#69 – Taxing Taxi Drivers, Outrageous Salesletters, Website Design Tips, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Jamba Juice. “Help! My Business Sucks!” with Andrew Lock
August 19, 2009Episode #69 – “If You’re Interested in Time Travel: Meet Me Last Thursday” 
Websites and resources mentioned in the show:
Infusion (Download the free guide from Infusion)
Outrageous Advertising Book (from Amazon)
The Most Successful Outrageous Salesletter (You can download it from here)
Blurb (Full Color Book Printing)
NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)
Get a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business)
Buy This Week’s T-Shirt (from National Media Services)
What’s going on with taxi drivers? I was down in San Diego last weekend and on every trip I took around town, the taxi drivers decided on their own tip, by giving me back my change, LESS their tip! What’s up with that?!
This week’s ‘Ask Andrew’ question is all about web design from…a web designer. That’s okay. Many designers favor form over function, or marketing effectiveness. I’ll give my suggestions, including why you should NOT use flash in your web design if you want it to be found by the search engines.
The ‘nifty click’ resource is a company that enables you to create a bookstore quality book, with a minimum quantity of just one! Price varies according to how many you order, and the number of pages in the book.
The BIG marketing lesson comes from Jamba Juice, who have opened up a new market for themselves by offering a delivery service. Fax your order, and it can be delivered. The key lesson is widening out the way you do business.
If you’d like to share YOUR favorite little known website, simply write a comment below!
Enjoy the show!
Regards,
August 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Another good short run book publisher is lulu.com
August 19th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I agree with your comments about Web site design. I work with funeral homes who are coming online in droves; and often caught in that “Flash” daze. Certainly, their sites should be user-driven: clear navigation, informative, and educational.
Love your show, Andrew. Your light, quirky sense of humor, and brilliant insights…thank you!
August 19th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Hi Andrew,
My experience in NYC was that the drivers were unconcerned about me and my comfort and refused to turn on the A/C because it would cost them more for gas and they still wanted a hefty tip nonetheless.
On the other hand, when I was in Sydney, Austrailia the drivers went out of their way any way they could and when I tried to tip them, they refused and were almost insulted because it was all part of their job as far as they were concerned. I certainly wish more workers in all fields felt that way more often instead of feeling entitled to a tip. Thats the who purpose of a tip in my world: to reward excellence when it occurs. Not to increase the price of the service regardless of merit.
Another great show.
Thanks,
Ted
August 19th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Andrew,
Enjoy your show, great stuff! Regarding those pesky and arrogant taxi drivers: carry a lot of small bills to be able to give exact change. It’s a pain, but it will save a bunch of money and maybe if enough people do it, the taxi drivers will figure out that they’ve irritated the public into assisting them to make less money due to their arrogance.
Cheers,
Bruce
August 19th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Please send info on outsource webinar
August 19th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Andrew, I certainly hope you challenged the driver to the fact that he short changed you and that you would be determining the tip, if warranted. That’s what I would do for sure. I’m a big believer in tipping for GOOD service and I’ll leave more than 20% for excellent service.
Glynn
August 19th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Your taxi driver certainly had gall including their tip! When I need a driver I use a town car service, probably charge very close to taxi and because I have used them in the past they always remember me and are always polite and accommodating.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Andrew
Live in Thailand 30-years and never get into a taxi without a lot of small amounts of change. Because while they don’t deduct from the amt, they just smile and say no small change avail.
Good luck!
August 19th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
This is a video that we used on our blog to show good customer service. Shep Hykan did the video, it is on You Tube. He is talking about a taxi driver in Texas. It is a taxi driver that we would love to get. If you do not want to go to You Tube, then this is a link to our post that we used it in:
http://marketingunscrambled.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-can-you-make-sure-that-your-clients.html .
It is worth looking at. Wish we had this mans card. We would gladly give him a tip.
Andrew great show as always. You help with so many things. Keep up the good work. Love the show. Get feeling better.
Dan and Deanna “Marketing Unscrambled”
August 20th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Hi Andrew
Great show again, Hey Jacob very nice looking website just a couple of important tips to help you, as they have helped me massiveley.
1) No obvious data collection on the site, very very important aspect, this helped me quadruple sales once I implemented this one stratgey alone.
First name last name and e-mail address, so you can start to relationship with your potential customers.
2) As Andrew has already said, I must reiterate the need for testimonials, examples of your excellent work will really help the buying decision of your potential customers.
Regards
Mark
August 20th, 2009 at 6:25 am
great show keep up with good work,look the internet for viral videos i think that will help you to be better
August 20th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Andrew,
Great show again! I have a web site based on flash to make some of the graphics and an on line calculator work. My designer is a friend and a phenomenal artist but may not know how flash effects search engine performance. Where can I find out more about this?
August 20th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I’ve never experienced that with taxi drivers. I haven’t been to NYC in a few years, but I do frequent Boston and Chicago and I’ve never had that happen there. Maybe they heard your accent and took you as a tourist and thought they could pull one over on you
Great show again!
August 20th, 2009 at 10:32 am
While I find the idea of a mandated tip for something like a taxi ride offensive, these folks do bust their rear ends for long hours for little pay. I figure they need the $3 more than I do and it’s just not worth getting excited about.
As an aside, if ALL the drivers were doing it and all did it by a similar percentage, could it be something allowed by local taxi regulating body?
August 20th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I enjoyed this episode. I’ve never heard of this website before but it was interesting, and even referenced me to the website niftyclicks.com, which is a really fun and helpful website. I like Andrew, he seems intelligent and down to earth.
August 20th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Hi Andrew,
I haven’t just had this experience with taxi drivers, but also with people in various other service industries…most notably waitstaff, barbershop and…you’ll love this one…tatoo shops.
Yes…many (not all) service industry workers expect a tip no matter how bad the Customer experience was.
Sorry I don’t have any sage advice on how to deal with these situations. I guess you just have to be “bold” and ask for all your change back. Then give a tip amount based on the service you received. Fair is fair.
Take care,
Pete
http://TheHealthyMinute.com
August 20th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I guess should I add in that if the service was egregious and driver added in a tip, I would ask for it back in that scenario.
August 20th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Andrew, Good stuff,as usual. Glad to hear you are doing a segment with John Jonas next week. He’s got some very useful advise. I’ll be sure to listen in.
Interesting to learn of your experience with Taxi’s in San Diego. Many service businesses are going to these sort of tactics. It’s too bad that they believe you/we owe them. They don’t get what “service” means. My experience is to tip the driver 10%. If you weren’t happy with the service you just had to call the 800# listed next to his cabbie license or i would have pretended to dial 911 to report a theft in progress. You may as well have fun with the guy. If he isn’t a jerk you can both have a laugh. Life’s too short to worry over a few dollars.
And for all you baby boomers reading this comment, go to my blog above for more enlightenment.
Thanks,
Hal
August 20th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
It is very entertaining and useful
August 20th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
It is entertaining and useful although the kid should act a little more professional.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:47 am
Hi, Andrew your website is very funny and entertaining with some good facts.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:05 am
This episode abruptly went black toward the end of the jamba juice piece…did anyone else have that problem?
August 21st, 2009 at 11:38 am
I agree, a tip is optional and contingent upon the service you recieve. The roaming beer vendors pull that at the ballpark in Philadelphia. I am all about tipping for a job well done, but at the end of the day it’s my decision to make, not theirs.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I realize a lot of what I’m reading lately has to do with the current financial crisis, but your post is another story
thank you for sharing this!
August 21st, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Perhaps this is the taxi driver’s way of surviving these tough times. I would imagine that their income is way down, as are the incomes of most people who work for tips. I personally wouldn’t have the guts to do that no matter how bad tips were…
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:51 am
Andrew,
Hi! I agree with you that the taxi industry is giving consumers headache. In the Philippines, we have to negotiate with the driver the amount we will pay. Most of the time, they would ask for your destination and most of the time they refuse if it is far.
August 22nd, 2009 at 4:31 am
WELL ANDREW IS GREAT AS ALWAYS!!!
I LOVE THE SHOW THANK YOU!!
I LIVE IS ISRAEL AND I HANENT GAVE A TIP TO TAXY DRIVER , I THING ITS THEIR JOB ITS NOT AN EXTRA SERVICE SORRY!
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
So glad I happened upon your blog here. I have learned so much already.
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Some taxi drivers look as if they are going to shoot you if you sit there in the back seat waiting for ANY change back. SO i just smile and put my hand out to them. The faster I get my change, the bigger the tip.
Love the site and your humor!
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:44 am
I’ve had bad experiences with taxi drivers too, so much in fact that I simply avoid taking them. The driver in my case wanted to get paid more money because according to him, I should have used his service for a longer distance! I wouldn’t tip a taxi driver, unless he does something really special, like recommending places to visit -like a tour guide.
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:37 am
Andrew,
its awesome .enjoyed this episode. I’ve never heard of this website before but it was interesting, and even referenced me to the website niftyclicks.com, which is a really fun and helpful website. I like Andrew, he seems intelligent and down to earth.
thanxx
cheerz
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 am
Andrew ,
its awesome.enjoyed this episode. I’ve never heard of this website before but it was interesting, and even referenced me to the website niftyclicks.com, which is a really fun and helpful website. I like Andrew, he seems intelligent and down to earth.
Thanx
cheerz
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:20 am
My father actually happens to be a taxi driver but he is actually instructed not to take a tip unless given it, mainly because most of his clients arent made of money.
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
As to tips for taxi drivers, the whole point of tipping is to ensure prompt quality service, so, of course, they aren’t an entitlement. If a taxi driver manages to find the quickest and shortest route to the destination, given prevailing traffic conditions, he’s well earned a good tip. If, on the contrary, he takes the slowest, long route to run up the meter, no tip is warranted. though some consideration is deserved for frustrating circumstances beyond his control. But, then again, if a taxi driver is working for a company or somebody else, who owns the cab, it’s likely he’s not making much of a living, and that’s worth considering in your tipping decisions.
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I thought this video was interesting about the cab drivers expecting tips for service. I don’t think they should expect tips but I do think they should get tipped for their service its the only way they will servive in todays high priced world.
August 23rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Yes i agree that taxi drivers expect a tip, I’m not sure where it originated or how but its not like they’re waitresses.
August 23rd, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Infusion seems to be a very good programm which promise a lot of help for people.It has many buttons by the help of you cand find whatever you like.
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I agree that Taxi drivers and other service workers expect tips. I believe their base pay is not sufficient, and they count on the tips. Given that we have created a society that expects tips, I believe we should tip them based on service quality. If we do not, I am afraid companies will configure gratuity and raise rates. Then we will have no choice.
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:26 pm
wow nice video,i got an idea what shouldn’t be in our website like flash,really interesting video .
i agree with your comment on the taxi drivers on rash driving and over expense including the tips
August 24th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Hi Andrew,
I have being watching your videos for a while, but I have not post any comment. I would like to say that I have learn many tips from your episodes. Nifty Clicks are my favorite.
GOOD job Andrew!
August 24th, 2009 at 4:41 am
Personally, I never take taxis. They are incredibly expensive, and you can meet many interesting people on the bus.
Useful video all in all, thanks! Tha idea of an online business intrugues me, but I’m not sure I have the time…
August 24th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Great episode!
August 24th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Hi Andrew
I enjoyed this episode,great stuff.I’ve never heard of this website before but it was interesting.And i have neverexperienced that with taxi drivers.
Sorry i don’t have any advice on how to tackle these kind of situations.
Take care
August 25th, 2009 at 10:03 am
If you want an interesting taxi experience try getting a taxi in Athens, Greece. Before you go read this handy ‘how to get a taxi tip’. First of all, you need to know how to flag a cab down. Otherwise you stand out on the street all day going no-where fast baking in the hot sun. You do this by holding one arm out straight from your body downward at a slight angle. Don’t wave it around like a flapping fish just pulled out of water, just hold it out firmly in place with a small vertical up-down movement. Do this until a cab stops. If you don’t, hundred of cabs will drive by you without this signal. Once they stop this next step is key! DON’T say a word to the driver, just JUMP in in back seat; this is important. If you don’t do this before you tell them where you want to go want to go chances are, after hearing your destination, they’ll step on the gas and speed away without saying a word leaving you scratching your head wondering if you somehow just swore at them. This is not the case. The truth is they won’t waste time on fares that take them out of zones where they don’t want to work. Trying to get a cab can even more perplexing when you walk up to groups of taxi-drivers talking amongst themselves and they still won’t give you a lift. What is this business prevention? The trick here, again, and I repeat, is SIT in the back seat before you even open your mouth. (This experience aside, its a wonderful city and country to visit. Opa!)
August 25th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I thought this website is very clever.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Hi Andrew,
I am just a kid but I really like business. I have been running a small video & graphix company called THE DARK NIGHT PRODUCTION COMPANY. I am trying to reform the company (it’s not registered) so that it has better products to offer. Can you recomend some products to try and develop (they don’t have to be video and graphix) and do you know any good free web-site builders (that are better than Yola or Webs-formerly FREEWEBS),
thanks,
Andy