To be annoyed at this from taxi drivers

[Hedgehog80]

We get a LOT of taxis. I started to notice a few months ago that the company we were using kept sending drivers who had little or no change ? This then led to what I can only describe as 'stand offs' where I had to sit and wait and the driver would eventually go through his own pockets for change ?

I thought they were meant to carry enough changefro each job?
Anyway we changed to another company and it's happened on 3 consecutive journeys now. First the fare was £24 the driver didn't have change for £30. Another journey was £5.50 didn't have change for £10 both those times I said I'd wait till they found it or I would not pay at that point and would go to the office and pay them, they found the change....
The third time he didn't have £2 change said he would 'drop it off later to where he had picked me up from'
Never did so I called the office and said I would not be using them again.

Is this a new thing? Is it just a way to make a few extra pounds each journey ?
AIBU to think of you're a taxi driver you make sure you have change ?

How are single trips more manageable than a weekly bill? Surely you don't get paid daily?

Only one one occasion has the driver apparently genuinely not had the change though. The other times they've managed to 'find' it which makes me think is just a way for a few wxtra pounds and they are just trying their luck?

It is easier for us to pay as and when. Of course we don't get paid daily we are just managing our money that way

A lot of places. They're easy targets for muggers now. There was one time here there would be a knifepoint robbery of a driver every other day only a few years back. So I can see how they would be reluctant to carry bags of change, but a handful of 50ps/20ps/10ps etc isn't too much to ask for.

Rosie I think it depends on the journeys. They're metered so a short trip to the shop if you're disabled for example is going to be less than a journey to the school/work etc. So unless a set amount you'd have different amounts coming out your account each time.

Are you using black cabs? Use an app like Hailo or Gett. There's also the advantage of a fixed fare vs meter. You pay via your online account using a card, for each individual journey. So there's no big monthly bill and its not an account as such. It's just like ordering and paying for a takeaway online.

If it's mini cabs, I'm pretty sure the same would be possible depending on the firm. We've used local mini cabs when we've been away and have booked and paid online for those.

And yes hedgehog it sounds like they're trying it on.

I always tip my drivers & round it up to the £1. Unless they are rude and very unhelpful. But they're thankfully few and far between.

No not black cabs just local minicabs. Used a company a year ago that were amazing always had chance but they closed and relocated so we changed and the two we've tried seem to have this issue

Open an account, ask how much it will be and keep a running total. Put the money to one side ready to pay at end of month.

YANBU, where I live I constantly go to the post office and change my notes into pound coins. This means I only ever pay in pound coins.

If I have a fair that's say, £5.50, I give £6 in pound coins but I still have the stand off where they sit there and just expect me to say, ''its okay''. I have to ask for my change!

A couple of times I've had the ''I haven't got any change but when I get some I can drop it off'' I say no and tell them I'm going to call head office right there and then and suddenly its okay and they can let me off. Its ridiculous.

Away, I am aware of that, but I cannot see how paying singly for every trip helps more than settling the bill weekly. Less fuss, no change worries and the cost will be the same.

I had this a lot last year, was disabled due to pregnancy and had to get a cab minimum 4 times a week. Buses simply weren't an option, I relied on a lift or a cab.
I'd say 80% of the time they tried the same trick as they did for you hedgehog when I used one firm in particular. Started using a more local firm and went in explaining that if I found them a good service I'd use them regularly but also asked whether their drivers carry change and explained why I was asking. Not once did I ever have trouble with them, if I called they'd be 'oh high questioning, you at hospital home or the nursery? We'll send a driver, be with you asap.' Amazing service.
As a result I put them forward to do work for my job and they have a lucrative account.
I'd be calling the company, complaining and telling them you'll change to a company who treats customers better if they aren't up to it. You're worth money to them. They need to adjust the way they operate

I'm a bit incredulous over the pence or 2 change from Dominoes. Shady buggers could be raking in ooh, about 1 and a half pounds a year...

With an account, you settle up after the fact. Can't you just move the money for each journey into a bank account or purse after taking the trip, so you have it ready to settle up when the account invoice is later raised? If you're a regular taxi user, an account is the way to solve your problem.

Got a taxi yesterday - he charged me an extra £4 for bags then didn't have change for a £20 so got a £3.50 tip.

Fair enough he got the bags out the boot for me but 5 mins later knocks on the door and hands me a bag that had been forgotten and demands another £6 fair "for time wasted".

Willow he charged you an extra £4 for bags?!

I hope you complained!

They are allowed to charge an extra fee for heavier goods, i.e. one once brought some small items of furniture home for me. But not for shopping bags I presume!

And re the time wasted excuse. They're only allowed to charge the minimum fare when returning something to you, nothing more. (often has to do this as DS has a wonderful habit of always leaving his bloody bookbag in the car!).

Where abouts are you? I'd be going to the taxi licensing authority with that one.