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Yellow Cab
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DeSoto Cab Company
- 156 reviews
- Neighborhood:
- Bayview/Hunters Point
"For fast pick-up the last two days from Montgomery to Hayward Courthouse. Not using my math skills, I gave both of my drivers really…" read more »
248 reviews for Yellow Cab
A bad cab ride can ruin your night.
But a good cab ride - can finish it off with a bang.
Tonight I whistled down a cab on Polk.
A female driver greeted me with a smile.
The first song that came on the radio was Van Morrison - And It Stoned Me.
I began to hum lightly and mentioned aloud, without even realizing that the cab driver could hear me - that i loved the song.
She smiled and turned it up.
The next song was Counting Crows - Round Here.
We both in union said "I love this song."
She turned the song right up - and we belted out the words together- all the way home.
http://www.youtube.com...
One of the best cab rides ever.
(three stars because I'm averaging from my previous reviews)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/14/2009
Update -
Le sigh. Of course. Isn't that the way life works. I called Yellow Cab yesterday. I waited… Read more »
OK, so it finally happened!
I got cut off and flicked off by a Yellow Cab Driver while driving my company truck in SF. The driver may have been running late to pick up a fare because the car sped 35-40 mph through a STOP sign and almost took out four people in the crosswalk while waving an arm and a middle finger out the window. Real Classy!
If this happens to you, SF residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists should call 311 to report both the driver and the company.
That said, this really is my first negative experience with a Yellow Cab driver and I would still continue to use them over some of the other cab companies in the City. Therefore, Yellow Cab, minus One Yelp Star, for now.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2008
Ya Know, growing up in SF and living here for over 2, well maybe 3 decades, I have never had a… Read more »
Cabbie #555 from Yellow Cab should lose his medallion! Yesterday, a colleague and I were trying to get from Union Square to the Nission, so got in line at the nearby Marriott taxi line to hail one. I point this out because the average person waiting in line is a tourist...
We get into the Cab, #555, and away we go. Or so we thought...
Me: Velvet Cantina. I'd take Mission if you can get over, or I guess Folsom and head down.
Driver: Don't tell me where to go, I know how to drive.
Me: Ok, not sure of the address, do you know where Velvet Cantina is, then?
Driver: Get out. Get the fuck out. Just give me the address and don't tell me where to go!
He pulls over and we are just stunned. I mean, we're two relatively put together people, not being pretentious, not drunk or even obnoxious. My co-passenger thought he had to be distinctly prejudicial, or at the very least mentally unfit to drive people around town. I mean keep in mind, at the very least, he should have figured we were visiting from somewhere, and as an SF taxi driver, should have been somewhat more hospitable.
So we get out, and I'm like, "Ok, asshole, shut your own door!" Ha, I'm cool like that.
This was my pyrrhic victory, since I knew he wouldn't chase me down and abandon his car, but he had to get out and close the door. Looking back, I swear there was steam coming out of his ears. Ha, Mr. Cab Driver. 555 is the new 666.
So Yellow Cab, please fire this man before he goes ballistic and does some real harm. Seriously.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/27/2005 First to Review
They take credit cards in all their taxis, which is a nice and convenient feature, one of the larger… Read more »
The only reason they even get one star is because of the automated voice when you call.
Have you ever listened to it?
It's like they hired a cheap phone sex worker and had her record the messages. Next time you're at a business or a friend's house with a zero in the address, call Yellow Cab from the place's phone.
The recording will say "if you're at two zerrrooo two" in the sexiest, weirdest automated recording voice I have ever heard.
Other than that, they suck. Even the dispatchers have mentioned to me how bad their own service is.
Professional Driver my stinkin a$$!!!
I got a cab voucher at work as I had to pick up a package at the Mark Hopkins hotel. Walked outside and saw them lined up as usual. I walk up to the first Yellow Cab in line and he says disgustingly, "Well, I have no choice but to take you, don't I?" I show him my business card and he changes his tune.
Asked him to wait outside while I pick up the package. Told him to keep the meter running and it should take less than a few minutes. He complains but I reassure him that everything will be fine and he will be taken cared of. He grumbles something unintelligible but I didn't pay attention.
Got back into the cab and we headed back. He makes a right onto Powell Street and almost runs over a few pedestrians getting on the Cable Car. Then he asks me if I'm an off duty cop (I fib and play along) and told him yes. He said that technically, it wasn't illegal what he did back there. He tries to justify that he had a green light but I told him pedestrians have the right of way and he needed to proceed with caution.
We strike up a conversation and he mentions something about amateur drivers shouldn't be driving. I thought he was referring to new drivers but he clarifies that he was referring to everyone else...meaning us. He says cab drivers may drive aggressively but justifies it by saying they are "Professional Drivers" and do it for a living.
You mean it's OK to cut people off, block traffic, constantly speed to get to the next stop light, disobey traffic laws and act like douche. Must be...I guess a medallion gives them the right.
Hey, get off your high horse and come back to reality.
Professional Driver my stinkin a$$!!!
More like Professional A-holes.
I must admit taxis are a convenience when in the city. Especially when you're running behind on Asian time like myself and need to get somewhere in 2.5 seconds. The only problem is that Yellow cab is hit or miss....
1. YC: "Yellowcab, can I have your phone number? ...Okay Catherine where are you?"
Me: (o_O) *gasp* How do you know my name?!!
2. Great that they save the last address you came from, but really I'm not at that same corner I was when I called a week and a half ago....
3. Calls consist of either ringing forever, can't complete the call, or you're put on hold for the next decade.
4. Never shows up.
5. On a lucky day, VERY lucky day, they call you to say the cab is arriving- 1 in about 20 calls I have made.
6. Convenience of eaves dropping on a cab driver's cel phone convo. I really hope they're paying attention....
7. 1 in 100 drivers are nice
8. Crazy driver made my dinner flow up my esophagus.
9. You are better off wandering the streets trying to hail a cab, than calling ahead.
Despite these circumstances, it's inevitable you need a cab at some point in time, so for now I will enjoy the thrilling life threatening cab rides.
They never pick you up when you call them. (I've tried over 5 times and now I have learned my lesson to walk to a nearby hotel and get a cab from their taxi stand.)
They always drive right past you when you try to flag them down (then why is your "on duty" light on, jack-asses?)
The dispatchers yell at you and are rude.
And I recently tried the 415-333-3333 phone number and it didn't work!
You suck, Yellow Cab.
Terrible, F.
Why?
I call, it's busy.
I call, am connected, and you hang up.
I call, it's busy.
I call, am connected, get through to an operator, and you hang up.
I call, it's busy.
I call, it's busy.
I call, It's busy.
I call, am connected, and you hang up.
I call, it's busy.
I call, it's busy.
I call, it's busy.
I call, am connected, get through to an operator, provide my address and phone number, and confirm pick up.
I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
I wait...
You never show up.
You f&*(%$ suck.
I hate you, Yellow Cab.
He made the cab skid through an intersection.
*grin*
They get two stars for taking credit cards. Time after time I have called them only to wait in vain downstairs for a cab that never comes. A couple of times I've called them and had the the guy take off before I was given any time to get downstairs.
Not happy with these guys. Unless you are standing in front of a freaking club, getting a cab is ridiculous in this town.
I really can't stand yellow cab. The only reason they get an extra star is because they are smart enough to have the easiest number to remember. Half the time the driver don't know where I am going and they NEVER know the best way to get there. Hey! This town has a multitude of one way streets with timed lights! It should NEVER cost more than $8 to get me from my work to my house. Ever. And if it does it's cutting into your tip. And what if it costs $11? Well then you went the wrong way and you are a dumb ass. That shit is only excusable in rush hour traffic. And I'm too much of a workaholic to ever get off work on time to meet rush hour.
I've lived here for 1.5 years. While I can't tell you the best way to get to the Excelsior, I can tell you the best way to my house from pretty much any place in the city. Not using 1 way streets = FAIL.
And they never stop for a flag. It's always Desoto or Luxor.
Yellow Cab and I have a dysfunctional relationship. You know the kind. Where things don't work and you break up, but then you get back together because "This time things will be different"? And the cycle repeats again . . . and again . . .
We had a dinner reservation and being responsible drunks were going to cab it. Silly me decided to call Yellow Cab even after lengthy waits and no-shows in the past . . . After the cab that "will be there in 20 minutes" didn't show in 30, please don't lie to me when I call and tell me the cab is "10 minutes away" when it's not.
I called again 15 minutes later and it was "Close. Real close". I then called DeSoto and a cab arrived within 15 minutes (sooner than promised). Even after an hour, the Yellow Cab never showed.
Luckily we thought of going early and grabbing a drink before dinner so had a chunk of wiggle room from our initial call. Drinks didn't happen, but we ended up arriving just on time! Thanks DeSoto!!
*Sniff* When will i learn? DeSoto, I won't cheat on you again!!
Got a cab from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to take me to the The Fairmont Hotel in San Jose.
They accept credit cards - including Amex. Yikes! For any trip 15 miles from the airport - they charge a mandatory 150% surcharge to the cost of your trip. I had no idea about this before I got to the airport. And of course - SFO to San Jose is more than 15 miles.
My work is paying for this - but I think with a little planning I can get a much better deal with someone else and save my work some bucks!
My driver was competent enough - he got me there quickly and in one piece - but the price was ridiculous!
Drink number 1-4 at Americano: $44.
Drink number 4-7 at XYZ Bar: $33.
Cab ride from SOMA to Berkeley: A well-negotiated $50.
Waking up in the morning in your cozy bed with no DUI on your record; even better, no deaths on your conscience: Priceless
415-3333333 - Hello I'm at street and other street. Yes. Ok, thanks!
*brief wait*
There it is, let's go.
Every cab is clean, takes credit cards, and knows where I'm going. This is the sort of cab company Eli Whitney would have run.
I love Eli Whitney.
3:00 am
Me: Hello, I need a cab at ### Church St.
Dispatch: A cab will be there shortly.
Me(wearily): Can you give me an ETA?
Dispatch: Right away sir.
Me (aware that I may not stay conscious long enough to hear a car pull up): Well, will they at least call when they get here?
Dispatch: They will. (click)
5:15 am
Me(just waking up and discovering no missed calls): I called for a cab a couple hours ago.
Dispatch: Oh, to ### Church St?
Me: Yes.
Dispatch: Not sure what happened to that.
Me: Could you send a cab?
Dispatch: A cab will be there shortly.
Me: I've heard that before. Can you...
Dispatch: (click)
Second star only because the driver who showed up at 5:40 was a good guy, but their system is awful and I left the 45 minutes of on-hold music out of my transcript for your sake. If the number weren't so easy to remember, I would never use Yellow Cab.
THEY are horrible.
I recommend to not use them. I have called for requests 3 times and all three times they have been 15-30 min late. They also asked me to wait near my leasing office on days that were extremely hot. The third time I called, I canceled and just drove myself. Here is the information of the other company to use in Dublin. Please use this. I will NEVER use Yellow Cab ever again. 925-600-8888
Last night, I had the most mind-altering ride sans involvement of hallocinogen substances.
I step out of Dalva and before you can say "Screw MUNI!" my yellow coach miraculously appears before my feet like an apparition. I step inside and my spiritual journey begins.
Never have I had a more enlightening conversation with anyone, let alone a cabbie. The exact details elude me but something in his demeanor was comforting and I spilled the beans of my life story, my internal and external struggles. His advice just elevated me to a higher level. "Be happy in whatever you do. Don't sweat the small stuff." Simplicity right? Be how soon we forget.
The Nepalese cabbie dropped me off at home, where I flipped on CNN and my mind began racing with thoughts of the war, global warming, antibiotics in our water. Stop ruminating about the past, those nagging last 10 pounds, or other bullshit that runs rampant in my little brain but meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Focus your energies on making the world a better place. I was drunk with possibilities! Tomorrow I'll join Greenpeace! I'll campaign for Obama!
Then I ate a bag of Doritos and passed out on the couch.
ZERO stars, if there were MINUS stars, they'd get a lot of them.
I will NEVER use Yellow Cab again and recommend you don't either.
I have made advance reservations and been stood up twice on the way to the airport. As a result I have missed my flight once. Tonight, I gave them one more chance. Advance booking to the airport, simple thing.
The operator said "that calling advance reservation actually doesn't mean that there will be a cab there 100%". I said "what's the purpose of an advance booking then?". She got into an attitude, started screaming at me and then actually, SHE HUNG UP ON ME.
I don't know what kind of crappy attitude combined with zero service reliability this is but I am sure, I won't use them again, ever.
I called this place at 10:30am on a weekday and stated that I needed a car for 12:55pm later that day. I gave my information and was told a car would be waiting.
12:55pm rolls around and there's no cab. I call the company and was put on hold 5 min and told that a car was at the intersection and was turning into my office parking lot. I can see the intersection from the front and there was no cab turning in. I wait 5 min.
I can back. This time I'm on hold for almost 10 min and I finally hang up and call back. When I do so, the lady assures me that the driver is in the parking lot. Well, so am I I tell her and there is no driver here. I was super pissed at this point and canceled the car. Since the car was late, I missed my train back to the city and I had to walk all the way to the CalTrain station, which is a 35 min walk from my office.
I will NEVER order a car from here again and you shouldn't either! Unless you don't mind your cab not showing up.
As Princess Buttercup C. so eloquently said...HATE.
I hailed a cab on Divisadero and Fell to take me home one late Friday night. I didn't have to wait long, because of course that's a pretty busy intersection, particularly at that time of night.
So, along comes a yellow cab. I hop in, give him my destination, and hunker down for the 10 minute ride. It's a cold San Francisco night, but driver guy has the window down so that he can eat his seeds and spit the shells out the window. It's gross and I'm shivering like mad in the back. But whatever. I'm on my way home.
I ask driver to stop at my corner. The fee is $10.75. I hand jackie a $20 and ask for just $8 back. He puts the $20 in his stack, grabs a $10, shows it to me and tells me that I still owe $.75.
"No," I say, "I gave you a $20."
"No, you still owe me $.75."
"No, you jerk, I gave you a $20."
"What are you trying to cheat me?"
"You're trying to cheat ME!"
I figure at this point, it's worthless trying to fight him, because he's obviously crooked and pulled this on unsuspecting drivers before, so I hop out of the cab, $20 poorer and highly irritated.
I've heard this has happened to other people, too.
True, I should have gotten his information and reported him. But it was late and I was tired and just wanted to get out. I live on a very quiet street and who knows what this guy might've tried.
Ugh. What a jerk.
We all know about Yellow Cab. They don't really come when you really want them to come. They come too quickly when you're hoping for those 5 extra minutes. And sometimes you can't even get on the phone with them. But I find myself resorting to Yellow Cab because they're the only ones that accept credit cards and don't require a minimum bill, and if you know me, you know I never carry cash. What I'm actually reviewing here is Yellow Cab's Lost and Found department. Because, well, I lose things. Often, in fact.
Let's provide a bit of background, shall we?
DYL --- Lucky 13. I somehow managed to migrate to Jade that night, where I lost 3 credit cards. Jade only has two bars. Apparently, a kind Yelper found one of my credit cards on the ground and returned it to the bar. Recovered two credit cards at Jade the next night. The third credit card happened to be located in my shoe.
Post-Circa Event at HiFi --- Left my credit card. Had to go back the next night and pick it up. Also lost one sock. Just one. But not my shoes. Evidently, I took off my right shoe, proceeded to lose my right sock, and put my right shoe back on. Clearly I have issues with footwear.
Jade --- the Friday after Thanksgiving --- left my credit card there again. I was only at Jade for twenty minutes that time. Opened a tab, drank one drink, and walked away. Recovered card that same night.
DYL --- NIH and Lulu P's birthday at BoCA. Left a credit card there despite Luis M promising me he wouldn't let me leave without my credit card. I left. Without my card. Luis felt bad. Recovered card on Saturday night.
Mr. Smith's --- post-Yelp Holiday Bash --- left a credit card there. Recovered Friday, two days later. The next time I returned to Mr. Smith's (last Friday) the owner greeted me and said "make sure to close out your tab this time, buddy."
DYL --- Jade --- last Friday of 2006. Left a credit card at Jade. Also managed to lose my underwear. But was still wearing pants in the morning. Zoolander-esque move was never explained. Anne Marie claimed to have my underwear in her purse. Underwear never recovered.
DYL --- Sutter Station --- lost a jacket, iPod and credit card. None of these items were recovered. The most interesting fact in this situation --- SUTTER STATION IS CASH ONLY. WHO THE FUCK LOSES A CREDIT CARD AT A CASH-ONLY BAR?!?!?
Last Friday --- took a Yellow Cab from Church/Market to Folsom and 8th. Paid for the ride with a credit card. Stepped out of cab, closed door, and immediately realized I left my wallet and my credit card in the back seat of the cab. Before I could open the door, the cab sped away. FUCK.
Anyways, I called Yellow Cab's Lost and Found Department on Saturday morning. The number is (415) 593-9221. They are closed on the weekends and the message on the machine clearly stated that they would return my call on Monday. On Monday morning, the kind lady (Wilma) returned my phone call and informed me that my wallet was never found. What more can I ask for?
Yelp, you make snazzy buttons and tote bags and Yelpsticks and nail files. For my benefit can you PLEASE make me a Yelp money pouch? Or a Yelp fanny pack even? Please? I'd even gladly accept a t-shirt that says "Real People. Real Reviews. Real Train Wrecks."
How does that old saying go?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me countless times, I must be some sort of dipshit crackhead masochist.
Tonight marks the umpteenth time that I've been late to a show thanks to Yellow Cab.
Really, I know better, but none of the other cab companies were picking up, so I went for those familiar numbers that any bonehead can remember: 333-3333.
And so, knowing how often they just like to pass by, I went outside and waited for my cab. Nothin'. My phone rings, and it's Yellow Cab telling me my taxi is arriving. Nothin'. I call them back and tell them I haven't seen a cab yet. Nothin'. I get another call telling me my taxi is arriving. Nothin'.
I know it's tough on weekends. I know it's even tougher when it's raining. But for fuck's sake, this is on a clear Wednesday evening.
I decided to walk a couple of blocks down to a busier intersection, figuring it'll be easier to just flag one. And lo and behold, what do I see? At least FIVE Yellow Cabs without fares.
I don't know any other way to put this, but to channel Alec Baldwin.
YELLOW CAB. YOU ARE RUDE, THOUGHTLESS PIGS.
THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU HUMILIATE ME WITH YOUR SERVICE.
ONCE AGAIN I HAVE MADE AN ASS OF MYSELF TRYING TO RIDE YOUR TAXIS.
YOU HAVE INSULTED ME FOR THE LAST TIME.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE BRAINS OR THE DECENCY AS A CAB COMPANY.
YOU'VE MADE ME FEEL LIKE A FOOL OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I'M GOING TO STRAIGHTEN YOUR ASS OUT.
Fast, courteous, clean.
We called at noon on Saturday, and got an automated response. "If you want a cab dispatched to - previously captured home address - press 1." A cab pulled into the driveway 5 minutes later. The driver was clean, polite, and drove safely. The car was a Crown Victoria with leather seats. A trip from Fulton & Masonic to 9th Ave. & Irving cost $8.
Why only 4 stars? Past experience that service varies with the driver.
Not much more to say about that!
(Oh yes, Ligaya reminded me that they have a great phone number: 333-3333.)
Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be a telemarketer calling someone at 3 am in the morning trying to sell knives? Well, you should give Yellow Cab of SF a call. They will be rude and hang up on you and make you think you are trying to sell them stuff they don't need!
Don't get me wrong, this hostile review is not due to one isolated experience. I have had at least 5 bad experiences with Yellow Cab. All of them are consistent in what happened. Here is what happened:
I called them to request a pick up. A rude guy asks for my address and states the infamous "They'll be there in 15 minutes." I wait for about 45 minutes and decide to call them back to find out the status. They ask me, "Where is your location?" I tell them the same location and how I have submitted a request 45 minutes ago. They hang up on me. I call them back and they respond, "They will be there in 10 minutes." I wait and wait and then I give up. 2 out of 5 times they actually showed up!
I hate Yellow Cab and their service is horrible. If I could, I would love to beat the crap out of the operator who runs this sh+tty business. If you need a cab, I would try other agencies as I hear they have better service which is RELIABLE.
All in all, SF Muni, SF Cabs and overall SF public transportation is an embarrassment!
Avoid SF Yellow Cab!!!!
It is a racket.
It is a scam.
The evidence:
1. One time I was taking a Yellow Cab taxi and I only had a $50. The driver didn't have change and asked me to use a credit card - which I was fine with but, had been under the impression that there was a $10 minimum to use a credit card on a cab ride... and, my ride was only about $4.00... the driver informs me that this isn't true, that it's a scam that some drivers use to make a bigger tip.
Interesting.
The next time I am in a cab and I want to use a card. The driver gives me some shit about how there is a $20 minimum to use a card... I call bullshit and he argues with me. The bastard actually pulls over and is like "get out."
Excuse me? WHAT?
You fucktard - I am busting your ass - I threaten to call his dispatcher on him and he turns sweet as pie... oh, oh I'll take your card, here let me knock a couple of bucks off of your ride... blah, blah, blah, FUCKING BLAH.
2. Sometimes when you call for a cab...
...
...
...
They just never show.
Seriously.
Leave you standing there out on the street.
Standing-in-the-rain-in-So-fucking-Ma-at-ten-PM-on -a-Wednesday-nite...!!!
Standing there.
In the rain.
In SoMa.
At 10pm on a Wednesday.
And, never come.
This causes me to rarely use Yellow Cab - as I am much like a cat in the effect that I FUCKING HATE RAIN... almost as much as I fucking hate being stranded in SoMa late at night.
But, tonight takes the cake:
3. I have a friend (shut-up, yes I do) who wanted to go home. Understandable, it's 1 am on Sunday morning and it's been a long nite. So, I try calling DeSoto cab first - no answer, not a good sign, shit I'm going to have to call the dreaded Yellow Cab... so, I do. And, their automated service answers and says that it will dispatch a cab to my residence post-haste.
...
...
...
Half-hour later? No cab.
So I call back and immediately am placed on hold.
...
...
...
Finally I get a person who says they will dispatch a second cab.
...
...
...
Twenty-minutes later? No-fucking-Yellow-Cab. I call back a THIRD time and am connected to a surly guy who's obviously not very happy that he pulled the midnight shift at Yellow Cab. He says the second guy never put in the order for the cab and he is dispatching a THIRD cab and I ask him, "How long?" He says ten more minutes... at this point my friend is looking at me with this pitiful, tired look on their face... and I say, "That is unacceptable."
Dude takes attitude with me.
I say, "Look, it is the middle of the night and my friend wants to go home and this is the third time I've called and I'm sorry but waiting ten ore minutes is unacceptable." I say this in a reasonable tone of voice, without being bitchy, simply expressing my displeasure at their lack of customer service in the middle of the night... AND THE ASSHOLE HANGS UP ON ME.
HANGS UP ON ME.
HANGS UP ON ME.
I call back. I ask for a supervisor. I calmly (despite my initial desire to reach through the phone and smack all the employees of Yellow Cab upside the back their snotty heads) explain the situation. He - before I even finish - interrupts me and tells me how I have to have my friend wait outside for ten-fifteen minutes while they dispatch a FOURTH cab... because, they *might* come in five minutes or *might* come in a half hour... because, they are just looking to make some money (yes he SAYS that to me) and they will pick up whichever fare is most convenient... (And, let me call BULLSHIT on that RIGHT now - as I'm sure anyone who's ever tried to hail a cab anywhere on a Saturday night and has watched dozens of empty cabs fly by them will also do as such.)
The final straw is when the dude raises his voice to me.
It is at that point that I say "Oh, this is SO going in my review." I then hang-up on them...
Yellow Cab can suck it.
I would rather call Luxor.
Or, make my friend take Muni.
Or, walk.
Or, just friggin' spend the night.
Yellow Cab sucks and not in a good way.
I would give them ZERO stars if it were an option.
Me: Hi, I need a cab at Evans and Fairfax in Bayview.
Dispatcher: Sure, there's one in the area, we'll send it right over.
Me: Thanks!
(30 minutes later)
Me: Hi, I called about a cab at Evans and Fairfax? Do you know if it's on the way?
Dispatcher: Oh, riiiiight. Sorry, no one wanted to go.
Me: OKaaaaaay... would you mind trying again?
Dispatcher: (click)
(5 minutes later)
Me: I've called twice about getting a cab here, the first time you said it would be no problem, the second time you hung up on me. I really need a cab, there's no public transit around here and I'm starting to freeze my ass off.
Dispatcher: No one wants to go there
Me: So you're not sending a cab?
Dispatcher: That's right, we're not sending a cab.
Me: Fine, whatever, can you give me the number of another cab company so I can get out of here?
Dispatcher: Sorry, we are a cooperative, as in no cab wants to pick you up.
Me: silence
Dispatcher: silence
Me: What the hell do I need to do to get a ride home?
Dispatcher: (click)
Female Operator: Hello Yellow Cab, what's your address?
Me: blank blank Street
Female Operator: Excuse me Sir are you peeing?
Me: Um yeah, sorry. I was on hold for like 10 minutes and you picked up my call while in mid stream.
Female Operator: That's cool no worries. So tell me, whatcha packin?
Me: Um excuse me? (as I almost dropped my cell in the toilet)
Female Operator: (in a sexy voice) What's dangling baaaaby?
Me: Umm...Oh sorry I play for the other team.
Female operator: Well, obviously you haven't met the RIGHT Woman!
Me: I guess you haven't either.
Female Operator: Um ...okay your cab should be there in 15 minutes. (click)
My cab showed up in 5!
I love Yellow Cab! But then again I have a special number! **wink***
DO NOT CALL THIS COMPANY IF YOU'RE ON A SCHEDULE. I called this morning at 8:02a, requested a cab & was told it would be 15 minutes. No problem, I needed to catch a train at 8:37a...plenty of time.
At 8:18a I followed up and was told my cab was "half a minute" away. Still no cab at 8:23a, when I called back I was told that "a cab had been dispatched but that cab had passed the call to a buddy". I waited a couple more minutes and called AGAIN at 8:26a at which point I was upset. My excess time had run out, and really, what could take a cab that long in a small town like Mountain View?
Anyway, the dispatcher (who claimed to be the supervisor when I asked for that person and later claimed to be the owner when I asked for that information-all the more reason not to give this guy any business if he's the owner and this is how he treats paying customers) was unapologetic at the situation, he was disinterested in rectifying it in any way and wound up hanging up on me.
I did finally get picked up at 8:36a by another cab company, still missed my train and had to take the cab to my office, a lovely ride that cost me $28.20 plus tip.
DON'T USE THIS COMPANY.
Fuck you, Yellow Cab!
Do you think that when I call you in the morning, I'm not in a hurry and instead want to spend 10 times the amount of the fare on Muni just for the fun of it? Do you think I want to wait around for 20 minutes for a cab? Do you think I want a cab driver who talks on his phone the entire fucking ride and takes 25 minutes to make the 15 minute trip to my office, giving me car sickness along the way?
I think you suck.
Okay, so it's not news that Yellow Cab is horrible. They're late, their hold music is bad, etc. etc. But, frankly, I think I can top every review to date.
Last night, I called Yellow Cab to come pick up a friend of mine at my house and drive him back to his house. After a 15 minute wait, we got the automated call letting us know the cab was there. When we walked outside, we found the cab driver urinating on the sidewalk in front of my house.
So, that's bad. I called Yellow Cab today to talk this over with them. Now, any company which is run by humans with room-temprature IQs would have offered me a hearty apology, a sincere promise that this would be looked into, and a promise that I would receive a call back once the cabby involved had been located and disciplined. But we're dealing with Yellow Cab here. SO, the discussion I got went something like this: did you get the cab number? No? Well, we'll research it. You want us to call you back? Well, I'll add a note that says you want us to call you back, but I can't make any promises. If you don't get a call, just call us again. Okay? Anything else?
Awesome customer service, Yellow Cab! Hey, BTW, maybe if you would have handled this issue properly, I wouldn't have felt it was necessary to share your mistake with the world. Guess it's too late now, huh?
I really gotta work on my sense of direction. Cuz maybe then I wouldn't end up spending my hard earned cash on cabs trying to get myself out of situations that I've *innocently* ended up in.
On more than one occasion, I've had every intention of catching the bus home, but then ended up walking around for 20 minutes trying to find the damn bus stop that I thought I knew where it was and would get so exhausted that I would just hail a cab.
The other night was no exception to this charade I play.
I'd been asked out to dinner and realized about 3 minutes into it that there was to be no confusion about how I would be getting home ("dates" have a funny way of materializing).
And by home I mean ALONE. So, I played the lawyer card (after ordering only an entree and no drinks) and said that I "had some work to finish up."
"At 9:30?"
"Oh, you know how it is..." I drawl back.
So, we said our goodbyes and I started hoofin' it "back to the office."
I thought I knew where I was and how to get to my bus route. Fast forward 20 mintues later and there mama is on a corner again. At least I was fully clothed.
Cabbie pulls over and says: "Where to, honey?"
Never minding the "honey," I give him the coordinates.
Cabbie: "So honey what are ya doin' out here so late on a school night?"
Me: "....uhhhhhh, at work?" (such a girl response--to end it in a question, but lay off me I was tired)
Cabbie: "This late?! They better pay you a lot of money for that!"
Me: "I do ok."
Cabbie: "So, you're not from around here, hunh? What'dja hightail it to California right outta college?"
Me: (what, is he writing a fucking novel?) "Um, no, I came out here for law school."
Cabbie: "What?! You're in law school, too? Well, you sound busy. So, how close are you to gettin' married with all of that school and work?"
Me: (wait, is there a hidden camera and my family is setting me up right now?) "Um. That's not really my purpose in life."
Cabbie: "Yeah, well, that's ok since you're still in your 20s, but once you girls hit 30, you know I've seen it happen, honey, you start to get nervous and anxious. And then you end up married to some loser all because you took a chance on some guy just because you got nervous."
Me: "Uh, I'm not that far from being 30 and I don't take chances like that."
Cabbie: "What? A little thing like you?! You know, I have about 100 girls that are my regulars. I've been driving with Yellow Cab for 47 years and I'll be 68 tomorrow. And, honey, I see all my girls going out to that Balboa club and I just shake my head and I tell all my girls, you know what you gotta do?
You gotta get yourself a squirrel.
Get yourself a squirrel and train it til it'll do this:"
He stops and hands me a picture propped on his dash. It's of him with a squirrel perched on his shoulder.
Me: .....
Cabbie: "Cuz after you spend this much time with a squirrel and you train it and love it and get it to perch on your shoulder, you're all set."
Beyond being speechless and bewildered, I hesitated to interpret his advice since he only listened to every other word I said anyway.
Me: "Are you saying that I need to learn how to trust people or that I need to find a man who I can train?"
Cabbie: "No! You need a distraction! It's damn hard to train a squirrel!"
Me: ....
So I guess I should add that to my to do list.
(1) turn 30;
(2) turn into an old, shriveled up prune;
(3) get a squirrel.
Or I could just go back to plan A and develop a sense of direction and avoid my decent into haggardry.
Man, I never thought the 47 MUNI would look so good!
0 stars!
I effing hate the drivers, they are unpredictable, horrible drivers even worse than Muni drivers, and crooked as can be.
I had to take one from the airport after a ridiculous travel day. I was on my 24Th hour and when I got in I rested my eyes for what seemed momentary. I opened my heavy lids to find myself on Geneva going towards Ocean. Mofo said that 380 was closed and that the route was his only option. He stated he would take a couple $$ off, which I knew wasn't happening so I was subtracting his tip by half in my head. Well by the time we were in front of my place he all of a sudden couldn't speak as well of English as he did initially and then had the nerve to say he needed to add the airport fee to my fare. I was livid but too tired to even dispute. You can't win with punks like this anyway so I just stated 'what goes around comes around and that he must pay somehow everyday for being the punk that he is, karma's a bitch' he just kept on nodding forgetting the entire English language at this point.
UPDATED REVIEW:
I've been systematically calling Yellow Cab Coop for my transportation needs whenever I perceive that the MUNI will take me forever to reach my destination. They have this awesome feature that saves your phone number, and they call you right when the cab arrives to pick you up. I like how they have little credit card machines there now, and all the important identification items are in clear view, with nice big fonts, so you can easily see them.
When you call them, oftentimes you'll be placed on hold... anywhere between 3-10 minutes. While you are on hold, you'll hear a bunch of songs that are thematically related. The theme is "taxi cabs":
-Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" and
-Counting Crows version with Vanessa Carlton of "Big Yellow Taxi"
-Hank Thompson's "Cab Driver"
-some Johnny Cash sounding song that as "the meter is ticking" lyrics to it...
there are actually more, but everytime I call them to listen to the songs to write them down, the dispatcher picks up and asks me what my telephone number is to route a cab my way....
I wish they had Beyonce's Irreplaceable on there.... you know the lyrics that go:
But could you walk and talk at the same time
And It's my name that is on that Jag
So remove your bags let me call you a CAB
and the other part that goes:
Baby you dropped them keys hurry up before your TAXI leaves...
I took BART back after watching the Warrior's game @ Oracle Arena. I usually get off Embarcadero Station to catch the Cable-car or 1 California back home to Russian Hill. But both of the two optional MUNI lines have passed me and are already up the hill. I don't want to wait another 30 minutes for another bus or cable car. Plus, it's late and cold at night to climb up those massive Sacramento St. hills.
In front of the Hyatt Hotel on Embarcadero, are a massive fleet of taxis waiting for fares and get hopefully lucky and drive the hotel guests to one of the Bay Area's airport (s). But like it or not, I needed to get home. So I took the first cab in line, which is a Yellow cab with a Ford Escape. (Most cabs are Crown Victoria.) I saw the driver and I couldn't believe my eyes. Most cab drivers are predominantly males from all sizes, characters and ethnic-group. But my driver is a sweet, petite young Asian girl. Looking at her Hello-Kitty steering-wheel cover, yeah, she's got to be from Hong Kong or somewhere in Asia. "My goodness", she can be mistaken for a girl from the mall. But seeing her as a cab-driver? With it recent robberies on taxis, I'll give her medal for bravery.
I told her take me to Russian Hill from the Embarcadero (Drumm and California St.) The cab fare including tips is $10.00. Like most Cab-drivers with exciting stories about their past customers, I enjoyed chatting with her and found out that she is indeed from Hong Kong. She's driving a cab as a secondary job after her usual 9-5 job. I don't know how she does it, but it's a way of making a living in money-hungry San Francisco.
I hate you.
You're pond scum. You're lower then pond scum, you're pond sludge underneath pond scum. You're the stomach goo that the plankton tossed up that sits underneath the pond sludge underneath the pond scum.
You're Ralph Malph. Richie Cunningham was charasmatic and cute. The Fonz was cool and could do that whole juke box thing with this fist. Potsie was handsome and could sing. You're Ralph Malph... the jokester. You're just a wacka-wacka bitch with an accordian wearing a stupid plaid jacket. No one takes you seriously and they talk about you behind your back.
In fact, you're not even Ralph Malph. You're Chuck, Richie's older brother that disappeared after only like two episodes. That's how badly you suck. You don't even matter. You're not even on the map.
You left me standing in the Tenderloin, on the street, for ten minutes as six of you, emtpy, passed right by my black ass. I don't take kindly to being mistaken as a crack head. I also do not take kindly to being left out in the cold for a crack head to crack me upside the head, drag me away to his cardboard box house and make me his crack wife... thank you very much.
Me, on the phone to someone I had an appointment with:
"I'm sorry, I'm running late. I hopped off the bus and am catching a cab. The only problem is I'm a black woman in the middle of the TL trying to get a cab. Not gonna happen. I'll be there as soon as I figure out a way to look rich..... and white."
Why do you do this to us? Why? Because you know you can? Do you secretly sit in your little offices and laugh at us.
"Ok, we'll send a cab for you. Twenty minutes." *click* "Haahahahahaha Fred! They actually fell for it! They think we're sending someone! Suckers! Whew... ha... gawd I love my job."
I hate you. We all hate you. Just because we need you sometimes doesn't mean we like you.
Um... however, next week when I come out of the bar at 2:00 a.m., you'll help a sista out though, right?
FUCK YELLOW CAB.
Dispatch service is a complete joke.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/28/2008
I was really surprised to read these terrible reviews. My gf and I almost only take yellow cabs… Read more »
Hello and welcome to Yellow Cab!
If you would like to get hung up on, press 1.
To wait on hold for 20 minutes, press 2.
If you want a cab driver who may be under the influence of more substances than you, press 3.
To request a cab that never shows up, press 4.
If you enjoy getting screwed by our ridiculous prices, press 5.
Thank you.
Please hold the line for the next available agent.
[music]
Please hold the line for the next available agent.
[music]
Please hold the line for the next available agent.
[music]
Please hold the line for the next available agent.
[music]
This is a nice tip for Peninsula folks traveling to and from SFO. I used this company after calling around for the best rates. Here's the scoop. Normally, they charge a $25 flat rate to the airport. That's hefty for me. Instead, have your driver use the meter (if you think it'll be under $25 total) - at $2.60/mile after the initial $2.50 - and then he/she will take 25% off the total (if you remind them). There should not be any other charge (for luggage or other bogusness).
My trip from SM to SFO was $18 including tip. Not bad, but also not an every day luxury for me. I will be using them again when I'm in a pinch.
p.s. The driver was only 6 minutes late in picking me up. One star off for that and being too chatty.
With my junk out of commission for another day or two (see earlier reviews) the beautiful lady and I decided a trip to Good Vibrations was in order. We browsed, we giggled, we decided to go with a vibrator of the bullet variety and why not just buy a pink one right?
After three dirty martinis the beautiful lady decided it was time to pop the batteries into her new toy in the back of a cab and wouldn't you know it this morning new toy has gone missing. So I hung my head in shame knowing that a call to Yellow Cab was in order.
ME - Good morning, I left something in a cab last night and was wondering if any of the drivers returned any lost items last night.
YELLOW CAB - Oh sure we have some cell phones and a few wallets what did you loose?
ME - Um. I lost a vibrator.
YELLOW CAB - You lost a vibrator? (choking back laughter) What does it look like.
ME - Um. It's small and pink, it's got like four speeds on it - number two seems to drive the ladies crazy causing them to drop shit.
YELLOW CAB - Ok sir so you lost a small pink vibrator in a cab last night? (more laughter in the back ground).
ME - Yes and I don't appreciate the laughter as it was fairly expensive or I wouldn't be calling.
YELLOW CAB - Well sadly sir no one turned in your small pink vibrator last night.
ME - It's not mine its my girlfriends.
YELLOW CAB - Sure it is.
One Star for stealing my small pink vibrator with four speeds Yellow Cab driver.
