Yellow Checker Cab Company

I’m preparing to leave the Palo Alto Crown Plaza and the only thing preventing me from stepping out of this hideous hotel for the last time ever is my need for a cab. The gentleman working the front desk was happy to call a cab, although perhaps struggling to communicate with the person at the other end of the line. Behind me I hear another hotel guest speaking to an associate and saying that he was going to call an Über car. For a fleeting moment I finding myself considering cancelling the cab and launching my Lyft app, but I hesitate and before I know it, the order is complete and I’m being told it will be between ten and twenty minutes for a cab to arrive.
Fine. Whatever. I have plenty of time before my flight. I can wait.
Within 3 minutes the other person is being picked up in his black Lincoln Towncar Über ride. Thirteen minutes later (sixteen minutes total) my cab arrives. I make a mental note to never call a cab again.
After dropping my back in the filthy trunk I get in the car and reiterate to the driver that I’m going to the San Jose airport. In response he says to me, «I charge flat rate, ok?»
Me: «Um what?»
Him: «I charge flat rate to the airport.»
Me (feeling very surprised and a bit pressured): «How much is the flat rate?»
Him: «$ 79.00»
Me (remembering that I paid just over $ 50 on the ride in): «No, I’ll take the meter.»
Him: «Ok then, $ 75.00 and that’s it.»
Me (firmly): «No. I choose to use the meter.»
At this point, I honestly thought this drvier was going to refuse to drive me. He clearly was not happy with me, but grudgingly, he began to drive.
Forty-​five minutes later I was at SJC and the meter was one tick past $ 50.00. I shit you not. This asshat of a driver insisted I accept a $ 79.00 flat rate for what in reality was a $ 50.30 fare. Criminal. I pointed this out to him and he made a lame effort at explaining it, but in all honesty his explanation fell on deaf ears. I was done and my $ 0 tip reflected my displeasure.
Look, I get it that the cab industry feels beleaguered by Lyft, Über and other competitors. But let’s be honest, if ever an industry deserved to be disrupted it’s this one. From dishonest drivers to filthy cars, the cab industry is really one of the worst old economy industries still in existence today – and after this ride, I seriously don’t care if they all go the way of the dinosaur, cassette tapes and Tara Reid’s career.
Epilogue — I get out of the cab, grabbed my bag and started walking though the airport. Next thing I know, the cabby is running after me, trying to get my attention. Did I forget something? No, actually he input my fair incorrectly into the Square app. Instead of $ 50.30, he input $ 5030.63. My bad for not catching it and a good reminder to double check the amount before confirming payment. I’m a bit disturbed that a $ 5030.63 cab fare went through on my credit card so easily. Guess it’s good to know in case I ever need to take a cab ride from Seattle to the Bay Area. In any case, I showed him how to cancel the transaction (yes, I had to show him) and then he re-​input it for the correct amount.

5 stars for dependabiliy — Always on time or early.
2 stars that cabs are nothing special.
3 stars that the drivers are friendly.
Tip: Ask in advance if you want to use a credit card.
Tip: Be there even if the cab is early — they start the meter if you make them wait.
Tip: Ask for a van if you have 4 people. Otherwise it gets cramped.

Terrible drivers. Drivers are told to lengthen the trip intentionally by waiting at red lights when turning right, regardless of the state of traffic.
I was driving along, and a yellow checker taxi was coming towards me at a residential intersection, with stop signs on both sides. I was trying to turn left, and he was trying to turn right. Despite reaching his stop sign first, he waited for me to go first. Ask any police officer and they’ll tell you its very dangerous to forfeit your right of way. The cab was heading the same direction as me, so I got to observe his superb driving a bit longer. He reaches a red light, with his right blinker on. Theres a pedestrian crossing, and not only does he fail to stop at the red light, he slowly rolls forward nearly hitting a pedestrian. At this point hes nearly halfway through the pedestrian crossing line. And despite many openings in traffic to turn right, he fails to do so. I gently honked to let him know, but he remained still. I don’t know why he would roll a red light. What I don’t understand is, if he was planning to wait at the light, why did not just fully stop before the pedestrian crosswalk. These inconsistencies show that the driver has no idea about the rules of the road.
I’m glad Über and Lyft are on the rise, cab companies are the worst. I attempted to call them to notify the company of the driver, and they wouldn’t log my complaint because their complaint office wasn’t open. As if it takes a specialized employee to jot down information…
Cab number: 1876
License plate number: 16304H1

I’m apprehensive about the new «ride sharing» services and their apparent lack of regulation, so I wanted to support a local cab company.
I needed to make a short trip with a friend, and was willing to tip big for the low miles. When I got a call telling me that my cab had arrived, I didn’t see it anywhere, not until after the driver came in a few minutes later. Once in the cab, the driver didn’t follow my directions; he obviously took a longer route, which took more time and cost a little more than the trip should have.
If I’m going to try to support real licensed taxicabs, I’ll read reviews here first and won’t be eager to call this company again.

The service is horrible the car always smells bad I call a day or a few hours ahead of time and still they manage to be late or forget. They are horribly rude! Just last week I called a cab gave them the exact address of where I wanted to go he drive the the next city and then back to my destination and still made me pay because he forgot ! This is ridiculous ! I wish I could give them no stars ! This is the worst service I do not recommend calling this taxi service !

1 star is a lot for this company. I will give it a 0 if Unilocal allows. Called for a taxi and the lady has just horrible attitude. It can be loud on the streets and I asked her to repeat because I simply couldn’t hear. All I got was just attitude from her because she has to repeat it. Don’t call. You’re wasting your time.

Took an hour for me to get a ride. I called back after waiting 20 minutes and they said to wait another 5 – 10, not once did I get an apology for the wait. I work in the restaurant industry so I know how timing can be out of peoples control but at least a simple apology or something would have been nice. Not too impressed with this company. Might switch over to über.

Drivers just seem to always be rude and they never listen. No wonder everyones changing to Über and Lyft

I always use Über. Recently, while going to SJC aiport from Lawrance and El Camino I took an Über and it cost me $ 13.54. When I landed back to SJC, since Über service is not available (thanks to these taxi services) I had only two option, either take the VTA bus#10 and get off somewhere and then call an Über or take this yellow cab. I regretfully decided the latter. The cab was shady, driver was rude. He took me back using the same route and the bill was whooping $ 33.60! I knew the cabs cost extra but 1.5 time more than an Über? I was so astonished. I was mentally calculating the tip I should be leaving when I just mentioned casually to the driver that the cab is way expensive than the Über. His response: «Maybe you should have got an Über then.». Wow thank you. no tip for you now. I made sure I didn’t even give 1 cent extra and came back feeling ripped off! To all the people reading this my suggestion is: NEVER get a cab if you can get an Über or Lyft. These guys are going out of business for a reason. Support Über and travel at modest rates. From $ 13.54 to $ 33.60, the difference is too much. From now on I will get on VTA Bus at airport, get off at the nearest stop and then call Über. I hope someone after reading this will make a better decision and not feel being ripped off.

not great — was in an accident today have been taking multiple cabs spending a forture. These were the last guys today I needed to get me home — after waiting a while I call them ask them were the ride is /​they say what ride I have no record of a ride. Terrible

What a great company. Polite on time. I will always use them when needed I was very happy with their service was very happy with the driver I always give their number to friends if they need a cab. Thank you yellow checker

One of your drivers rode about 6 inches from my bumper in University Ave in Palo Alto. I was going quite a bit over the speed limit. Even a light tap on my brakes would have resulted in an accident.
He then proceeded to pass me on a double yellow line. When I called to report the unsafe and illegal behavior, I was told to call back some other time.
Please let me know if you have questions. This was around 8:21 AM today, car number 1717, California license plate number 77026M1 (I think; my picture is not super clear on the plate number).
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Edit: the cab company replied with the following comment today (Monday):
«Diana M.‘s comment on your review:
Tris. The driver picked up a customer going to the train station. You are an Über driver that was going 15 mph in a 25 mph speed zone. You were also talking on your cell phone which is illegal. When the cab driver honked his horn at you, you slowed down more. The driver went around you so he could speed up. The passenger in the cab is mad at you because he missed his train.»
None of this is true. Here are the facts:
1) I’m not an Über driver (I’m a Google Product Manager).
2) I was speeding slightly in a 25 zone with this guy 6 inches from my bumper. Note that I was ALSO just following the car in front of me’s speed — at a safe distance. I slowed down to 22ish so he would get the message and back off. Also because slower speed is less likely to cause a crash with his insane driving. Regardless, under the speed limit is not illegal — but going 45 in a 25 (which he did) is.
3) I was not talking on my cell phone. I had it up in a safe and legal phone cradle to provide navigation directions. Fortunately, that cradle does not obscure the camera lens.
4) The driver never honked his horn. I rolled down my window and made a hand motion for him to slow down and back off. He didn’t. Instead, he passed me illegally — something you don’t even contest. You ADMIT that he broke the law and you’re treating ME with hostility.
5) Are you saying that you think your driver should be allowed to break the law and drive unsafely because either your pickup was late or your passenger didn’t plan well enough? Why should your drivers endanger the public, exactly?
Regardless, trying to blame me or whatever you’re doing is exactly the wrong reaction. It was YOUR DRIVER that broke the law, endangered my life and the lives of others, and delivered your customer late. You’ve also now made me quite irate with you. Good luck with your brilliant customer service strategy. In the future, I would recommend this response:
«Hi Tris,
Thanks for contacting us. Safety is our top priority, and we’re sorry to hear you had a negative experience while interacting with one of our drivers. I’ve spoken with the driver and he clarified that he was in a rush to deliver a passenger to the train station. Obviously, that doesn’t excuse his behavior, so we both would like to offer our apologies. We’re working hard to ensure everyone’s safety! Hopefully we can avoid problems like this in the future.
Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns.
Best,
Diana»
Feel free to use that strategy and communications style next time. That would have gotten me to delete the review entirely. Instead, your response convinced me I should call the BBB, write a Google review, and call your office to complain in person.

Asked for two cabs, got one. When the second one finally came after calling again we got back and realised we had been short changed twice, we got less change than we should have. Poor phone etiquette, nothing good to say here

Very bad service. I was scheduled to be picked up at 5:30 am. Until I called them at 5:40 about no cab yet. They didnt even bother to schedule one and send or even call me to let me know they are running late.
DON’T BOOK THRU THEM. Wish there was 0 stars option.

The dispatcher was excellent, the cab (which was brand new) arrived spot on time, the driver, Mr. Singh, was quick, smooth and efficient, got us to the San Jose Diridon (Amtrak) station with no fuss or bother. Helpful, courteous and efficient. I assume the prior bad reviews on Unilocal must have helped Yellow/​Checker get their act together. I’d use them again in a minute.

I have used them previously with no problems, so pre-​booked them all this week for pick-​up in the mornings.
All the drivers arrived on time (in fact they were all early, but had no problem waiting till I was ready). They also send a message when the car is on the way and an automated call telling you the car is outside waiting for you.
Every driver I had was friendly and talkative, which is nice to have first thing in the morning. Some even asked which route I would prefer, which I thought was a nice touch.
All of the cars were clean and well maintained.
I will definitely be using them in the future.

If you have the time to wait the whole night then call yellow cab. I take the cab if i don’t have my car at work sometimes. I had to call and cancel after 45 min of waiting. they text you different cab numbers saying its on the way. I guess their cab comes from never land. worst experience and my last for sure.

All the time i called them, they talked like shit, always yell at me whenever they repeat something! Not respected customer! most the time i waited to the taxi were longer than they said“5−15mins”!!

My review was written on 10÷11÷14 — this is the response I received…
«It has been over a week since I asked for some specific information about this post so I could look into it and reply back. I have received nothing. I do not believe this is a legimate post. Dave Logan Operations Manager. 408.286.3411»
A few things to mention — 1. Dave Logan is using Diana M.‘s account. Not a good business proactive — get your own account Mr. Logan.
2. If the original review was posted on 10÷11÷14 and you Diana M. replied on 10÷11÷14 and then replied to me again on 10÷15÷14 — that is not a week. There appears to be a problem with your ability to count the days of the week.
3. Your hostility directed at me because of an accurate review and acuzation of a false review is laughable. Look at your business’s track record. You are spending more time on hostility and should be spending more time on improving customer service, honesty and professionalism!
Your response is a direct example of why your business continues to receive poor reviews. It is an example of your horrible customer service.
Your should be writing an apology at this point.

OK. This is my first bad review in a couple years and I debated whether or not to even write it. One lousy driver/​experience should not ruin my views for the company, but after some thought, it really can, and I will be steering clear of any cab from this company based on the representation of this driver alone.
So here’s the recap of cab #1856.
Pulled up to the curb, and he didn’t want to get out of his car. Rolled down his passenger window and told us to walk around the cab to the side door and put our suitcases in. OK, it was raining pretty hard, and I can understand he didn’t want to get himself wet, but at least pop the trunk for us. We crammed in the back with our wet suitcases, there wasn’t enough room for me so I had to run around to the passenger seat. Passenger seat was covered in messy papers on both the floor and seat. I tried to quickly put it into a nice pile, he told me to just sit on it. OK, fine, it was raining outside, I am not going to help him get it out of the way so I can sit.
A few miles down the road, he started texting while driving. Sure, everyone does it. But, it’s POURING rain outside. He made a comment that he didn’t want to drive that far because it was raining so hard. I’m glad he was concerned for his safety and others.
When he dropped us off, again, did not help even offer us with our luggage. My mom was struggling with the car door, and in the middle of his texting, he just told her «you have to pull it harder,» as he continued his text. I ran around the side door to help the family get it open, take out our suitcases, and quickly run to dry land, as he still was texting. I guess that’s ok since at least the car was stopped this time.
Anyway, BOTTOM LINE: NO orange colored cabs for me. The company might need to train/​screen their drivers a bit better. From courtesy to cleanliness to safety, this guy was no bueno. Sorry Yellow Checker.