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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to pay the taxi driver?

34 replies

BuggarMeGently · 11/04/2014 08:20

Right, so I called a taxi to work. It's really sunny today- I'm struggling to see, it's that bright. We live in flats beside a really busy road.

Do I get the 'callback', go outside...no taxi to be seen (pardon the pun). A passer by tells me its parked on the OTHER side of the road. (can see there's a car but cannot make out logo etc.) I wave at the car, fully expecting him to pull up on my side of the road. Nope. He shouts over "I'm over here duck!". I try to brave the road, eventually walking to the middle, and hoping against hope that someone will let me cross the other half. At which point the driver starts honking his horn and shouts "I'm going to have to charge you waiting time". Eventually someone lets me through, and I get into the cab.

Which is where I am now. Trying not to cry as he tells me there were at least two chances to cross. AIBU to refuse to pay? Or am I just a snivelling, unreasonable horsenugget?

OP posts:
Original poster
BuggarMeGently · 11/04/2014 08:21

Just to add...my cane is noticable...it's bright pink!

OP posts:
AbneyorTeal · 11/04/2014 08:23

Whack him with your cane and tell him not to be an arse.

really1234 · 11/04/2014 08:24

Well you can't refuse to pay as he's going to drive you to work. I would assume you won't tip though!!

Clearly is rude re the crossing the road but ultimately as he is doing the job you have to pay.

Original poster
BuggarMeGently · 11/04/2014 08:25

Thak you. Was wondering if I was being the arse.

OP posts:
MostlyMama · 11/04/2014 08:25

Sounds like he was being deliberately awkward. Some taxi drivers can be right arseholes, have had my share myself. I know it would be more difficult for you but I'd have turned round, gone back inside and phoned a different cab company. Pay him but take his licence number and report him to his firm, not paying might make him even more of an arsehole x

RedHelenB · 11/04/2014 08:25

YABU - you should have made it clear when you booked the taxi that he needed to pick you up right outside if you're disabled.

Morgause · 11/04/2014 08:25

Report him to his boss. And next time you call a taxi specify which side of the road.

Coconutty · 11/04/2014 08:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
BuggarMeGently · 11/04/2014 08:26

Point taken Red

OP posts:
Kopik · 11/04/2014 08:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MrsBryan · 11/04/2014 08:28

leave the door open when you get out, then he has to walk round and shut it himself. I always do that when I get rude taxi drivers.

Original poster
BuggarMeGently · 11/04/2014 08:28

And I've jumped out and paid him. Thank you

OP posts:
MrsBryan · 11/04/2014 08:28

If a taxi driver is nice to me I will always tip them.

Arkina · 11/04/2014 08:28

If you refuse to pay chances are hell drive you right to the local police station. Something which happened twice during my shift last night.

Original poster
BuggarMeGently · 11/04/2014 08:29

I tip, but only rounding up to the nearest quid Smile

OP posts:
blueballoon79 · 11/04/2014 08:34

He should have driven to your side to pick you up.
I have a disabled son who uses taxi's to get around. We have NEVER had to inform the taxi company that he is disabled as it's really obvious once they arrive that he has a stick and obviously has mobility problems so needs a bit of consideration.

All of the drivers he's had picking him up have been patient and thoughtful.

Any normal reasonable person would have crossed to your side of the road.

Unfortunately your taxi driver was incredibly thoughtless and unreasonable.

SixImpossible · 11/04/2014 08:37

If I call a taxi to a specific address, I expect him to come to that address, not some random location of his choosing that approximates the address.

The disability makes it worse, as he should have made you cross the road. However, why would he have known you are visually impaired? AFAIK your stick would be white, and of you start crossing, the assumption would be that you can cross. I think you should have stood your ground and told him "I cannot cross. You need to come here."

I would pay him, not tip him, and complain to the company.

Hope you feel better soon.

SixImpossible · 11/04/2014 08:38

Sorry, "as she should not have made you cross the road".

PavlovtheCat · 11/04/2014 08:43

He's a prick, I would have got out and started that process again.

Hope you are ok.

houseoflego · 11/04/2014 08:44

I think you should not have risked your safety by crossing the road. You have a disability so you should know your own boundaries.

diddl · 11/04/2014 08:49

Is it difficult to park on your side of the road?

I would certainly complain to the company.

diddl · 11/04/2014 08:51

What is the pink stick an indication of?

Bathsheba · 11/04/2014 08:58

I know people don't want to be defined by their limitations - but at any point did you consider just calmly saying "I'm blind/Visually impaired".....

Surely no other explanation would have been needed and the issue would have been resolved then and there.

Call the taxi company, get them to put BLIND on your account details, then it should come up on his display when he accepts the job.

Original poster
BuggarMeGently · 11/04/2014 09:02

Sorry...was scoffing a subway. A pink stick is like a white one...they come in different colours for kids Grin. No, it's not difficult to park there- there's residential parking, etc.

OP posts:
diddl · 11/04/2014 09:04

OK, was wondering if it was obviously a "white" stick or if it would look like a generic walking stick.

Either way he should either have brought the car over or offered to come & help you.