MarcForrest.com

Category: South African Culture

  • Uber – Not your average “taxi” service (Free Promo Code)

    Uber – Not your average “taxi” service (Free Promo Code)

    I’m sure by now you would have heard about the new service Uber, which recently launched in South Africa. Uber is your own private driver. As simple as that! And it’s awesome!

    (Promo Code – UberiGuyZA– R150 off your first ride in an Uber vehicle. Details below) 

    You “order” your Uber driver using the iPhone, Android or Uber Mobile website (Blackberry or any phone with a browser), and get picked up in a luxury vehicle (think C-Class Mercedes, BMW 3 Series etc), and within a couple of minutes you have your own personal driver at your door. One very important thing to note is that Uber isn’t a taxi service. Uber is your own personal driver. So if you want to head to Cape Town from Durbs, he can do that  (sure it may cost you a few R’s, but it is possible)

    I have used the Uber service a couple of times over the last few weeks, in both Joburg & Durban, and I can honestly say this is one of the best services I have ever used. From the guy offering you a chilled bottle of water as you get into the car, right through to the invoice being emailed to you as you leave the car, this is truly a world class service.

    So, Uber has officially launched in Cape Town, Durban & Joburg in South Africa. I did a quick comparison to see what the prices are in the various cities, and to be honest they are VERY reasonable for the service offered.

    Below is a quick comparison of all the prices in SA, and compared to some of the other cities around the world that Uber Black is available in

    uber

    (Updated 10/1/2014 – Joburg Rates & Exchange Rates)

    * JHB rate is based on either R3.90 per min OR R10.90 per km depending on speed
    * DBN & CT rates are per min PLUS per KM
    * Flat rate is a charge from the city Airport <-> City CBD
    * 10km trip is an estimate using the Uber Fare calcultor
    * $/R = R10.15 & €/R = R13.63
    * Mozzie cab is a taxi service based in Durban

    As you can see the rates are very reasonable and compare quite well to other services & the rest of the world.

    As I mentioned above I have an awesome promo code available to any new Uber users. When signing up simply use the code – UberiGuyZA –  and you will get R90 off your first uber ride, anywhere in the world ! You can also click here to sign up using the code. 

    Have you used Uber yet ? What are your thoughts around the service? Comment below :)

    [app url=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uber/id368677368″]

     

     

     

  • Introducing Geekshop – Online shopping for Geeks

    More often than not I get asked by people who have seen my reviews on the gadgets & gizmos I get to review, “Where can I get one of those ?”

    Usually I direct them to some brick & mortar store, who doesn’t end up having stock or not knowing what they exactly wanted. So I did some thinking & tinkering and put together, what I think, a pretty cool online store, where you can buy all these gadgets & gizmos. Clever hey !

    So enter Geekshop. Geekshop is simply an online shop where you can get everything from Covers for your iPhone to Cool Remote Controlled Helicopters, to fully installed home security camera systems. You can also even pick up a Entry Level Android Phone or even some Cool Screen Protectors for your phone or iPad. I also managed to get some of the awesome stylish FLD Products Bags on offer

    logo1

    The idea is really to keep it plain and simple and as easy as possible. Payment can be made via PayFast using Credit Cards or Instant EFT and there is free shipping on orders over R350. Else there is a next day (2 days for outlying regions) for R35 delivery.

    So that’s it. I would love some feedback on Geekshop and any ideas or product lines welcome. Really want to try and make the store as accessible and user friendly to everyone :)

     

  • iwantmycoffee Coffee Shop – Umhlanga Ridge

    iwantmycoffee Coffee Shop – Umhlanga Ridge

    Earlier today after working at the amazing spot, The Sett, which I posted about the other day, I managed to pop into an awesome new spot called “iwantmycoffee” in Umhlanga Ridge.

    (more…)

  • The Sett – Agile Workspace in Durban

    The Sett – Agile Workspace in Durban

    I first heard about The Sett a couple of months ago over a coffee with 2 great chaps, Don Muller & Trav Gale who work for a cool company called Appletree Catalyst Agency. Both these guys have been amazing influences in my life over the last couple of years, so I knew this was going to be an awesome spot.

    (more…)

  • Head for the holidays this summer with #TsogoSale

    Yesterday was officially 90 more sleeps till Christmas. That means that we should soon start hearing those repetitive Christmas carols droning over the malls speakers, and seeing scraps of tinsel lying in the shop aisles. I always seem to get a little depressed when I start seeing these decorations hit the shelves.  Just knowing the year is almost up.

    BUT, I quickly got over that idea when the chaps a Tsogo sun contacted me just after seeing that, and mentioned that from today, they are starting the awesome #TsogoSale. That means, by booking any holiday at any Tsogo Sun hotel, from today, until tomorrow 8pm, you can get an amazing 25% off all your accommodation AND  kids under 18 sharing a room with two adults stay and eat breakfast FREE!! Awesome! You can make your booking here -> http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/sun-breaks/more-offers/pages/sunbreaks-summer-sale.aspx, but do it quick, I have a feeling this could sell out pretty quickly!!

    BUT, the better news is, you also have a chance to WIN a weekend away for you and a partner at a Tsogo Sun hotels listed in the above link. If you tweet me (@Marcforrest) why you deserve a free holiday, and use the hashtag #TsogoSale, you will stand a chance to win a weekend away for you and a partner. Go, Go, Go. Entries close on Friday 28th at 5pm

    Let’s win this Summer. Book your memorable holiday now. We deserve it!  http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/sun-breaks/more-offers/pages/sunbreaks-summer-sale.aspx. Prizes are valid until the 01 March 2012, and T&C’s apply ;)