Rip The Foreigner Off

Just got a green taxi home from the bank.

As we are getting close to home the meter reads 6RMB (as it should). So I pull out my 10RMB, as I'm getting my money ready I notice the driver reach down the side of his seat. When we pull up I notice the meter has changed from 6RMB to 9RMB so I guess the driver has hit a button to show the stupid foreigner the total including the fuel surcharge. However when I hand him the 10RMB he then taps the fuel charge sticker to signal that I should pay an additional 3RMB. This is a trip I take at least once a week so I know how much it costs. Fortunately I know the word for cheat in Chinese so after shouting that at him a couple of times he knows he isn't getting his extra 3RMB and accepts the 10RMB.

I know its only 3RMB but its the principle, I'm not poor but I'm not rich either and 3RMB is better in my pocket than someone else's (yes I do pick up 1RMB notes in the street much to the disgust of the girlfriend).

Anybody else have any tales of the locals trying to rip you off?

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Permalink Reply by Zen In FRED's Nutsack on April 10, 2012 at 5:48pm

3 RMB? Fuck it, not worth my time. In SZ I only wait for change if it's more than 5RMB and I never take coins. I know I lose a lot of money this way, but my time is simply not worth waiting. It's the principle.

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Permalink Reply by Drunken beauty on April 10, 2012 at 6:05pm

Wow!

I am impressed. :-p

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Permalink Reply by Profanipenguin on April 10, 2012 at 6:22pm

You've got to be a cheapskate from hell to be looking for change on a 6 RMB ride when paying with a 10 RMB note. FFS. I'd want to rip you off too - you miser.

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Permalink Reply by cwq on April 10, 2012 at 10:20pm

I'm not looking for change, the fare should have been 9RMB with fuel charge he was taking the piss telling me its 9RMB + fuel charge.

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Permalink Reply by Robert on April 10, 2012 at 6:25pm

When you say "green taxi" I assume you were outside of SZ city border? Did you get the RMB1 change off the driver? Taxis outside of the city limits are notorious for not picking up passengers unless they pay a minimum fare, RMB10 and not running the meter.

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Permalink Reply by cwq on April 10, 2012 at 10:21pm

The fare is always 9RMB and no I don't need the 1RMB change, the reason I was pissed off was because he was trying to rip me off.

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Permalink Reply by Half moon on April 10, 2012 at 6:27pm

Green taxi is only 6yuan? Why no one told me before?
Well, I don't take taxi often anyway, better walk and subway, or drive.
Taxi is really something luxury.