Mr Tooms Taxi

[alexist]

After reading glowing reviews I felt confident enough to book MR Tooms Taxi to collect me and my newbie pal from Bangkok on the 8th July. I should have picked up on the omen that my christian name was written backwards.

The guy who was there to meet us was between 150 and 250 years old no major problem there and he seemed quite nice. The problem was his car was probably the same age as him. Air conditioning did not work, two out of the three seatbelts in the back were broken and the other one held together with cardboard and tape.

Still not a big deal as the excitement of going to Pattaya softens your expectations re transport.

When we arrived in Pattaya he did not know how to get to the Areca Lodge. He drove all round one way systems and up every side street in Pattaya. By this stage we were livid and I told him to stop and ask someone...he wouldn't.

We eventually found our hotel and then he started arguing about the price. I paid the 2,000 he asked for as I was too frustrated to talk sensibly to him.

Total time from pick up to arrival at Areca Lodge 3hours 45 minutes.

Cost of Taxi 2000 baht

I WILL NEVER USE MR TOOMS SERVICE AGAIN!!!!

The only downer to a wonderfull holiday.

Alex

[Cennn3]

Why did you pay him 2000 baht?, the price is only 1200 baht Seems like you were just unlucky. I have used Mr Toom a few times and had no problems at all. Although the drivers do not tend to know their way around Pattaya because they are based in Bangkok, but as I know my way around no problems there.

[db74]

I have used Tooms service a few times now. I dont really have any complaints. On my last trip, the man himself drove me back to BKK.

 

I guess you just got a bad guy, 2000 is way over what u should be paying.

 

Im using Lostinspaces service in Sept again, at least I'll get some good convo and a couple of cold bevvies waiting for me.

[ting_tong]

you should post a thread in the ride share transportation section about this. its the bad feedback that hurts future business, and gives fellow boardies a warning.

 

I personally hate khong fa, they are cunts.

[jacko]

I have used Tooms service a few times now. I dont really have any complaints. On my last trip, the man himself drove me back to BKK.

 

I guess you just got a bad guy, 2000 is way over what u should be paying.

 

Im using Lostinspaces service in Sept again, at least I'll get some good convo and a couple of cold bevvies waiting for me.

I just booked him to go TO the airport.

 

All very polite and efficient in the booking process.

 

I think you got a 'substitute'........you should have called Mr Toom and complained.

 

Ting Tong......what is the khong fa reference?

Edited July 27, 2006 by jacko

[elef]

My advice is that if you're coming to Pattaya for the first time or don't know the location of your hotel to book the transport from the hotel. Normal price is 1,300 baht (300 baht to hotel of that), toll roads 145 baht + airport parking around 25 baht depending on how long time waiting.

 

With any other limo/taxi-service be prepared to show the way to the hotel as most/almost all drivers are from BKK.

[jacko]

My advice is that if you're coming to Pattaya for the first time or don't know the location of your hotel to book the transport from the hotel. Normal price is 1,300 baht (300 baht to hotel of that), toll roads 145 baht + airport parking around 25 baht depending on how long time waiting.

 

With any other limo/taxi-service be prepared to show the way to the hotel as most/almost all drivers are from BKK.

They may work and drive in Bangkok, but their origins are more rural. I have had a lot of problems with BKK taxi drivers being unable to find their way around Bangkok.

 

Most hotels have web sites, or you can locate them on a map...print it out and use it.

Edited July 26, 2006 by jacko

[dontcha]

I payed 1200 baht and had a nice car with leather seats and air conditioning, the driver was great and he spoke almost perfect english, we got from the airport to soi 8 in about 2 hours.

I will definetly use this service again, it seems like you got an evil driver who needs to get fired ... i suggest you call Mr Toom who may rectify the problem for you ... he does not need the bad publicity that this asshole of a driver has given him.

[Sa-teef]

I had a rather bad experience with one of Toom's drivers on the 30th of June. I e-mailed Toom and got apologizes but no assurance that the driver was disiplined or questioned in the matter. I'll post the whole story in the rides section......

 

~Sa-teef

[mbiggs]

I find it is a bit pot luck when you hire such a service. If you are lucky enough to get a good driver your first few occasions, you are going to be full of praise.

 

Appart from that if you get a bad one, you will be giving the bad publicity. Bad service seems to be remembered a hell of a lot more than good service.

[jacko]

Bad service seems to be remembered a hell of a lot more than good service.

And so it should be. Good service should be the norm, bad service the exception.

[halfaboy]

I also have used Mr. Toom's service once .... and that was inmediately the last time. I have already reported my experiences in one of the other threads.

 

My problems were related to unsafe behaviour of the driver: half the way from Pattya to Bangkok the driver was (without handsfree set) on the phone, we drove most of the way with a speed of around 90 km / hour on the right lane (so other cars were passing us with considerable higher speed on the left side), my luggage had to be transported on the backseat as the boot was used for a gastank. Furthermore it was ice and ice cold in the car.

 

I have sent a note to Mr. Toom and got as reply: 'yes, this is a problem' !

 

For my trip to Bangkok this weekend I have booked for the service of mr. Lost-in-space (one of our Board Members). Total costs 1.600 Bath, including drinks and a big space for luggage.

[bigorange1]

i have used mr. toom six times, never had a problem, driver has always been on time and has been helpful and friendly, sorry youhad a bad experience, by the way you really should contqct mr. toom-the price is only 1200 baht all in...

[wacmedia]

Hi,

 

I'm sure it's a problem of success and a difficulty in finding enough reliable drivers with good cars. It's not an easy job.

[Long Tall Cowboy]

I have used Mr. Toom twice. 2 different drivers/cars. No problems what so ever. 1200 baht w/200 for tip.

Will use him again in August.

 

I highly suggest contacting Mr. Toom because i don't want to get the ratty ass car with a driver that doesn't know where he is going

 

 

LTC

[jambo]

I too have usued Mr Toom's service - absolutely no problem with either the car or his driver.

 

I have booked him for next week and will not be changing now.

 

Mr Toom is a member on Secrets and as far as I am aware every report from members on his service has been written in glowing terms. Maybe on this occasion you have been a victim of his own success i.e.perhaps he was stretched for a driver- no excuse but as I have said apart from the odd comment here, nothing but praise.

 

1200 baht is the standard price including tolls.

[MetalDog]

I used his service twice, to Pattaya and to the Airport, two different drivers and no problems, the second driver even came back at midnight to pick me up for my secod flight because I missed my first.

[Mirkwood]

I've used them loads of times.

Even told me what station to get off at when I got the train up from Surin and arrived at 4 am in the morning.

 

I think you just had bad luck mate.

 

I'd never use anyone else.

[BigDUSA]

The airport car service seems to have drivers who know their way around Pattaya. Last two trips the guys drove straight to Sky-Top with no problems or directions from me. I just tell the dispatcher at the airport I want to go to the Tourist Police on 2nd Road and he tells the drivers where to go.

 

The problem I ran into with Alex he's a small car service company. He sub- contracts out his work to guys who may or may not show up. Airport car service has the advantage of being at the airport with plenty of cars and drivers available.

[ting_tong]

Ting Tong......what is the khong fa reference?

khong fa is the taxi company that did not show to pick me up and wanted full payment, they were threating to come to my hotel to collect the money. I had to pay off the front desk 100 baht each (3 people) to say I checked out and went to the penthouse.

the lady that runs the biz is a cunt.

 

thats why I say:

1) never give out your mobile# to a taxi service

2) never tell them your exact hotel, use the next door one

3) never give your real name...I use "mike hunt"

[Jay097]

Might sound stupid, but I always have a "map" of where the hotel is located, usually it comes with the indications in Thaï....never had a problem getting to PTY.

 

Only time I had a "slight " problem was September 2005, going to BKK airport......driver seemed to have a problem finding his way....in his defence : we were in a "rainstorm from hell" during at least 30 minutes : if he lost track, so did I !!! So, no big fuzz.....eventually we arrived at an oil reffinary........the security guys were quit puzzled how we got there....but we got the right directions !

 

Can't blame the driver, cause I was lost as well......and I know the road !

 

Eventually I only lost about 30 minutes, but I always make sure to have some time before arriving to the airport, so no big deal !

 

The drivers are as human as you & me.....That's all I can say !

 

Jay

[El Colorado]

I started using Mr Chok (Lucky) on my last trip. Good service, always on time. He lives in Pattaya and knows it well. He charges 1200 baht to and from Bangkok to Pattaya and he pays the tolls. He took me to Hua Hin from Pattaya for 3200 baht and will also transport from Bangkok to Hua Hin for 2000 baht. He uses a later model Volvo and it is quite roomy. You can reach him at 01-773-9800.

[valentinoxxx]

khong fa is the taxi company that did not show to pick me up and wanted full payment, they were threating to come to my hotel to collect the money. I had to pay off the front desk 100 baht each (3 people) to say I checked out and went to the penthouse.

the lady that runs the biz is a cunt.

 

thats why I say:

1) never give out your mobile# to a taxi service

2) never tell them your exact hotel, use the next door one

3) never give your real name...I use "mike hunt"

Not very many companies are going to have a 100% record of reliability.

 

I've used Khrongfa a couple of times with no problem. I've also used Image Limousine. A bit more expensive, but good service.

 

At least both Khrongfa and Image Limousine have fixed contact addresses. Where is Mr. Toom's base? I don't know. Does anyone know?

 

I prefer to have a point of reference in case of complaints.

 

From their card;

 

Khrongfa Pattaya

Tours and Transport Centre(Open 24 hours)

206/84 Moo 9 Soi Town in Town

Pattaya Klang

Pattaya City

Chonburi 20260

Tel: 038 716528, 038 423067,

Mobile: 01 5756754, 01 694 6139

Fax. 038 716528

email: khrongfa@ego.co.th

 

 

http://www.imagelimo.com/

[x_man]

I have used Mr Toom once each way, and have no complains.

May be he is getting too much business by word of mouth here.

[guido13]

I used Mr Tooms service this past June and my experience was not a positive one. I spotted a sign being held at the airport that somewhat resembled my name but I wasn't sure. My first and last names total 11 letters. I counted 7 of 11 correct. I asked the young man if he was from Mr. Toom and he shook his head yes. The car was an older BMW, very clean and not bad looking. The young driver spoke no english at all. When I spoke to him I usually got a nervous smile. Well I don't speak Thai very well and I think the lack of communication between us contributed to the bad experience.

It started when we were exiting the parking lot and the driver stuck out his hand and expected me to pay. I told him the fare of 1200 baht included all parking and tolls. He just smiled and said you pay. After 21 hours in the air I had no energy to argue. I paid. We then left the airport and made it to the tollway. At each tool booth I was made to pay the toll. Then he exits and we are driving in Bangkok. We drove around some not so nice areas until he stopped at a gas station. He had a conversation with an attendant and we drove on. He could sense my displeasure and said only 5 minutes. Well 5 minutes turned into 35 minutes until he found a station and filled his tank with a hose to a modified system mounted in his trunk. I then realized why the other stations could not fill his tank. He needed something called RPG fuel. He gets it filled up and, you guessed it, Falang has to pay 200 Baht. I'm starting to understand that this guy doesn't have a satang. He showed up at the airport to pick me up with no money and no gas!

The ride to Pattaya was not a good one. The car pulled heavily to the left and many times we came very close to sideswiping cars as we went by. The cars headlights needed replacing and the driver had to use his highbeam lights most of the time. It began raining and the windshield wipers were so worn they were useless. The reckless driving of the young man coupled with the poorly maintained vehicle, made for a dangerous and scary ride.

He had no idea where my hotel was, even though I provided him with a map. Fortunately, I have a good sense of direction in Pattaya and had stayed at the hotel before. The trip took 3 hrs 20 min. I paid him 800 baht(1200 minus gas, tolls, and parking). He gave me a confused look but I think he sensed not to give me any grief because I was having none of it!

These discount car services are hit and miss. I realize the vast majority of BM's who have used Mr Tooms service have had a positive experience. I sometimes think the boards give guys like Mr Toom more business than they can handle, and they farm it out to people they are not familiar with.

However, I don't think it's too much to ask to be driven in a well maintained vehicle, in a safe manner. I also think it's reasonable to expect the car to be fueled up and ready to go when I'm picked up.

Therefore, I will not be using Mr Tooms service again, and I cannot recommend him to others.

 

Guido

 

I also have used Image Limo. Brand New Toyota Camry, leather seats. Great smooth ride, very safe driver. More expensive, but a good experience.