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Topic: Pay for a Limo or Taxi in New York with Bitcoins! (Read 2311 times)

legendary
Activity: 2114
Merit: 1031
So right now, is it just the one Town Car/ limo company that uses this?  or can I catch a cheap cab and use bitcoins?
legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
I just watched the video, and have a question. The voiceover mentions that the drivers pay a high fee when accepting credit cards and that they also have to eat any chargebacks. Is the chargeback aspect true? I was under the impression that the cab companies of which the cab drivers least from are the ones that take care of credit card payments, paying the drivers minus the fees, but eat the chargebacks.

For the average listener, this makes nice copy whether true or false, but cabbies, or somebody in a similar payment-type industry, would know the truth.

Overall, a pretty good video/commercial, but a little lame at the very end, with no disrespect if that gentleman happens to be the proprietor.

~Bruno K~

Bruno,

Most of the drivers are independent contractors, meaning that they handle their own billing, and the company offers them an umbrella to work under with referrals, etc.  In this case, the drivers assume 100% of the loss on an unpaid fare, or a chargeback.

Some companies do handle the billing and have the drivers simply as employees, but after surveying the market, this is definitely the minority of cases.

How is Rashid by the way? 

I didn't do my homework before I asked the question. I stand corrected.

I still have that custom wallet designed for Rashid as a gift for joining this forum, but only been to Chicago 2-3 times since meeting him, but had to get in and out quickly, thus not making an appointment to run into him. Also, since that time, a lot of negativity concerning Bitcoin was making the rounds and I wouldn't have been properly armed with answers if questions arose, thus another reason for me personally not taking the effort to persuade Rushid. I'm just now getting my Mojo back, if you know what I mean.

~Bruno K~
legendary
Activity: 2114
Merit: 1031
1) Awesome!  When I get to travel to some of these cities, I look forward to bitpay making my currency needs reduced to just my smart phone!

2) Has Bitpay ported their platform to Android yet?  I have a friend who might be interested in the project to increase his comp sci portfolio. 

3) Have you already focused on Cleveland, OH companies?  I'll pass this link along and try to research Cleveland Cab companies if you haven't done that already.

Let me know if this would be helpful!
hero member
Activity: 742
Merit: 500
I just watched the video, and have a question. The voiceover mentions that the drivers pay a high fee when accepting credit cards and that they also have to eat any chargebacks. Is the chargeback aspect true? I was under the impression that the cab companies of which the cab drivers least from are the ones that take care of credit card payments, paying the drivers minus the fees, but eat the chargebacks.

For the average listener, this makes nice copy whether true or false, but cabbies, or somebody in a similar payment-type industry, would know the truth.

Overall, a pretty good video/commercial, but a little lame at the very end, with no disrespect if that gentleman happens to be the proprietor.

~Bruno K~


Bruno,

Most of the drivers are independent contractors, meaning that they handle their own billing, and the company offers them an umbrella to work under with referrals, etc.  In this case, the drivers assume 100% of the loss on an unpaid fare, or a chargeback.

Some companies do handle the billing and have the drivers simply as employees, but after surveying the market, this is definitely the minority of cases.

How is Rashid by the way? 
legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
I just watched the video, and have a question. The voiceover mentions that the drivers pay a high fee when accepting credit cards and that they also have to eat any chargebacks. Is the chargeback aspect true? I was under the impression that the cab companies of which the cab drivers least from are the ones that take care of credit card payments, paying the drivers minus the fees, but eat the chargebacks.

For the average listener, this makes nice copy whether true or false, but cabbies, or somebody in a similar payment-type industry, would know the truth.

Overall, a pretty good video/commercial, but a little lame at the very end, with no disrespect if that gentleman happens to be the proprietor.

~Bruno K~
legendary
Activity: 3108
Merit: 1531
yes
There is one thing that was not clear to me in the video: how long does it take for a Bitpay order to reach the other device (the receiver) as a final payment? The video seemed cut at that moment while the light intensity changed. A keen watcher would ask himself the same thing as I do.

On the website, it is shown that payment takes about 30seconds. You may want to address that in future video's (30s is not bad, but not superquick either). Eventually, tech will advance so speed of payment will also.
legendary
Activity: 2184
Merit: 1056
Affordable Physical Bitcoins - Denarium.com
I think the video was superb. The new voice over you use is very good. I love it. Makes me want to go to New York.
legendary
Activity: 1540
Merit: 1029
Wow very nice. Always good news to see the use spreading to more practical uses.
hero member
Activity: 742
Merit: 500
Thanks guys.  I do like the suggestion of mentioning the bitcoin network and not bitcoins.  Good idea.

I had written a blog post to go more in-depth to the story, here:

http://www.howtoacceptbitcoin.com

This blog by-the-way is something we'd like to start using to point businesses to.  Each post will be short but will cover a unique reason WHY to accept bitcoins.
BCB
vip
Activity: 1078
Merit: 1002
BCJ
Love the work Bitpay is doing.  (keep it up guys)

But I have to agree.  The marketing of bitcoin has been discussed in other threads but I really think we need better terminology and talking points to be able to gain wider understanding, acceptance and adoption.

Even hearing charlie@bitinstiant (one of bitcoins biggest public advocates) in the resent youtube interview he stumbled over the technical descriptions and terminology.  No offence intended  - just a fact that we could all use talking point when talking to the media, friends and associates.

Maybe that is something the Foundation could take on and distribute to its member business.  

Nike has "Just do it"

Coke has "Its the Real Thing"

etc.


Bitcoin has "??"

   (Silk Road, Bitcoinica, GLBSE, Pirateat40, Intersango...)

[it obviously need a LOT of work...]
legendary
Activity: 1232
Merit: 1001

I highly suggest BitPay (and everyone else) rephrase this type of pitch. Do not say "if you would like to start accepting bitcoins for your business", but do say "if you wish to start accepting payments through Bitcoin network..." The difference may be subtle, but it is important. Accepting some new kind of internet coins I've never heard of is not as hot as receiving instantaneous, irreversible USD payments into my bank account (which is what happens in reality).


^^^This!

Many people are not interested in "Nerd money", but if they here: Get irreversible, instant, low fee USD Payments, that sounds interesting.

And once they are hooked, they will find out what bitcoins actually are, completely on their own.


Oh! And really nice advertising video, by the way.

They are starting to get professional.
hero member
Activity: 756
Merit: 501
There is more to Bitcoin than bitcoins.

I highly suggest BitPay (and everyone else) rephrase this type of pitch. Do not say "if you would like to start accepting bitcoins for your business", but do say "if you wish to start accepting payments through Bitcoin network..." The difference may be subtle, but it is important. Accepting some new kind of internet coins I've never heard of is not as hot as receiving instantaneous, irreversible USD payments into my bank account (which is what happens in reality).
legendary
Activity: 1008
Merit: 1023
Democracy is the original 51% attack
Wicked Smiley
hero member
Activity: 826
Merit: 500
Crypto Somnium
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