Pre paid taxi problem

bluenose_10

I ordered a taxi online and paid via Paypal to take me home from Stansted Airport on Monday. I ordered the taxi whilst still abroad and had confirmation of the payment and booking.
When I arrived at the airport the taxi was nowhere to be seen. I called the company 28 times, sent 3 texts and an email but didn't receive any response. Eventually I had to get another taxi.
When I called the company the next day they said I had to send an email to complain, which I did.

They have responded saying the taxi arrived and tried to call me (which is not true) and waited for 30 minutes before leaving so they will not refund my fair.

How can I get my money back? The taxi driver was not in the area they claimed to be and did not call or respond to my calls when I left messages. I have started to complain via Paypal and will continue to do that as well.

Any thoughts on this welcome. I am sure I'm not the only one to have this issue!

bod1467

Raise a Paypal claim?

browneyedbazzi

bod1467 wrote: »

Raise a Paypal claim?

A good idea. I'd also contact the local authority that licenses the operator and complain to them. Although they can't technically force the company to return the money, they can encourage them to. In some areas the taxis are fitted with gps systems that track the location of vehicles - if that sort of system is in place at the company then the licensing officer will be able to check whether the vehicle actually was at the airport or not... if they haven't turned out to a pre-booked job without a reasonable excuse they may be breaching the conditions of their licence. If they've failed to turn up and refuse to refund then it could affect their licence because that sort of thing makes it look like they're not 'fit and proper' to hold the licence.

arcon5

I'm afraid PayPal offer no protection for services so may have to go further than a PayPal claim

arcon5

How you getting on op?

[Deleted User]

bluenose_10 wrote: »

I called the company 28 times, sent 3 texts and an email but didn't receive any response.

This seems a little excessive. If you had no response from calling them direct, why did you think texts and E-Mails would be any more effective?
Any cab company which fails to answer the telephone is very swiftly going to go out of business (if they haven't already)

[Deleted User]

fluffnutter wrote: »

Most debit card suppliers will offer chargeback now and Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act will cover all purchases from £100 to about 60 odd grand if you pay by credit card.

Yes, I wouldn't have paid for a taxi with PayPal.
(Though I have to say I'd also be loathe to pay any cab company for their services in advance)

arcon5

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Yes, I wouldn't have paid for a taxi with PayPal.
(Though I have to say I'd also be loathe to pay any cab company for their services in advance)

Most taxi companies want paying the return leg in advance. In case for example you miss your flight and fail to notify them, they still (rightfully) want paying.

custardy

fluffnutter wrote: »

Paypal's shit. It makes out it's the safest way to pay for things but it's rubbish. It doesn't cover services and the 45 day claim limit is paltry.

Most debit card suppliers will offer chargeback now and Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act will cover all purchases from £100 to about 60 odd grand if you pay by credit card.

Vote with your feet people and stop using such a shoddy service.

what do they offer for £0.01 to £99.99?

arcon5

custardy wrote: »

what do they offer for £0.01 to £99.99?

Chargeback facility - time limit of 120 days.