Bad experience using Bolt

[Costas_it]

Two week ago I tried to book  a long ride from Rayong (pier) to Khao Yai Park with Bolt because I saw it less expansive vs Grab (2500 bth vs 3500).
The first driver picked up us and  after 100 mt asked us for more money than on the app; when he understood we didn't pay more, he asked to come out from the car and search for another driver.
The second driver booked confirmed the ride on the app but messaged us for more money and canceled the ride when we didn't agree.
The third driver was the best: his ride didn't have a fixed price but a variable 2900-4000bth instead. I thought the range was dued to probable variable time for the ride but when I booked it the price started from 4000bth. Afte the book also hime asked us for more money .
The end of history? I booked a private driver for 3500bth, very honest and professional, that brougth us to destination. 2 hours lost trying to book a driver by Bolt!!!
I complained with Bolt for the terrible service; they initially charged me 65 bth because the first driver carried us for 100 mt. After  a new complain, it refunded me also the 65 bth.
I never had those problems with Grub and never used InDrive; anyway I no more  will use Bolt!

 

Costas 

[Haveasay]

I'd like to use bolt but put your location and destination and it's booked without quote. You cancel then get charged. What am I doing wrong?

[Costas_it]

In my printscreen you see the 3 rides I tried to book, and the fee for the only one that  picked up us and fastly stopped after I didn't want to pay more. 
For this ride Bolt charged me 65 bth, but after I claimed about it refunded me.

Costas

[dddave]

A woman friend engaged Bolt to take her to Don Muang from Jomtien and agreed to the price.  The driver picked her up and everything seemed OK until he exited the highway onto a side road. When she asked what was going on, the driver told her they were going to meet his friend and the friend would take her to DMK in his car.  She made clear that no way would she switch cars and immediately began recording the conversation on her mobile. The driver got angry and threatened to leave her roadside but fortunately, she was fluent enough in Thai to make clear she was calling the Police.  The driver relented and agreed to continue on to Don Muang but she didn't trust him and had him take her to N. Pattaya.  She was flying out of Thailand so did not have time to pursue the incident with Bolt or the Police but it's clear that there are risks using ride services.

[Costas_it]

Dave what you wrote is still worse than what happened to me and confirms how bad is the service of Bolt.
And now I understand why in Grub there's a specific service for women called "Grub for Ladies".

[couchpotato]

Bolt is basically an around town type of service, not to go on long journeys. Use proper airport or long distance companies for that.  Also there is a 'Lady Bolt' service with lady drivers. My daughter uses it all the time in Pattaya and Bangkok (possibly a little longer to arrive, but safe and reliable).

Grab has exactly the same services but are at least 50% more expensive for most rides.

So there you have it.

[Costas_it]

I know Grab is more expansive, for my ride +1000 bth than Bolt, but if the sevice is so bad it's no sense for me.
Anyway, if the company is not able to offer a long distance ride, it shoud not sell that instead to make angry its customers. 

 

C.

[scubascuba3]

On 1/9/2024 at 4:46 PM, dddave said:

A woman friend engaged Bolt to take her to Don Muang from Jomtien and agreed to the price.  The driver picked her up and everything seemed OK until he exited the highway onto a side road. When she asked what was going on, the driver told her they were going to meet his friend and the friend would take her to DMK in his car.  She made clear that no way would she switch cars and immediately began recording the conversation on her mobile. The driver got angry and threatened to leave her roadside but fortunately, she was fluent enough in Thai to make clear she was calling the Police.  The driver relented and agreed to continue on to Don Muang but she didn't trust him and had him take her to N. Pattaya.  She was flying out of Thailand so did not have time to pursue the incident with Bolt or the Police but it's clear that there are risks using ride services.

She got lucky, i know of a bank employee who was raped and murdered after being dropped off by a Bolt driver, he followed her into her house

[Chivas]

Surely Bolt and Grab are intended really to replicate short taxi rides as in the West

Never had any problem with them but absolutely would not book for something like to Airport from Pattaya or as in the case of the OP much further distance

 

Use a reliable proper taxi service

[Robin]

Sounds typical of Thailand and Thai taxi drivers

[Warinya]

It might be your misfortune to meet bad driver. My experience whether it's Grab or Bolt driver you can always encounter bad drivers like that. It is best to choose a fixed price service or private service on app and pay to a credit card. If you encounter a bad driver or request money more app. You can cancel and your money will be refunded to your credit card later.

 

For tourist I recomment use Grab or Bolt is best choice but you might choose service by fix cost or private service like I told to the top. It make you comfotable alway tirp.

[richard_smith237]

On 1/11/2024 at 8:42 AM, Chivas said:

Surely Bolt and Grab are intended really to replicate short taxi rides as in the West

Never had any problem with them but absolutely would not book for something like to Airport from Pattaya or as in the case of the OP much further distance

 

Use a reliable proper taxi service

 

Agree... 

 

Bolt and Grab are more for 'local rides' rather than long distances...    

If someone wants to go a long distance, go with a dedicated service where the ride and price is pre-agreed.

 

The issue with Bolt and Grab is that the drivers don't see the destination before before they accept the fare, this is to prevent drivers from cherry picking their ideal journeys and ignoring unfavourable journeys, ultimately to the detriment of the service on a whole. 

 

Thus: the Bolt driver accepted the ride, then realised it was a 3-4 hour journey, then he has to get back - obviously some drivers really don't want to do this, so if they cancel immediately, they'll be downgraded by the service.

 

IMO - this issue comes from trying to use Grab and Bolt for the type of service its not really intended to be.

 

 

Op should have really contacted some of the local taxi firms and pre-arranged dedicated 'long distance' transport.

 

Op, you probably already knew this but thought you could get a 'cheaper ride' with Bolt... 

 

 

 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

13 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thus: the Bolt driver accepted the ride, then realised it was a 3-4 hour journey, then he has to get back - obviously some drivers really don't want to do this, so if they cancel immediately, they'll be downgraded by the service.

 

Makes sense from the driver's viewpoint. Not being a regular taxi, he'd have to be so lucky as to get a ride via the app for a similar 3-4 hour return-trip... Would be better if, for long journeys, they knew what they're signing up for.

[soi3eddie]

A long distance journey is better being booked with resort.

• Do you want a driver for 3-4 hours who may be at end of a long shift and extremely tired? No me neither.
• Some drivers may be low on fuel and not have enough cash or credit for the long distance.
• Some drivers just may not like the low fare for the effort/time involved. Do you want an argument with them?

 

 

[it is what it is]

The issue with Bolt and Grab is that the drivers don't see the destination before before they accept the fare, this is to prevent drivers from cherry picking their ideal journeys and ignoring unfavourable journeys, ultimately to the detriment of the service on a whole. 

 

Thus: the Bolt driver accepted the ride, then realised it was a 3-4 hour journey, then he has to get back - obviously some drivers really don't want to do this, so if they cancel immediately, they'll be downgraded by the service.

 

what a ridiculous business model, and clearly to the detriment to customers.

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, it is what it is said:

The issue with Bolt and Grab is that the drivers don't see the destination before before they accept the fare, this is to prevent drivers from cherry picking their ideal journeys and ignoring unfavourable journeys, ultimately to the detriment of the service on a whole. 

 

Thus: the Bolt driver accepted the ride, then realised it was a 3-4 hour journey, then he has to get back - obviously some drivers really don't want to do this, so if they cancel immediately, they'll be downgraded by the service.

 

what a ridiculous business model, and clearly to the detriment to customers.

 

Thats the Business model of all the 'ride hailing apps'...     If you think about it, its detrimental to the customers to model it any other way...  IF drivers knew the destination, there would be many customers left without a ride on 'unfavourable journeys'...

 

... this issue already exists with flag fall taxi's in Thailand when numerous taxi's in a row reject your ride because its into a high-traffic area of town at the wrong time...   

 

It is for the same reason that laws exist in many countries that once stopped, taxis cannot refuse the fare (in Thailand taxi drivers ignore this law of course).

 

Ride Hailing apps follow this very model to ensure the 'job is taken'... without this the reliability of such apps falls and it ultimately fails... what makes these apps successful is the ease of getting 'rides'... 

 

Contrary to your comment, it would be ridiculous not to use this business model. 

 

 

 

[Chivas]

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Thats the Business model of all the 'ride hailing apps'...     If you think about it, its detrimental to the customers to model it any other way...  IF drivers knew the destination, there would be many customers left without a ride on 'unfavourable journeys'...

 

... this issue already exists with flag fall taxi's in Thailand when numerous taxi's in a row reject your ride because its into a high-traffic area of town at the wrong time...   

 

It is for the same reason that laws exist in many countries that once stopped, taxis cannot refuse the fare (in Thailand taxi drivers ignore this law of course).

 

Ride Hailing apps follow this very model to ensure the 'job is taken'... without this the reliability of such apps falls and it ultimately fails... what makes these apps successful is the ease of getting 'rides'... 

 

Contrary to your comment, it would be ridiculous not to use this business model. 

 

 

 

 

Two excellent posts from yourself

[sirineou]

On 1/9/2024 at 12:27 AM, Costas_it said:

The end of history? I booked a private driver for 3500bth, very honest and professional, that brougth us to destination. 2 hours lost trying to book a driver by Bolt!!!

I bet the private driver did not have to pay Bolt any percentage of the 3500 you paid him. 

[zhounan]

Always book a long distance trip in advance.

 

Even you would not be happy to spend 5 hours on the road accompanying a stranger and gain practically nothing from it.

 

When using these convenient applications, always ask yourself how much actually goes into the driver's wallet and how much stays in the corporation's account.

[morg]

I like bolt but I live in chokchai garden home 1 khao noi they don,t recognise always go into village next door if I want to order got to go to community pool it a pain

[Chivas]

I'm into 2nd year of using Bolt absolute game changer its been for Pattaya

Never more than couple minutes to wait often as close to instant as its possible to be

 

Never had the slightest issue. Always pay cash normally round up to the nearest 10

[Mike Teavee]

Have used Bolt 100s of times (I don't drive so use them 4-6 times a week) & the only problem we've had with them was trying to travel Pattaya - Bangkok during Covid lockdowns when intra-provincial travel was (supposed to be) banned. 

1. 1st Driver turned up (Blue & Yellow Fortuner Taxi), stuck the bags in the boot then realised we were going to Bangkok & said he didn't want to go.
2. I messaged the 2nd Driver & explained that we were going to Bangkok so to cancel the ride if he didn't want to take us, he told us he had a mate that would do it, took us to meet him & we got to Bangkok no problem.  

We were moving from Bangkok to Pattaya at the time so got the contact details of the guy who took us & he ending up taking us back & to a couple of times with no problem.

 

Nowadays, we have the contact details of a Bolt driver we trust so when doing long journeys we call her & arrange a price between us (I usually offer 30-40% more than what Bolt is), if she's not available then her husband (a "Proper" Taxi driver) will take us for the same price.  

 

For airport runs it's Nam's Taxi every time.

[VBF]

On 10/18/2024 at 5:43 AM, Chivas said:

I'm into 2nd year of using Bolt absolute game changer its been for Pattaya

Never more than couple minutes to wait often as close to instant as its possible to be

 

Never had the slightest issue. Always pay cash normally round up to the nearest 10

@Chivas

Did you install Bolt on your phone before you left the UK, or wait to install it in Thailand? 

 

I ask because having just got a new phone (Android 14) I plan to use Bolt on my next trip to Patts in February.

 

As you probably know, in UK you HAVE to set up a card payment option but you've just said (and everything I read here on AN agrees) that there is a cash option in Thailand, which is what I need.

What's your "MO"?  What happens if you cancel and they try to hit you with a cancellation charge?

Thanks in advance....

[Chivas]

9 hours ago, VBF said:

@Chivas

Did you install Bolt on your phone before you left the UK, or wait to install it in Thailand? 

 

I ask because having just got a new phone (Android 14) I plan to use Bolt on my next trip to Patts in February.

 

As you probably know, in UK you HAVE to set up a card payment option but you've just said (and everything I read here on AN agrees) that there is a cash option in Thailand, which is what I need.

What's your "MO"?  What happens if you cancel and they try to hit you with a cancellation charge?

Thanks in advance....

 

Yes I remember that issue....re adding card if you opened app still within UK. (I didnt add it)

 

Now I dont remember the exact sequence on what happened but when I got to Thailand the "cash payment" option suddenly appeared......clearly I clicked on it as the option and its been the same ever since

 

Not the slightest issue ever Bolt to my mind is the biggest advance out here in my now 33rd year of coming.....utter game changer

 

People do use the card option but from reading forums some drivers ignore the request (for the drive) because they can see its card rather than cash

 

Not surprisingly they prefer cash

 

I do not like using cards out here......if I did I would link a UK bank to the app because you know if you are scammed it'll be sorted

 

Can you imagine walking in to your Thai bank and 500.000 Baht has disappeared and the reaction we'd get !

[SAFETY FIRST]

On 1/9/2024 at 12:27 AM, Costas_it said:

I no more  will use Bolt!

I'm not sure Bolt was designed to go from Rayong to Korat. 

You're making problems for yourself. 

 

I use bolt for around town, short trips and Mr T for airport runs. 

 

It might be time for you to buy a car. 

 

[Chivas]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'm not sure Bolt was designed to go from Rayong to Korat. 

You're making problems for yourself. 

 

I use bolt for around town, short trips and Mr T for airport runs. 

 

It might be time for you to buy a car. 

 

 

Yep totally agree.......I might go as far as Banchang by Bolt from Pattaya but no further

 

Out of interest we were in Banchang yesterday on group minibus day out lol and we put in Bolt for return just to see how much it would be

 

Was only 370 Baht

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, Chivas said:

 

Yep totally agree.......I might go as far as Banchang by Bolt from Pattaya but no further

 

Out of interest we were in Banchang yesterday on group minibus day out lol and we put in Bolt for return just to see how much it would be

 

Was only 370 Baht

Yes, bolt drivers will generally zigzag around the local areas, picking up passengers locally. 

 

If a Bolt driver spends 4 hours driving you to your location, he needs a return fare to make a profit, finding a return fare may never happen. Therefore he'll be wasting his time and fuel getting back home. 

 

 

[VBF]

5 hours ago, Chivas said:

 

Yes I remember that issue....re adding card if you opened app still within UK. (I didnt add it)

 

Now I dont remember the exact sequence on what happened but when I got to Thailand the "cash payment" option suddenly appeared......clearly I clicked on it as the option and its been the same ever since

 

Not the slightest issue ever Bolt to my mind is the biggest advance out here in my now 33rd year of coming.....utter game changer

 

People do use the card option but from reading forums some drivers ignore the request (for the drive) because they can see its card rather than cash

 

Not surprisingly they prefer cash

 

I do not like using cards out here......if I did I would link a UK bank to the app because you know if you are scammed it'll be sorted

 

Can you imagine walking in to your Thai bank and 500.000 Baht has disappeared and the reaction we'd get !

Thanks a lot 👍 I'll give it a try on my new phone, which presently contains my Thai SIM

 

In passing, I totally agree with your various comments about only using Bolt for local / short trips - basically journeys where others might choose a motorcycle taxi. For longer trips I have a friendly taxi driver whom I've known for some years - she's already booked to collect me from SUV.