queried this he told me that he had been told we were ready to go and was entitled to start the meter on arrival. I told him (politely) that I thought this was totally unreasonable, but I left it at that, resolving to (a) give him zero tip (I always tip) and (b) call the depot to report him as soon as I got home. Anyway, we arrived home, the meter was showing £9 - something, and he said £7 will cover it!!! He obviously knew he was in the wrong and decided to defuse the situation - but how many times has he pulled that stunt on people who don't notice the meter or who are just to polite to protest???

So, my tip to people here - particularly when getting picked up at night when drivers might think you are too distracted/drunk/stupid to notice - check the meter as soon as you get into the taxi. Value Cabs should show no more than £2.40. And don't be slow to challenge them if it's showing more than that. Most drivers are 100%, but you need to watch out for the odd chancer like this guy.

missma

Hi

I booked a Fon a Cab this evening from the uni area. On returning home I realised I left my phone in it . So I rang the company and said I would pay to have it brought back round. I was astounded when the driver brought it round and I offered him cash and he refused it saying do not worry. I think it pays tobook reputable companies.

Thanks

AlwaysWorking

Sorry, I'm not trying to pick a row or anything...:rotfl:it's nearly Christmas after all, a time for goodwill! But I felt I had to comment on a post,

JulieElizabeth wrote: »

I was walking down the Dublin Road after a few shandies one Sunday night when my handbag was stolen from my arm by some Sandy Row 13 year old spide.

Whilst I am, of course, sympathetic, I don't see how it is relevant where the child came from. Teenagers from affluent backgrounds can get into trouble just the same as children from less affluent backgrounds. I'm not from Sandy Row, nor do I know anyone there, but I would hesitate to assume that this teenager came from there simply on the basis that he mugged someone.

tara747

psybear wrote: »

It's all down to individual personalities really, in terms of whether you have a good experience or not.

I invariably use Value Cabs for business and pleasure trips - and 99% of the time I'm very happy.

A few weeks ago however I called a taxi to pick us up from a restaurant on the Lisburn Road - told them I was ready to go as I was literally leaving money on the table to cover the bill. The driver met us on the stairs - I commented on how quick he was to get there and he said "just shows you how busy we are". When we got into the taxi i noticed the meter was running and was already showing £3.00 (bear in mind they start at £2.40). When I queried this he told me that he had been told we were ready to go and was entitled to start the meter on arrival. I told him (politely) that I thought this was totally unreasonable, but I left it at that, resolving to (a) give him zero tip (I always tip) and (b) call the depot to report him as soon as I got home. Anyway, we arrived home, the meter was showing £9 - something, and he said £7 will cover it!!! He obviously knew he was in the wrong and decided to defuse the situation - but how many times has he pulled that stunt on people who don't notice the meter or who are just to polite to protest???

So, my tip to people here - particularly when getting picked up at night when drivers might think you are too distracted/drunk/stupid to notice - check the meter as soon as you get into the taxi. Value Cabs should show no more than £2.40. And don't be slow to challenge them if it's showing more than that. Most drivers are 100%, but you need to watch out for the odd chancer like this guy.

Well spotted. There are always a few bad eggs in amongst the good.

Old_Git

just a reminder on ALL taxis ,if you get into a taxi and its not pre booked you may not be insured .
I know Value Cabs and fon a cab both pick people up from outside Botanic Train Station
(and other places )that have not pre booked . As far as I know the only taxis allowed to pick up on the street are the black taxis .I have been told this by a black taxis driver .

If this is correct the drivers should not be accepting fare like this ,but they do .

---

On the positive side an elderly relative got a taxi in Botanic ave to bring her to church .(not pre booked ) She dropped some things (including money ) from her bag on the back seat off the taxi .The taxi driver brought the items to the church caretaker ,he later returned as he found more stuff .I dont even know if it was Value Cabs or Fon a cab .

joanne_d_3

Old_Git wrote: »

just a reminder on ALL taxis ,if you get into a taxi and its not pre booked you may not be insured .
I know Value Cabs and fon a cab both pick people up from outside Botanic Train Station
(and other places )that have not pre booked . As far as I know the only taxis allowed to pick up on the street are the black taxis .I have been told this by a black taxis driver .

If this is correct the drivers should not be accepting fare like this ,but they do .

---

On the positive side an elderly relative got a taxi in Botanic ave to bring her to church .(not pre booked ) She dropped some things (including money ) from her bag on the back seat off the taxi .The taxi driver brought the items to the church caretaker ,he later returned as he found more stuff .I dont even know if it was Value Cabs or Fon a cab .

A lot depends on what colour the taxi plates on the vehicle are.

For example , some cabs have white plates and others have green plates. I believe that cabs with green plates can pick people up in the street if required whilst cabs with the white plates must be booked through a rank or depot.

Regardless to the passenger how they came about being in the taxi (whether it was pre-booked or flagged down at the road side) , the passenger is always covered by the drivers insurance !