My Black List's
SuperShuttle
Stories
Thu. Aug 30, 2007 - By Tamara
I should have done this a while ago, but I did not think of it till now: I thought that I would warn everyone NOT to take Supershuttle EVER. It is worth spending the extra money to get a taxi, if you can't take a train.
I have used Supershuttle only a few times: On one occasion, they were supposed to pick me up from JFK and bring me to my apartment in Washington Heights. I had made the appointment over a week before and then had called to confirm twice closer to the date. Anyway, so I got to the airport, and picked up the phone in the terminal to call them, per their instructions. (This was, by the way, in the middle of the night in an almost empty terminal (very unsafe)). The man from Supershuttle told me that it would be another 30 minutes because no one was in the area. So, I waited 45 minutes and he did not come. I called yet again and yet again was told that I would have to wait another 30 minutes. Yet again, I called when no one came after 45 minutes and was informed that no one was going to get me because "no one else from the area needed them and they did not want to waste gas on me." Those were their words. I was forced to take a taxi home (I should have done it a while before, but I naively believed them when they assured that they would come).
Now, I know most people would never use them again after that incident, but I thought that maybe it was an isolated event. And you do save some money, so I called them again to bring me to the airport from my apartment. They insisted on picking me up at 4 a.m. for an 8 a.m. flight from JFK. I asked if they could please call me when they got to my place, so that I did not have to wait downstairs that early in the morning. They said that "that was not their policy", so I waited downstairs. The guy was about 25 minutes late, and when he picked me up, he nonchalantly informed me that he would be returning to the area a little later. So, I drove around with him for approximately an hour and a half, calling people when we arrived at their homes and waiting for them to come downstairs (sometimes as long as 15 minutes). At around 6 a.m., the guy returned to Washington Heights---to the street adjacent to my own (a 2 minute walk). He could have picked me up at 6 a.m.!
Anyway, I just thought you might like to know about this, so you are not put in a similar situation. I have heard other nightmare stories about them. It is cheapest to take the train, but sometimes you can't. Take a cab instead!! It is worth it.
Tue., July 3rd 2007 - Oferiko (with a "happy" end)
July 3rd, I was ready on 2155, and was supposed to be picked up by SuperShuttle between 2200 & 2215. I first called, I think, Monday (July 2nd ) morning to schedule a pickup. Monday afternoon, I called again to say I have a 3$ coupon from American Express… and even gave my credit card number, But the lady said I should pay the driver & give him the coupon. On Tuesday afternoon, I called and spoke with "Edward" to verify everything is ok, and to add I am on Fort Washington & 180th St. (& I think I even told the lady before, to add that info., But Edward said the info was not on the computer). He said he is putting it in, and everything is alright.
At 2215, as I am waiting on the street, I called SuperShuttle... and the lady tells me, the conformation # shows the pickup was schedule for yesterday... which made no sense, as the Flight is on July 4th (few hours away). So now, she said, I should take a car service or a cab... keep the receipt... & contact customer service, that will (?) pay me back the difference...
Thank God, a Yellow cab was right there... and drove me to JFK, for 45$ + 4.50$ Toll on the Tri-Boro bridge + I gave the guy 10$ tip (for saving me).
So I paid 49.50 (without the tip) – 20$ (the SS rate) = 29.50$ should be paid me back?!!!?
I emailed SS through their website on July 27th... but got no answer. Only when I returned home (more than 2 months later)
I was surprised to see a letter, sent July 31rd, include a check for 29.50$
