RATING: 0 on reliability, and 5 on customer service, for an average of 2.5 - 3.0…read moreThis is long because I want you to know the bad, balanced by the good.
NOTE: I don't have a data plan on my phone, so I have no access to wifi when I'm out and about, therefore I don't use Uber or Lyft.
I called Independent Taxi Company more than 12 hours ahead to make a reservation to be picked up at 2:30 a.m. to go to LAX. I heard the person groan. (Their hours, listed above on this page, say they're open 24 hours, so I don't understand what the problem is.) They told me someone would call me before they arrived.
At 2:30 a.m. I had not received a call, and no one arrived to pick me up, so I called them. They said they were trying to find someone to take me. (Above, it says they have over 400 cabs in their fleet. What's the problem?) Beginning to panic, I hung up and tried to reach a friend at that ungodly hour, but his phone was turned off. I called Independent again, and they asked if I could wait an hour! NO! I have a plane to catch.
I didn't have time to call around, so I jumped in my car and drove to The Parking Spot, near the airport, parked my car there, and took their shuttle to the airport. (I used their least expensive option, meaning I parked in uncovered parking on the roof.) When I returned six days later, I owed $179.12.
I called Independent, and spoke to Leon. When I told him I would like to be reimbursed for that expense because, not only was I not picked up, but worse, NO ONE EVEN CALLED TO TELL ME THEY WEREN'T COMING, he asked me to email him a copy of my receipt from The Parking Spot, and he agreed to reimburse me. When I told this to my friends, every one of them was shocked and amazed.
But wait -- there's more. A check was, indeed, mailed to me. Through the Post Office's Informed Delivery, I could see it was supposed to be delivered on April 25. I could even see a picture of the envelope. The Post Office never delivered that envelope to me. It is now May 11, and I still don't know what happened to it. I waited for over a week, and I even went to the Post Office to inquire about it, but they were clueless. Finally I called the accounting department at Independent, told them what happened, and asked if they could send a replacement check. They did, and I received it today. Leon and Independent provided OUTSTANDING customer service, as a follow-up to their poor service.
Everyone thought this was a lost cause, but it wasn't. They did the right thing. I was wondering whether I would trust them when I need a taxi again, and then I realized, yes, I would, because I know if something goes wrong, I can count on them to take responsibility.
Thank you Leon. On your part, you did a great job.