Spot on, LOVE this! As an Amish Taxi Driver of eight years, I SO appreciate how well you explained things. I feel SO blessed to be living among and working with the Amish, warts and all!
My husband drives the Amish. Like all people, there are some good people and there are others whose phone calls you never answer again. We have made many friends in the Amish community, some we never charge for driving them, but who always manage to leave more than was necessary for the trip. Currently, my husband has a crew that he not only drives, but works with, too. He and his Amish boss are like two peas in a pod who work so well together. As a driver, always be up front with them. Tell them your fee when they call and book a trip ( we charge a dollar a mile). Write down your mileage when you get to the client's house and when you drop them back home. Then they can see that you aren't trying to inflate your price or rip them off. If you charge a fee for sitting and waiting, let them know that ahead of time as well and keep track of your time. We don't charge a fee for sitting because we usually get fed or receive baked goods or other perks ( a bag of sawdust for our chickens, or whatever). Of course, that won't necessarily happen right away until you build up a client base and a rapport. We live in Ashtabula county, Ohio and work for mostly Middlefield, Ohio Amish or in that vicinity.
Just found and Subscribed to your channel. I started driving Amish about 4 years ago just after buying one of the big storage buildings they build and sell here in Northern Michigan. The Amish order here is very small with about 15 or so families so I don't drive everyday which is fine for me because I'm retired and don't really need the money but I still charge about $60 for a morning or afternoon shopping trip plus $15.00 more if they need my trailer and by the mile for any longer trips. I'm 71 now and I don't drive a lot after dark anymore and they understand. I also get paid through the Spring Summer and Fall for escorting those big storage barns they build here. I have never been taken advantage of at anytime and have never been told I charge to much in fact I took two carpenters back home one day and charged them $125.00 for the trip and was told that the lady that brought them to the job two days earlier charged them $85.00 each. I enjoy my time as it keeps me in touch with some of the nicest people I've ever known. I can tell you the names of all the children and what their favorite flavor of ice cream is and some of the families have 12 Children.
My Dad drives Amish in your area and he charges by the mile. He has a lot of interesting stories. He loves the Lord and he isn't afraid to have conversations about God if the timing is right. I just discovered your channel, I'll need to watch the rest of the videos.
I love how you still bring honor and dignity to the Amish people and their culture even though you are not a part anymore! I find them fascinating and their work ethic and skills are AMAZING!! I'm so blessed that God gave my son a servants heart and he loves to help people and work with his hands. I always encourage him to take up as many skills as he likes because it makes you just that much more valuable as an employee one day.
Thank you for this. We posted in our van our price increase as a courtesy to alert our customers. You wouldn’t believe the talking about it. I don’t speak Dutch but I knew they were cackling about it. One family had the nerve to comment about it, rudely I might add. And it specifically posted that operating costs have risen and we’ve been flat for a few years. We are swamped because in our area we are the most reputable. I told her if she didn’t like it get our competitor, naming the most unprofessional ones in our area. Well, we are still their first call because the other taxis have different drivers so they never know who they’ll get. So I guess we aren’t so expensive anyway. It just bugged me that she had the nerve to question my rate increase.
Thanks for the insight. Have learned the hard way. Yes, some take advantage and some don't. I love driving the old order Mennonite's. I have experienced wonderful people, wonderful times. From attending church to sitting down and sharing a meal. I'm very lucky to see how they live, and their lifestyle. I feel blessed. What I do, is have picture, simple English books for the little ones to look at. And have country on low..sometimes.. ;)
I live in the Chicago suburbs, so pretty much everyone has a car. But before I got married I lived near downtown Chicago. Of all my friends I was the only one who had a car. It was just so expensive to own one (car parking fees, insurance, etc), that most people didn’t. We all took the bus to work anyway. I can TOTALLY relate to this story! If I was driving us somewhere, it was inevitable that after we got in the car the requests would come to do some errand, “real quick”. Every. Single. Time! From multiple people! I just came to realize that if I was going to drive somewhere, I had to expect this to happen.
When I lived near Degraff Ohio an Amish man there kept hinting at 18yr old me to drive his rabbits in my truck 100 miles to a buyer in Cincinnati. I ultimately said no not knowing he would have likely paid me. That would have been an easy gig I’m sure. I didn’t even know drivers for Amish existed back then lol. I probably would have made a killing driving for them because they are such a small and ultra conservative ( 3-4 church district ) group. I doubt they have many drivers. Now that I live in Indiana that’s no longer possible. Very interesting video. Btw I also noticed when I lived in Ohio and would frequent the Dayton Air show every year I would see van loads of hundreds of Amish from who knows where. I’m sure they plan yearly trips. Same with large flea markets. Thanks again for another great video!
People can't complain if they do not want to say something to the person who is taking advantage of them. Perhaps tell them a certain price per mile and a certain price for each stop and/or a certain price per hour.
Great video, thanks for sharing from both perspectives! My husband and I drive for a small community in mid Michigan. It takes a lot of patience at times, but overall, we really like our clients - who have also become our friends. :) Thankfully, we had good guidance from a couple of our customers at the very beginning, which was greatly appreciated, since we'd never done this before! They told us current rates in nearby communities and encouraged us not to undercut ourselves. It's very expensive to legitimately operate this type of business - insurance, repairs, fuel, maintenance, repairs, equipment, repairs... Lol. But we love the people and the freedom it affords us.
Something funny. The first time my husband met my Dad, my Dad told him that,” About 85 % of the people around their area are Amish.” Then he asked my husband who he thought the other 15% were? Of course, he wouldn’t have known. Then my Dad told him, Amish drivers. 😂
I live in Europe, I have no relationship with Amish people but I must say that from everything I have heard from those of you who have been there. You are very nice people and you have had a very nice life, a very nice childhood
Grandad’s granddaughter would call me and say that she just needed to go to Rite Aide to get a prescription. So I would just take my little car ...Mazda 323 and left my station wagon at home. As it turns out we had to go to the feed store and the hardware store and Walmart. This happened so many times that my shocks were eventually ruined!!
My son worked for an Amish home construction crew a few years ago for about a year, and they really took advantage of him. He had a four door diesel truck so he would ALWAYS have to drive to each crew members house and pick them up. There were five of them. He would always have to use his truck to run to town for various things and would ALWAYS have to keep on the Amish guy about the amount of mileage compensation he was owed. He was paid by personal check, and the Amish guy told him that all the necessary taxes were being withheld to explain the seemingly short paychecks. My son finally grew tired of being taken advantage of and found another job. THEN come tax time he gets a statement from the IRS saying he owes $6k in income taxes! The Amish guy did not pay it… but was instead simply ripping off my son!
Enjoyed your video. We live in the Chicago suburbs and ran into an Amish family from Kentucky who were up here to go to a clinic. We got to be friends with them. We never took money for driving, we just did it for a favor as brothers and sisters in Christ. We looked forward to seeing them every couple months and we would have dinner together. The mom made me a beautiful rug. We have met other Amish families from other states at the clinic, we had to explain we aren't "drivers," we're just friends. Some of them didn't seem to understand.
I have had Amish friend for 36 yrs, basically one family. I drove a lot for them, we went on short trip, a lot of town, and visiting...they were like family to me, so would tell them I didn't want any money...usually they wouls stick money someplace. I didn't like being refered to as the driver, and they knew that, and would usualy correct it when was call the driver...I just enjoyed being with them seeing different things..I also attended Amish church for 4 yrs, was very well except by all, I had full Amish dress. The one rule I had was I would not drive to church, we always went with the horse, only one time I made the exception it was -25 and we were going to a funeral 8 miles away..This was in SE central Indiana, after 30 yrs live there they moved to KY, some of the boys moved to Colorado. I still pick up and return to train station. On trips from Colorado. I truly miss my weekly them, and my weekly visits with my adopted family...Yes most are great people, but I also know there are bad apple in every barrel, Terry
I'm sharing this with my sister-in-law and her hubby! They are taxi drivers in the Graybill IN area. Have you heard the joke, "If 80% of a county are Amish, what are the other 20%? Amish taxi drivers!" 😂
I'm an Amish Driver from Allen County Indiana. When I started driving 32+ years ago part time evenings and weekends there were few drivers here. I set the standard and I recruited other drivers to help. The rate at that time was .35 cents per mile. I drove a Chevy Citation. One time I had 15 adults and Children in my little car. I drove truck full time for 20 years. When I retired 15 years ago I decided to Drive the Amish full time. I now charge $1.25 per mile with a $40 minimum for 3 hours. After 3 hours I charge at least $10 per hour or milage whichever is greater. I've been to over 200 different Amish Communities all over the U.S. and Canada. Last year I took a demotion as my "big" van broke down permanently. Now I drive a Minivan and hope to get a big van again soon. There is a big difference in income between a minivan and big van. Amish like to split the trip on a long distance trip. That means they will get someone else to go with them and at the end they will divide the trip with the other married men in the van. Women and children ride free. Lol I've driven over 700 miles in one shot before we stopped for the night. I love to drive at night when traffic conditions are lessened. My customers like that I'm a good driver with no issues of falling asleep behind the wheel. Most hired me for long trips because I have over 800 Cds on my music player. They even ask if they can borrow my music player when they go with another driver instead of me. The answer is no. You didnt get me so you dont get the music. Lol So in the big van I did long distant vacation trips or visiting other communities. With my minivan i do local 95% of the time. Sometimes i do 5-6 trips a day. I get paid well for my milage but not so much for my time. Amish in my area dont like to pay for wait time. They think that all we are doing is sitting down relaxing and sleeping while they shop. They think it's an easy job driving so they dont want to pay for our time. That's why I have a minimum. They go shopping for 3-4 hours and we've only gone 20 miles round trip. It's been hard but I set the standard again by instating the minimum wage for drivers. I take them to the Doctor/hospital, grocery shopping, visiting, school meetings etc. Not so much vacation. I miss that portion of my business. I still recruit drivers and teach them the ins and outside of driving for the Amish in our area. I love talking to drivers in other areas as well. Go to a school meeting out of state or wedding/funeral, there are tons of drivers sitting waiting. We talk and share and moan and groan about the customers and what the established rate is for their area. Drivers in Missouri charge differently then drivers in Michigan. So we trade company secrets. I have driver friends from all over the country. I even started the first Amish driver group on Facebook. Drivers were able to share advice, talk shop, complain about their trips, the good times of driving and the bad. One rule was what's said in the group stays in the group. No customers will know what their driver is saying about them. We didnt have a safe place to vent before I started that group. Now there are many Amish drivers groups on Facebook and I've stepped back and let others continue. Last year I quit Facebook all together. I love the Amish and I've made many friends among the people. After 30+ years I'm burned out and tired. Might retire soon. God bless you all.
Amish taxi drivers charge 60 cents to $1 per mile. They add $7 to $12 an hour for any waiting time. So a typical doctor visit can cost about $35 for a 30-mile round-trip. Amish also pay for their driver's lodging on an overnight trip.Sep 11, 2013
God impressed a very important detail upon me when it comes to dealing with people if it doesn’t work for everyone involved it really doesn’t work for anyone so if you’re taking advantage of someone in the long run you are taking advantage of yourself plus no one wants someone complaining to god about them in their prayers right
Before and during the first year of Covid I drove for an Amish construction company, 3 guys. I started because the driver they had hired could not be counted on to get them to work, or picked up after work, on time. Finally, after missing over an hour of work they called me (I had hired them to build my barn and struck up a friendship with the one who lived closest to me). They always took my pay into consideration when bidding on jobs. I didn't set a dollar amount because I was retired and I hated keeping time sheets. When the transmission went out on my vehicle they got hold of a transmission and did the work to replace it. A week after they did that the fuel pump went. I had to buy the pump, but they did the labor of replacing the pump. They treated me well and I miss them (they moved away). I don't miss all the running we did, but I do miss their friendship. I recently hauled horses for another Amish man. I wondered if my vehicle could handle the load. The first 3 were o.k., but the fourth pushed my vehicle to it's limit (I live in the hilly part of Kentucky). The following week I hauled 3 short loads of hay from my neighbor's to my barn. A few days after the engine died. I am wondering if the horses started the downhill spiral for my engine. I will not a haul another load that big. (we replaced the engine.)
Alot of the amish in ohio have battery bikes now. I think the taxi drivers have felt a difference. Being a taxi driver I'm sure it takes patience & you see a side of people that sometimes isn't to pleasant. That's why I wouldn't make a good taxi driver🙂
I drive for trips. I don't do daily driving. I have 2 families I really like, one of them I stay with when I take them. One family has told me I am the best driver they have had... I get along great with the family. I find it interesting some are very open and talk a lot, some are very reserved . How ever, I have found some drivers aren't so nice either. If I have a complaint it's probably due to timing, they change their minds so I am not always able to 'have fun' while waiting for them. Lol By the way, I am beginning to know a little of your 'stomping grounds' I have made a trip to Shipshewana, every month for the last 3 months! I do enjoy the sales at the MECA! Was SHOCKED at the prices!! Enjoying your videos.
Was your trip to bring the client to the doctor's office there? I was going once a week from north Central Michigan, and we would be there 2-3 days, each week.
I have drove the Amish for a couple of years now. I charge by the mile and when I am waiting I charge by the hour. I drive for the same groups all the time and they know what I charge and they seem to be okay with it. I enjoy doing it and have become friends with most of them. :)
My Great-Uncle Charles drove the amish all over the USA and Canada. When we were kids he took us over in the summer. I loved them. The family was very nice and welcoming. Uncle Charles has passed and now his son Chuckie drives for them. I would love to see them again but that woman had 22 children and over 100 grandchildren she may no longer be living now
Amen CJ you described it very well. It's sad to say the ones that usually like to take advantage of the drivers are usually the ones that will stand in church and tell everyone else how we shouldn't take advantage of anyone. JS
Anna Marie and I lived in Topeka and Nappanee and we know how difficult it is to balance this embarrassing situation. We also know how hard it is to understand "Love not the world or the things in the world " without becoming a Follower of Christ.
Lol... Well I realize that this is a older video, but you reminded me of my time driving Amish. I absolutely loved every minute of it. I became one of the ones that got called a lot, I'm a very short amount of time. I never had an issue with payment. They paid whatever I told them it would be. I charged $.75 per mile, and if I was somewhere that required me to "hang around" for hrs at a time, I charged an additional $50. They never complained. I also loved the kids, and they seemed to "love" me as well! They would love to watch CZcams videos ,but I always would show them silly videos that were clean. The one video that they always seemed to want to see, was Weird Al's "Amish Paradise" parody video! They would sit there and laugh and laugh .. Oh... And I used to hear other drivers complaining about the "Amish smell"... But I was lucky enough, (I guess?) to never experience that .. lol I'm really miss those times.
I drive for the Turtlepoint, PA community, which migrated from the Smicksburg, PA community (Punxsutawney). They will take advantage of you everyway to Sunday if you let them. For example, drive them 4 hours away and drop them off. Pay the mileage and that's it. Nothing for the time or cost to return home. Do the math..... you're losing money. I charge different rates depending on if I'm driving car, truck, or van...small or big. Also if I'm sitting I get paid. Time is something I only have so much of.
Thank you for this Video.... I did my first drive today. Was heading to the Produce Auction..... but after we stopped at a friends for a couple minute.... and then the bank.... both were not mentioned. But it was on the return trip. It was actually a good ride and was 1.5 hours. When we got back he asked if it would be okay to pass my number around. I said sure.
I like how you said, “ they take advantage of you and your convenience.” I think that the underlying issue there is a lack of respect for your boundaries and time, and simple, common courtesy. It feels like they are using you to meet their need for convenience, with no regard or common courtesy shown to you. Their need for convenience dominates and trumps everything... Who wants to feel used and be treated like that? 🤷🏼♀️. 😕
My dad has a carpenter business for the last 30+ years and most of those years he always had a non-Amish working for him as a driver my dad is allowed to Own the Carpenter pick up but he can’t drive it that one always made me scratch my head I have my own tractor trailer and I drive for a living but I don’t believe I could be a taxi driver it would drive me crazy 😜 I enjoy the video
I will tell you after years working for and driving amish gospel and country are not the only choices. I worked for a middle aged gentleman with a couple boys when i drove him he was alright with country or gosphel only. When he got out his older son wanted classic rock. If his younger son was there he wanted harder rock or metal. I drove other also that like classic rock or harder. You are right about getting to know them. I still see them and gotten married and had children since then and have intorduced them to my family when out and about. My wife was puzzeled at first I somebody plain but got used to it. Side note on the gentleman and his boys. The oldest boy always wanted a car and his father said no. He joined the. Church and got married then he and his wife left the amish. Partly because of how strict his father was. His family shunned him and in 20 years has not talked to them. He is now going to a church of former amish in new holland pa and seems to be much happier with a relationship with christ.
Amish driver worker here your video is spot on. However my Amish business owner boss has his own vehicles and I drive and get paid by the hour as I'm also a worker. That's quite common in Lancaster Pa.
I just came across your Channel with this video Amish Taxi. I have and do drive speraticly for the Old Order in Clark, MO. I want to create a nonprofit call center type of service that puts Amish and drives in touch with each other better. I get calls and have to turn down and I have no way of getting in touch with others. I like to be the middle man and I can be the "mouth Piece" between the Amish and the English. I like to run some things past you on ideas on Amish perspective side. You mention the taking advantage of, I like to avoid that and have a clear understanding of expectation between each other. I think it would be nice to make one call and see who is available and if you have a preferred driver I can get in touch with all the info on the trip. Is there something out there like that already?
I been hauling 5 years they try use me at start,they did for awhile,they still try u out ,but u got stand up to them,they don't respect the driver or your van
The people I help out hauling Amish when they get in a pinch charge by the mile, so I charge $.85/mile and I can only take 4 in my Ford Edge. They charge $.90 for their Honda Odyssey van and $1.00 for their 15 passenger van. They are highly in demand as there aren’t as many drivers in LaGrange County. And I believe they’re one of the cheaper drivers. They do this for their livelihood where I do it just to help them out, for the most part. I have a few people who call me on their own.
Yes, they sure do take advantage of the drivers. And when they call, they seldom say who they are, so you have to ask them and perhaps their address. I’m going to have to ask them how many will be riding as I can think there will be 1 person and end up with several more. And where all are they wanting to go. I’ve got to learn to ask these questions while they’re on the phone. The people I help out to drive don’t charge a $10 waiting fee for the first hour they have to wait but after that it’s $10/per hour on top of the mileage. So far, the people I’ve taken are friendly and will visit with me. Some are more talkative than others. People are people.
If I feel like someone takes advantage of me or I get frustrated with something such as this I always remember I did it on to the Lord and it satisfies me
25 dollars an hour is a good living wage but doesnt end up being much when you add commercial auto insurance para transit license vehicle depreciation. Regular maintenance wish is significant when driving 3 to 5000 miles per month. Replacing vehicles every 4 to 5 years. The cost of veing a taxi service is very high. Roughly 35 to 45 dollars per hour is nessecary to grab a good net income at the end of the year. And be able to handle major breakdowns that put you out of commission for a while.
Can't charge like that because of maintenance. If your traveling far you can go 70-80 miles in a hour and thats $70-80 and if your just going to town to shop and its 8 miles and they take 6 hours thats a whole lot less. Charging by the mile and wait time is the best..You'd get way more if you drove for 5 hours vs waiting for 5 hours. It all works out in the end. And at the end of the day your the one with the vehicle and your the one with the maintenance bills, gas, insurance, and other fees and licenses. Its alot more expensive then you think if your changing your oil every month and getting new tires a few times a year and having other small things break here and there. After all cost and your driving alot you might make out around 20hr maybe more if your booked up. I've only just started really and I'm almost to the point where I'll have to start having Mt wife take some of the rides. It can be good money if your respectful and they like you. I've mostly been driving one family that consists of 4 house holds and they love me and call me all day between them. I might have a slow day sometime but not often. When I take the dad of them all on job bids for the day them work more when we get back in town I can clear 400-500 if the job sites are far apart. But some days I only make 50. The choose this life and thats one if the cost. They save so much in other ways in their life $1mile is a drop in the bucket tbh
Good Point to have a Taxi by the English. however, rather then so much per-mile. I would market the Reg the Taxi Rate. to cut down on being take advantage of.
Haha, we non Amish say, “They do Amish math.” And that means a “mistake” or intentional action is always in their favor! A fool and their money soon part ways! Haha!
Each community is different, however, not counting the strict communities they all use phones. A lot of them have cell phones that they hide. Otherwise they walk to a neighbor that lets them use the phone, some have a "phonebooth" everyone uses. The image of the Amish that the world has is WAY off the mark. Those of us that deal with them firsthand everyday know how it really is.
I told my mother I would take her anywhere she wanted to go but I refused to take her friends with that assumption. Mom wanted to go with me to a distant state. my aunt who was also her sister in law at the last minute said she would go along..... w/o asking. That is how many of them think. If you are driving there anyway I will go along.... freebie.
I been desiring and seeking amish taxi services around my area and at this point I have not across to any. I need a ride to take care of obligations. How much is it ??? In the state of missouri
We're in Michigan, and we were able to get adequate rideshare coverage through Farmers. It's not commercial - nobody is offering passenger for hire in Michigan anymore. This was the only solution we were able to find after Progressive stopped offering the coverage we needed.
I do full coverage with 1 million for passengers if I'm in an accident. Progressive saw a need and exploited it as a way to make tons of money. I compared their plan which I was paying over $300 a month for. To My current regular insurance and I have the same coverage for $100 a month. Progressive are crooks. I had their full coverage insurance with Amish Haulers rate 20 years ago. I backed into a jaguar and made a big dent in his fender. He showed up at my house a couple of days later and said my insurance refused to pay. I called the company and asked them why they refuse and they said that because I drove Amish people that they couldn't cover it. I sued Progressive because my agent knew what I did as a business and I asked him up front for business coverage to drive the Amish. Progressive paid the claim and my agent said he could no longer have me as a client because I sued him. I shook my head thinking if you knew what I did and your company doesnt cover it then how is that my fault.
Ima blast Tupac, Biggie, Slayer, & Metallica when I drive Amish around lol (j/k). Side note - buggies should be outlawed. The cruelty to horses is unbearable & I cant stand to see it. They treat animals like garbage
Spot on, LOVE this! As an Amish Taxi Driver of eight years, I SO appreciate how well you explained things. I feel SO blessed to be living among and working with the Amish, warts and all!
My husband drives the Amish. Like all people, there are some good people and there are others whose phone calls you never answer again. We have made many friends in the Amish community, some we never charge for driving them, but who always manage to leave more than was necessary for the trip. Currently, my husband has a crew that he not only drives, but works with, too. He and his Amish boss are like two peas in a pod who work so well together.
As a driver, always be up front with them. Tell them your fee when they call and book a trip ( we charge a dollar a mile). Write down your mileage when you get to the client's house and when you drop them back home. Then they can see that you aren't trying to inflate your price or rip them off. If you charge a fee for sitting and waiting, let them know that ahead of time as well and keep track of your time. We don't charge a fee for sitting because we usually get fed or receive baked goods or other perks ( a bag of sawdust for our chickens, or whatever). Of course, that won't necessarily happen right away until you build up a client base and a rapport. We live in Ashtabula county, Ohio and work for mostly Middlefield, Ohio Amish or in that vicinity.
Trading baked goods for your time is not a bad deal at all😋
I used to go to middlefield not no more
What company names do this. I'm interested do you guys do Wisconsin?
Just found and Subscribed to your channel. I started driving Amish about 4 years ago just after buying one of the big storage buildings they build and sell here in Northern Michigan. The Amish order here is very small with about 15 or so families so I don't drive everyday which is fine for me because I'm retired and don't really need the money but I still charge about $60 for a morning or afternoon shopping trip plus $15.00 more if they need my trailer and by the mile for any longer trips. I'm 71 now and I don't drive a lot after dark anymore and they understand. I also get paid through the Spring Summer and Fall for escorting those big storage barns they build here. I have never been taken advantage of at anytime and have never been told I charge to much in fact I took two carpenters back home one day and charged them $125.00 for the trip and was told that the lady that brought them to the job two days earlier charged them $85.00 each. I enjoy my time as it keeps me in touch with some of the nicest people I've ever known. I can tell you the names of all the children and what their favorite flavor of ice cream is and some of the families have 12 Children.
Interesting. What area are you living in?
Northern Michigan@@theamishpotato
My Dad drives Amish in your area and he charges by the mile. He has a lot of interesting stories. He loves the Lord and he isn't afraid to have conversations about God if the timing is right.
I just discovered your channel, I'll need to watch the rest of the videos.
He is in the perfect spot to share the faith.
I love how you still bring honor and dignity to the Amish people and their culture even though you are not a part anymore! I find them fascinating and their work ethic and skills are AMAZING!!
I'm so blessed that God gave my son a servants heart and he loves to help people and work with his hands. I always encourage him to take up as many skills as he likes because it makes you just that much more valuable as an employee one day.
Thank you for this. We posted in our van our price increase as a courtesy to alert our customers. You wouldn’t believe the talking about it. I don’t speak Dutch but I knew they were cackling about it. One family had the nerve to comment about it, rudely I might add. And it specifically posted that operating costs have risen and we’ve been flat for a few years. We are swamped because in our area we are the most reputable. I told her if she didn’t like it get our competitor, naming the most unprofessional ones in our area. Well, we are still their first call because the other taxis have different drivers so they never know who they’ll get. So I guess we aren’t so expensive anyway. It just bugged me that she had the nerve to question my rate increase.
Thanks for the insight. Have learned the hard way. Yes, some take advantage and some don't. I love driving the old order Mennonite's. I have experienced wonderful people, wonderful times. From attending church to sitting down and sharing a meal. I'm very lucky to see how they live, and their lifestyle. I feel blessed. What I do, is have picture, simple English books for the little ones to look at. And have country on low..sometimes.. ;)
I live in the Chicago suburbs, so pretty much everyone has a car. But before I got married I lived near downtown Chicago. Of all my friends I was the only one who had a car. It was just so expensive to own one (car parking fees, insurance, etc), that most people didn’t. We all took the bus to work anyway.
I can TOTALLY relate to this story! If I was driving us somewhere, it was inevitable that after we got in the car the requests would come to do some errand, “real quick”. Every. Single. Time! From multiple people!
I just came to realize that if I was going to drive somewhere, I had to expect this to happen.
When I lived near Degraff Ohio an Amish man there kept hinting at 18yr old me to drive his rabbits in my truck 100 miles to a buyer in Cincinnati. I ultimately said no not knowing he would have likely paid me. That would have been an easy gig I’m sure. I didn’t even know drivers for Amish existed back then lol. I probably would have made a killing driving for them because they are such a small and ultra conservative ( 3-4 church district ) group. I doubt they have many drivers. Now that I live in Indiana that’s no longer possible. Very interesting video. Btw I also noticed when I lived in Ohio and would frequent the Dayton Air show every year I would see van loads of hundreds of Amish from who knows where. I’m sure they plan yearly trips. Same with large flea markets. Thanks again for another great video!
People can't complain if they do not want to say something to the person who is taking advantage of them. Perhaps tell them a certain price per mile and a certain price for each stop and/or a certain price per hour.
Great video, thanks for sharing from both perspectives! My husband and I drive for a small community in mid Michigan. It takes a lot of patience at times, but overall, we really like our clients - who have also become our friends. :) Thankfully, we had good guidance from a couple of our customers at the very beginning, which was greatly appreciated, since we'd never done this before! They told us current rates in nearby communities and encouraged us not to undercut ourselves. It's very expensive to legitimately operate this type of business - insurance, repairs, fuel, maintenance, repairs, equipment, repairs... Lol. But we love the people and the freedom it affords us.
Something funny. The first time my husband met my Dad, my Dad told him that,” About 85 % of the people around their area are Amish.” Then he asked my husband who he thought the other 15% were? Of course, he wouldn’t have known. Then my Dad told him, Amish drivers. 😂
Lol that’s probably more accurate then it should be😂
I live in Europe, I have no relationship with Amish people but I must say that from everything I have heard from those of you who have been there. You are very nice people and you have had a very nice life, a very nice childhood
Grandad’s granddaughter would call me and say that she just needed to go to Rite Aide to get a prescription. So I would just take my little car ...Mazda 323 and left my station wagon at home. As it turns out we had to go to the feed store and the hardware store and Walmart. This happened so many times that my shocks were eventually ruined!!
My son worked for an Amish home construction crew a few years ago for about a year, and they really took advantage of him. He had a four door diesel truck so he would ALWAYS have to drive to each crew members house and pick them up. There were five of them. He would always have to use his truck to run to town for various things and would ALWAYS have to keep on the Amish guy about the amount of mileage compensation he was owed. He was paid by personal check, and the Amish guy told him that all the necessary taxes were being withheld to explain the seemingly short paychecks. My son finally grew tired of being taken advantage of and found another job. THEN come tax time he gets a statement from the IRS saying he owes $6k in income taxes! The Amish guy did not pay it… but was instead simply ripping off my son!
Enjoyed your video. We live in the Chicago suburbs and ran into an Amish family from Kentucky who were up here to go to a clinic. We got to be friends with them. We never took money for driving, we just did it for a favor as brothers and sisters in Christ. We looked forward to seeing them every couple months and we would have dinner together. The mom made me a beautiful rug. We have met other Amish families from other states at the clinic, we had to explain we aren't "drivers," we're just friends. Some of them didn't seem to understand.
I have had Amish friend for 36 yrs, basically one family. I drove a lot for them, we went on short trip, a lot of town, and visiting...they were like family to me, so would tell them I didn't want any money...usually they wouls stick money someplace. I didn't like being refered to as the driver, and they knew that, and would usualy correct it when was call the driver...I just enjoyed being with them seeing different things..I also attended Amish church for 4 yrs, was very well except by all, I had full Amish dress. The one rule I had was I would not drive to church, we always went with the horse, only one time I made the exception it was -25 and we were going to a funeral 8 miles away..This was in SE central Indiana, after 30 yrs live there they moved to KY, some of the boys moved to Colorado. I still pick up and return to train station. On trips from Colorado. I truly miss my weekly them, and my weekly visits with my adopted family...Yes most are great people, but I also know there are bad apple in every barrel,
Terry
I'm sharing this with my sister-in-law and her hubby! They are taxi drivers in the Graybill IN area. Have you heard the joke, "If 80% of a county are Amish, what are the other 20%? Amish taxi drivers!" 😂
Haha this is the first time.
Grabill Indiana is where I'm from. Might know them.
I also had this joke as a prelude to the Amish drivers group I started on Facebook.
I'm an Amish Driver from Allen County Indiana. When I started driving 32+ years ago part time evenings and weekends there were few drivers here. I set the standard and I recruited other drivers to help. The rate at that time was .35 cents per mile. I drove a Chevy Citation. One time I had 15 adults and Children in my little car. I drove truck full time for 20 years. When I retired 15 years ago I decided to Drive the Amish full time. I now charge $1.25 per mile with a $40 minimum for 3 hours. After 3 hours I charge at least $10 per hour or milage whichever is greater.
I've been to over 200 different Amish Communities all over the U.S. and Canada. Last year I took a demotion as my "big" van broke down permanently. Now I drive a Minivan and hope to get a big van again soon. There is a big difference in income between a minivan and big van. Amish like to split the trip on a long distance trip. That means they will get someone else to go with them and at the end they will divide the trip with the other married men in the van. Women and children ride free. Lol I've driven over 700 miles in one shot before we stopped for the night. I love to drive at night when traffic conditions are lessened. My customers like that I'm a good driver with no issues of falling asleep behind the wheel. Most hired me for long trips because I have over 800 Cds on my music player. They even ask if they can borrow my music player when they go with another driver instead of me. The answer is no. You didnt get me so you dont get the music. Lol So in the big van I did long distant vacation trips or visiting other communities. With my minivan i do local 95% of the time. Sometimes i do 5-6 trips a day. I get paid well for my milage but not so much for my time. Amish in my area dont like to pay for wait time. They think that all we are doing is sitting down relaxing and sleeping while they shop. They think it's an easy job driving so they dont want to pay for our time. That's why I have a minimum. They go shopping for 3-4 hours and we've only gone 20 miles round trip. It's been hard but I set the standard again by instating the minimum wage for drivers. I take them to the Doctor/hospital, grocery shopping, visiting, school meetings etc. Not so much vacation. I miss that portion of my business. I still recruit drivers and teach them the ins and outside of driving for the Amish in our area. I love talking to drivers in other areas as well. Go to a school meeting out of state or wedding/funeral, there are tons of drivers sitting waiting. We talk and share and moan and groan about the customers and what the established rate is for their area. Drivers in Missouri charge differently then drivers in Michigan. So we trade company secrets. I have driver friends from all over the country. I even started the first Amish driver group on Facebook. Drivers were able to share advice, talk shop, complain about their trips, the good times of driving and the bad. One rule was what's said in the group stays in the group. No customers will know what their driver is saying about them. We didnt have a safe place to vent before I started that group. Now there are many Amish drivers groups on Facebook and I've stepped back and let others continue. Last year I quit Facebook all together. I love the Amish and I've made many friends among the people. After 30+ years I'm burned out and tired. Might retire soon. God bless you all.
Another interesting video! Thanks for sharing..
Amish taxi drivers charge 60 cents to $1 per mile. They add $7 to $12 an hour for any waiting time. So a typical doctor visit can cost about $35 for a 30-mile round-trip. Amish also pay for their driver's lodging on an overnight trip.Sep 11, 2013
My dad used to get Henry to take us to Nappanee to my uncles, after my sister got married he took us to her house! He had the coolest van!!
God impressed a very important detail upon me when it comes to dealing with people if it doesn’t work for everyone involved it really doesn’t work for anyone so if you’re taking advantage of someone in the long run you are taking advantage of yourself plus no one wants someone complaining to god about them in their prayers right
Before and during the first year of Covid I drove for an Amish construction company, 3 guys. I started because the driver they had hired could not be counted on to get them to work, or picked up after work, on time. Finally, after missing over an hour of work they called me (I had hired them to build my barn and struck up a friendship with the one who lived closest to me). They always took my pay into consideration when bidding on jobs. I didn't set a dollar amount because I was retired and I hated keeping time sheets. When the transmission went out on my vehicle they got hold of a transmission and did the work to replace it. A week after they did that the fuel pump went. I had to buy the pump, but they did the labor of replacing the pump. They treated me well and I miss them (they moved away). I don't miss all the running we did, but I do miss their friendship.
I recently hauled horses for another Amish man. I wondered if my vehicle could handle the load. The first 3 were o.k., but the fourth pushed my vehicle to it's limit (I live in the hilly part of Kentucky). The following week I hauled 3 short loads of hay from my neighbor's to my barn. A few days after the engine died. I am wondering if the horses started the downhill spiral for my engine. I will not a haul another load that big. (we replaced the engine.)
Alot of the amish in ohio have battery bikes now. I think the taxi drivers have felt a difference. Being a taxi driver I'm sure it takes patience & you see a side of people that sometimes isn't to pleasant. That's why I wouldn't make a good taxi driver🙂
I drive for trips. I don't do daily driving. I have 2 families I really like, one of them I stay with when I take them.
One family has told me I am the best driver they have had... I get along great with the family.
I find it interesting some are very open and talk a lot, some are very reserved . How ever, I have found some drivers aren't so nice either.
If I have a complaint it's probably due to timing, they change their minds so I am not always able to 'have fun' while waiting for them. Lol
By the way, I am beginning to know a little of your 'stomping grounds' I have made a trip to Shipshewana, every month for the last 3 months! I do enjoy the sales at the MECA! Was SHOCKED at the prices!!
Enjoying your videos.
Was your trip to bring the client to the doctor's office there? I was going once a week from north Central Michigan, and we would be there 2-3 days, each week.
I have drove the Amish for a couple of years now. I charge by the mile and when I am waiting I charge by the hour. I drive for the same groups all the time and they know what I charge and they seem to be okay with it. I enjoy doing it and have become friends with most of them. :)
May I ask what you charge, I’ve been asked to take a family on a three hour round trip and I’ve never driven the Amish before.
My Great-Uncle Charles drove the amish all over the USA and Canada. When we were kids he took us over in the summer. I loved them. The family was very nice and welcoming. Uncle Charles has passed and now his son Chuckie drives for them. I would love to see them again but that woman had 22 children and over 100 grandchildren she may no longer be living now
Amen CJ you described it very well. It's sad to say the ones that usually like to take advantage of the drivers are usually the ones that will stand in church and tell everyone else how we shouldn't take advantage of anyone. JS
Anna Marie and I lived in Topeka and Nappanee and we know how difficult it is to balance this embarrassing situation. We also know how hard it is to understand "Love not the world or the things in the world " without becoming a Follower of Christ.
Lol... Well I realize that this is a older video, but you reminded me of my time driving Amish. I absolutely loved every minute of it. I became one of the ones that got called a lot, I'm a very short amount of time. I never had an issue with payment. They paid whatever I told them it would be. I charged $.75 per mile, and if I was somewhere that required me to "hang around" for hrs at a time, I charged an additional $50. They never complained. I also loved the kids, and they seemed to "love" me as well! They would love to watch CZcams videos ,but I always would show them silly videos that were clean. The one video that they always seemed to want to see, was Weird Al's "Amish Paradise" parody video! They would sit there and laugh and laugh ..
Oh... And I used to hear other drivers complaining about the "Amish smell"... But I was lucky enough, (I guess?) to never experience that .. lol
I'm really miss those times.
You may have been driving the Amish that are clean who don’t smell. Depends on the community
I drive for the Turtlepoint, PA community, which migrated from the Smicksburg, PA community (Punxsutawney).
They will take advantage of you everyway to Sunday if you let them.
For example, drive them 4 hours away and drop them off. Pay the mileage and that's it. Nothing for the time or cost to return home. Do the math..... you're losing money.
I charge different rates depending on if I'm driving car, truck, or van...small or big. Also if I'm sitting I get paid. Time is something I only have so much of.
Yea your spot on with the amish they can be very difficult
Thank you for this Video.... I did my first drive today. Was heading to the Produce Auction..... but after we stopped at a friends for a couple minute.... and then the bank.... both were not mentioned. But it was on the return trip. It was actually a good ride and was 1.5 hours. When we got back he asked if it would be okay to pass my number around. I said sure.
What drives me crazy is when they schedule you 3 do 6 months out and you turn down numerous runs then they cancle last min on you
Deff bring ear buds they love to sing constantly id go crazy without ear buds
Fuel-1.35 mile and 12$an he. Waiting time. Is going rate in Holmes county Ohio
I like how you said, “ they take advantage of you and your convenience.” I think that the underlying issue there is a lack of respect for your boundaries and time, and simple, common courtesy. It feels like they are using you to meet their need for convenience, with no regard or common courtesy shown to you. Their need for convenience dominates and trumps everything... Who wants to feel used and be treated like that? 🤷🏼♀️. 😕
My dad has a carpenter business for the last 30+ years and most of those years he always had a non-Amish working for him as a driver my dad is allowed to Own the Carpenter pick up but he can’t drive it that one always made me scratch my head I have my own tractor trailer and I drive for a living but I don’t believe I could be a taxi driver it would drive me crazy 😜 I enjoy the video
I will tell you after years working for and driving amish gospel and country are not the only choices. I worked for a middle aged gentleman with a couple boys when i drove him he was alright with country or gosphel only. When he got out his older son wanted classic rock. If his younger son was there he wanted harder rock or metal. I drove other also that like classic rock or harder.
You are right about getting to know them. I still see them and gotten married and had children since then and have intorduced them to my family when out and about. My wife was puzzeled at first I somebody plain but got used to it.
Side note on the gentleman and his boys. The oldest boy always wanted a car and his father said no. He joined the. Church and got married then he and his wife left the amish. Partly because of how strict his father was. His family shunned him and in 20 years has not talked to them. He is now going to a church of former amish in new holland pa and seems to be much happier with a relationship with christ.
Amish driver worker here your video is spot on. However my Amish business owner boss has his own vehicles and I drive and get paid by the hour as I'm also a worker. That's quite common in Lancaster Pa.
Would love to meet your wife & children in a CZcams video!!👍🏻
I just came across your Channel with this video Amish Taxi. I have and do drive speraticly for the Old Order in Clark, MO. I want to create a nonprofit call center type of service that puts Amish and drives in touch with each other better. I get calls and have to turn down and I have no way of getting in touch with others. I like to be the middle man and I can be the "mouth Piece" between the Amish and the English. I like to run some things past you on ideas on Amish perspective side. You mention the taking advantage of, I like to avoid that and have a clear understanding of expectation between each other. I think it would be nice to make one call and see who is available and if you have a preferred driver I can get in touch with all the info on the trip. Is there something out there like that already?
My cousin was a driver for them in Windsor Missouri. He did that for years.
Thank you 👍🏻
Fed Now will change everything
Good video!
I been hauling 5 years they try use me at start,they did for awhile,they still try u out ,but u got stand up to them,they don't respect the driver or your van
The people I help out hauling Amish when they get in a pinch charge by the mile, so I charge $.85/mile and I can only take 4 in my Ford Edge. They charge $.90 for their Honda Odyssey van and $1.00 for their 15 passenger van. They are highly in demand as there aren’t as many drivers in LaGrange County. And I believe they’re one of the cheaper drivers. They do this for their livelihood where I do it just to help them out, for the most part. I have a few people who call me on their own.
Yes, they sure do take advantage of the drivers. And when they call, they seldom say who they are, so you have to ask them and perhaps their address. I’m going to have to ask them how many will be riding as I can think there will be 1 person and end up with several more. And where all are they wanting to go. I’ve got to learn to ask these questions while they’re on the phone. The people I help out to drive don’t charge a $10 waiting fee for the first hour they have to wait but after that it’s $10/per hour on top of the mileage. So far, the people I’ve taken are friendly and will visit with me. Some are more talkative than others. People are people.
There is a mile, then there is an Amish mile. There is 10 minuts, then there is Amish 10 minutes
They just don't care
If I feel like someone takes advantage of me or I get frustrated with something such as this I always remember I did it on to the Lord and it satisfies me
Why not charge a flat rate of $20.00 or $25.00 per hour plus gas? You can stop all the times they want - then there are no hurt feelings.
25 dollars an hour is a good living wage but doesnt end up being much when you add commercial auto insurance para transit license vehicle depreciation. Regular maintenance wish is significant when driving 3 to 5000 miles per month. Replacing vehicles every 4 to 5 years. The cost of veing a taxi service is very high. Roughly 35 to 45 dollars per hour is nessecary to grab a good net income at the end of the year. And be able to handle major breakdowns that put you out of commission for a while.
Agree 100%, Bryan.
Can't charge like that because of maintenance. If your traveling far you can go 70-80 miles in a hour and thats $70-80 and if your just going to town to shop and its 8 miles and they take 6 hours thats a whole lot less. Charging by the mile and wait time is the best..You'd get way more if you drove for 5 hours vs waiting for 5 hours. It all works out in the end. And at the end of the day your the one with the vehicle and your the one with the maintenance bills, gas, insurance, and other fees and licenses. Its alot more expensive then you think if your changing your oil every month and getting new tires a few times a year and having other small things break here and there. After all cost and your driving alot you might make out around 20hr maybe more if your booked up. I've only just started really and I'm almost to the point where I'll have to start having Mt wife take some of the rides. It can be good money if your respectful and they like you. I've mostly been driving one family that consists of 4 house holds and they love me and call me all day between them. I might have a slow day sometime but not often. When I take the dad of them all on job bids for the day them work more when we get back in town I can clear 400-500 if the job sites are far apart. But some days I only make 50. The choose this life and thats one if the cost. They save so much in other ways in their life $1mile is a drop in the bucket tbh
Good Point to have a Taxi by the English. however, rather then so much per-mile. I would market the Reg the Taxi Rate. to cut down on being take advantage of.
So, if an Amish 16-year-old gets a driver's license, who supervises them in the permit stage, since their parents can't do it?
Older friends or they just learn on their own
Haha, we non Amish say, “They do Amish math.” And that means a “mistake” or intentional action is always in their favor! A fool and their money soon part ways! Haha!
I used to drive the Amish but all they do is want to rip you off they get drunk their backstabbers
Are you in Middlebury, IN? Thats is where I have always lived and am just starting to do Amish Taxi
I was. Living in Idaho now
some of these Amish Amish people I take around hell they smoke cigarettes and drink beer and whiskey go to parties
A successful businessman is one who can buy from a Mennonite and sell to an Amish whilst still turning a profit
How can they call for a ride if they don't use phones
Each community is different, however, not counting the strict communities they all use phones. A lot of them have cell phones that they hide. Otherwise they walk to a neighbor that lets them use the phone, some have a "phonebooth" everyone uses. The image of the Amish that the world has is WAY off the mark.
Those of us that deal with them firsthand everyday know how it really is.
I told my mother I would take her anywhere she wanted to go but I refused to take her friends with that assumption. Mom wanted to go with me to a distant state. my aunt who was also her sister in law at the last minute said she would go along..... w/o asking. That is how many of them think. If you are driving there anyway I will go along.... freebie.
Yep
Henry was a hoot.
You knew him?
@@theamishpotato Yes. He was quite well known in Shipshewana. I represented him from time to time.
Interesting
That's what I do
I been desiring and seeking amish taxi services around my area and at this point I have not across to any. I need a ride to take care of obligations. How much is it ??? In the state of missouri
They were using you, because you had a vehicle that you would take them where they wanted to go. Didn’t they have buggies ?
They use drivers if they are going very far, bc sometimes it's simply too far to drive a horse and buggy
15 miles by buggy is an all day affair (like sun up to sun down)
@@justacentrist4147 not a all day thing. 15 miles is done in about 45 minutes
My brother drives for Amish
Question does a driver need a taxi lisinse
No but I think drivers who have 15 passenger vans are required to have a dot number here in Indiana
You should have been a teacher !!!!
Are there any other insurance carriers other then progressive for amish taxi?
That I have no idea about. Maybe one of these drivers can answer that.
We're in Michigan, and we were able to get adequate rideshare coverage through Farmers. It's not commercial - nobody is offering passenger for hire in Michigan anymore. This was the only solution we were able to find after Progressive stopped offering the coverage we needed.
I use progressive for commercial van insurance.
I do full coverage with 1 million for passengers if I'm in an accident. Progressive saw a need and exploited it as a way to make tons of money. I compared their plan which I was paying over $300 a month for. To My current regular insurance and I have the same coverage for $100 a month. Progressive are crooks. I had their full coverage insurance with Amish Haulers rate 20 years ago. I backed into a jaguar and made a big dent in his fender. He showed up at my house a couple of days later and said my insurance refused to pay. I called the company and asked them why they refuse and they said that because I drove Amish people that they couldn't cover it. I sued Progressive because my agent knew what I did as a business and I asked him up front for business coverage to drive the Amish. Progressive paid the claim and my agent said he could no longer have me as a client because I sued him. I shook my head thinking if you knew what I did and your company doesnt cover it then how is that my fault.
@@cbrack8024 nice to know they do that now. Thank you.
Ima blast Tupac, Biggie, Slayer, & Metallica when I drive Amish around lol (j/k). Side note - buggies should be outlawed. The cruelty to horses is unbearable & I cant stand to see it. They treat animals like garbage
A horse pulling a buggy is like you carring a 5 year old in your hip....
Outlaw buggies? Have you seen the horses that pull them? Almost every horse I see pulling a buggy looks happy. They are a working animal.