City Man Radio Cars

Here’s a tip to City Man’s management: if you’re going to send one of your drivers on a job, you should probably ensure that they’re not disgruntled about it.
At 0630 on a Saturday morning, when I’ve been awake since 0500, I do –not– want to get into a minicab I arranged the previous night (courtesy of my fancy ubiCabs app) and spend the first five minutes of my journey being harangued about how it would only cost a little more to go all the way to Heathrow versus being dropped off at Paddington Station to catch the Heathrow Express:
Driver: Going to Paddington, right?
Me: Yes, please.
Driver: There was a problem because you didn’t answer your phone.
Me: Uh… did you call more than once? Because I answered once and said I was in the lift down… (not that I didn’t then have to hunt around and wait a couple extra minutes for you to pull up)
… later …
Driver: You going to Heathrow?
Me: Yes.
Driver: Going to China? Japan?
Me: Amsterdam, actually. (Now I’m starting to think… WTF?)
Driver: You could have gone directly to Heathrow, our rate is just £45.
Me: Yeah, I don’t really trust traffic and Heathrow Express is still less expensive.
Driver: Well, cab to Paddington is £20… the train is what, £18?
Me: £16. (I pull up my email confirmation… the price of the ride says £17. Maybe he’s assuming a £3 tip?)
Driver: So… £20 plus £16 is £36… only £9 difference, man.
Me: Right, so quite a cost savings…
Driver: But with a cab, you don’t have to transfer. You just go directly to Heathrow.
Me: …
… at Paddington Station …
Driver: Here you are.
Me: Thanks, could I have a receipt, please?
Driver: No problem. (He hands me a pre-​written receipt that’s already completed, priced at £20. I’m too tired and annoyed to bother debating the cost at this point.)
Me: Thanks for that…
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If you’re in the mood to listen to a grand whinge and get over-​charged for your journey, City Man Cars is a good bet. At least you’ll travel in a stylish vehicle…

When I moved, I took City Man Radio Cars a few times when I had a suitcase or two. The distance? Less than a mile and a 3 minute drive. The first time I asked the price in advance and it was £7. Not great, but whatever, and the driver was really nice. The second time I did the trip, I asked the price in advance and it was £7. The third time (the next day) I did the trip again and forgot to ask the price in advance because I already knew it. They charged me £15. For a 3 minute car ride. For the same exact journey that had cost £7 before.
Lesson: always ask the price up front or they will try and take you for anything they can. This is a valuable lesson about taxis and life in London, generally.
Would recommend Whitechapel Taxi over them as the rates are the same and they don’t try to rip you off (as much).