Arillas Forum
Welcome to Arillas => Arillas general information => Taxi and Bus Transfer => Topic started by: Truth on August 29, 2012, 12:48:17 PM
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Hi All,
Just wanted an opinion really , as it may just be me being a bit unfair,,,,,
We ordered a transfers to and from the airport , 90 euros each way for 5 adults and 1 child. There was just us in a minibus to Tria , which was what I PRESUMED would be the case but on our return the minibus was packed (17 in it I think) and I ended up with my daughter on my lap all the way back!
Is this the "norm" as I expected private transfers, not a shuttle bus?
Its a hell of a money spinner if it is! I was told while we were there you can just jump in a taxi for 40 euro anyway so we would have been more comfortable and saved a few euro just getting two cabs.
As I say I may be being a little unfair here so please tell me if I am , I can take it ! he he
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I've previously heard of multiple groups in the mini bus transfers. I certainly don't think you are being unfair by commenting on it - I'd be rather miffed myself having paid 90 euros to end up without a seat for one of my group.
We usually pay 54/55 euros for a taxi (but I'd be interested to know who is offering taxi transfers for 40 euros ;-) )- hindsight is a wonderful thing - but I'd say that on this occasion you would have been better off paying the extra to ensure a seat, not to mention the safety of your daughter.
Oh well I suppose it's a case of living and learning...you will know better next time ;-)
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I think in a lot of cases it is a toss up between private transfer and shuttle bus. depends how many they have going at the one time - we have had private taxis or packed shuttles to some resorts. but having to sit with a child on your lap all that way is not acceptable and I would complain.... might not do you any good but will sure make you feel better!
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The thing was when the minibus turned up for us we didn't expect to have others on there, as you say Eileen hindsight is a wonderful thing. We had to get on it really or risk not getting on the plane.
Someone round the pool said they just jump on one at the airport and pay 40 euros but I didn't see any at that price for pre booking.
As you say Blue Heather I don't think I will get anything back by complaining and you never know, we may well need the person that organised the transport for us another time so maybe I should just leave it ......
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Iwas there end of july and it was 50 euros from olgas back to the airport from arillas
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As a family of 5 we have no alternative but to get minibus. Arkokal Travel have always arranged this for us for 80 Euro. If he manages to get others to fill the bus he charges us less which I think is very fair.
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This is why I am not happy as we got stung for 90 euros Jo , 5 adults one child. NO reduction in price for the fact that there were 17 (I think) on the bus . If they all paid the same then thats about 270 euros AND they were taking people back from the airpirt to Arillas. I'm in the wrong job ! he he . I know these people have to earn a living and all that but I just feel like I have been taken for a ride a bit , literally .......
Arkokai it will be next year
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Arkokai it will be next year
We always use Arkokal for our larger groups of guests...always reliable...and economical :-)
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Sad when these things happen. We have joined people in a minibus from airport twice before, but our fare was reduced from 50 to 30 euros each time. Both were peak season with Noula from San Stef travel, staying at Brouklis. We did get a seat!
I think your fare should have been cut to about that Truth (ie 30-40) with the numbers involved. If Tria arranged it, would be good to let Philip know, who might be able to do something, and certainly prevent it in future.
Phil
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San Stef travel reduced our fare as well .I thought it was great of them as i didnt even have to ask they just knocked it off when we got there .Very honest
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We used San Stef as well and as there were 3 couples they reduced the price
and will use them in 2 weeks time again
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I have just contacted the people that we booked with and will let people know in due course the outcome. I may have mentioned on a previous thread somewhere who we booked with but I don't really think I should mention the name of them here until I have given them a chance to "right the wrong". What I wlll say it had NOTHING to do with Phil at Tria at all. All of this is a shame really as it was a bit of a bad end to a fantastic holiday
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I can't believe anyone jumped in a taxi this year at the airport and paid only 40 euros - more likley 60 or 70. Pre-booked taxis this year have been about 55 euros.
Noula at San Stef reduces the price in a minibus if it is full....always very reliable too.
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As i say i am just relaying what someone else said, i was never quoted a price that low when i was looking!
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We pre-book our taxi and pay 55 euros each way.
There are just two of us - but we ride in comfort, and chat to our lovely driver.
We booked him last year for September, and when we were in Arillas this year in May he was in the process of collecting someone and saw us and said hello...
We've booked him for this September
I would hate to have to share with others if I was not aware of it beforehand - my answer is "NO it is not acceptable" It's not "typical" or "authentic" it is daylight robbery if you are not given a discount..
Janis x
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Cheers Janis.
I've been a little surprised by the response I've had on the subject to be honest as I thought that some peoples love of Arillas on here would not allow them to say a bad thing about the place and its people. I was genuinely a bit nervous about posting about our problem for fear of upsetting people, I didn't want to do that as I find this forum helpful/intresting/amusing etc etc . AND we had a great holiday!!
Thanks everyone
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Don't apologise for for stating you had a problem Karl, because as you can see everyone is in agreement with you.
This is what this forum is for, we all have information of one kind or another that we can share, good or bad, but if it makes a difference to the enjoyment of Arillias we should share it, then maybe it can be resolved.
I hope you have a happy outcome, if I had booked a minibus for my family full price, then had to share then a reduction would have been expected.
The fact that your seven year old daughter had to sit on your knee for the journey is completely unacceptable.
Val x
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Thanks Val.
I genuinely don't expect to get anything back to be honest but I have asked the question so lets see what happens. I have a feeling my E mail may be totally ignored but lets give them a chance..........
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I was right for a change, no reply to TWO e mails sent now over the last 10 days. I am VERY disappointed in Olga's Travel as I would have thought it was just common courtesy to at least E mail me back. I know they have had some very satisfied customers over the years , that is why I used them as their reviews are so good , but I am not one of those satisfied customers and will be taking my business elsewhere next year.
People can read into my experience what they wish but what I have written here is all fact , I just hope no one else gets "caught out" in the same way.
On a positive note I have booked Tria for the last week in May next year at a stupidly good price !! Already looking forward to showing the wife and new baby the delights of Arillas.
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Truth
I have read this thread and think your unbiased remarks and all the responses totally fair. It is now when I read your last post that I am not surprised. We have never had transfers with Olgas Travel but twice we booked a trip to Mathraki Island with her and both times were left stranded at San Stefanos Harbour. Yes, it is a do-able walk back to Arillas, but my husband is not a good walker, especially after we had walked over the top of Mathraki on both ocasions, and of course, paid to be collected from San Stefanos harbour. We had to wait for one of the ship's crew (quite a grumpy man) to bring us back in a very beat up old banger. It was an experience but one we will never repeat as we waited at the harbour for over an hour before we were given the lift. NEVER AGAIN!!!!
Ann x
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Sue and I used Olgas Travel for a visit to the village festival in Afionas at the end of June this year.We were staying at the Akti so picked up the minibus at Olgas.There were six of us in the minibus and on arrival at the festival site we were told that we would be picked up at 11-00pm for the return to Arillas.After a wonderful night at the festival we arrived at the pick up point and waited until 12-00.No reply to phone calls and eventually we were collected at 12-30 with no explanation.Complaining at
olgas the next day we were told they knew nothing about any delays and no apologies were forthcoming.In future we will use Arillas travel with whom we have never had any problems.We are back in Arillas this Saturday(15th)and are hoping to visit Corfu Town if the weather is a little cooler but it will not be with Olgas .
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Same as the others we booked a trip last September someone from office drove to San Stef to pick up another couple all squashed into car to Sidari taken to Kassiopi on a filthy coach on the return we were taken to harbour to collect people from the boat and had to change coaches finally dropped of at Sidari again and were picked up by an even smaller car to be taken back to resort not to be repeated again.
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Oh dear , it seems I am not alone ! I am sorry to hear all of these stories, very unfortunate. I am not sure how they can get away with this?
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Because we don't complain we just say we won't use them again which is silly really
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Indigo648
You are probably right, but voting with one's feet can also be effective.
Ann x
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Out of the blue I have had a reply! 20 Euro refund. Fairs fair so I thought I'd let everyone know.
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The power of the printed word?
Val x
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Yes indeed Val! X
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I am glad you got some sort of a refund because what you experience was not acceptable, BUT -
I think I need to make a different sort of comment here, though - we've been on several trips through Olga's Travel and have never needed to complain. OK, there've been a few times when we had to wait a little longer than we would have expected, but we take that for granted in Greece - avrio/manana - or whatever!
Janis x
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Book a service, receive a service.
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Fair comment Janis. LOTS of good reviews on Olgas, as I posted earlier, I was just reviewing my experience. I will let you all know when the cheque drops through the door!
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Please do..... it would be interesting to know just how quickly Olga's Travel goodwill happens, a lot quicker than the pick ups mentioned here one hopes.
Val x
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I know its NOT funny but I did just laugh at your comment Val !
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Really glad you got a result Truth. My cynical self thinks it's because the Arillas locals who use this forum have probably pointed out the not so good comments to Olga and it's really good that she has obviously taken them on board. Power to the forum!!
Ann x
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I am pretty sure that you are correct ! I just wanted a fair result and I think I have one ....
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unless there are two olgas I think we have pre booked our scooter through this lady..at least that is the name on the emails...hope its ok and not a wreck!
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I am SURE it will be fine ! There are far more people with good things to say about Olga's than bad.
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We have always hired scooters from Olga with no problem.
Sharon x
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I think Olga is great, she runs an excellent service in Arillas. Having booked a taxi share with her one year to return to the airport, her driver got stuck in traffic in Corfu town and would have been too late to take us. Olga shut the shop and took us in her own car!
Martin.
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There you go then , as I say there are plenty of recommendations for Olgas !
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I have followed this post with interest
How refreshing it is to see the topic is being discussed, and not vilified as may have been the case some time ago.
A situation where a first time visitor had cause to report something he believed was wrong, was taken on board discussed and it seems may be resolved with a favourable outcome.
Truth (Karl) had been not only open in discussing this matter but also courteous with his replies.
No one has had a pop at anyone and the discussion has been healthy.
Power to the Forum
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Cheers John! Looking forward to next May already!
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We had a misunderstanding over our taxi transfer. Olga assumed we wanted a return trip and debited my account for twice what I was expecting. When I emailed her about it she was so sorry. We just had to pop in and see her when we arrived to get the money back. As it turned out we hired a car from her too so she just deducted the price by the taxi fare. Olga is a lovely lady and was very helpful and chatty. Wouldn't hesitate to go back to her next time.
Truth, glad you got it all sorted out - quite rightly your fare should have been reduced :)
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e110 return for us organised via marina hotel with vas ......yammas
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I've been reluctant to post for all the reasons JohntheRef has given, but like him, I am very pleased that the tone has been so constructive. In large part because Truth has been equally constructive in his approach to sharing this issue.
I believe that Olga provides an important aspect of Arillas without which we would all be the poorer. We never use anything but the currency exchange, but she is always welcoming and friendly to us. Long may she continue.
God forbid that this forum should only be about people like me saying nothing but how "perfect" everything there is. It may be "perfect" for me, because "perfection" is about things being delightfully imperfect as far as I am concerned. In my ten years, I have seen many sides of the place I love. Worse sides than many. But for me it is the right place to spend my time. I would be bored witless if there were nothing wong or challenging from time to time. And it is quite right that these should be aired freely and courteously on our forum.
Phil
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Yes there you go! Wherever you go you will find good and bad reviews! Its great to be forewarned and hopefully great to be pleasantly surprised!
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brilliant guys and not only set my mind as a newbie at rest but I also have enjoyed the thread and the fact that it did not get into a slagging off match, it shows how much you all love the resort and wish to improve matters where you can....bravo
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I don't mind telling you all its a relief that i haven't been labelled a moaner/s@@t stirrer! Thanks!
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I think you chose an excellent forum name.
Thanks for a well balanced posting and only the truth told, as others have said many of these type of discussions can spark ill feeling.
Val x
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All my mates call me Truth because I often speak it when perhaps I should bite my tongue at times! He he! Even my 7 year old daughter calls it me sometimes!
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Karl, there is s**t everywhere but you don't have to tread in it. But we all do indavertently sometimes. As for stirring, better kept for Christmas puddings....
Dimitris coined the badge Arilliac, those with 1000 posts on forum or more. But for me, Arilliac simply means somebody who loves being in Arillas, warts and all. So that makes you an Arilliac.
Phil
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Wise words , as usual, Phil .
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Yes am glad it all got sorted out. Karl you were right to post about it on here, I would have been very unhappy if that had happended to me and am pleased you got the outcome you wanted.
We have always used Olga, as I said for scooters but we've also booked trips with her and used her car service for a taxi to and from the Afionas festival, there were about 8-9 of us and she drove one of the cars herself (poor Olga on the way back!) with no let downs.
Sharon x
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We have never had a taxi in Arillas, as I always like to drive, but I had to organise transport for 13 of my family in July. Theo (Arillas Cars) arranged it for me and the cost was €90 each way, which was an amazing price. The family thought the transfers were excellent in a very comfortable mini bus with a very friendly driver. I just can't remember the name on the mini bus.
I reckon Karl (truth) could be an MP in my fantasy Political Party called "Honesty".
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Thats a classic Terry ! I just burst out laughing at work when I read that,,,, you'll get me in trouble ! he he
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Just to let you all know I received a compensation cheque from Olga today. Thats it now, job done, incident forgotten