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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this taxi driver was in the wrong?

57 replies

BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 09:44

Booked a taxi by app to go to the train station. Got in the taxi and he said so you’re going to the train station?

Half way there he said I’d picked a different destination and that’s why the journey was cheaper. I apologised and said I’d always selected that destination on the app and no one taxi driver had ever mentioned it.

He then dropped me off outside of the taxi office and demanded I pay him more (fare was paid for by card) and I said I didn’t have any money (true).

I said well take me into your office then and I’ll pay the rest on my card and he quickly changed his mind.

He was genuinely horrible to me, lecturing me and he didn’t even drop me off at the station anyway.

OP posts:
HotelEuphoria · 03/12/2017 10:39

You said the location you picked was one you always picked but it was a genuine mistake. Do you book that because you know it's a bit cheaper and the drivers have got pissed off with people doing this?

I am guess a situation like OP picks The Station (pub) but the actual train station is next door but he has to negotiate one way streets and traffic to get to the train station frontage.

Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 10:44

I chose that destination because I thought it was the correct one! I only found out when he told me that I’d put the incorrect one. It was a genuine mistake. I’m a human being and sometimes in life I make mistakes. Sorry I’m not perfect like some of you on here.

When you book by the app you already have you card details so it takes the payment that way. So for the people assuming I ordered a taxi with no money to get a free ride are wrong.

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Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 10:46

I offered to pay the difference by going into the office and he quickly changed his mind and didn’t want me to go in there. That is what I found strange.

I made a genuine mistake and offered to pay for that. Nothing more I could have done in that situation.

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Brandbrandbrandy · 03/12/2017 10:47

So no other taxi driver had ever pointed it out to you before?

nibora · 03/12/2017 10:49

Sounds like you've been underpaying for some time then, and lots of very nice cabbies haven't pulled you up on it.

Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 10:52

Advice, I think you’ve misunderstood, I’m sorry. He knew where she wanted to go, but she selected the closer station and expected him to drive her to the further away one for free.

No you’re the confused one.

There’s ONE station in my city. The destination I selected said “CITY RAILWAY STATION”

I didn’t think oooh I’m gonna scam a taxi company and get a free ride lucky me!

I put what I thought was the correct destination. I got told half way there it was wrong destination despite him saying to me when he picked me up “so you’re going to the train station then?”

I offered to pay the difference hence not trying to get a free ride for a GENUINE mistake and then all of a sudden he didn’t want me to go into the office and pay.

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Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 10:53

So no other taxi driver had ever pointed it out to you before?

No never.

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Brandbrandbrandy · 03/12/2017 10:57

Ok, so do you now know that it is the wrong destination or do you think the taxi driver was spinning you a line?

Either way, why don’t you complain to the taxi firm? He obviously upset you so they should know as a matter of professionalism.

Chrys2017 · 03/12/2017 11:18

I would complain about that fact the he didn't drop you at your pre-booked destination. Presumably you had a train to catch!
And yes, report to the taxi firm that their app has an error, if selecting "RAILWAY STATION" isn't actually correct if one is travelling to the railway station.

frogsoup · 03/12/2017 11:18

If you selected 'city railway station' then I'm not sure why you think you made a mistake - what else could you have entered?! Sounds more likely that he was scamming you, so yes, complain to the taxi firm.

PricillaQueenOfTheDesert · 03/12/2017 11:23

Complain to the taxi company.
Book taxis for the actual destination you require not the easiest one on the app in future.
Find another taxi company.

Userplusnumbers · 03/12/2017 11:31

OP, it's not DG cabs in Nottingham by any chance is it?

fannythrobbing · 03/12/2017 12:33

I have had exactly this happen when I've booked by app to go to the regional airport. I select the airport as a destination and the same taxi driver has told me twice that I've "selected the wrong bit of the airport" (this driver I'd had another time and told me he hated the app as he never made money off it) first time I just gave him the extra he'd demanded but the second time I double checked I'd pre-paid to the terminal building so I queried it further and ended up calling the taxi office at which point he drove off and was absolutely raging. Essentially the driver just wanted more money for the journey than the app was charging. I've refused to book that firm since.

Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 12:36

Essentially the driver just wanted more money for the journey than the app was charging. I've refused to book that firm since.

Well I’ve rang to complain and they said that he was in the wrong and he should have contacted them whilst I was in the car and they could have charged my car for the outstanding amount.

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SilverySurfer · 03/12/2017 13:55

What I don't understand is you carrying absolutely no money. I've read of others doing this - is it really a common thing now? If so I just don't get it. I couldn't conceive of leaving home without money in my purse. What if you want to buy something with a small price like a newspaper? Do you seriously pay by card?

Sorry to derail, just find it bizarre.

Brandbrandbrandy · 03/12/2017 14:00

I sometimes don't carry cash. It’s so easy to get about with just cards and apps these days.

everybodysang · 03/12/2017 14:04

There's one cash machine in the village where I live. It's often out of order. On my commute to London I change at a station then go on to another, then do a 20 minute walk to my office and at no point do I pass a cash machine.

The local taxis in our nearest town, which I use often, do not have card machines.

Another example of people on Mumsnet being unable to conceive of a life that's slightly different to their own.

OP it sounds like the issue is with their app, not you. He sounds pretty dodgy.

Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 15:28

Maybe we’re just different SilverySurfer?

Funny that? People being different Wink

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Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 15:30

What if you want to buy something with a small price like a newspaper? Do you seriously pay by card?

This made me laugh out loud to be fair, the actual shock of it all.

I once paid for chewing gum on my card. That was my only purchase. Is your mind blown?

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Puzzledandpissedoff · 03/12/2017 15:34

I'm surprised nobody's suggested this, but maybe he avoided going into the office because he wasn't actually one of their registered drivers?

It happens all the time around here ... a driver gets sick/another job/whatever and sends a friend or relative in their place, presumably divvying up the takings later

Brandbrandbrandy · 03/12/2017 15:45

I once paid for chewing gum on my card. That was my only purchase

I realised I needed another plastic bag after I’d already paid for my items. So I had to pay the 5p on my cc! Xmas Grin
I did apologise to the cashier (Sainsbury’s) that the transaction would cost them more than the bag itself!

ClashCityRocker · 03/12/2017 16:00

Well, if you want to go to City Railway Station, surely you would select City Railway Station as your destination, which op did?

Why wouldn't you select City Railway Station? I suppose if there's multiple entrances and exits but that should be made clearer.

Sounds like he was chancing his arm if he could've feasibly got you to pay by ringing them.

ClashCityRocker · 03/12/2017 16:03

silvery I rarely carry cash. Probably only on a night out as it's a faff paying for drinks by card and I can't keep track of what I'm spending so easily.

Everything else I need i can generally get with my bank card or phone (for news and stuff, bus tickets)

SilverySurfer · 03/12/2017 16:40

Of course we are all different and yes, my mind is still totally and utterly blown Grin I have never gone out with less than £20 in my purse to cover unknown eventualities and if I had no money i would go without the chewing gum - would be far too embarrassed to try to pay with my debit card.

I'm obviously a boring old woman who will no doubt get over it in due course :P

Original poster
BornInSydneyy · 03/12/2017 17:41

Too embarrassed? Confused wow ...

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