Question Are You Tired of the Taxi Ripoff?

[living4experiences]

I've just arrived in Cozumel and have been ripped off four times by taxi drivers! I thought I did enough due diligence to be informed about what I should be paying from point A to point B, but the taxi Mafia has little care about adhering to their rules. The first three drivers refused to provide me the rate card. The fare should have been 260 pesos from Casa Mexicana to Iberostar. The first two drivers quoted 350 pesos to which I countered with the correct fare. The price was lowered to 300 pesos. Once I mentioned I wanted to see the rate card, they all of a sudden didn't understand what I was talking about. I walked away and headed down the road on foot to catch another taxi. Driver number three said 300 pesos and also refused to provide the rate card. Now I was running out of time to get to my destination, so I paid the $300 pesos.

Coming back from iberostar, with no option, I was forced to pay the $300 pesos from Iberostar to Casa Mexicana. Once we arrived, I waited till my stuff was out of the van and then I asked the driver for his rate card, to which he did not know what I was talking about. I then typed the question into Google Translate and showed it to him. He looked dumbfounded and wouldn't answer, even seeing the question in his own language. I then went to the front of the van and took a picture of his license plate. He conveniently found a rate card. This rate card was in USD for cruise ship passengers only, for transportation from the International and Punta Langosta Piers. It occurred to me now that the drivers are charging regular tourists the cruise ship passenger rates all the time. This was not a zone rate card and it was not in Spanish or Pesos. When I asked to take a photo of the rate card, he refused. Now I'm angry and telling him that by law he needs to show it to me. He finally let me get a photo, but he didn't make it easy and wouldn't let me touch it. He says that Casa Mexicana is at Punta Langosta Pier. So somehow that means I'm a cruise ship passenger?

I would be interested to know what the community here does in these situations in Cozumel. Besides taking a picture of the license plate, what other photos should one gather in the event of filing a formal complaint? I'm not saying I would take time from my vacation to do so, but this might be enough of an intimidation to the driver that I'm not a customer that will be taken advantage of.

I'm thinking that Maybe I should just get in the cab, knowing the price, and pay it at the destination. If he has a problem with it, then that would be another issue.

 

[ReefHound]

If things have gotten to that point I have already screwed up in a couple of ways. There is no way I I am going to push the issue that far no matter how "outrageous" the fare is. We must choose our battles wisely, and I do not choose that one; the most I will do if polite discourse isn't sufficient to resolve the situation is to cheerfully make it clear that it's the last time I will ever get in his cab and then walk away. Fool me once, etc.

If you have the option to walk away, fine. What if you don't? What if your suitcase is in the trunk? I think I've said to be polite and resolve peacefully or leave if you can but it doesn't always take two to tango.

 

[ggunn]

If you have the option to walk away, fine. What if you don't? What if your suitcase is in the trunk? I think I've said to be polite and resolve peacefully or leave if you can but it doesn't always take two to tango.

If I have paid him what he has asked, which I will do rather than get into an altercation, what reason would he have to keep my suitcase hostage? Like I said before, if we are arguing on the street and I have stuff in his trunk, I have already screwed up in letting things get to that point.

EDIT: I can't remember a time when I paid the driver before unloading the trunk.

 

[NDL_Diver]

Let's hope the new meters get installed quick and don't immediately break.
The rate card is sometimes clipped in the drivers visor. But that is where i saw it the one time I looked.

 

[ReefHound]

If I have paid him what he has asked, which I will do rather than get into an altercation, what reason would he have to keep my suitcase hostage? Like I said before, if we are arguing on the street and I have stuff in his trunk, I have already screwed up in letting things get to that point.

EDIT: I can't remember a time when I paid the driver before unloading the trunk.

Maybe you've just never run into a really bad driver?

 

[DandyDon]

I can't remember a time when I paid the driver before unloading the trunk.

Nor I. I believe that I have always received my bags before paying. I have gotten into a strong habit of checking fares and arguing before I board tho. Don't you always use your personal driver, at least with bags?

 

[nanches]

I’ve been debating about whether to post here, but here goes:
Negotiating prices for many things throughout Mexico is very common. It is part of the culture. When you go to another country, it is important to learn about, and respect, that culture. (I imagine that this could be challenging for those on a cruise because they’re just being plopped into multiple different cultures for a short visit. One of the reasons I’d never go on a cruise ship.) One of those cultural practices is negotiating prices!
It can take a bit of work/research, but first, determine what something is worth, and then decide how much you’d be willing to pay for it. These prices can change in different scenarios. For example, for taxis: are you in a hurry to get somewhere? Are there no other taxis around? Is it late at night? In these cases a taxi ride might be worth a lot more to you than in other scenarios, and you might be ok paying a little more.
I actually see it as a challenge, and feel proud when I can negotiate a great taxi fare (especially when they start out trying to fleece me ). But that usually comes after taking a few rides and figuring out how low drivers are willing to go.
Always, always ask the fare before you get in the taxi. Go to the passenger window, wait for them to roll down the window, be polite, recognize their humanity: say good morning/afternoon, ask how much it costs to go to x place. If you don’t like the price, smile and say “no, gracias” or even “no me puede levar por x pesos?” (Could you drive me for x pesos?) If they are unwilling to lower the price, and the price they are offering isn’t worth it to you at that moment, just walk away. No need to be rude to the driver or get offended.
A driver’s willingness to lower their price also depends on a number of factors: is it the first fare of the day? Do they really need your money? Do they think they could make more waiting for another passenger? I’ve gotten great fares before from drivers because it was the first fare of the day (In many businesses, the first sale is good luck for the day and some vendors will make the sign of the cross with the money from the first sale in their hands.) Sometimes the driver just offers me a good price. When that happens, I learn how low I might be able to talk future drivers down (again, depending on the above factors).
Try not to take it personally. Again, it is part of the culture. Engage in the culture. You are not in your country/culture. You are a visitor.
I lived in Mexico for 6 years and worked as an artisan, selling jewelry, sometimes while traveling. The price I offered on a given day, at a given time, could vary on a number of factors. Yes, there was what I determined my work to be worth. But since we were in Mexico, I always had to start off asking for a higher price because I knew the person would try to haggle with me. Sometimes, they tried to haggle below what I determined a piece’s worth to be. In that case, I’d say no, and let them walk away. At that point, they’d realize that I would go down no more. If they really wanted it, they would come back and pay the price, if not, no worries, we both knew what the piece was worth to each of us. If sales were low that day, and I really needed money, I would go lower than I’d be willing to go on a day when sales were good. If I was traveling, and really needed money for food, a hotel room, or bus, I might start off with a really great offer to get a quick sale, or just be less firm in haggling.
The rate card is a good way to get a general sense of what you should be paying for a taxi. But you’re in Mexico. Enjoy your vacation. Try to engage with Mexicans and learn the culture. Humility will open a lot of doors in Mexico.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.

 

[ggunn]

Don't you always use your personal driver, at least with bags?

Yes, for to and from dinner, to the airport, around the island, etc. when we need his van, but for grocery store trips, beer runs and such I just hail a cab on the street. The driver and I always unload the trunk or hatchback before I pay the fare.

 

[rick00001967]

I’ve been debating about whether to post here, but here goes:
Negotiating prices for many things throughout Mexico is very common. It is part of the culture. When you go to another country, it is important to learn about, and respect, that culture. (I imagine that this could be challenging for those on a cruise because they’re just being plopped into multiple different cultures for a short visit. One of the reasons I’d never go on a cruise ship.) One of those cultural practices is negotiating prices!
It can take a bit of work/research, but first, determine what something is worth, and then decide how much you’d be willing to pay for it. These prices can change in different scenarios. For example, for taxis: are you in a hurry to get somewhere? Are there no other taxis around? Is it late at night? In these cases a taxi ride might be worth a lot more to you than in other scenarios, and you might be ok paying a little more.
I actually see it as a challenge, and feel proud when I can negotiate a great taxi fare (especially when they start out trying to fleece me ). But that usually comes after taking a few rides and figuring out how low drivers are willing to go.
Always, always ask the fare before you get in the taxi. Go to the passenger window, wait for them to roll down the window, be polite, recognize their humanity: say good morning/afternoon, ask how much it costs to go to x place. If you don’t like the price, smile and say “no, gracias” or even “no me puede levar por x pesos?” (Could you drive me for x pesos?) If they are unwilling to lower the price, and the price they are offering isn’t worth it to you at that moment, just walk away. No need to be rude to the driver or get offended.
A driver’s willingness to lower their price also depends on a number of factors: is it the first fare of the day? Do they really need your money? Do they think they could make more waiting for another passenger? I’ve gotten great fares before from drivers because it was the first fare of the day (In many businesses, the first sale is good luck for the day and some vendors will make the sign of the cross with the money from the first sale in their hands.) Sometimes the driver just offers me a good price. When that happens, I learn how low I might be able to talk future drivers down (again, depending on the above factors).
Try not to take it personally. Again, it is part of the culture. Engage in the culture. You are not in your country/culture. You are a visitor.
I lived in Mexico for 6 years and worked as an artisan, selling jewelry, sometimes while traveling. The price I offered on a given day, at a given time, could vary on a number of factors. Yes, there was what I determined my work to be worth. But since we were in Mexico, I always had to start off asking for a higher price because I knew the person would try to haggle with me. Sometimes, they tried to haggle below what I determined a piece’s worth to be. In that case, I’d say no, and let them walk away. At that point, they’d realize that I would go down no more. If they really wanted it, they would come back and pay the price, if not, no worries, we both knew what the piece was worth to each of us. If sales were low that day, and I really needed money, I would go lower than I’d be willing to go on a day when sales were good. If I was traveling, and really needed money for food, a hotel room, or bus, I might start off with a really great offer to get a quick sale, or just be less firm in haggling.
The rate card is a good way to get a general sense of what you should be paying for a taxi. But you’re in Mexico. Enjoy your vacation. Try to engage with Mexicans and learn the culture. Humility will open a lot of doors in Mexico.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.

what you are saying is 100% true in many situations. this is not one of them. the rates are preset. it is not supposed to be a free for all. thats the whole point.
if you got in a cab at home, and the starting rate was preset at 5 bucks for example, would you expect the cabby to start at 10 or 15 bucks? no. you would expect them to follow the rules that are put in place by their governing body. and if they refused, you would look for another cab.
why would any other country be considered differently?
the tourists didnt put the rates in place. but the local drivers should follow them. and the only reason most of them dont is due to the tourists who continuously agree to pay higher rates.

 

[El Graduado]

I would like to point out that many prices are set by the government in Mexico, and are not negotiable. Gasoline, Tortillas, and Taxi Fares are just three of them. Locals do not haggle for a lower price on these fixed-price items. Nor do they need to argue with the vendor to get the item or service for the government set price. The set price is the set price. If a vendor tries to charge more than the set price, the buyer can contact PROFECO, or just threaten to call PROFECO, and the price will be reset to the government price level and the vendor punished or warned. Only tourists pay more than the government-set prices, because of a number of circumstances; ignorance of the official price, too lazy or too rushed to argue, lack of the ability to speak Spanish, lack of change, feeling that they are rich and the vendor is poor and overpaying is a kindness, etc. All of these reasons for paying a taxi more the government-set price has caused a lot of problems for the folks who live in Cozumel and have an income based on the peso economy.

What happens is, the taxi drives would rather vie for over-paying tourists as riders rather than pick up locals who pay only the set price. It got so bad, the government and the Taxi unions finally made an agreement for each taxi to refrain from servicing the tourist zones one day a week on a rotating basis. That plan backfired, when most of the taxis who drew the short straw for the day and were excluded from the tourist zones just took that day off. Most of them would rather not work at all than be forced to service the locals. Now, the mototaxis are trying to fill that void. That void exists, because tourists continue to overpay the taxis, and the taxis would rather service "rich" tourist who throw around their money than locals who live on a tight budget and want (and have a right) to pay the government-set price. Tourists don't over pay for the other government-set prices, only taxi fares, and many of them continue to defend the practice, even when they understand the consequences to the locals who do not have the economic resources the tourists do.

It may feel good for you to help one "poor" guy (the taxista) by overpaying such a small amount (small to you), but your actions are detrimental to thousands of others who live here and you are not directly interacting with on your visit.

 

[nanches]

what you are saying is 100% true in many situations. this is not one of them. the rates are preset. it is not supposed to be a free for all. thats the whole point.
if you got in a cab at home, and the starting rate was preset at 5 bucks for example, would you expect the cabby to start at 10 or 15 bucks? no. you would expect them to follow the rules that are put in place by their governing body. and if they refused, you would look for another cab.
why would any other country be considered differently?
the tourists didnt put the rates in place. but the local drivers should follow them. and the only reason most of them dont is due to the tourists who continuously agree to pay higher rates.

But the whole point is that you ARE NOT at home…