Discussions

now go today to MCC. It is wacky Wednesday, roll the dice and whatever you get, you get that much discount off your purchase. So you may find a jacket, roll the dice and get as much as 60% off.

Could you tell me which law was broken, I tried to find one about using a taxi service illegally but could find no such law.  
 
Pretty sure no one gets a $3,000 fine for not having cab fare, if they got a fine that big there is more to the story.

swmb said "Could you tell me which law was broken, I tried to find one about using a taxi service illegally but could find no such law.     Pretty sure no one gets a $3,000 fine for not having cab fare, if they got a fine that big there is more to the story. "

Nobody gets a $3000 fine, certainly for not paying a cab driver. Trust me. People that commit frauds of 100's of thousands of dollars don't receive penalties/fines any where close to that. I think you can chalk that one up to cabbie tales.  
 
But back on topic, this thread is hilarious. There was no poor service provided just a person who only thinks of themselves expecting everything to be handed to them. Lucky he just dropped you off in the snow bank in town. Don't worry you won't die but you will probably think twice about going out to get drunk without money and proper clothes next time.

if you can afford drinks, then you can afford a jacket. priorities. doesnt have to be fancy. too many are hung up on expensive "fashion" clothes. warm first. fashion second. especially in the winter. if you didnt have money for the taxi because you forgot your wallet, how did you buy your drinks? friends I guess. you could have borrowed cab fare from friends too.  
 
Edited by Rainy, 2016-12-07 08:25:36

are they supposed to trust people they pick up that have been boozing? I know I wouldn`t!

Google the "Victim Loop" it will solve your problems...seriously !  
 
Edited by ptooti, 2016-12-07 09:18:28

I am an owner/operator in the taxi industry in Brandon. Three times in the past two weeks, I have been ripped off by someone saying they had money inside. On one of these rides, the passenger wanted to go to the liquor store and back home, she told me up front that she only had so much money and expected me to pick up the shortfall. If you have money to buy booze, shouldn't you have money to pay your cab fare. As it turns out, I took her to the store, collected what she had and left her there. The other two times, the passenger said they would be right back with the money, I have not seen them since. As an example if you put $15 of gas in your car and only have $10 in your pocket, do you expect the attendant to eat the other $5? Why do you expect a taxi driver to subsidize your trip? I can not think of another industry that has the potential to get ripped off as much as the taxi industry.  
 
This is only the last 2 weeks and other situations have happened where I don't get paid or my taxi is damaged with no compensation.

How all the people bashing the op would react if something bad happened to the op after being dropped off in the dead of night during the winter. I think there should be a few more people angry at the cab drivers actions. I could NEVER abandon someone under those circumstance.

So the OP was out for an evening and left her wallet at home, perhaps she was at her company Christmas party and everything was paid for. Don't jump down this girl's throat because she had a few drinks and did the responsible thing of calling a cab. The cab driver could have held onto her stuff in good faith and then if she didn't return, then call BPS. Leaving a person on the street in the middle of the night is irresponsible. Thank goodness nothing happened to her where we would be hearing a horror story instead. Kudos to the other cab company that picked her up- THAT is a business worth using again!

DianneLepage said "So the OP was out for an evening and left her wallet at home, perhaps she was at her company Christmas party and everything was paid for. Don't jump down this girl's throat because she had a few drinks and did the responsible thing of calling a cab. The cab driver could have held onto her stuff in good faith and then if she didn't return, then call BPS. Leaving a person on the street in the middle of the night is irresponsible. Thank goodness nothing happened to her where we would be hearing a horror story instead. Kudos to the other cab company that picked her up- THAT is a business worth using again! "

Yes she did the right thing by calling a cab. Yes the cab company could have held on to "someones" stuff while she ran into a house for money that may or may not be there. Like Music_Lover said they have been ripped off a few times in last couple weeks. Yea it is easy for someone else to say "Do the right thing and get them home and let BPS deal with it." Yup that business sense pays the bills. So the cabbie has to call the police, write a statement, try and go after unpaid fairs, etc. All that for what a $15 cab ride? How about all of those that seem to think cabs should be so trusting how about all pitching into a "Ripped off cabbie but got home safe" fund? That way these cabs get their money and don't work for free.  
 
The responsible thing this lady should have done is informed the cab before jumping in that they had no money. Then the cab can make a decision on if to take them or not. But as usual our society always wants to side with the guilty party and not the true victim.

It is stealing, you take something and don't pay for it, or you eat a meal and don't pay for it is plain and simple THEFT. The taxi driver has to pay insurance, gas and vehicle upkeep. They are just trying to make a living.

DianneLepage said "So the OP was out for an evening and left her wallet at home, perhaps she was at her company Christmas party and everything was paid for. Don't jump down this girl's throat because she had a few drinks and did the responsible thing of calling a cab. The cab driver could have held onto her stuff in good faith and then if she didn't return, then call BPS. Leaving a person on the street in the middle of the night is irresponsible. Thank goodness nothing happened to her where we would be hearing a horror story instead. Kudos to the other cab company that picked her up- THAT is a business worth using again! "

Op already stated that she was at a friends house having drinks, as she needed a night out after losing a pet. So she knew she was going out for a night out and should have made sure she had her wallet or money to get home. A cab ride is a privilege not a right. It is not the cab drivers fault that it was late, or cold or that she had no money on her. Those are her responsibilities. The cab driver has the right to refuse a customer. They are a business!  
She has said that she forgets her wallet a lot. This will maybe remind her to pay attention when she is getting ready to go out for a night, and take what is necessary.  
She could've easily mentioned that she needed to run in to grab money when she called for the cab in the first place, then she wouldn't have been left on the street, 3 blocks from where she left. The cab company would've been able to make the choice in advance of whether they wanted to trust her or not. Then she could've called another company from her friends if they refused.  
This person is an adult and should be responsible for her own actions, and stop placing blame on others for her own mistakes.

Fishin Guy said "    DianneLepage said "So the OP was out for an evening and left her wallet at home, perhaps she was at her company Christmas party and everything was paid for. Don't jump down this girl's throat because she had a few drinks and did the responsible thing of calling a cab. The cab driver could have held onto her stuff in good faith and then if she didn't return, then call BPS. Leaving a person on the street in the middle of the night is irresponsible. Thank goodness nothing happened to her where we would be hearing a horror story instead. Kudos to the other cab company that picked her up- THAT is a business worth using again! " Yes she did the right thing by calling a cab. Yes the cab company could have held on to "someones" stuff while she ran into a house for money that may or may not be there. Like Music_Lover said they have been ripped off a few times in last couple weeks. Yea it is easy for someone else to say "Do the right thing and get them home and let BPS deal with it." Yup that business sense pays the bills. So the cabbie has to call the police, write a statement, try and go after unpaid fairs, etc. All that for what a $15 cab ride? How about all of those that seem to think cabs should be so trusting how about all pitching into a "Ripped off cabbie but got home safe" fund? That way these cabs get their money and don't work for free.     The responsible thing this lady should have done is informed the cab before jumping in that they had no money. Then the cab can make a decision on if to take them or not. But as usual our society always wants to side with the guilty party and not the true victim. "

she should have told them before they wasted gas money to even pick her up

I think it's difficult for some people to understand just how often "some people" will take advantage of a situation and avoid paying what they should in this life. People in all types of service industries soon become aware of this, as in their day to day working lives they run into the "some people" that make this sort of behavior a habit. After being burned a few times (or more), as noted above, it gets a lot easier to do something like the cab driver in the OP was reported to have done.  
 
In today's world, more than ever before, it is our own personal responsibility to make sure we provide for our own needs. That would include having the resources to get back home when we go out, without asking someone else to do something they're not comfortable doing.  
 
I'm not meaning to judge the OP. I don't know them or their circumstances. I do know though, that I would have done things differently.  
 
I'll also say that I don't think I would have done what the cab driver did, but again, I really don't know his story either.  
 
No matter what, at the beginning of this story it was a possibility that either the cab driver or the OP could end up being a victim of the situation. It turned out the OP ended up being the victim. I find it hard to vilify the cab driver for not wanting to be a victim in a situation not of his making.

swmb said "Could you tell me which law was broken, I tried to find one about using a taxi service illegally but could find no such law.     Pretty sure no one gets a $3,000 fine for not having cab fare, if they got a fine that big there is more to the story. "

is a provincial law called the Taxi Cab act. And the fine is about $300.00 if you fail to pay your fare. Not $3000.00.

JenJK said "How all the people bashing the op would react if something bad happened to the op after being dropped off in the dead of night during the winter. I think there should be a few more people angry at the cab drivers actions. I could NEVER abandon someone under those circumstance. "

for one thing, I would have my wallet, my ID, a coat. If I did not have those things, I wouldn''t be going out. Never, ever do I leave the house without a bit of cash, ID on me.  
 
I don''t want to read this whole thread again but I am pretty sure she said the cab driver could hold onto her cell phone, I may be wrong. But, if you have a cell phone, then you can afford a jacket!  
 
Second thing I may be wrong about - she stated she was doing the responsible thing in cabbing it home instead of driving. Do you have a license? Most people that have one, carry it in their wallet, with their cash.  
 
drinks, cell phone, fiance, computer, car - buy a coat!  
 
Edited by Brenda, 2016-12-07 12:20:46

No matter what happened, the taxi driver dumped the fare with a hoodie and no cash at 4 a.m. in the winter cold, and she was not fully prepared and assumed the cab driver would let her get money from her home.  
 
This is a case of a taxi driver following his job (maybe having experiences with a cab and dash), and a customer not quite prepared.  
 
End of the day, it might prepare others that you need to have your wallet and cash. You might get a sympathetic cabbie who would wait for your cash at an ATM or home, but you might get cabs that have been burned.  
 
Always be prepared. Cab drivers are not all alike.  
 
I'd never assume a cab driver would take me to my wallet before getting into a cab.

First off I'm amazed at how many people are picking apart op's post and judging. The topic is not about not having a jacket, or wallet and it's certainly not about how she can afford smokes but not a jacket, yet had a pet etc etc. I remember when I was younger and bar hopping I would never take my jacket because coat check was always so crazy. (As were we for standing out in the cold in dresses) But that's besides the point. The post is about a cab driver leaving her out at 4am. It's pretty sad that there's no trust in anyone anymore. Yes maybe "I forgot my wallet at home, I'll have to run inside quick" is one of the most common scams. But some people are still true to their words and that's unfortunate and very rude that they kicked you out. I'm sorry that happened to you and I'm glad another cab came and took you home.

am glad you got home safely.  
This whole thread/story is a sad commentary on the world, however.  
Sad that people rip off taxi drivers on a regular basis so they have to have so little tolerance.  
Sad that so many people are so financially irresponsible. Yes, in Manitoba you do NEED a jacket. For survival. You don't need smokes and drinks. Even pets and phones are not as important. And I don't think this person is an anomaly this way. I think many people are so used to living without any kind of cushion that too many people don't save for tough times. That may sound like preaching but... I think it is common sense.

Honestly, as a young female, I''ve never been refused a cab.  
 
Typically, I let the company know ahead of time if I will need to run inside to grab my cash, and leave my iPhone and drivers license behind. In the 8-9 years I''ve been using cabs, I''ve NEVER had a company tell me, "get out" when I''ve informed them of this, or choose not to come and get me.  
 
A) My iPhone is probably worth 10x my cab fare.  
B) With my drivers license, they are able to press charges for dipping my cab fare if I chose not to come back inside.  
 
I do think it''s best to say something right away, at least that''s what I''ve always done, and they''ve never had an issue. There''s been plenty of times where I''ve lost money at the bar, lost a wallet, and even had my debit card get locked and couldn''t pay with my debit, and had to run inside to grab cash.  
 
I think everyone is just so angry on eBrandon. Ya''ll it''s the holidays, take a breath.  
 
Edited by InfinitiGirl, 2016-12-07 13:46:46

InfinitiGirl said "Honestly, as a young female, I''ve never been refused a cab.     Typically, I let the company know ahead of time if I will need to run inside to grab my cash, and leave my iPhone and drivers license behind. In the 8-9 years I''ve been using cabs, I''ve NEVER had a company tell me, "get out" when I''ve informed them of this, or choose not to come and get me.     A) My iPhone is probably worth 10x my cab fare.   B) With my drivers license, they are able to press charges for dipping my cab fare if I chose not to come back inside.     I do think it''s best to say something right away, at least that''s what I''ve always done, and they''ve never had an issue. There''s been plenty of times where I''ve lost money at the bar, lost a wallet, and even had my debit card get locked and couldn''t pay with my debit, and had to run inside to grab cash.     I think everyone is just so angry on eBrandon. Ya''ll it''s the holidays, take a breath.     Edited by InfinitiGirl, 2016-12-07 13:46:46"

I completely agree ^^ All she was stating was what happened... so what if she doesn't have a winter coat, or she wanted to spend a few bucks to go out instead of a coat. Who cares if she had smokes. You guys don't have bad habits? This is ridiculous! At least she didn't wait til the cab got her all the way home to tell him she didn't have the cash. She was honest upfront! We are only human, everyone forgets their wallet or cellphone or something! No one is perfect! Tis the season to be generous.. not kick someone out at 4am in the cold night because of $12! I too would have been pissed! Stop judging!

some people should get over this sense of entitlement they seem to have and get there priorities straight. if you forgot your money, how can you buy drinks? if friends bought the drinks, then borrow cab fare from them too. the cabbie owed her nothing.

Nunya said "Some of you people need to take a chill pill and lay off this poor girl. There is no reason to conduct business this way in Manitoba. Yes it wasnt the coldest night but it was still blustery and cold and there shouldnt be any reasonbto leave someone alone at 4 am when Brandon hasnt been the safest place for a while. I understand she is not the cab drivers responsibility but come on..have some common decency. Like she said, no other company does business this way. She was acting responsibly and not drinking and driving. People are HUMAN and make mistakes and are forgetful. Not one of you posting on here are perfect. She was upfront about her issue right away and didnt leave it to the end of the ride. I semi recently had a kind if similar situation where i needed to take a cab to work and specified i needed debit and realized when i got to work and had to pay that i had my moms debit card instead of mine and explained i would just transfer money to my credit card through the banking app on my phone to learn that my credit card had expired. I was out of options and had to get to work and the driver didnt want to hold on to my dl or anything just told me to come down and pay for it when i could. If he was that worried about getting his money he could of taken the two minutes to walk with her to the door step and wait a moment whilr she retrieved her wallet. OR if she did take off he would be sitting kind of pretty with a probable $1000 cellphone he could easily sell on ebrandon for twrnty $15 dollar cab fares. It just seems like he was being a dick in my eyes. Some people are just so jaded and maybe shouldnt be working in the service industry. Talk about christmas spirit.. "

I get the idea that she was stranded. And the cellphone was worth something to her. If she calls it in and bricks it. It's worth nothing. To anyone. And could have been stolen in the first place. I know this has been mentioned before.  
 
Standing at someone's door all night would have likely been as inviting as standing wherever the OP was. And potentially alot more dangerous if there were more drunks inside.  
 
Yes, she likely could have handled the situation alot better. Yes, the driver could have given her a ride and taken it on faith. Yes, everyone could be alot more understanding of everyone's position.  
 
When it comes down to it, its really not so much about the message in what a person is trying to say. It's 'really more about "HOW" you say it.  
 
I'm sure the OP believed she was being really sweet and cute about it. In her inebriated state. And maybe the driver had just been ripped off by someone with the same story on the trip before this one.  
 
We will never really know.  
 
One thing is for sure. It's cold outside. We live in Manitoba. Get yourself prepared and stay safe. You can freeze to death.

Have you checked out Mennonite Thrift Store or Value Village for a jacket? The Mennonite store frequently has reductions for certain coloured tags (i.e. a blue tag will be 40% on a given day). They have some really nice coats at times - just keep checking. I have lost 2 pets in the past 3 weeks & could everyone criticizing this woman for not having cab fare realize that maybe her mind was elsewhere (i.e. on the death of her pet) and that forgetting a wallet CAN happen. It probably would have been better to tell the cab company when you called them for a cab about the problem though.

RecycleDiva said "Have you checked out Mennonite Thrift Store or Value Village for a jacket? The Mennonite store frequently has reductions for certain coloured tags (i.e. a blue tag will be 40% on a given day). They have some really nice coats at times - just keep checking. I have lost 2 pets in the past 3 weeks & could everyone criticizing this woman for not having cab fare realize that maybe her mind was elsewhere (i.e. on the death of her pet) and that forgetting a wallet CAN happen. It probably would have been better to tell the cab company when you called them for a cab about the problem though. "

In the past six weeks I have lost my mother, my uncle, my cousin and another cousin at the age of 47 has breast cancer.  
 
Believe me, I have had to travel around a lot in these past six weeks, but I had mind enough to carry my purse, wallet, phone. You don't think my mind might have been elsewhere? It sure was, but then again drinking was not in my equation.  
 
There is too much info missing from this whole "story". She probably would never, ever forget that cell phone....even though her mind may of been elsewhere.

but perhaps after a few drinks, without jacket, money and at 4am., the OP was belligerent to the cab driver and to avoid a non-payment and all the hassles that go along with the job of being a driver, decided to kick her out of his vehicle? Perhaps the OP was being difficult so to avoid potential issues the driver asked her to exit his/her vehicle?  
 
I could be completely wrong.

Oryx said "but perhaps after a few drinks, without jacket, money and at 4am., the OP was belligerent to the cab driver and to avoid a non-payment and all the hassles that go along with the job of being a driver, decided to kick her out of his vehicle? Perhaps the OP was being difficult so to avoid potential issues the driver asked her to exit his/her vehicle?     I could be completely wrong. "

My thinking too.

Brenda said "    Oryx said "but perhaps after a few drinks, without jacket, money and at 4am., the OP was belligerent to the cab driver and to avoid a non-payment and all the hassles that go along with the job of being a driver, decided to kick her out of his vehicle? Perhaps the OP was being difficult so to avoid potential issues the driver asked her to exit his/her vehicle?     I could be completely wrong. " My thinking too. "

my point exactly. It's not always what you say.  
 
It's really the way that we say these things.  
 
I've forgotten my wallet at home, and taken a cabbie. I'll admit to not being perfect. But I've never been kicked out either!  
 
And, I've never lost my cellphone, or coat. I learned a lesson from my grandfather. Who I never met. Always be prepared.

Should've brought her home and let her leave her phone as a security deposit. Althought I, as the cabbie would have insisted on her giving me the phone and giving the first "5" digits of her passcode. I then would have had her enter the last digit to the passcode to fire up her phone to show that it's probably hers. I then would have kept the locked phone as security for her to go in and get cash for her ride. No cash in 5 min. No phone returned.