things i dont know

[sixf00t4]

ha ok so 2 questions.

1. i am about to take a taxi for the first time. dang these things are expensive. but do you tip the driver? if so how much? flat rate? percentage? it is a 6.4 mile ride.

2. i have some old macs i want to sell on ebay. what is the best way to send them? probably ups or fed ex, but how does that work? do i need to take it to them? put it in my own box?

these are just those life pertaining questions that i never learned

[JacobM5727]

here is off yellow cab's site, they are a cab company here:

Denver Rates

Fares are calculated by use of a meter which must be activated. The applicable fares as approved by and on file with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) are $1.60 for the first 1/9 mile, plus .20 cents for each additional 1/9 mile or fraction of a mile. The meter will automatically change to a time charge of .30 cents per minute when the vehicle speed is less than 10 miles per hour. Waiting time is charged at the rate of .30 cents per minute in excess of 3 minutes.

Boulder Rates

Fares are calculated by use of a meter which must be activated. The applicable fares as approved by and on file with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) are $1.60 for the first 1/7 mile, plus .25 cents for each additional 1/7mile or fraction of a mile. The meter will automatically change to a time charge of .30 cents per minute when the vehicle speed is less than 10.25 miles per hour. Waiting time is charged at the rate of .30 cents per minute in excess of 3 minutes.

To comment on the services provided call the Yellow Taxi (303) 777-7777

Non-Meter Rates

Deliveries

50 cents additional for deliveries. All toll charges added to regular fare.

Baggage

Hand luggage in excess of one - 10 cents. For each foot locker, steamer trunk, skis handled by the driver - 50 cents.

Dogs

Seeing eye dogs, guide dogs and dogs carried on the passenger's lap can be carried without charge. All other dogs - 25 cents.

Extra Passengers

Each extra passenger over the age of twelve (12) years - 20 cents.

Shared Ride 20% Reduction

Individual or parties not traveling together who agree to share a cab to destinations in the same area or along the same route shall pay the normal shortest route fare of $4.00 or more (not including non-meter charges) shall be reduced by 20%. Such restrictions shall not apply to gate fees or tolls or out-of-town fares.

The driver of the vehicle must have the permission of the first passenger to load other passengers. If you agree to multiple loading, you are entitled to a reduced fare.

as for the tip, i would say maybe 10%-15%, maybe something like that if he gets you there in a timely manner ect.. im not sure, i rode a cab to kindergarden every date, but dont remember what my mom paid

as for the macs, maybe ask someone like mail boxes ect about packaging? they seem to do good jobs at odd things like that, as far as i know, new comps just come with foam protection in boxes, nothing too fancy

[xenon200]

As far as packaging is concerned, nothing too fancy is required. Simply wrap the main unit in bubble-wrap, and then pack it in a box where you can surround it with either packing peanuts or some time of crumpled, heavier stock paper. Just make sure you use a sturdy box and secure it tightly.

~x2

[sixf00t4]

thanks jacob. this is going to cost almost $20 for a 7 mile trip. my goodness.

http://www.taxicabusa.com/Pittsburgh/fareinfo_pgh.html
that is the cab next to mine

[sixf00t4]

xenon, dont i need to like weight it and stuff for ups or fed ex to pick it up? i live 2 blocks from a post office though. dont know if they are more expensive or not though.

[xenon200]

I'm really not too sure. Do you have a scale that is capable of accurately weighing it? I always drop my stuff off at the post office, where they weigh it and calculate the necessary postage for me. If I'm using FedEx, I take it to a FedEx drop box.

~x2

[Theophylact]

(1) I always tip at least 20% on a cab ride (in the US; different elsewhere, especially Japan, where the driver will be insulted by a tip).

(2) I'd pack it myself, with lots of bubblewrap, and using a box-within-box approach. If anything's broken then, it's sure not my fault.

[Ed_S]

I wouldn't tip a cabbie - or take a cab, for that matter - if my life depended on it and I'll explain why.

I'm in auto parts at a Ford dealer - many cabs are Crown Vics, right? We've had hassles with cabbies for 20 yrs over their most common purchase - speedometer gears!

Now, keeping in mind that changing the speedo gear ratio can potentialy cause the odometer and any metering equipment attached to it to register incorrectly...

Now, I'm not outright accusing them of anything, you understand. I'm sure all those cars really do need new higher-ratio gears...

[shawshank62]

it is always important to tip.......but not with money. Tell them something good to have in knowledge database, it is a lot more rewarding, and cheaper .

This really pisses off the waiters in restaurants

live 2 blocks from a post office though

You will receive widely varying opinions, but I use USPS Priority mail for most everything I send these days. Rates are good, have not lost a single item, and have received no complaints about damaged items to date.