Mr T--Very Unprofessional Service

[davethailand 91]

It seems like most of the replies missed the point about being "unprofessional". Yes, it was my fault for not having the address, but how is it professional to drop someone off and indicate that their hotel was down Walking Street, when in fact, it was no where near there. That is not professional, and that was the point of my post.

 

The driver should have made sure that we got to our destination, which was Canterbury Tales Cafe. I wasn't paying him to get us to Pattaya.

 

When he dropped us off, I had no idea that Canterbury wasn't down Walking Street. In fact, I tipped him. If he and Mr T didn't know where it was, they should have told me, and I could have done what I did--go to an internet place to get the address for the driver, but they let me to believe that it was down Walking Street.

 

Please explain how dropping us off no where near where we needed to go and LYING about where Canterbury Tales Cafe was is professional?

I understand your gripes but maybe there was a mistake and Mr T or the driver thought that Canterbury Tales was in Walking St, also he had to drop you off as cars and bikes aren't allowed in Walking St until 3am.

Edited January 24, 2011 by davethailand

[MC_Ldop 40]

Sure, apparently Mr. T got it wrong as to the location when he was asked to find it himself.

 

And there's nothing wrong with that? He made a mistake.

 

Nothing like this would have happened if the OP had known the address or phone number of the guest house to get directions.

 

Nobody is saying otherwise.

 

I just can't see any justification for saying this was bad service. They tried to find the place based on the minimal information given (ever heard a Thai say "Canterbury"?). On their best guess, it was on WS. The driver dropped them off as close to the location as possible.

 

Earlier you said Mr. T got it wrong. In addition to the driver not knowing where the guest house was (which isn't too big of a surprise), the OP texted Mr. T and still got dropped off at the wrong location. Having booked a car ahead of time, having a driver that was unaware of the location, and having the dispatcher guess -- incorrectly at that -- the location isn't bad service?

[Bushcraft 2,579]

Sinsinbad mate, welcome to Thailand. I can only concur with other probably more knowing BMs who have posted. Mr T. does indeed run a most efficient taxi service, and somewhere along the line communication was apparently lacking. If you book a taxi you are usually booking a subcontractor who may not be very familiar with Pattaya. As Canterbury Tales really is a needle in a haystack where most non-residents are concerned, I'm not surprised that you had a problem. It's important in Thailand to cover all the bases by knowing and telling them in detail what you want for your money, otherwise you can come to grief in much worse ways. Clear instructions to the driver put the problem in his court: what hotel, what soi would suffice. If you told Mr T. that info when you booked, ok his fault. If not, yours I'm afraid. TIT, and western standards don't apply if you want to stay sane.

[MCCREADY8 0]

You should complain very strongly to the taxi company, demanding a full refund plus compensation, and also complain to the Tourist Police. You probably wont get much satisfaction apart from the pleasure of having made a noise but at least you will have made a noise.

 

A complete waste of time in my opinion learn from it and put it down to experience.

[glassdude007 7]

I would like to know how many times this guy is gonna get ripped off and overpay for everything in Pattaya on his trip....

Wife and luggage on walking street at 2am hahahaha what a way to start a trip to Patts....

Good luck mate your gonna need it..

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

What is he thinking ?

 

Taking his WIFE to Pattaya !

[Big_Brian 179]

It seems like most of the replies missed the point about being "unprofessional". Yes, it was my fault for not having the address, but how is it professional to drop someone off and indicate that their hotel was down Walking Street, when in fact, it was no where near there. That is not professional, and that was the point of my post.

 

The driver should have made sure that we got to our destination, which was Canterbury Tales Cafe. I wasn't paying him to get us to Pattaya.

 

When he dropped us off, I had no idea that Canterbury wasn't down Walking Street. In fact, I tipped him. If he and Mr T didn't know where it was, they should have told me, and I could have done what I did--go to an internet place to get the address for the driver, but they let me to believe that it was down Walking Street.

 

Please explain how dropping us off no where near where we needed to go and LYING about where Canterbury Tales Cafe was is professional?

 

 

Professional, no. But you left with a smile on your face. For a Thai that means the job was done well. That it went tits up later doesn't affect that.

[yorta2 693]

Welcome to Thailand (and Pattaya). You got

[picoman 1]

If you want "professional" get a TAT approved limo for 4500 Baht next time.

[Fondles 94]

Complain about the poor service, of course. When I've had drivers make mistakes that cut into my vacation, I've had offers for a free return trip to the airport.

 

I see thats a seppo flag your flying, would it not be better to sue Mr.T rather than complain ??

[MC_Ldop 40]

I see thats a seppo flag your flying, would it not be better to sue Mr.T rather than complain ??

 

Would it not be better to add something useful to the conversation insead of some dig based off an idiotic assumption based on a flag? Should I assume that you're a criminal based off of your flag?

[Fondles 94]

You can assume all you want based on my flag as Iam not that vain and really don't give a fuck, however your's definitely has the sue everyone stigma attached and your attitude reflects this.

 

Back on topic, the OP should have known his destination......... assume just makes an ass of you and me.

[PattayaPete 530]

Mr T's service was fine by Thai standards.

 

The OP made the common mistake of assuming service in Thailand would be the same as his home country. It's not! Lesson learned I presume.

 

Most taxi drivers in Thailand have no idea where anything is. That's why you can get a taxi to take you 120 kilometers for $35. How much would it cost in the US. Much more but then you would expect the driver to know how to get you anywhere. You get what you pay for!

 

The only taxis I use are in Thailand are the Bangkok ones. I do not get into one unless I know where I am going and how to get there. I go so far as to tell the driver what way to go.

 

I remember in my early days in Thailand getting a taxi outside Pantip Plaza and wanting to go to Sukhumvit. That's about a 3 kilometer journey from the famous computer mall to the most well known street in Bangkok. The driver had no idea how to get there. Chatting with the drive I discovered he had just arrived yesterday from Isaan and this was his first day on the job. On the job training consisted of the owner handing him the keys and pointing to the street and saying "Go get'em!" I doubt he was able to find his way home. TIT.

[MC_Ldop 40]

You can assume all you want based on my flag as Iam not that vain and really don't give a fuck, however your's definitely has the sue everyone stigma attached and your attitude reflects this.

 

My attitude doesn't reflect that all. I didn't say anything about suing anyone. That's just idiocy on your part.

[Fondles 94]

idiocy you say, your fellow citizens history proceeds you and I along with the rest of the world thought sueing someone was merely an bodily function for you guys.

 

I commend you for choosing different and preferring to complain to the taxi guys employer for something that was clearly not his fault.

[Esco 19]

And there's your answer as to why I called you a Muppet!

Lighten up, Esco.

 

I fail to see the resemblance mate but its all good

[Esco 19]

Mr T's service was fine by Thai standards.

 

The OP made the common mistake of assuming service in Thailand would be the same as his home country. It's not! Lesson learned I presume.

 

Most taxi drivers in Thailand have no idea where anything is. That's why you can get a taxi to take you 120 kilometers for $35. How much would it cost in the US. Much more but then you would expect the driver to know how to get you anywhere. You get what you pay for!

 

The only taxis I use are in Thailand are the Bangkok ones. I do not get into one unless I know where I am going and how to get there. I go so far as to tell the driver what way to go.

 

I remember in my early days in Thailand getting a taxi outside Pantip Plaza and wanting to go to Sukhumvit. That's about a 3 kilometer journey from the famous computer mall to the most well known street in Bangkok. The driver had no idea how to get there. Chatting with the drive I discovered he had just arrived yesterday from Isaan and this was his first day on the job. On the job training consisted of the owner handing him the keys and pointing to the street and saying "Go get'em!" I doubt he was able to find his way home. TIT.

 

Took a taxi once from Pattaya to Bangkok to my ex girlfriend´s place. I showed the driver the address as I had no clue how to get there myself and he just nodded ´OK sir no pompem´-

 

Took us three fucking hours and what seemed like a million phone calls before he could find the place. NEVER AGAIN.

 

Next time I´ll just take the bus to Ekkamai and find my way from there.

[spike 236]

idiocy you say, your fellow citizens history proceeds you and I along with the rest of the world thought sueing someone was merely an bodily function for you guys.

 

by reading your posts these last few weeks...you've convinced me....that being an asshole comes easy for you.

[capdagde 1,954]

What is he thinking ?

 

Taking his WIFE to Pattaya !

 

Funny, I didn't need to think too long about it - either time....

 

That's a great story to dine out on SSB once you get the smile back on your face. It would be great to hear how the rest of the trip went. Could only be uphill from there I suppose! How DID your wife fit in to things?

 

For my twopenneth Mrs Cap and I used Mr T during last year's "troubles" and one particularly intrepid driver waited for hours and hours at Bangkok airport for our delayed flight from Phuket even though there was a curfew waiting in Pattaya - we were very glad to see him. Can't win 'em all. Just two words SOI CHAIYAPOON would have fixed the problem, I suppose.

 

Let's hear about the rest of the trip!!!

 

All the best and welcome to the forum

 

Andy Cap

[MC_Ldop 40]

I commend you for choosing different and preferring to complain to the taxi guys employer for something that was clearly not his fault.

 

There was fault on both sides. Like I said before, I'm not denying that the OP made a mistake. I also think that if Mr. T accepts a booking then he should know or figure out where the destination is.

[jaxxon55 252]

There was fault on both sides. Like I said before, I'm not denying that the OP made a mistake. I also think that if Mr. T accepts a booking then he should know or figure out where the destination is.

 

If you don't know where you are going and don't speak the language you should at least have the address in the local language. I guess Mr. T should send his drivers to various language schools and provide them with gps for the 900 baht he charges so they can get to their 700 baht guest house.

Jack

p.s. The charge is 900 baht from the airport to Pattaya. Pattaya is the destination.

[jacko 8,813]

Yes Bangkok Taxis are somewhat removed from a London Cabbie...

Had one guy try to take a short cut, so that I was lost, of course he was too, and he was heading in the wrong direction with no opportunity to turn around. Me and the GF complained and he stopped the cab and told us to get out!

I told him no I would not and get us back to the starting point.... I had the TGF on the phone to the number shown on the picture inside.

 

I sometimes wonder if they do it just to make more money.

Edited January 25, 2011 by jacko

[MC_Ldop 40]

If you don't know where you are going and don't speak the language you should at least have the address in the local language.

 

Yes, I already said -- muliple times -- that the OP made a mistake not doing this. Read much?

 

I guess Mr. T should send his drivers to various language schools and provide them with gps for the 900 baht he charges so they can get to their 700 baht guest house.

 

He accepted the booking. He should know where his customers want to go if he's going to take their money.

[jacko 8,813]

He accepted the booking. He should know where his customers want to go if he's going to take their money.

Perhaps the customers should know where they want to go!

[Regyai 415]

Mr T (and all other TAXI personnel) are Thai (er not Americans)

 

They operate in Thailand

 

By Thai standards and custom

 

Spoonfeeding, 'Duty of Care', etc etc are alien Western concepts - just as falling over 'defective' sidewalks etc is seen here as the fault of an imbecile who is not aware of something as fundamental as where hes placing his feet, rather than the trigger to seek compensation westerners would see it as.

 

 

 

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