Call Sign March 2008 - Page 31 - DIAL-A-CAB CUSTOMER SERVICES - KUPKAKE’S KORNER

DIAL-A-CAB CUSTOMER SERVICES

I must say I am very pleased that the AGM is now out of the way, no doubt all the rumours and scurrilous comments by some individuals about the Board via email, will now disappear and we can get back to business.

Improving coverage…
Reviewing client’s usage is an extremely important part of customer service. In other words, if the usage has reduced the question is why? Is it cost or perhaps service issues?
Looking at one of our long-standing account clients, the Chairman noticed and passed on to me that there had been a dramatic reduction in usage and spend. In June 2007, Brian sent our Sales Executive Natalie Ezekiel to that account and it was saved, however, they decided to have one of our competitors as a supplier too. I thought it prudent to make contact with the client to see if I could initiate a meeting to discuss all aspects of our service and this was agreed.
Together with Natalie, we visited their premises. The objective was to resurrect

confidence in our service and try
to win back work we had lost. It was a completely frank discussion, but because of the lack of service, the competitor remains a supplier.
So the upshot is that in an effort to improve coverage, this account will become As Directed. Because senior directors were let down and instructed that the account be closed, we have given them a VIP status as well. Our team leaders and fleet controllers will monitor the account, however without your help in covering trips, all will be lost.
So if you come across an AD trip in the city from an account client that has been with us for a substantial period of time and wonder why, well now you will understand.

Fixed rates
Due to the fact that car companies offer fixed rates to their new and existing customers, more of our clients are inquiring about the same. However, we do try to resist this direction, nevertheless as you are aware fixed rates for example to airports can still be quite lucrative - providing of course they are at a rate that is acceptable to our members. We do increase the rates when we get

the TfL fare tariff increase and we
will always calculate rates as near to the meter fare as possible. With this in mind and because you may be offered a fixed rate, do not assume that the rates are automatically skinny and well below the meter fare. If you reject these trips, they go straight back to the car companies.

Westminster TaxiCards
At the end of February we have a meeting with the Westminster TaxiCard User Group. I am hoping the response from users will be favourable and appreciative of the Dial-a-Cab service.
In the meantime, please take as many of these trips as you can, it will help enormously.

Westminster Council parking issues
I am pleased to tell you that following our previous meeting with Westminster Council and submitting the various PCN data we provided to the Director of Parking, they have asked for a further meeting. This will take place at Dial-a-Cab House on 3March. I will report back to you as soon as I have any updates.

Mike Son
DaC Customer Services

Views on life as seen through the
eyes of David Kupler (Y74) at…

KUPKAKE’S KORNER

Next Year in Edgware Road
At Cumberland Gate
By Marble Arch
They've gone and built
Palm Tree Park!

A gesture by Ken
to our Middle Eastern friends
to make them feel at home
at the Edgware Road’s end.

There'll be camels a plenty,
donkeys and goats,
a juice bar and an ATM -
that gives 50 pound notes!

There'll be Hookums for smoking
all over Hyde Park,
an Oasis in London
awake after dark…

Perhaps it'll be opened
by George Galloway,
I'm sure he'll be happy
to visit each day…?
Kupkake 2008

HOW TO GET POWER PILL?

Greig Smith isn’t on Dial-a-Cab but drives a licensed taxi and is also a regular reader of Call Sign’s online version. He read about the apparent disappearance of the Power Pill supplier and wrote:
"You mentioned Power Pill in last month’s edition of Call Sign. I've just bought 20 packs from an online seller. I have no idea how many he is holding in stock, but it may be worth a try for your members who can no longer purchase them from the UK supplier. It could be an answer to the Power Pill addicts like myself, providing he doest stop stocking it."
The website Greig is referring to is at http://www.powerpillonline.com/ and Call Sign has now been contacted by that supplier who is based in Chesterfield. Judging by Greig Smith’s experience, it looks as though Power Pill is back. As a starter for DaC drivers, Chris will supply 10 packets for Ł110 – even cheaper than the last supplier.

All the details are in the ad in this issue…

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