While not excusing the taxi driver, I wonder how much was down to him and how much is down to the taxi marshaller at the rank at the maglev station.

I have noticed a couple of times there is a youngish guy, very cocky, and he enters into a long conversation with the driver whenever a westerner is about to take a cab. Gut feeling is that they are trying their best to rip the person off. His usual tactic is to ask, in chinese, where the person wants to go and if the westerner responds in a way that they have no idea what he's saying then the long conversations begin. Same guy was very surprised when i answered in Chinese (and I got to my apartment for the standard price).

I have also been told that a residential address puts you a fair way down the scam list because they assume you live there and might know the approximate fare. But of course that doesn't help tourists.

I dread having that guy there when I need a cab If there's a policeman standing by there is never an issue - just jump in and go.