I have only used this taxi company once and was not very satisfied as the driver lost his way and even went down a dead end at one point.

What are other people's experience with them?

I think that they may have bought a new horse since then.

i use them now and then, and they are always rather good.
nice drivers, nice cars, good prices, my first call if i need a cab.

I have only used this taxi company once and was not very satisfied as the driver lost his way and even went down a dead end at one point.

What are other people's experience with them?

They're all crap.

And what's with all the Taxi's having GPS's stuck to their windows? A way to avoid the "Knowledge" or a good way to allow someone else to drive your cab when you're in bed? Makes me wonder if I'm insured when I see a GPS so I avoid these like the plague.

They're all crap.

And what's with all the Taxi's having GPS's stuck to their windows? A way to avoid the "Knowledge" or a good way to allow someone else to drive your cab when you're in bed? Makes me wonder if I'm insured when I see a GPS so I avoid these like the plague.
mini cabs dont do the knowledge as far as Im aware.

I have always found mercury to be really reliable and reasonably priced as well.

We use Mercury a lot, and I'm pretty happy with them. Their drivers are normally nice and chatty too :)

I used to use mercury but had a couple of bad experiences with them so for a while now I have been using Pheonix. Who are very reliable, very reasonably priced and there drivers are all friendly. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

mini cabs dont do the knowledge as far as Im aware.

I have always found mercury to be really reliable and reasonably priced as well.

Neither do black cabs in Sheffield, or if they do, theyve all got really crap memories. Havent found one in 5 years that knows the way to my street without me directing him

my brother had to take a road knowledge test, he then worked for mercury for a couple of years. i have used them since and never had any reason to complain.

I have used Mercury for many years now and have always found them very reliable and well priced.

Id stopped using Mercury at one point due to poor service and non existent cabs but recently i had to eat my words. On the day before Xmas eve I rang RCA for a cab from Drakehouse retail park. 30 minutes later I rang RCA again to ask where my cab was. The operator told me it would be in 5 to 6 minutes. An hour later, absolutely freezing to death, I rang Mercury who had a cab with me in 10 minutes! Looks like I may have been wrong! :rolleyes:

I still tend to use Mercury because all round their service seems ok (and I know their number by heart). I have to say though, they don't seem to have visible fare meters like black cabs and other companies do. I don't know how many times I've been told a different price for the same Sheffield to Rotherham journey ...everything from £9 to £21 in recent years! It makes me wonder how easy it is for the drivers to make the price up depending on their mood at the time.

Also, I'm pretty sure one of their drivers wasn't being totally honest when he said he hadn't found my new, expensive phone in his cab a few months back. Looking back, I'm now almost positive it slid out of my pocket just before getting out of his taxi. I realised in seconds and was on the phone to the office straight away. They radioed the driver while I was still on the line. By this time he would barely have hit the parkway, never mind picked up another fare! I honestly believe he pocketed it, knowing full well I'd had a few to drink and wouldn't be able to prove (or remember) anything the next day.

Partly my fault for being careless, I know, but the incident has damaged my trust in Mercury's drivers somewhat.

I have only used this taxi company once and was not very satisfied as the driver lost his way and even went down a dead end at one point.

What are other people's experience with them?

used to be really happy with them but not so much now. Had a few shoddy cars turn up and phones constantly engaged. Tried elsewhere and was happier with them.

Had no problem with Mecury.

Once they eventually turn up :)

They used to check all of the drivers slips where they write down the details of the fare including the fare. I can't see what was there to stop the drivers writing down one amount and asking for another though.

mini cabs dont do the knowledge as far as Im aware.

Yeah they do (in Sheffield anyway). I did it, and it's actually quite difficult, (or was when I did it, it's changed now). Once you've done this, you have to pass a 2 hour driving test, followed by being stripped starkers for a bizzare medical, then a police check, then hand some more money out, and you get 'considered':)


And what's with all the Taxi's having GPS's stuck to their windows?
well why not?
I have to say though, they don't seem to have visible fare meters like black cabs and other companies do.
Hopefully, the council will allow private hire to use these soon.

Neither do black cabs in Sheffield, or if they do, theyve all got really crap memories. Havent found one in 5 years that knows the way to my street without me directing him


i know how you feel! its really hard when youre drunk having to direct the driver to your house! i dont drive, so its really hard knowing which roads he shoudl be on!

i use mercury and they are always 20 mins early, so ive learnt to book them accordingly! however once ordered 2 taxis, one came on time , other came an hour later! was nt good!

and the prices do vary a little, even though they have that 'taxi route' machine, why dont the prices come up on that like normal taxi firms?!

Mercury are the best:thumbsup:

Crap.
They treat their account holders bad and their cash paying customers even worse.

Unfortunately they seem to have a bit on a monopoloy over most of the big accounts eg: hospitals, hotels etc. They seem to be turning into the taxi equivillant of first mainline.

Shame because they used to be really reliable!

Crap.
They treat their account holders bad and their cash paying customers even worse.

Unfortunately they seem to have a bit on a monopoloy over most of the big accounts eg: hospitals, hotels etc. They seem to be turning into the taxi equivillant of first mainline.

Shame because they used to be really reliable!

Which big hospital accounts are you referring to?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Magilla
And what's with all the Taxi's having GPS's stuck to their windows?

well why not?




One good reason not to use ones with GPS as I don't trust GPS!!!! GPS machines seem to take you the wrong way, down dead ends, farm tracks etc! I was going to buy my hubby one, but he threatened to throw it out of the window after a friends experience.

We had all been out to Mexboro and they used their GPS instead of following us back to the M1 like they usually do. Ten minutes later, we got a call to say they had broken down in a dark lane somewhere. Half an hour and several phone calls later we found them well off the main road heading east instead of west :huh: !!!! Maps are far more reliable.

Ten minutes later, we got a call to say they had broken down in a dark lane somewhere. Half an hour and several phone calls later we found them well off the main road heading east instead of west :huh: !!!! Maps are far more reliable.

:hihi: :hihi: yeah, there seem to be a lot of nightmare stories.
I think the perfect match, is having one that's regularly updated, and using a bit of common sense too:)

being a regular user of Mercury, I know more or less what the mileage is between destinations on my regular journeys, and therefore what the charges should be, so if there's any discrepancy, I can challenge them.

Fortunately as I tend to do the same journeys at the same times in the day, I tend to get the same drivers, regularly, so I've got to know them, and build up a rapport.

I have only used this taxi company once and was not very satisfied as the driver lost his way and even went down a dead end at one point.

What are other people's experience with them?

You obviously got a thick driver who doesn't know how to get you from A to B. They are OK, most cabs I have got from their company have been!!

Chin Up

They're all crap.

And what's with all the Taxi's having GPS's stuck to their windows? A way to avoid the "Knowledge" or a good way to allow someone else to drive your cab when you're in bed? Makes me wonder if I'm insured when I see a GPS so I avoid these like the plague.

Sorry do you mean gps equipment or do taxis come equiped with onboard doctors these days lol:D

mini cabs dont do the knowledge as far as Im aware.

I have always found mercury to be really reliable and reasonably priced as well.
mini cab drivers do have to memorise routes round sheffield

My mum and dad have used Mercury at least three times a week since my dad had his stroke, 5 years ago and is no longer able to drive. They have always been highly satisfied - until Christmas. We worked out that out of the 11 they booked,(over the Christmas period) 6 never arrived even after numerous phone calls made to them, with them giving all kinds of excuses. On New Years Eve they booked a taxi during the morning for one to arrive at 6pm. After waiting and phoning them on and off for an hour, they decided not to bother going out afterall and settled in front of the telly. Their taxi arrived at 8.20pm!! They no longer have Mercury for some reason!

I have used mercury in the past and found tham to be ok (apart from one driver having strong views on the state of the world!). There is no one firm I would rate higher than another.

The mini cab industry is much like a provisions store in the old American west - full of cowboy outfits. I think.

I find most taxi drivers, both black and mini cabs, to be rude and inconsiderate towards their passengers and other road users. I've even witnessed one black cab driver deliberately swerve to 'scare' a cyclist, grinning, turning to me in the back seat, looking for acknowledgment for his 'joke' .. I asked him to stop the cab and I left the vehicle without paying him, he didn't protest, as he could see how upset and angry I was at his behaviour. Taxi drivers please show some consideration for other road users.

i called mercury at hallam hospital and then waited 25 minutes and no one showed up i ended up getting a black cab further down road.

I think they are pants too

My mum decided to give them another go last night (see my earlier posting) and guess what? They failed miserably yet again! See booked them for 8.15pm and at 8.30 decided to phone and see where they where only to be told that they had been and gone! Well, I don't know what house they'd had been to, because we had been stood by the window waiting from 5 past 8! Complete Rubbish - we have defo done with them now!

They used to be good but now they have become very unreliable. I'm heartily sick of the "It'll be there in five minutes" lie that you get when you try to find out where your taxi is.

Word has it that the problem is in the control room rather than with the drivers.

Isn't anything better than RCA...?

On New Years Eve they booked a taxi during the morning for one to arrive at 6pm. After waiting and phoning them on and off for an hour, they decided not to bother going out afterall and settled in front of the telly. Their taxi arrived at 8.20pm!! They no longer have Mercury for some reason!

I have checked the records for NYE, and there were 19 pre-bookings for 1800. All 19 were despatched between 1750 and 1751, and all of those jobs were completed, (the latest being completed at 1819). If you posted the time incorrectly, I'm happy to check another time.

My mum decided to give them another go last night (see my earlier posting) and guess what? They failed miserably yet again! See booked them for 8.15pm and at 8.30 decided to phone and see where they where only to be told that they had been and gone! Well, I don't know what house they'd had been to, because we had been stood by the window waiting from 5 past 8! Complete Rubbish - we have defo done with them now!

I shall also look into this one tonight. There were quite a lot of bookings on Friday so I may not be able to find it, (obviously I don't know where they booked it from).

They used to be good but now they have become very unreliable. I'm heartily sick of the "It'll be there in five minutes" lie that you get when you try to find out where your taxi is.

Word has it that the problem is in the control room rather than with the drivers.

When you phone up to ask where your taxi is, the GPS that it fitted to every car, shows up on the telephonists screen (instantaniously if you phone off up on the same number that you booked it on).
Although it doesn't show what the traffic is like, it shows 2 markers, one: the car 2:your pick up point. They can then give a rough idea of how long it's going to be.

p.s, what have you heard about the control room, and who from?

Neither do black cabs in Sheffield, or if they do, theyve all got really crap memories. Havent found one in 5 years that knows the way to my street without me directing him
Same here. I always have to direct them as we get closer.

I find most taxi drivers, both black and mini cabs, to be rude and inconsiderate towards their passengers and other road users. I've even witnessed one black cab driver deliberately swerve to 'scare' a cyclist, grinning, turning to me in the back seat, looking for acknowledgment for his 'joke' .. I asked him to stop the cab and I left the vehicle without paying him, he didn't protest, as he could see how upset and angry I was at his behaviour. Taxi drivers please show some consideration for other road users.
All black cabs have a black plate on the back, with a white number(other way round for PHVs). You could have reported him to the taxi licensing (0114) 272 6444.

When you phone up to ask where your taxi is, the GPS that it fitted to every car, shows up on the telephonists screen (instantaniously if you phone off up on the same number that you booked it on).
Although it doesn't show what the traffic is like, it shows 2 markers, one: the car 2:your pick up point. They can then give a rough idea of how long it's going to be.



Isn't this only relevant when the job has been accepted by a driver.

Control will never tell a pre-booked customer that no-one has accepted the fare. They will just say that a car is on its way!

Ive used them for years and i find them ok they are reasonable and cheaper than some others

Same here. I always have to direct them as we get closer.
One of my taxi driver customers always complains of this from his customers, that they sit there like zombies without a clue of where they are for six or seven miles of a journey, trusting me completely and ten yards from home suddenly jump up and treat me as though I am the zombie and a blind one at that. They shout things like, "turn just theyer where that cars cumming aat from" and "slow down now, indicate to turn next right." He says that he usually tries to make a joke of it by saying things like, "now I didn't drive all this way just to drive past it now did I?" but never works in changing their mind about me.
Could be that you are one of his customers? :)

Neither do black cabs in Sheffield, or if they do, theyve all got really crap memories. Havent found one in 5 years that knows the way to my street without me directing him

I once encountered a black cab driver who had never heard of Wadsley Church, Worrall Road or Dykes Hall Road. But he knew vaguely where Hillsborough was.. As for Mercury - I have used them ever since a pre-booked Abbey cab turned up half an hour late, and I have found them very good.

i have read all of the comments. im not a taxi driver, nor do i have anything to do with taxis. but some people need to understand, things happens. people stuck in an office cant possibly make a taxi appear out of thin air. if there are no taxis in the area, well wait. its hard getting a taxi to appear from one side of sheffield to the other without waiting a while. personally mercury have never let me down and so what if drivers need to be given directions sometimes. you cant expect them to know sheffield 100% however they know at least 90 % of it. there may be some drivers that are new and need help but the old timers are usually spot on. and where the gps comes in, ITS NOT A TOM TOM. from what i know it tells the company where the driver is.

GIVE THE DRIVERS A BREAK AND THE FIRM. YOULL JS END UP RUNNING BACK WHEN RCA SAY 5 MINS AND UR WAITING AGES.

i have read all of the comments. im not a taxi driver, nor do i have anything to do with taxis. but some people need to understand, things happens. people stuck in an office cant possibly make a taxi appear out of thin air. if there are no taxis in the area, well wait. its hard getting a taxi to appear from one side of sheffield to the other without waiting a while. personally mercury have never let me down and so what if drivers need to be given directions sometimes. you cat expect them to know sheffield 100% however they know at least 90 % of it. there may be some drivers that are new and need help but the old timers are usually spot on. and where the gps comes in, ITS NOT A TOM TOM. from what i know it tells the company where the driver is.

GIVE THE DRIVERS A BREAK AND THE FIRM. YOULL JS END UP RUNNING BACK WHEN RCA SAY 5 MINS AND UR WAITING AGES.

fancy a pint?:hihi:

Have to say I use Mercury quite regularly and they have always been excellent. My only slight gripe is that they can be early but this is easily rectified by booking the time for a bit later. They seem reasonable on prices and once I left my mobile in a car and it was returned to me a couple of days later. The ring back service is a great help and I have always found the drivers to be talkative but maybe this is because I'm quite a chatty person myself. If I need a Joe Baxi its always Mercury for me if I'm near a phone.

I do understand Jay88's point about it taking time to get a taxi to the right place, and I wouldn't expect a taxi always to appear within a few minutes of making a call. But note that my own point about being let down by Abbey was that this taxi had been PRE-BOOKED with them (three hours in advance, in fact) but it still arrived half an hour late, and so I missed my train. That was in mid-2005; since then I have used Mercury and have found them very good - they do sometimes arrive a few minutes early but I have no problem with this. The ringback system is a good idea for both the driver and customer. And Mercury's prices are reasonable - the last time a Mercury minicab took me to the station (4 miles) the fare was £7, which is over £2 less than the standard meter fare, so naturally I tipped the friendly driver the difference. As for cab drivers knowing at least 90% of Sheffield, I'm sure this will apply to Mercury drivers, but the black cab driver I referred to in my post was a non-Mercury driver (from the railway station rank). I don't claim to know 90% of the city but I know all the main roads and the major bus routes. Dykes Hall Road and Worrall Road are in this category but this cab driver had never heard of either. In fact, of the dozen or so places I mentioned to him he knew only that Penistone Road went towards Hillsborough. Neither the name nor the suburb of Wadsley were known to him. In actual fact it was clear that he could hardly speak English - goodness knows how he managed to get a licence. But in fairness, this was the first black cab driver I have encountered who had never heard of Dykes Hall Road (each time I get into a cab I say to the driver "Wadsley Church", then "Worrall Road" then "up Dykes Hall Road", in that order, and one of these is usually known to them). But this driver certainly shouldn't have been driving a cab, or at least, not without a GPS. Better still, he should learn his way around Sheffield before trying to drive a taxi. I compained about this experience in a letter to the licensing department of Sheffield City Council, quoting the licence number of the cab and asking how these people get a licence. Four weeks later I hadn't recceived a reply, so I wrote to The Star, recounting my experience. After they published my letter (as the lead letter, under the headline "Taxi drivers who don't know their way around") I sent a copy of this to the Town Hall. I then belatedly recceived a reply, stating that the driver had been interviewed as part of the regular insurance procedure, and that my complaint had been mentioned to him. He had apparently remembered the occurrence (maybe I was the only customer who looked exasperated and didn''t given him a tip...)

They are fantastic use them regularly never let me down always get call back.

The drivers are usually very polite too.

I think if we get to the stage where we are criticising them for coming to early we are picking at straws.

I think they tend to focus on the west side of the city could be wrong though.

Ive called them about 6 times and each time they have never turned up. So I suppose I cannot comment any further than that! :hihi:

Ive called them about 6 times and each time they have never turned up. So I suppose I cannot comment any further than that! :hihi:

As the above post says from fudbeer they put you on call back, iknow that if your in a bar with loud music you have every chance of not hearing it. But they do call you back

As the above post says from fudbeer they put you on call back, iknow that if your in a bar with loud music you have every chance of not hearing it. But they do call you back

The times when I have phoned them is when I have been in quiet places so...........?

We were told by an RCA driver last week that they are taking over Mercury very soon. Seems like RCA are taking over every minicab company in Sheffield. Once the monopoly is complete the fares will start to rise...

The times when I have phoned them is when I have been in quiet places so...........?

I take it your phone is on!!!!!!!!!:hihi:

Ive used them for years and i find them ok they are reasonable and cheaper than some others

WHAT DID U SAY

fancy a pint?:hihi:

aaah can do?
what u say we go down town and at end of nite call mercury for a cab and buy the driver a drink 2. show our apprecacion.:D

We were told by an RCA driver last week that they are taking over Mercury very soon. Seems like RCA are taking over every minicab company in Sheffield. Once the monopoly is complete the fares will start to rise...

the drivers dont own the company. they just drive. so for a driver 2 come out with a comment like that, he must have some hardcore evidence, or (the truth) a new scheme to make people use them more.

tis true that RCA are hilariously bad, we had a terrible encounter with a driver who talked to my friend like she was working on a sex-line for a jaw dropping ten minutes...we rang to complain; but to no avail...

Mercury have been ok by all accounts with me, I usually talk to the drivers about when eid is and stuff...most drivers are friendly, polite and dont go on detours.

the drivers dont own the company. they just drive. so for a driver 2 come out with a comment like that, he must have some hardcore evidence, or (the truth) a new scheme to make people use them more.


I'm aware the drivers are self-employed, but it doesn't stop cab companies taking each other over. RCA have taken a few over recently. He actually told someone at our company that because we have an account with Mercury, he said "oh, that'll be with us soon enough then, RCA are taking over mercury". So he wasn't looking for immediate business from us.

I'm aware the drivers are self-employed, but it doesn't stop cab companies taking each other over. RCA have taken a few over recently. He actually told someone at our company that because we have an account with Mercury, he said "oh, that'll be with us soon enough then, RCA are taking over mercury". So he wasn't looking for immediate business from us.

I hear this rumour all the time. It's not true.

When you phone up to ask where your taxi is, the GPS that it fitted to every car, shows up on the telephonists screen (instantaniously if you phone off up on the same number that you booked it on).
Although it doesn't show what the traffic is like, it shows 2 markers, one: the car 2:your pick up point. They can then give a rough idea of how long it's going to be.

p.s, what have you heard about the control room, and who from?


That some of the people who work in there are incompetent. Some of the drivers have said this, I don't know what they're called and I wouldn't stir things up for them by naming them if I did.

Although the GPS doodad shows such information it doesn't mean the operator that a customer is speaking to is telling them the truth. It's funny how the taxi is always five minutes away but sometimes takes half an hour and several more calls before it reaches you.

That some of the people who work in there are incompetent. Some of the drivers have said this, I don't know what they're called and I wouldn't stir things up for them by naming them if I did.

Although the GPS doodad shows such information it doesn't mean the operator that a customer is speaking to is telling them the truth. It's funny how the taxi is always five minutes away but sometimes takes half an hour and several more calls before it reaches you.

With big companies, there are telephonists, and a despatcher. Crap telephonists do exist, yes, but they don't last long.

Although it's fairly easy to teach anyone how to use a computer, and how to take bookings, it's hard to teach all the areas of Sheffield (or any big city) and learn which areas are harder to cover at certain times. (which is why good telephonists/operators are constantly being swapped or poached amongst companies)

e.g, when I sit down to start my shift at 5pm, and find that 3 jobs have been on 'plot3' by the daytime staff (West Bar/Corporation St/Millsands, to Mr or Mrs Public), I know straight away, that I'm going to struggle to cover any of these, if any!! Because drivers do not wish to drive into the most congested area of Sheffield at rush hour.

I hope this explains a bit, I have ':hihi: boringly:hihi:' explained this in great detail on a major taxi thread, which I could post if it was of any interest.

As long as no personal or silly insults don't start, I'm happy to answer any questions, as this is my livelihood and one thing I have knowledge in(no pun) :)

I think we call RCA first and then Mercury... We usually get a decent reply as my boyfriends job has an acct with them and they tend to get here the quickest of the two.

Though at peak times well book cabs with both companies and who ever gets their first gets the fare. We then just ring the other company back to cancel.

I dont seem to have a problem with them at all, maybe once or twice ive had to ring back but seen as i live in Stannington i dont think thats bad at all.

Whether its cos they know me (i use them a lot) or whether they r in the area (90% of the time) i dont know.

It also depends what area im in as well. I went out wiv someone from Foxhill and i used a local one (the name escapes me) and they got to know me by name. (obviously my number came up) but i thought that was a nice personal touch.

Overall i reckon taxi's arnt that bad wen u wanna go out, its comin home that can be a problem.....but thats another story :)

Though at peak times well book cabs with both companies and who ever gets their first gets the fare. We then just ring the other company back to cancel.

Doing this is one of the reasons that taxis are late. And if both taxis turn up at the same time, they will both block you.

they never do. most say theyve shown and they hadnt (9 times out of 10 with us both waiting outside the house clearly standing there looking like goons waiting for them to show only to call to follow up saying the driver rang and we werent there). so whatever.

most say theyve shown and they hadnt (9 times out of 10 with us both waiting outside the house clearly standing there looking like goons waiting for them to show only to call to follow up saying the driver rang and we werent there). so whatever.

Why would a driver say that they'd been when they hadn't?

Ive never had a problem with them, they always strike up a conversation with me after seeing the Peterborough United badge on my coat, it usually follows 5 mins of laughing before hand.:hihi:

9 times out of 10 with us both waiting outside the house clearly standing there looking like goons waiting for them to show only to call to follow up saying the driver rang and we werent there). so whatever. Maybe you've answered the question, so try staying out of sight till they pull up outside, then quickly run and jump in the car before he has time to get away :lol:

Maybe you've answered the question, so try staying out of sight till they pull up outside, then quickly run and jump in the car before he has time to get away :lol:

:hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Ive never had a problem with them, they always strike up a conversation with me after seeing the Peterborough United badge on my coat, it usually follows 5 mins of laughing before hand.:hihi:

With Sheffield - City of potholes, as your signature, I can believe you would quite easily strike up a conversation with any Sheffield Cabbie:hihi:

After watching that documentary on Sky I watch for your results, not good:(
Better leave it there:hihi:

With Sheffield - City of potholes, as your signature, I can believe you would quite easily strike up a conversation with any Sheffield Cabbie:hihi:

After watching that documentary on Sky I watch for your results, not good:(
Better leave it there:hihi:

Yeh I know, Ive gone to 27 out of 32 games this season, we have lost our last 8 league games, going Tuesday night .v. Swindon ( Lost ) and then travelling to Bristol Rovers on Saturday ( Lost ) ive got the number of samartans in my phone:D

Yeh I know, Ive gone to 27 out of 32 games this season, we have lost our last 8 league games, going Tuesday night .v. Swindon ( Lost ) and then travelling to Bristol Rovers on Saturday ( Lost ) ive got the number of samartans in my phone:D

I've thought long and hard about this subject, and think it's bad parenting that leads to being a footy fan.... you spend lots of money, go to hundreds of matches, and only enjoy a few. But if it's in your blood and then built-in to your upbringing, it's there for life:hihi: :( :mad: :hihi:

I've thought long and hard about this subject, and think it's bad parenting that leads to being a footy fan.... you spend lots of money, go to hundreds of matches, and only enjoy a few. But if it's in your blood and then built-in to your upbringing, it's there for life:hihi: :( :mad: :hihi:

I try and keep my conversations with Mercury Taxi drivers about Peterborough United or Potholes very brief I haven't got that much money in fare miles & I daren't tell them I used to be a Bus Driver For First :gag:

I try and keep my conversations with Mercury Taxi drivers about Peterborough United or Potholes very brief I haven't got that much money in fare miles & I daren't tell them I used to be a Bus Driver For First :gag:

:hihi: :hihi: wise

Why would a driver say that they'd been when they hadn't?

ash, there is a hardcore of drivers who do this. It does happen, and indeed, has happened to me, often.

I order a cab to take me home from work.

we are in a huge portakabin, in a car park, with only one way in or out of the car park.

my office window overlooks this entrance/exit, So nothing can get in or out without us seeing it.. we can watch for the car coming, in relative comfort.

I have often had ringbacks, telling me the cab is there, and I wait... and wait, and .... nothing...

when I ring contol, and ask where the car is, they tell me "He's been and gone, no-one was there!"

or even better, "he couldn't find it!" :rant:

(:rolleyes: - it's a massive, Sixty-foot long-plus portakabin, with a six-foot square sign with our name on it. the only building in the carpark.. just how bad does their sight have to be to miss it? and when we order it, we give specific instructions, as to where it is, and how to get to it, right down to "we are in the massive portakabin in the car park" everything short of directing them how to walk up the ramp and knock on the door! control even put a message to the driver caling for the job, on his Auriga machine that it's "the portakabin in car park")

it happens to our customers, too; we order a car for them, and we have the same problems.

it gets very frustrating. for the control staff, having to re-send the job, and for the potential passenger, having to wait even longer to be picked up.

I am fortunate, in that, in a morning, it seems to be the same driver who picks me up to take me in. In the afternoon, it's a bit more hit-and-miss.

Never had a problem with mercury, use them 3/4 times a week with relative ease.

ash, there is a hardcore of drivers who do this. It does happen, and indeed, has happened to me, often.

we are in a huge portakabin, in a car park, with only one way in or out of the car park.
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I suppose there are exceptions, if it's busy and something seems hard to find, they may do this, but it's rare in my experience. (Liberty House is one that springs to mind, I've yet to find a driver, myself included who have actually found this bloody place:hihi: )

But my point being in my quote was that it isn't in their interest to avoid picking up as that is the only way of getting paid.

mercury are really good they always come on time and and they are well priced i've called them many of times and live in an 8th floor flat and they always give ring back and wait for me to get down the stairs...?:thumbsup:

I suppose there are exceptions, if it's busy and something seems hard to find, they may do this, but it's rare in my experience. (Liberty House is one that springs to mind, I've yet to find a driver, myself included who have actually found this bloody place:hihi: )

Have you tried that huge portakabin, in a car park that Plain Talker was refering to, is that called Liberty house by any chance? :lol:

Have you tried that huge portakabin, in a car park that Plain Talker was refering to, is that called Liberty house by any chance? :lol:

:hihi::hihi: nah it's no portakabin, I have Liberty Court/PLace in my personal knowledge, but not House, although according to the Royal Mail, (who's database is the one we use) it's on St Marys Rd.??:confused:

I'm pretty sure some of your collegues tab, know me, I'm quite well known in the taxi trade (mostly good, I hope), and I'm well known for knowing bloody everything:hihi: :hihi: , mainly because if someone orders from somewhere I don't know, I'm off wandering and looking 5 mins later, so satisfy my curiosity.

i used mercury`s cabs twice a day on average throughout december.to be fair they were ok.i had some late arrivals,one or two early ones(guaranteed to be early when your running late!).the drivers seemed ok,but one or two with a few chips on their shoulders,but in general,service was fine.
one thing did bug me tho...the route i took was exactly the same everytime.practically down to the yard.the fare wasnt reflective of this.on the whole,my return journey was usually cheaper than my outgoing journey.dunno why,but thats what i found.also,my average fare was £5.40,but i was charged from and including fares ranging from £4.50,£4.80,£6 and £6.20.now i aint complaining too much,(honest),but surely thats not quite right.and if its happening to me,i cant help but wonder what other people are getting charged.i`ll stake my 50p tip that this is not a one off.
i also found getting to know the operators helped.(hi ash!united won m8),and booking your cab well in advance is not always wise.i found an hour before you need it is enough,but i always called mercury again 10 minitues before i needed the cab as well,just to remind them.and again,a couple of minutes after my cab was due if it hadnt arrived.so in other words,make a pain of yourself and be friendly and understanding with the staff and you`ll be reet...

I once called mercury in 2004 & they sent me a immigrant chinese guy, the license picture definately wasn't the guy driving & he tried to charge me £25 quid during the day for going from City Centre to Abbeydale Road, after he had taken perhaps the longest possible route right the way round through dore & told me i had to pay, I DIDN'T pay, infact i called the police at the time, as he started getting irately abusive in chinese, i had no idea what he was saying & he was threatening me with his fists, I had to dodge him, thats NOT the way i ever want to be treated by a cab company, I called to complain & heard nothing back, So called again & was passed the owners telephone number & email, Of course.. he doesn't answer the phone nor reply to the emails.. I have NEVER used mercury again after this..

RDA (not rca) however find them to be very efficient, the taxi is always a couple of mins early if not ontime, they even come onto your driveway or knock on your door as well as the call back.. BIG thumbs up to them!!

I once called mercury in 2004 & they sent me a immigrant chinese guy, the license picture definately wasn't the guy driving & he tried to charge me £25 quid during the day for going from City Centre to Abbeydale Road, after he had taken perhaps the longest possible route right the way round through dore & told me i had to pay, I DIDN'T pay, infact i called the police at the time, as he started getting irately abusive in chinese, i had no idea what he was saying & he was threatening me with his fists, I had to dodge him, thats NOT the way i ever want to be treated by a cab company, I called to complain & heard nothing back, So called again & was passed the owners telephone number & email, Of course.. he doesn't answer the phone nor reply to the emails.. I have NEVER used mercury again after this..

RDA (not rca) however find them to be very efficient, the taxi is always a couple of mins early if not ontime, they even come onto your driveway or knock on your door as well as the call back.. BIG thumbs up to them!!
Warning! must take with some salt :hihi: RDA? :confused:

Why would a driver say that they'd been when they hadn't?
i dont know you tell me?
all i know is we stand there with phones in hand waiting for the ring back and them to appear. and 20 - 30 minutes calling the cab company to ring em up to find out where they were all we get from the dispatchers are "well the cab said he rang you and you never showed" which is BS as we were outside making the call and waiting for them

In my experience of several years ringing up for private hire taxis, about eight times out of ten there was an ignorant, uncaring, fairly obnoxious woman taking the order on the other end of the phone. Their attitude obviously led to bad timings,taxis coming earlier than wanted, misunderstandings, etc, etc.
When you rang up to enquire or to complain, the same women would have an equally obnoxious, unconcerned attitude. Before too long I just stopped bothering with them. Wouldn't use them. Prefer to bus or even to walk than to give my time and money to those uncaring crettins.

I feel sorry for their drivers who maybe need the work and who may not have such a chip on their shoulder attitude but, if I was running or helping to run a taxi firm, I WOULD NOT EMPLOY such nasty, negative, ignorant people to answer the phones to people who wanted my business.

I know that not all people are perfect and that, sometimes at work, some people have bad days or are poorly paid and such, but this ignorance happened on regular occasions over several years and at several different taxi companies. So, the taxi firms, I think, really do need to take a lot more care and concern on their publicity, public image and personnel.

Best regards to all.

hello dropout, and welcome to SF.. beware, you'll be hooked before long!

lol

Now, I, and my other-half both use mercury a lot, and, most of the time- in fact just about all of the time- the ladies (And the occasional chap, BTW) who take my/our calls are courteous, and efficient, and very polite.

Now, I, and my other-half both use mercury a lot, and, most of the time- in fact just about all of the time- the ladies (And the occasional chap, BTW) who take my/our calls are courteous, and efficient, and very polite.

I actually worked in the office tonight, and answered calls (busy or what!!)

I think dropout has perhaps used smaller companies, where people used to do EVERYTHING (take calls and despatch) one man/woman taxi company, I've done it myself, and it's hard to sound 'beautiful' on the phone.

Maybe the minimum wage has changed matters. I used to do 12 hours for £30, in my early taxi days, I think I spent more than that on ciggys:hihi:

(and of course I was lovely to everyone tonight who shouted at me)

To be fair, when we have used Mercury, the telephone staff are always polite and friendly - there is one lady who works there, sorry can't remember her name, but she is lovely ~ always friendly and cheerful. So can't knock em for that.

I don't use cabs - but there seem to be an increasing number of Mercury drivers round here who;
a) think they have a god given right to force there way on to main roads whilst blocking one lane when they're turning right.
b) haven't the courtesy to give way to traffic coming uphill on the likes of Springvale Road - in fact they appear to race to try to get to gaps first.
c) have forgotten how to use indicators.

I once called mercury in 2004 & they sent me a immigrant chinese guy, the license picture definately wasn't the guy driving & he tried to charge me £25 quid during the day for going from City Centre to Abbeydale Road, after he had taken perhaps the longest possible route right the way round through dore & told me i had to pay, I DIDN'T pay, infact i called the police at the time, as he started getting irately abusive in chinese, i had no idea what he was saying & he was threatening me with his fists, I had to dodge him, thats NOT the way i ever want to be treated by a cab company, I called to complain & heard nothing back, So called again & was passed the owners telephone number & email, Of course.. he doesn't answer the phone nor reply to the emails.. I have NEVER used mercury again after this..

RDA (not rca) however find them to be very efficient, the taxi is always a couple of mins early if not ontime, they even come onto your driveway or knock on your door as well as the call back.. BIG thumbs up to them!!

I find this very difficult to believe may be wrong though