Mr.Dream Transport

I agree with Greg from Billabong 100%. One customer not showing up, can throw off an entire day/week/months worth of bookings. During holiday season especially more so, as you turn away guaranteed customers, and have to shift around your customers taking their place. Many people will make multiple reservations with several places, and not bother to cancel prior to their arrival, they just decide where to go and who with as they makes things up as they go, they just like to know they have a place to stay if they don't find something else. People wouldn't do this in the western parts of the world as much, so why do they do this so much here?

Dancewatchers.com sounds like it would solve most of everyones quarrels. They have maid services, along with a multitude of other services, at VT6, VT2,VT5, also with penthouses available. I know that everyone I have talked to that have used them, have always been happy, so the prices must be reasonable, and having the different locations, allows you to stay in the area you want, as opposed to just one building.

Pre-book it is my advice, not just because this is what I do. Every person and their mother, knows this will be one of the 4 biggest holidays for us farang, so they figure they will jack up the prices as high as they can. It would be like trying to book a pickup for new years eve or day, same scenario.

Sorry I've been away from the boards for a little while, we have been extremely busy, and we've also done a bit of restructuring as well. To fill everyone in, and to keep the nay-sayers at bay, although some of the people here seem to have valid concerns or issues that arose during their pickups, I'm just talking about the regular 3 or 4 people that knock everyone over here. We have restructured the way that we are doing things completely now from the ground up. Out of the 9 drivers we had running full time along with backup drivers, we are back down to 5 of the original 9 drivers. We have had many drivers come in and do a pickup for us, and from customer feedback, or from dealing with the drivers on a normal basis, just felt they were not right to keep around. So as to using independent drivers, from the very beginning, we have said that we started out with a few independent drivers before purchasing a few of our own vehicles, when we are extremely busy, we use backup drivers. These backup drivers are the same drivers that work for the other taxi companies that are talked about regularly, one of my fulltime 5, even came over to us from another one of these companies, as we pay more to the drivers and take less commission. As to us solely being a booking agent, I do own some of our vehicles personally, so please accurately attack us about something if that is going to be your intention. If we are making so much money as a booking agent, then how are we able to keep our prices down so low, instead of charging what most other companies charge? If at very minimum, we are able to get you the same vehicle and driver you would get from another company, 100baht cheaper, and being able to book with someone who speaks English, and even does some kind of compensation if a problem arises and is brought to their attention, doesn't that make it worthwhile? We do go above and beyond that. Everyone wants the cheapest ride possible, but at the same time they want to be given VIP treatment for bottom dollar pricing. Same as some customers prefer our drivers go faster, and others prefer them to go slower. We have to try and cater to both kinds of customers all at the same prices, thats why we also have a new pickup option on offer gaining popularity, our standard VIP pickups. When I first started this venture, I thought that it would be possible to monitor each and every pickup, and that nothing would ever go wrong, as with any other business anywhere in the world, problems do arise from time to time, and we do the best we can to deal with them. Almost all of the people that talk about a bad experience with us, that have had contact with me directly via phone or email, also neglect to mention the refunds, free return trips or future trips, free upgrades on pickups, or discounts that we give to compensate them accordingly for the problems. There is no other company out there, that has any guarantees about anything, let alone my guarantee that I do honor whenever its brought to my attention directly regarding late pickups and the free trips that are given after, or reimbursements directly to the customers in cash, even those that prepay. So as far as I can tell, I am the only company operating here, that has any kind of standards whatsoever as to customer satisfaction. Most companies rely on sheer tourist numbers, and I don't want to operate that way, I would much rather have repeat customers, and referral customers over any kind of review online. When I get almost as many emails from customers telling me that they appreciate the lengths we went to, to ensure their pickups went well, and how happy they were with our services, we are definitely on the right track. As to specific drivers and the brand new cars coming out with one of the original 5 drivers we started with, I always put down a customers preference on a specific vehicle, not charging for this if it works out that way. So for the customers that are extremely budget minded, we really do try to go out of our way, to treat every customer the same, regardless of VIP or basic pickups. IF someone wanted a guarantee of a specific vehicle with a specific driver, then the standard VIP pickups we offer, still cheaper than most companies basic pickups mind you, are the solution to that. These are our most popular pickups by far, and as we are limited on the number of customers we are able to handle this way, our backup drivers come into play on basic pickups from time to time, same as when we are extremely busy, just like any other company. When/if a situation arises where a driver looks like they are running late, then I try to pull another driver into the mix, to ensure the customer still is greeted on time, hence independent and backup drivers. I hate having to get a driver referred to me by another one of my drivers, but at the risk of a customer being late, or the cost a customer is looking to stay within, I do my absolute best to see that every thing we try to promise is delivered. Please don't take my lack of reply on the board as a sign of not caring, or not wanting to confront a situation a customer has had for the worse. All of you who have watched my posting on her, know that I will not shy away from a customer talking about a bad experience, and always will offer explanation if possible, or at very least recompense the customer. We do not plan on going anywhere, and thanks to so many of you for your patronage, we will be around for quite some time to come. I can promise you I will keep on doing my best to try and find ways to improve upon the problems that arise with ANY taxi company here. In the past month, we have been improving our services, and offering cheaper alternatives for VIP or high priced pickups, and still offer the same standard of service every time. I have tried to keep both budget and high standard of service all for the same price of the 1900baht round trips, or 1100baht pickups. We have offered the same standard as any company for this price, and a slightly more expensive alternative totally geared towards customers who want to have every aspect of their pickup handled, arranged, and monitored from the time they book their reservation, until they are dropped off at their location. So for the customers that want the guaranteed vehicle, the guaranteed driver, and the over the top treatment, while still staying under 3k baht for a round-trip, we are able to provide this along with your choice of beverages, snacks, pillow in car, and uniformed driver. We even have pickups where you can have a mobile phone ready to go for either purchase or rental, saving you the time of having to run around yourself, all at prices that would rival Tukcom. If any customer ever has a problem with any driver or pickup, I ask them to contact me directly, not while the driver is driving if they need to use their phone, but while stopped or at the end of the pickup, so I can take appropriate actions immediately. After all, if I am going to give a customer a free pickup because their driver was late, or was unsafe and needed to get another driver for them, I cannot do these things if I do not know about them. The main attack point people use against me, isn't done by the people having the pickups done, its by the people who have never used us usually, and to say that any company should know about every problem before they become a problem, just think about how that sounds. If I could find a way to alleviate every problem before they ever arose, I would be the only person in the world that was able to do this. As stated, with any other service, I have given free pickups to customers on the occasions where their drivers were late when I had knowledge of this on multiple occasions. Please let me know if there is any other driver, or any other company out there that has given any money back despite the kind of problems they may have had with them. So we are if anything trying to improve on things constantly, again something no other service does. I am not going to deny that customers have had problems in the past, or that we have had customers that were late, but also as we are the only one of these companies advertising, and posting on all subject matter on the board, we are talked about whenever there is a problem, much much more. I accept this, as I have to be able to take the good with the bad, as thats not just business, thats life. We appreciate all of your patronage, and will continue as long as people want to try and mix savings with service, we will be here. To any of the customers that have had problems with us, I am sorry that was the case, but these are problems that people have acknowledged with every service on here, from meter taxis, to high priced companies, to the budgeted priced companies like ours. We just happen to be the only one where people can have a direct posting interaction with on the forums. Thanks again for your patronage and your time. I'm sorry if my replies are a bit long, but as I do not get on the boards as often as I would like to anymore, I like to try and cover as much as possible.

Easiest way to do it my friend. + then the 1 and the area code, then the number example +1-(567)-555-3456 Otherwise, the international dialing code is 01, then 1, then the area code, and phone number. On most Thai mobiles, I think its the 0 you hold down, and it will change over to the +. Most providers will not let you call using the numbers, you have to use that + now. I hope that helps you some.

The taxi stand itself will issue price vouchers for 1,500baht I believe still. Thats also the flat rate thats listed on many of the meter taxis rate cards from BKK or the airport. Once they give you the voucher, the driver has to take you for that price. It is advantageous having a driver from Pattaya that knows their way around Pattaya, as you just jump in the car and relax until you reach your hotel. Especially with the new Pattaya Call Center, a pre-booked car with the driver knowing your hotel name, could take the most inept of drivers to the front door of your hotel. It would be about the same thing as having a Pattaya driver take you for various things within BKK. Yes the drivers will be familiar with nana, maybe the US or UK embassy and a few other places, but just won't have that intimate knowledge a local driver will have, yet again a good reason for companies being based out of BKK and Pattaya. As well, if a driver does try to raise the price for any reason, with a pre-booked car, you can always just call the owners or managers and have that sorted immediately, as opposed to a driver where you don't have any recourse in that scenario.

Just a quick word of advice on these. I love these places to death, but if you have anything left over dump it in the pot, or you can be sure it will be getting served the following day. That was advice given to us by one of the waitstaff at one of the popular Patts joints. I was in for the pizza night last week, I enjoyed it for the money. Interested to see how the burgers taste.

I think I recall Galaxy Suites having a penthouse with a nice sized jacuzzi style hot tub. Somewhere also had the in room pool, though I can't recall which hotel. Price range would also help too as to what you want to spend.

Pattaya, Bkk, thats the norm. If you find someone doing it for less or willing to negotiate thats great, but expect 1+1 with most rentals.

Eastiny 7, and Residence Garden are both pretty hot right now at the moment. I've stayed at the LK Renn., but for location the Eastiny and RG are probably better choices.

I didn't get it until you said that. I was looking at the pic trying to think what we would have thought was weird, couldn't find it. Thought again what my wife would think was weird, and seen it within a minute lol.

THE GARCo, used to have adverts on the baht buses about the buffet dinner they had on offer there. Is this the right place I'm thinking of, and if so, has anyone tried it and gotten a price? I'd be interested in anything that had the words American food, and all-u-can-eat in the same sentence lol.

I guess that works on in-laws too nohlsson lol.

We do have a full-sized pickup truck with a cage on it, so a tarp can be placed over the contents of the bed. We also have a motorcycle ramp and ratchet tie-downs for moving motorbikes, which we have done in the past for people. The truck is an extended cab Vigo, so you would be welcomed to ride with the driver. We are also able to move and pack for you, if moving from one location in Thailand to another. At the current time, the driver does not speak much English, but we would be happy to handle communications between you and the driver if you wish. I've seen the transport pickups for motorbikes, and they are just that, pickup trucks, so while there isn't a bike track in the back of the truck we have, we can still take care of you. Just give me an email if you would like me to try to arrange something for you.

Oh yeah, the trucks are much cheaper than the cars here, which is almost opposite of the states. A decent truck here will start a bit over 550k up to 900k for a pretty tricked out truck. And they have a new van that is becoming really popular because of the price, its the cheapest brand new vehicle I have seen at 385k over here. Hondas are on the more expensive side here, especially for used. A 15 year old CRV will still sell for almost half the price of a brand new one. The only thing I've noticed here, is that the dealerships, new or used, won't really work with you on the prices. There is almost no negotiation room, you either want the car and pay what they ask for a new one, or you don't buy it. Especially with the current market, you would think more than that. Although they do have some interesting offers, like Isuzu or Nissan giving away 2baht gold with the purchase and down-payment on a new car a few months back lol. Toyota is the dominant make on the road here though, as I recall someone saying they manufacture them here or something along those lines.