Comments on: Cab Ride? $20. Accepting Credit? Priceless.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:20:29 +0000

It sure does take a long time to process a credit card transaction in Chicago. Other cities aren’t much better, although Chicago cab drivers have the worst attitude. The only city that does it well is NYC. They make it easy and quick. With the pre-determined tip levels of 15%, 20%, 25%, etc, it is very easy to tip 20% for doing the basics. If on business, I generally tip 25%. Chicago cab companies need to make it easy and a no-brainer for cabbies.

By: The Maiden Metallurgist

The Maiden Metallurgist — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:13 +0000

They aren’t “slaves” they just have regulations to follow like every other working person in this country. No industry is without procedures, rules and laws, and to liken the requirement of a credit card machine to slavery is extremely offensive.

By: Al Gore is at our Navy Pier studios. I wonder if he can tell I took a very hot shower this morning. | blogs.vocalo.org

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:36:53 +0000

[...] Chicago News Cooperative has a great story about why cabbies don’t want to take credit cards. Maybe they should look to NYC cabbies, who love [...]

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:56:52 +0000

If a cabbie doesn’t want to take my credit card, I can just hop out. No sweat off my back, but it’s food off his table.

By: Rrr.

Rrr. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:16:44 +0000

Um, why whenever I read these stories does no one ever mention the obvious? Cab drivers, like anyone else that works in a cash business (hair dressers, bartenders, ete), prefer cash as it is much easier to conceal earnings from the IRS. While I’m sure the 5% charge is significant, I would wager only claiming half of what you make is much more so.

By: kmark

kmark — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:49:18 +0000

5 percent transaction fee? Right, I’m sure that’s it…. they don’t like taking credit cards is because they have to pay taxes on it. Just like the rest of us hard-working citizens pay income tax. I insist on using a credit card, in fact it’s listed under the “passengers bill of rights” posted inside every cab: “right to pay by credit card”.

If they won’t take my card, I say sorry that’s all i have… guess they your out of luck, yet it’s amazing that those “Broken” meters magically work when they are given an ultimatum.

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:42:42 +0000

What a bunch of cry babies! Get over it, cabbies overcharge their passengers (gas fees, rate increases), drive like crap, and are a traffic nuisance. I’m charging from now on….thanks for letting me know.

By: prattfall

prattfall — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:26:18 +0000

Those sound like failings of the cab companies that need to be fixed. If McDonalds can take my credit card for a $2.25 order and still make money hand over fist, the cab companies need to catch up. I almost never carry cash, and I’m sick of getting bitched at by cabbies when I go to pay with my card. Machine’s broken? Ok, lemme talk to dispatch, we’ll get that cleared right up.

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:20:31 +0000

Meanwhile, in New York:

http://www.yellowcabnyc.com/nyc-taxi/yorks-cabbies-credit-cards

By: Dmitry Samarov

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:10:41 +0000

It’s first, second, and third about that 5%. Can’t tell you how often customers have complained about other drivers pretending not to take credit, or worse, being berated for even asking. It’s terrible that the city forces this on us, that the cab companies pass on all the ‘handling’ fees on to drivers, but lying and abusing people who are asking for something well within their rights is no answer. It only makes us all look bad and, Lord knows, Chicago cabdrivers don’t need any more bad press.