Comments on: How Not To Get Ripped Off By A Cabbie http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/ study abroad programs Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:58:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: ann http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4754 ann Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:11:22 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4754 my friend and i were ripped in ho chi minh, vietnam on our last day of tour. the taxi driver charged us 60 dollars from ben thanh market on our way to the hotel which was a lot of money. we thought we would die that day coz the driver was getting mad and was shouting at us. great article. i'll keep this in mind.. my friend and i were ripped in ho chi minh, vietnam on our last day of tour. the taxi driver charged us 60 dollars from ben thanh market on our way to the hotel which was a lot of money. we thought we would die that day coz the driver was getting mad and was shouting at us. great article. i’ll keep this in mind..

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]]> By: Carlo http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4335 Carlo Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:53:41 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4335 The Knowledge! They need "The Knowledge" in Melbourne. The cabbies here are notorious for not knowing their way around. And for having unsafe vehicles! The Knowledge! They need “The Knowledge” in Melbourne. The cabbies here are notorious for not knowing their way around. And for having unsafe vehicles!

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]]> By: Natasha http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4334 Natasha Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:31:56 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4334 If you're in London, those big black cabs you see in the films are licensed and metered. That doesn't stop them ripping you off of course, but what you should know is that to get behind the wheel of one of them, drivers have to take an exam called 'The Knowledge'. To pass it, they have to know every shortcut in London. Even with GPS, they still have to take it. It's a source of pride to London cabbies that they have the knowledge, so next time you're in a cab, ask them about it. They'll be more likely to show off their shortcut skills than rip you off. Oh, and if you're driving in London and get lost, these boys and girls are the folks to ask. If you’re in London, those big black cabs you see in the films are licensed and metered. That doesn’t stop them ripping you off of course, but what you should know is that to get behind the wheel of one of them, drivers have to take an exam called ‘The Knowledge’. To pass it, they have to know every shortcut in London. Even with GPS, they still have to take it. It’s a source of pride to London cabbies that they have the knowledge, so next time you’re in a cab, ask them about it. They’ll be more likely to show off their shortcut skills than rip you off.

Oh, and if you’re driving in London and get lost, these boys and girls are the folks to ask.

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]]> By: Gypsy Cab Culture – Smart and Safe Travel Advice :: Sustainable Travel Made Simple http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4301 Gypsy Cab Culture – Smart and Safe Travel Advice :: Sustainable Travel Made Simple Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:55:01 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4301 [...] recent post on Matador, an independent travel resource, lists excellent advice on safety and tips on how to avoid being overcharged by cabbies. I would [...] [...] recent post on Matador, an independent travel resource, lists excellent advice on safety and tips on how to avoid being overcharged by cabbies. I would [...]

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]]> By: Satu http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4297 Satu Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:30:48 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4297 Great advice! Interestingly enough, after living in Moscow for 6 months I only tend to feel I'm getting ripped off by cab drivers when I'm back home in the western world or the few times that I actually used a legitimate car service in Russia. It might be a bit intimidating the first time you hail a gypsy cab and get in a '70s volga driven by a toothless grandpa, but it is truly the only reasonable and affordable (and highly competitive) form of transportation available after the metro's closed. Because of the scare factor, one of my rules of thumb was still never to get into a gypsy cab alone, and as far as negotiating a good price, just wait until two or three cars are lining up to get your business and don't budge beyond an amount you feel is enough. And never agree to pay extra at the end although they often ask you to. Great advice! Interestingly enough, after living in Moscow for 6 months I only tend to feel I’m getting ripped off by cab drivers when I’m back home in the western world or the few times that I actually used a legitimate car service in Russia. It might be a bit intimidating the first time you hail a gypsy cab and get in a ’70s volga driven by a toothless grandpa, but it is truly the only reasonable and affordable (and highly competitive) form of transportation available after the metro’s closed.

Because of the scare factor, one of my rules of thumb was still never to get into a gypsy cab alone, and as far as negotiating a good price, just wait until two or three cars are lining up to get your business and don’t budge beyond an amount you feel is enough. And never agree to pay extra at the end although they often ask you to.

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]]> By: Andy Jarosz http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4276 Andy Jarosz Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:14:52 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4276 I think you have it spot on Daniel, when you say that no matter how careful we are, if we get in enough taxis someone will rip you off. Sometimes you just have to accept it as part of the experience, and in most cases it's no more than a few $ in any case - not worth ruining your day about. That said, one time I have got out of it was in Istanbul where a driver took me back to my hotel; a ride that had been 7 lira several times already, and this time he wanted 18. I got angry, shouted back at him, we exchanged strong words in languages that neither of us understood, I gave him 10 lira, shut the door and walked off. I guess it was a result of sorts for both of us. In general, as you suggest, the more confident you act the less likely you are to be ripped off. I think you have it spot on Daniel, when you say that no matter how careful we are, if we get in enough taxis someone will rip you off. Sometimes you just have to accept it as part of the experience, and in most cases it’s no more than a few $ in any case – not worth ruining your day about.
That said, one time I have got out of it was in Istanbul where a driver took me back to my hotel; a ride that had been 7 lira several times already, and this time he wanted 18. I got angry, shouted back at him, we exchanged strong words in languages that neither of us understood, I gave him 10 lira, shut the door and walked off. I guess it was a result of sorts for both of us.
In general, as you suggest, the more confident you act the less likely you are to be ripped off.

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]]> By: Katie Hammel http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4273 Katie Hammel Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:51:52 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4273 If I'm arriving in an area that doesn't have public transportation from the airport, I'll usually arrange a ride in advance. This gives me the chance to compare rates for a few companies, make sure I'm dealing with a legit company, and not have to worry and be stressed during my first few minutes in a new place. At airports where taking a taxi is the norm, look for a taxi queue. I'll also ask for taxi advice at my hotel: should I get one on the street or will you call one for me? I'm going to this neighborhood, will I be able to get a cab there? I live in Chicago and take taxis a few times a month. I've never been ripped off here, but I always get the driver who has a "broken" credit card machine. If I’m arriving in an area that doesn’t have public transportation from the airport, I’ll usually arrange a ride in advance. This gives me the chance to compare rates for a few companies, make sure I’m dealing with a legit company, and not have to worry and be stressed during my first few minutes in a new place.

At airports where taking a taxi is the norm, look for a taxi queue.

I’ll also ask for taxi advice at my hotel: should I get one on the street or will you call one for me? I’m going to this neighborhood, will I be able to get a cab there?

I live in Chicago and take taxis a few times a month. I’ve never been ripped off here, but I always get the driver who has a “broken” credit card machine.

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]]> By: Carlo http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4272 Carlo Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:30:43 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4272 Actually, just remembered this...in Ulan Bator, EVERY car is a taxi. You just stick out your hand and someone will stop. Arrange your price before getting in. The first time we did this, the guy actually changed his mind part way through the journey because he realized he had to get somewhere (I guess)...he gave us our money back and apologized. Actually, just remembered this…in Ulan Bator, EVERY car is a taxi. You just stick out your hand and someone will stop. Arrange your price before getting in. The first time we did this, the guy actually changed his mind part way through the journey because he realized he had to get somewhere (I guess)…he gave us our money back and apologized.

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]]> By: Scott http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4264 Scott Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:55:53 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4264 Sometimes public transportation ends at a certain time. Such was the case when I arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan after midnight a couple months back. Made the mistake of taking a 'private' taxi because we agreed upon a rate beforehand--500 tenge to my hotel. Turned out he was charging 500 PER KILOMETER. On top of that, he tried overcharging in the end, saying we had driven 25 kilometers or so when we had really done around 12 (thankfully I had a map in my Lonely Planet). He asked for 12,000--we 'bargained' down to 7,000 (still quite overpriced). While we were arguing with the cabbie's buddy in the passenger seat the cabbie got out like he was grabbing our bags out the back. I noticed he had been gone a bit too long, got out quickly, and caught him zipping up one of our bags. "It unzipped when I grabbed it" was his response when confronted. Hah! Same thing happened to me in Novosibirsk. ALWAYS be wary of cab drivers at airports, as stated above. In many countries, if you are a tourist they will assume you are rich (which is often actually the case when compared to the local norms). Sometimes public transportation ends at a certain time. Such was the case when I arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan after midnight a couple months back.

Made the mistake of taking a ‘private’ taxi because we agreed upon a rate beforehand–500 tenge to my hotel. Turned out he was charging 500 PER KILOMETER. On top of that, he tried overcharging in the end, saying we had driven 25 kilometers or so when we had really done around 12 (thankfully I had a map in my Lonely Planet). He asked for 12,000–we ‘bargained’ down to 7,000 (still quite overpriced). While we were arguing with the cabbie’s buddy in the passenger seat the cabbie got out like he was grabbing our bags out the back. I noticed he had been gone a bit too long, got out quickly, and caught him zipping up one of our bags. “It unzipped when I grabbed it” was his response when confronted. Hah!

Same thing happened to me in Novosibirsk. ALWAYS be wary of cab drivers at airports, as stated above. In many countries, if you are a tourist they will assume you are rich (which is often actually the case when compared to the local norms).

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]]> By: AdventureRob http://matadorabroad.com/how-not-to-get-ripped-off-by-a-cabbie/comment-page-1/#comment-4261 AdventureRob Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:06:08 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2259#comment-4261 I travelled a similar route between attractions in Bangkok a few times by taxi, every time a different route was taken. After buying a new phone with GPS and tracking the route a taxi takes (make sure the driver sees the GPS map in action) you'll find they are much more efficient at taking short cuts and getting to your destination quicker :^) I travelled a similar route between attractions in Bangkok a few times by taxi, every time a different route was taken. After buying a new phone with GPS and tracking the route a taxi takes (make sure the driver sees the GPS map in action) you’ll find they are much more efficient at taking short cuts and getting to your destination quicker :^)

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