Reviews of Central Shirley Cabs Ltd, Southampton
Review by jim on 10th October, 2011
Add your review Date visited: 10/10/2011
Hello.
My wife booked a taxi from Shirley Cabs 10/10/2011 at 07.30 to take my daughter to southampton train station for a train at 08.20, the receptionist said to my wife the cab would arrive no later than 07.50 and should reach the station at 08.05am, at 08.50 no taxi arrived so my wife phoned in and was told it was on its way at 08.05 no taxi arrived so my wife phoned again and was told that it should arrive soon at 08.20am the taxi arrived and got to the station 10min later but unfortunatley to late for my daughters train at 08..20am. My daughter had to pay £26 extra to get the next train at 09.10am.
When my wife phoned shirley cabs to complain about there service and promise to arrive on time she was given a verbal assult and again when my daughter phoned to complain she was told by Chelsea (receptionist) that they promise nothing and put the phone down.
If this is great service then I would like to question what Shirley Cabs call service, the cab driver told my wife that he only recieved the call at 08.05am to pick up from our address. What can I say its hard enough for a student these days a treat of getting a taxi to the station turned out to be an expensive mistake.
As the representive from Shirley Cabs told my daughter 'that it isnt her problem' and then hung up. So I doubt no compensation from the firm will be offered they even charged £7 for the jurney.
I for one and all my family will not use Shirley cabs again, I have allready removed the number from the speed dial.
So if good service in a cash strapped economy means lying and insulting customers well done Shirley Cabs.
Mr James Murphy
Seacole Gardens
Southampton
Review by dave toms on 25th August, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 22.08.10
they are ok as far as cabs go i think some of the drivers are half wits but most taxi drivers are
Review by George on 10th June, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 10.06.2010
Booking a cab for the station to catch an early morning coach for Heathrow T5, as I do most weeks is becoming a really unpleasant hassle. I've used only Central Shirley Cars for some considerable time. Mainly because an old acquaintance drives for them, and it's always been a very good service; from drivers and despatch staff. I accept that they all do their best, yet the booking experience is becoming very unpleasant. I'd like to continue using Central Shirley Cars; however, it's coming to a point where I do not intend to continue putting business their way when I can't get what I want without an unpleasant hassle and negotiation. And in this as in any other service business, the customer is king; customers can and do vote with their feet. After trying to get a booking for the early morning of morning Tues 8th June, I gave up trying and resolved to take an umbrella and walk to the station. The issue here being one of pick up times in the early morning, i.e. 5 am.
Despatchers say “We need to allow sufficient time to avoid missing your coach” and “ It's company policy to allow up to 30 munutes for the journey”. Well! In my experience, the journey from my home to the station at 5 am has never, ever taken longer than five minutes even in the worst weather. So to adopt the company's policy means that I, a 71-year-old, not infirm but careful of my health, in constant pain made worse by walking and cold mornings, have to arrive at the station 25 minutes early and wait at the station, outside in the weather, with not even a seat to sit down for 25 minutes while the cab driver and despatcher are snug and warm in their cars or offices. The coach station is locked until 8.30 am and seats outside are not possible “for Health & Safety reasons”. Utter rubbish. An easy way to brush aside customers with a legitimate complaint. This "30 minute allowance for delays" at 5 am is not in the customer's interests, but in the taxi company's. It is designed as a "one-size-fits-all" policy to protect the taxi company from criticism if a passenger misses a connection because of traffic hold-ups at busy times. It is totally unsuited for journeys at times when traffic is minimal, i.e. 5 am.
I too have a policy; and as the paying customer my policy takes precedence over others. My policy states that I will not any more be hassled by despatchers into being picked up too early, to wait at the station in bad weather, not for my benefit, but to suit the taxi company's convenience. A thirty minute allowance may make good sense at busy times of the day, but 5 am is not by any yardstick a busy time.
A sensible policy, one that shows respect for the customer would be adaptable to these very different conditions. Taxicab businesses can be very sure that these issues are to be raised with the licensing authority, and elsewhere at the very highest level. Most certainly at a higher level than SCC's tame licensing officer. Much too cosy with the cab trade, and not sufficiently proactive on behalf of consumers, IMO.
30 minutes on early morning deserted roads for the 5-minute journey of one mile fom home to the station. 100 minutes for the 70 ish miles to Heathrow on a progressively busier M3.
I have another policy; one that over-rides all others. It goes like this. I take my own decisions. I do not permit others to have control over my life or my movements. If I get it wrong after taking my own decisions, then it's my fault. My responsibility, no other person is to blame. It's called "freedom". If Central Shirley Cars cannot handle that notion it will in time go belly-up.
PS. Their website claims that they offer discounts to senior citizens and others. None of their drivers or despatchers have ever volunteered that information when booking, or advised of terms and conditions.
Review by Mr Paul Banister on 5th March, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 4th Fed 2010
I was very please with the service i received from Central Shirley Cabs.
The driver was more than helpfull and even held a unbrella up for me from my door to the car and also when i was getting out then went back and brought my bags to my door.
I was also suprised that my trip was £1.60 cheeper than the company i used to use.
I am more than pleased to recommend Central Shirley to anyone as there service i received was excelent and reasonable.
I now use them on a reguler basis
Review by Mr Herbert on 8th October, 2009
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I would like to thank Central Shirley Cabs Ltd for the wonderful service they have shown to my elderly parents, who have been visiting Southampton General Hospital. I would also like to thank the Drivers who have participated for their courtesy and respect shown to my parents.
Review by Lynn Edwards on 8th December, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 08.12.2008
What a terrible service they provide. I call at least 10 times trying to find out where our booked metro cab had got to! We had ordered a metro cab for 6 people after a lovely meal with close friends on the outskirts of Southampton! Ordered it for approx. 10.45pm. He eventually turned up at 12.15pm. Was going to charge an extortionate amount for the journey but our party refused to pay the full amount asked! Would suggest some training on the local surrounding areas and maybe some map reading skills would help! The driver didn't seem to know where he was. We helped him find our way home!
Review by donna roch on 26th September, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 26/09/08
i was absoulutly disgusted to whitness central shirley cars mini bus for the disabled charging my elderly and disabled neighbous an extra 60p to carry 3 shopping bags from the car 20 feet to their doorstep - what ever is the world coming to!
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