Checker Taxi Affl, Inc

This is the worst taxi service ever. Please don’t take a ride from them. They will fool u half way for the different charges between suburbs and city which will make you helpless. The driver was so rude that he throw my stuff away saying that you don’t have to pay anything just take your stuff and go out of cab. This is their way of taking money from the people who are new to city. I do not recommend anyone to take cab from them and there should be a zero rating for these people.

*DO NOT USE*
I wish I could give a 0 star review. Got scammed by the driver. I did not know suburb cabs and city cabs charge different fares. Got a ride from O’hare to Lake Forest thinking I would pay $ 40 – 50. That’s what the meter showed all the way there. Then we arrive he multiplies by 1.5 times and boom we’re at $ 75. I have never felt so ripped off. When I asked the driver about the fare he told me a bunch of fee’s he would add on the way there. Knowing full well that he would make huge money he started conversation and every time I tried to ask how much it would cost he brushed it off and avoided it. Lesson? Don’t trust these cab drivers. They hate on über but the reality is über has much better customer service.
*DO NOT RIDE*

Wish I could give them NO STARS, I just arrived from Houston, how was I supposed to know that i needed to be in a «suburban cab» to not be charged fare and a half… sure sure, the sign is in the back seat. How is a visitor supposed to know that a «city cab» has to charge fare and a half, what idiot legislator thought this was a good idea! It’s confusing and has left a poor taste in my mouth. My cab ride cost me $ 70 and he freakin wanted a tip (from O’Hare to Lincolnshire Marriott). I guess it would’ve of been too gracious to let me know that I should go to a «suburban cab» from the get go. RECOMMENDATION, DO NOT USE YELLOW CAB/​CHECKER TAXI

I’ve been using Checker cab for years now, for whenever someone’s over at my place and needs a cab, or more often, for when we need to get to the airport. The last few times when I have needed an early morning cab to go to the airport, they’ve been horribly late. Fortunately we live at a street corner where you can hail a cab. I’d use Checker cab for non-​rush hour, non-​early morning airport runs but they’re lousy in the morning.

I hailed taxi # 1639 at 2200 N Halsted. He stopped, but kept the door locked, and asked where I was going. I replied «Randolph», (a 3 mile straight-​shot; an area where picking up another fare is common). He drove off without me! What’s with these Checker drivers?

Took Checker cab #3199 at around 9 in the evening, 7÷25÷2013.
From downtown Chicago to Oak Park.
Driver reminded of City limit fare times 1.5 rule.
1. Downtown to Austin exit (city limit) = $ 18
2. Driver turned OFF and ON the meter at city limit.
3. Meter starts from $ 3.25
4. Arrived home, meter shows $ 6.25
Cab #3199 calculates, $ 18+$ 6.25×1.5 = $ 27.375
I told him calculation should be, $ 18+($ 6.25-$ 3.25)x1.5 = $ 22.5
I have been taking cab same route for 7 years.
I told him gently that the second base fare $ 3.25 should not be included.
He said he’s been driving for 25 years.
He was MAD and told me rude, complainer, and said that it is the way he calculated for 25 years. I gave up for I was merely talking to an angry bull.
I called Checker and talked to supervisor, kind lady, and confirmed that my method of calculation is correct. And she told me to leave message on complaint center for possible refund.
Reason I was not able to make him understood was because of his action that made me feel unsafe, he was not willing to talk but only shouted that I was wrong.
A hard working productive day ruined.
Fact is,
1. I was correct, and he was wrong for 25 years (ripped off lots of customers)
2. Credit card machine refused three types of my cards
3. Receipt that I got showed wrong date ⁷⁄₁₅
4. Date that the driver wrote on receipt was also wrong ⁷⁄₂
I felt like I was dreaming a horrible dream.

Scammy driver alert! Avoid Ruwaiz Sathar!
I didn’t have enough cash on me and the driver, Ruwaiz Sathar, bullied me into swiping my card through an app on his phone rather than paying through the taxi’s internal touch screen system. He then gave me a hard time about providing a receipt for me, but eventually sent me one via text. And then as I was exiting the cab, he berated me for wasting his time asking so many questions and hassled me for making him drive to my not-​centrally-​located neighborhood.
Tonight I’m going to bed upset at being harassed, and worried that this jerk might have access to my credit card information. (And mad at myself for not writing down the taxi’s medallion number! Or INSISTING on only paying with the cash I had on hand (I was under $ 2 short), or through the touch screen system!)
Of course, I called the cab company and the operator seemed to take my concern seriously and took down my information (and was able to repeat it back to me). I will update this Unilocal review if I ever hear back from the Complaints Department.

I’ve experienced a lot of rude cab drivers but this company takes the cake.
After hailing a cab in Lincoln Square the driver wouldn’t unlock the doors until I told him where I was going. I told him the address and he stated (and I will never forget this in my entire life) «That is East, I am going West. Sorry.» AND DROVE OFF.
Today, I had a driver from this company pull up next to my car and start screaming at me because «I wasn’t over enough» in the left lane and it’s because of people like me that there are car accidents. He did this while blocking traffic from a lane going in the opposite direction with a paying fare in the back.
In my defense, no other car had any issues with me, I’ve been driving for 10 years, no accidents, 1 speeding ticket 8 years ago.
I’m done with this company. DONE.

I ordered a taxi via Taxi Magic for a pick up at my home. I received a text stating the taxi was dispatched −312−8 542 537: «Taxi dispatched, Taxi Num:716 Driver: RAID HASSOUN, 2.6 miles» At 6:17pm I received an automated phone call from 312−881−3378, stating the taxi had arrived, did I still want the taxi press a button, how long would the taxi need to wait. There was no taxi outside my door. I attempted to call back the number and no one picked up. I attempted to text the number and received a text stating this was an automated system. I had no way of contacting either Taxi Magic or the taxi provider to inquire as to where my taxi was. As it was since it was 6:17pm I would be late if I had waited around for someone to figure out where it was and send another to me. I would like to know why the taxi was not at the address? I am very disappointed with the lack of successful service. I am frustrated that none of the texts or automated messages I received contained information for contacting a representative immediately.
When I contacted Taxi Magic to complain they passed the buck to the cab provider and offered no accountability. And just kept saying so sorry this happened. Yeah I’m so sorry that my bad back had to walk to get a cab with a too heavy bag. And now I’m in bed today.
I have tried multiple occasions with multiple taxi cab companies to order a cab to come to my home and they never show. What is going on!!! I do not live in a sketchy area, but a trendy place with high need for cabs.

I made the mistake of booking Checker Cab to the airport. Here’s what happened:
1. I made the reservation on Sunday night for 7:30 AM the next morning to O’hare. They knew my destination was the airport.
2. At 7:20 I received a message saying my taxi had been dispatched.
3. At 7:35 I received a call saying the taxi was 20 minutes away. I said that this would not be acceptable because it would risk missing my flight. The dispatcher said he would see if he could get something earlier, but at the latest it would be 20 minutes.
4. At 7:36 I immediately called Yellow Cab for a back-​up and walked to the corner where I might hail a cab, with my apartment still in sight.
5. At 7:55 I called back wondering where my cab was. They said 15 more minutes.
6. At 8:25 I successfully hailed a cab.
7. At 8:30 both Check and Yellow Cab called saying they had arrived.
I missed my 9:05 AM flight and can’t get on another flight until 7:30 PM. I’m still sitting at the airport now attempting to get some work done. Had Checker given me accurate information during any step in the process I could have changed plans, taking the Blue Line or driving my own car. Since they lied to me during each call, I’m stuck at the airport for 12 hours and missing a day in the office.

If I could give this company no stars, I would. God awful service, the cabs just do not show up half the time, they don’t call you with updates saying oh by the way, the person who was going to pick you up 20 minutes ago decided not to, and they have never once apologized for their many, many screw ups. I can guarantee I will never be calling them again. I hope others will see this and avoid frustration.

Do not waste your time with this company. I contacted them and placed an order for a cab over 2 hours ago and no one has called me back. Another taxi company that I am disgusted with. Better off taking CTA. Deal with them at your own risk!!!

Despite their lousy 2 star average, I gave them a shot. Three times, actually.
Sometimes I have to go to work at insane hours of the night. And as a lady living here in the big city, I refuse to take the Red Line alone before 5am, so that leaves me with one option. A cab.
All three times I’ve used the website Magic Taxi to book my ride. Used Checker because they were listed first. It’s super easy and they email you with a confirmation. About 30 minutes before their scheduled arrival time, they will text with you the cab # and drivers name, which is pretty neato. And shortly before the cab arrives, a dispatcher will call to let you know they are on their way. Very reassuring knowing they will be there. Love that.
I really appreciate a reliable (and safe) way of getting to work, and so far I’ve been very impressed.

I waited 30 minutes for a CAB on Monday morning at 445am, which I had BOOKED and Reserved the night before. I nearly missed my flight, but my bags had to come on the next flight.
Checker CAB informed me that the driver didn’t understand English too well and they were having a hard time relaying directions to him. Huhh?
This needs to be ironed out the night before. TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT AND STRESSOR!
This is terrible customer service

I generally just use Checker Cab when I need a morning pickup to get to the airport. I have had no problems with Checker and they are always on time, usually early. They are really easy to set up a pickup with. Where are you? Where are you going? What time? Done. Off to the airport.

Bitter sweet feelings about Checker Cab, however compared to all other taxi services in Chicago, more sweet than bitter.
I use Checker for personal and for business. You call, tell them where you are, and where you want to go. If you want to be picked up at a very specific time, you may tell them that too. (But they will only agree to it if you are traveling a minimum of 15 miles to your destination.) They then call you back and let you know your cab# confirmation and how long it will be until it arrives. Once the cab arrives, they’ll call you again to tell you its out front, and ask you to punch in how many minutes you would like it to wait.
All the cabs are equipped to take credit cards as well, but cash is always fine. If you ask for a receipt, they’ll usually just give you a blank sheet with their cab company info on it– and you fill it out yourself. But if you pay by credit card, you will have a receipt that they print for you from their little machine.
Now, their service is flawed, however I’ve never had them not show up, so already they win a better review from me than every other cab service I’ve used in Chicago. But, I can never get over how UNFAMILIAR the cab drivers are with the city. I always have to give them directions to get where I’m going. Even some very well-​know restaurants, very visible, very busy neighborhood, right on the main streets, they don’t know how to get there. This morning alone I had to direct my cab driver how to get to the University of Chicago campus. Kind of sad. Makes me wonder how tourists and/​or foreigners even get where they need to go in this city. And we want the Olympics?! Something has to give– either cab drivers need to know where all popular destinations in the city are (an even not-​so-​popular), or public transit needs to make it into the 21^st century.

I echo the reviews here — this company BLOWS. They don’t have enough cabs so invariably, the cabbies WILL dick you over.
The one star they get is for the one lady at the call center that didn’t hang up on me to tell me the cabbie blew me off and isn’t answering the calls anymore. The lady before that didn’t bother.
If you live within a 10 mile radius of civilization where someone walking down the street MAY hail a cab, rest assured that the Checker cab you are waiting for will blow you off and pick up the unknowing person who is hailing a cab. And then it takes them 15 minutes to figure that out. And then… repeat the ordering process all over again.
I think American United has a larger fleet so at least if you call and your cab picks someone else up and leaves you high and dry, at least they have enough cab drivers on dispatch radio to take the order.

Their phone number is easy to remember (312-​CHECKER), which is the only reason I’ve called them to get a cab. I called them last night to go from Logan Square to Streeterville and it was just an ordeal. First the operator gave me a hard time about having to have the exact, numbered street address of the place where I was headed, which is as well-​known as saying, for instance, the Wrigley Building. Whatever; I figured they must need it for the driver, in case he needs directions or something. I give it to her and then I’m told I’ll get a call back advising of the cab number and ETA. Twenty minutes pass and still no call. I call back and the guy tells me the cab is right out in front of my address, like why am I even bothering him? I tell the guy I am LOOKING right outside my window and there is no cab. The guy then says, «Well, I dunno what to tell ya…»
How about finding out where in hell the cab actually is, ya moron?!
So 15 minutes later the cab pulls up. The driver has no clue where he’s supposed to take me. Sigh. I state the place of business and a general intersection and he knows right where to go. FWIW, the cabbie was friendly enough, and even though he took probably the longest way EVER to get onto 90 from California and Milwaukee, once he got out onto open road he shot out like a rocket. I got to my destination in less than 10 minutes, so that was the main plus. So about 45 minutes passed from the time I called them to when I actually got to my destination.
I did start to mentally debate on whether or not the CTA would have been faster… but that’s another show.

One of them rear-​ended me on a cold snowy day. The driver was very apologetic, though.

John Moberg sold out to Yellow. What can I say — we’re disappointed, but hey the guy is pretty freakin’ old. What will ever happen to the green tiled building on Washington? What will happen to the bottles of booze in his office?
Alas, I will be forever taking Flash or City Cab, or Sun. But, never Checker.