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I've lived in DC for 25 years and I cannot figure out the cab fare zone map. North is to the left and there aren't any major streets listed. That said, I've never faced an exorbitant fare quote at the end of a ride (maybe I fool them).
Good riddance to the zone system. The fight that the the cabdrivers put up says all you need to know about the flexibility they found in the system. |
DC locals will probably understand this more than the rest of you...
I think I "scammed" one of the "illegal" car service solicitors at IAD. I was returning from AKL on December 23rd late at night. I wanted to stop by a friends house to drop off a Christmas present which was kind of on the way....if you didn't take the Toll Road. Well as I was walking out one of the solicitors says "taxi taxi" I took a look at him and he was dressed in suit so I asked if he had a town car or taxi. He said he had a town car. I simply asked how much to go to Potomac with a quick stop in Sterling. He said $75, I responded thats way to much and walked away. He followed me and I said $50? He agreed. I don't think he realized how far away from the toll road my friend lived (basically right next to the river -- wait is that my fault :eek:). Then he had to drive all the way down Rt 7 to 495 to cross into MD and drive back up River Rd (smaller local rd) for another 12 miles. The fun started when he had to turn off the local road onto much smaller roads (you would think you are in the middle on nowhere) Those roads continued for another 3-4 miles before reaching my house. I quickly paid him and went to go inside. Before I got inside he shouted out and asked me how to get back to the highway. I tried to tell him but I don't think he got it -- oh well. I think a real cab using a meter would have been over $80 for this trip :D |
Originally Posted by empedocles
(Post 6542605)
I hope this was before the peso was revalued.
I got swarmed by the little kids selling chicle in Mexico City. I had my hands in my pockets, and lo and behold, felt little hands trying to get into my pockets. They disappeared as quickly as they swarmed me, once they figured out they weren't going to steal anything from me. While waiting for baggage in Acapulco, some woman approached mr. horse glasses and started asking him questions. Knowing he can be a little naive sometimes, I simply walked up to her and said "WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR TIMESHARE SCAM" and she quickly disappeared. |
Originally Posted by uva185
(Post 9025661)
DC locals will probably understand this more than the rest of you...
I think I "scammed" one of the "illegal" car service solicitors at IAD. I was returning from AKL on December 23rd late at night. I wanted to stop by a friends house to drop off a Christmas present which was kind of on the way....if you didn't take the Toll Road. Well as I was walking out one of the solicitors says "taxi taxi" I took a look at him and he was dressed in suit so I asked if he had a town car or taxi. He said he had a town car. I simply asked how much to go to Potomac with a quick stop in Sterling. He said $75, I responded thats way to much and walked away. He followed me and I said $50? He agreed. I don't think he realized how far away from the toll road my friend lived (basically right next to the river -- wait is that my fault :eek:). Then he had to drive all the way down Rt 7 to 495 to cross into MD and drive back up River Rd (smaller local rd) for another 12 miles. The fun started when he had to turn off the local road onto much smaller roads (you would think you are in the middle on nowhere) Those roads continued for another 3-4 miles before reaching my house. I quickly paid him and went to go inside. Before I got inside he shouted out and asked me how to get back to the highway. I tried to tell him but I don't think he got it -- oh well. I think a real cab using a meter would have been over $80 for this trip :D One of those illegal taxi service solicitors tried to convince me in PVG that the taxi ranks only serviced pax traveling to the surrounding areas and that since I was traveling downtown I should follow him. Puhleeze...:rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by horse glasses
(Post 9026269)
I don't really consider that a scam. They usually want like, one or two pesos.
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Last year in May, I visited NYC for the very first time. On the last day of that visit, I decided to do a short exploration of the Mall of Manhattan. Just outside the McDonald's on the lower floor, a group of five 20-something men attempted to accost me. They asked if I could give them some money so that they can take the LIRR back to their "house in Suffolk County", but I knew better what they were up to (think of Bernhard Goetz). Instead, I deftly walked around them and caught the PATH back to my hotel near EWR instead.
Fast forward to the beginning of October. Now on my second trip, I took the PATH train to the 33rd st station and decided to stop by at that McDonald's again. When I exited the restaurant, lo and behold, that same gang tried to accost me again; however they apparently forgot that I had already met them. I told them that either they go back to "Suffolk County" or I will make sure that their next stop is at Rikers courtesy of the two NYPD officers 15 feet away. They were gone in a flash! :) |
Originally Posted by silentnonrev
(Post 6569957)
St. Petersburg (Russia) last week: want to go from Sts. Peter & Paul to Church on Spilled Blood. Time is short and though we can see church, looks like just a little further than we want to walk...but there is taxi, ask "how much?"...he has meter. OK!
in the 2 miles or so, meter jumps up about every 3 seconds....we are at about $20 by the time we get there! Knowing no Russian nor chances of success at arguing (figure we are foreigners therefore automatically in the wrong), we pay up...as we exit "taxi", realize that the thing on the roof does not say "taxi". it's just some box the guy has stuck to his roof to appear legit. Not life threatening nor depriving us of our last roubles, but giving that annoying "SUCKER!" feeling, and a bad impression of his country. Oh, and as we are about to exit the taxi, he tries the "wait, it's Monday, it's closed today" line--so he can take us somewhere else and rip us off some more! "Official" taxi's are more expensive, but again fares can be negotiated. If you don't speak Russian or read cryllic then you're screwed with a meter.. you would never know if it is on NYE+foreigner rate. |
Originally Posted by Reindeerflame
(Post 9023730)
(5) When approached, always say "no" regardless of what the question is. Well, not always, but much of the time. Some innocent questioners have received this answer when it wasn't warranted. Perhaps even a recent person in Buenos Aires who asked "may I ask you something".
If somebody genuinely needs information of some kind, they'll usually* get to that question pretty quickly, at least with an "Excuse me, but do you know.." The question about asking a question is almost more aggravating than an attempted scam or request for money that usually follows. *I do recall an exception once when asked if I could be asked a question, when I was in a minor hurry. I was just in the process of mentally kicking myself for vaguely blurting out "yes.." and not just moving on, when the person actually did just want to know the time. I practically could have hugged them (I also could almost have slapped them for not just asking for the time straight away.. but I just pleasantly gave them their answer). Imagine Lucy actually allowing Charlie Brown to kick the ball for once - That's kind of how it felt. |
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
(Post 9026315)
How is someone putting their hands in your pocket, going for your money not a ripoff?
A little girl who couldn't have been older than 8 or 9 tried that w/ a colleague. This was another part of the China adventure. She ran around him yelling probably the only English she'd been taught, "Give money!" After a little bit of this he pushes her away and yells really loudly, "Go away!" It turned out she latched onto him and was reaching into his pockets. Sad that parents exploit their kids like that. |
Originally Posted by ozstamps
(Post 6529975)
Ever been a non American arriving in New York (any airport) and getting a cab to Manhattan?
I never knew before White Plains was en-route via the "short cut. ;) C'mon the USA to this day is full of as many scammers as most countries combined. Common sense is your friend when travelling. Common sense is not as common as some make think. And you cannot learn it from the internet. I have visited over 120 countries and have never been conned. (Except by NYC cabbies.) Just "lucky' I guess. ;) |
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
(Post 9026315)
How is someone putting their hands in your pocket, going for your money not a ripoff?
|
Originally Posted by Reindeerflame
(Post 9023730)
(6) Avoiding taking taxis...anywhere, or at least have the hotel arrange for one.
I disagree with #3 as well. Meeting locals is a great way to enhance your trip, learn about the country and see/experience many things off the beaten tourist trail. I don't agree with #4 as well, what if they are trying to give you something you dropped or notice something you are doing wrong and try to help? You need to be cautious, but your list is just paranoia IMO. |
That's amazing! the exact same thing happened to me in Rome. Only difference was that I asked for a lift to the end of the road. then he gave me two jackets (leftovers from a trade show). He said he liked me because unlike the people of Rome I was prepared to help him with directions (he claimed to be from Milan).
At the end he asked me for petrol money. something like £100. I told him to get lost and agreed to give him £10 and walked away with the jackets. to this day I was never really sure whether this was a con or genuine. Now I know it was a con!
Originally Posted by Palal
(Post 6530242)
London (Quiet Sunday Morning, March 2006):
I'm walking from my hotel to Victoria Station. My trip is nearing its end and I'm finishing up the sightseing that I haven't done during the past week. As I'm walking from my hotel towards Victoria Station, a guy pulls up in a nice-looking BMW. Something didn't look right. I later realized it was the steering wheel, which was on the left, so he was next to the curb (or "kerb" if you want to sound British :)). The guy opens his window and asks me to come over. He's holding a map, so my guess is that he wants directions. Sure, being in the city for a week, and usually knowing my way around places I haven't been to, I approach him. He then starts telling me about how my face looks Italian. I tell him in my American accent, that I'm not Italian. Abridged version of the conversation: Him: "Where are you from" Me: "SFO" Him: "Oh SFO, yeah San Mateo, Redwood City, I've been there. I'm a sales manager for Giorgio Armani..." [basically tells me how important he is. Me: "ok." Him: "Since you look like you're Italian, I want to give you these two leather jackets. I was at a trade show and these are just samples. They may have some minor problems with them, but for the most part are good. My card is in there - just let me know if you need anything else - give me a call and I'll help you out." Me [looks at the jackets which are in the bag]: "I can't take this, thank you." Him: "Take them, I don't need them, they're just extra luggage for me." Me [thinking if this guy's crazy or if he's up to something]: "Ok." He then starts telling me this story of how he was at a casino last night and he was playing and lost all his money and maxed out his only credit card (he shows me his wallet and it only has his passport - which seems to be from Italy, according to the cover - and ONE credit card. NOTHING ELSE.) He shows me his near-empty gas tank and tells me he needs two tanks of petrol to get to the Continent. He says because it's Sunday, he can't get money from a bank, because the banks are closed, and his Credit card had been maxed out the previous day. I play dumb, his English wasn't perfect, so I decide to see where this goes. At this point I still hadn't realized what he wanted and what the deal was. He wants two tanks of petrol. I make it a point of not understanding petrol, and not understanding why he would need two gas tanks of petrol (with British petrol prices, the sum turns out to be pretty hefty ~$200-300 as I later calculated.). I tell him I didn't have this kind of money (well, I did, actually, but it was in USD). After a bit of back and forth on this, he takes his jackets and off he goes with a sour face. Why was this a scam, you ask? 1. His wallet didn't have anything but his passport and a single credit card. 2. I made it a point of asking for his business card several times. He said it was in the bag with the jackets. 3. If you were at a casino last night, what would you be doing early Sunday morning in the middle of London? Do they even have casinos in the UK? I know they have slot machines IN London, but what about "full-service casinos." 4. He didn't let me see the jackets. Maybe they were good quality leather jackets, but were they really Armani? 5. Finally, a friend later told me that he had a similar thing happen to him near Times Square in NYC on his way home from work. The biggest things that stopped me: 1. It sounded too good to be true. 2. I didn't have the $$ in GBP. 3. What would I do with three leather jackets in SF (I was wearing one from Costco as it was pretty cold, which I had torn - just a bit - the day before when it got caught on an Underground fare gate, so in the beginning this sounded like a good thing - hey a free replacement jacket!) 4. If they were Armani, would I have problems with bringing this back into the US if the customs people checked me. 5. Where would I put the jackets, I already got a lot of transportation-related souveniers from the Tube staff (the effort to get a photo permit paid off :)) so room in my luggage was limited. 6. Why would someone who drives such a car would only have one credit card? Maybe this is just the American in me showing up. The guy was Italian (or was faking it pretty darn well) and was in a car from the continent (I don't remember where his plates were from) with a left-hand-side steering wheel. His passport was Italian, but in the end it didn't add up. |
Originally Posted by Rontec
(Post 9033639)
...Meeting locals is a great way to enhance your trip, learn about the country and see/experience many things off the beaten tourist trail...
You need to be cautious, but your list is just paranoia IMO. There are people who will try to rip you off anywhere. Obviously standard tourist haunts are a millieu that is advantageous to them, whether that be the pyramids, the wats in Bangkok, or the arrivals area at JFK. And many of us live in these places too! You may be safest if you never leave home, but obviously FTers don't fit that mold. So, learn from your mistakes, when you do get taken, pick up the good advice from other travellers or a forum such as this, have some street smarts, and enjoy the vast majority of locals in any environment who are also curious about you - once you relate to them as a person, rather than as a tourist. Now I am a bit extreme in this regards, having hitch-hiked across Africa and much of Asia in my youth because I enjoyed the contact with people. But you know, the most dangerous part of the trip was some of the neighborhoods back in Philly that I had to negotiate between my parents' house and Center City when I returned. |
I almost fell prey to a well-orchestrated scam in Budapest, but luckily I had just heard about this from someone the week before.
I was there in August while the Grand Prix was being held and the place was mobbed with tourists. Walking near the Danube one evening, I was approached by two very attractive young women who asked if I had a light. Said I didn't smoke and became immediately suspicious of them. They said they were in Budapest on vacation with their parents for the race, and they were college students in a nearby town. We chatted for a while and they asked me if I wanted to go for a drink at this cool art deco bar in the main square. Now I had passed by this bar a dozen times over the past 2 days, and I really wanted to check it out so I agreed. We sit down and the waitress comes over to take our order. The girls both order single-size bottles of Hungarian sparkling wine - which usually cost about $1 in most bars in the area. If I hadn't heard about this exact same set-up, then I never would have thought to ask the waitress how much the wine costs. The look of shock and horror on the girl's faces was astonishing. The waitress calmly said $100 per bottle. So I nonchalantly looked at the girls and asked them "you'll pay for your own wine, right?" Both of their jaws dropped wide open and I said "That's what I thought. Have a good night" and I walked out smiling. During the rest of the trip I saw this same routine being played out on dozens of unsuspecting men, who are presented with a $1,000 - $2,000 bar tab and forced to pay under threat of physical harm. There are numerous mafia-run bars that are in on this scam and in cahoots with the police. It's been said before on this thread that if something seems too good to be true - it usually is. Beware of beautiful Hungarian girls looking to make new friends - and a hefty commission too. |
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