Airport cab to hotel, etc. - Scam?!?!

New-South-Welshman · May 15th, 2006, 20:41

Yeah I hate it. Happened to me in Delhi and my Indian sister-in-law gave them a mouthful because she is from the area, and she knew exactly what they were doing. Oh well, that's life.

PeakXV · May 15th, 2006, 20:42

Next time, remember the Government Prepaid taxi kiosk which is outside the terminal to the right past the huge crowd holding all the signs and bulletin boards. You'll get a fair rate there and no missing hotel scam. As a little tip always do a little research as to the address and general direction of your choosen hotel - the bad drivers play on any uncertainties in their passengers. Some unscrupulous drivers will tell you that there is a protest going on near, or a bomb scare at the particular hotel you are trying to get to. I always tell them that I was just staying there a few days ago (big lie) and that my luggage and money surplus is there only and if you want to get paid we better go there first regardless of all the danger (which is BS anyway) ... they soon get the message when money or lack there of comes into the equation!

Jessica Rabbit · May 16th, 2006, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

Next time, remember the Government Prepaid taxi kiosk which is outside the terminal to the right past the huge crowd holding all the signs and bulletin boards. You'll get a fair rate there and no missing hotel scam. As a little tip always do a little research as to the address and general direction of your choosen hotel - the bad drivers play on any uncertainties in their passengers. Some unscrupulous drivers will tell you that there is a protest going on near, or a bomb scare at the particular hotel you are trying to get to. I always tell them that I was just staying there a few days ago (big lie) and that my luggage and money surplus is there only and if you want to get paid we better go there first regardless of all the danger (which is BS anyway) ... they soon get the message when money or lack there of comes into the equation!

Thanks PeakXV, we did follow adive for getting a pre-paid taxi and ordered one from inside the terminal building as my otherhalf said. It was a shame that when they were pretending to be lost, they told us they were int he vicinity of our hotel's address which we'd given to them - so for a while we didn't know we were staying in a different area. Wankers!

Bodhisattva · May 18th, 2006, 05:00

Actually none of these drivers ever scam alongwith the hotel people,as they are quite capable of doing that themselves..Hehe
The next time you come to India, try to get a general idea about the area so that these drivers don't exploit you considering you're a 'gora', or rather ask the hotel to pick you up.
It's always a better idea just for the airport hotel sector because it's really pathetic, they even con Indians!...and from my experience, even the drivers hired by the Delhi Government have the same routine as their bosses don't know what they do with the passengers.

amarama · May 18th, 2006, 05:37

I have the taxi driver take me to the new delhi train station. then walk down main bazzar day or night and find a hotel. I dont do prepaid, If the taxi driver plays games, I tell them, i mleaving, train station or no money. What would i do with a prepaid slip?

dragon · May 18th, 2006, 16:03

Better to take the EATS bus from the airport to Connaught Place - it always go the right way!! Then get rickshaw to hotel. You are saving much money!!

Dragon

iamthe43 · Aug 22nd, 2006, 17:02

hey guys, im sooooo excited about going to india now, only 25 days left...what time do the busses from them airport into town stop at?

did you know, connacht place is actually descended from irish, well i think it is...im from connacht in Ireland and connacht place in dehli has the english spelling...put 2 and 2 together and we sometimes get four...

i cant wait to see your country

gypsie,lotus · Sep 16th, 2006, 22:36

You are so right, but I would not give up and I demaned that they bring me to the "Red Castle Hotel", I had stayed there many times and I kind of new the area, and I was alone being a 70 year old women, they though they could pull the wool over my eyes but I just would not give up and then they rode around so much I saw the Hotel down the block and they were so surprised. I took their license number and tag number and reported it to the police. Also many of the Hotel's will come and pick you up now, and that is what I do.
If you keep at it you will win eventually.
Hope this is helpful to the next one's.
Sincerel, gypsie

Quote:

Originally Posted by findbluesky

OK, we got off the plane at Delhi International Airport and went up to a pre-paid taxi kiosk in the arrivals lounge. We showed them the name of the hotel we were staying at, gave them some money and they said no problem and put us in a taxi. Great we thought, simple.

When we got close to Delhi, the taxi driver said he didn't know where the hotel was, and we spent half an hour driving round with him occasionally asking friends of his if they knew. Fair enough we thought, he isn't sure of the location. After a while he asked another friend who said he didn't know, but we could stay at his place if we liked. It was the Hotel Prince International, in Karol Bagh (which to be honest is a pretty crappy area to find yourself after an 8 hour flight). We started to suspect that we had been taken for a ride and our suspicions were confirmed when we met someone else staying at the hotel who had exactly the same thing happen to them.

I just wanted to post this to let other people know that if they end up at the Hotel Prince International by a "lost" taxi driver, then they should know it is a scam. I don't mind staying somewhere else if I can't find the hotel I want to stay in, but its just the sheer audacity of those people.

Also, do not get them to order you a taxi, as they will ignore your request to go to the train station and take you to their travel agent instead - who gives you the very-hard-sell and after we walked out, the taxi driver asked us for 500 rps to go to the station! I didn't even look back as I walked away from him!

Apart from that, once we got out of Delhi we have had a wonderful time! Pushkar was peaceful, and Shimla is cool. I can highly recommend these places!

gypsie,lotus · Sep 16th, 2006, 22:40

I like your stratergy, no hotel no pay no money, what a story. I will use that for sure, anytime I get the run around.
gypsie

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

Next time, remember the Government Prepaid taxi kiosk which is outside the terminal to the right past the huge crowd holding all the signs and bulletin boards. You'll get a fair rate there and no missing hotel scam. As a little tip always do a little research as to the address and general direction of your choosen hotel - the bad drivers play on any uncertainties in their passengers. Some unscrupulous drivers will tell you that there is a protest going on near, or a bomb scare at the particular hotel you are trying to get to. I always tell them that I was just staying there a few days ago (big lie) and that my luggage and money surplus is there only and if you want to get paid we better go there first regardless of all the danger (which is BS anyway) ... they soon get the message when money or lack there of comes into the equation!

gypsie,lotus · Sep 16th, 2006, 22:46

I had the dog poo on my shoe in Connaught place, but my son made the person clean my shoe and then he did not pay. Also a different scam happened to me in Bombay 10 years ago.
I PAYED MY TAXI WITH A $50 DOLLAR BILL AND THE TAXI MAN THAT HAD A MAN ON THE SIDE OF HIM RIDING, SAID I GAVE HIM A $5 DOLLAR BILL. SO I GOT THAT SCAM, BUT LEARNED, NO ONE RIDES IN THE TAXI BUT THE DRIVER, AND I TELL THEM WHAT I HAVE AND I GET THE CHANGE FIRST. SO THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT AS WELL.
Gypsie

jerseyjoe · Sep 17th, 2006, 13:50

As I recall, BlueSky was originally headng for the fancifully named "Yes Cottage Please." In doing my own research I got an endorsement of the place from a person who regularly brings tourist groups through the area.

So I emailed YCP asking for availability and rates. No answer.

So 3 days later I wrote again. After another 3 days, still no answer.

So I phoned. Spoke with someone who said he'd ask the manager and they would email me in the next hour. No such email ever came.

I called again. Got the same promise but this time an email actually did come only two days on - promising to follow with availability and rates if I would provide dates. Which I did immediately.

That was more than a week ago.

So, BlueSky, I can't say you missed that much. And I have made a resrevation elsewhere at a hotel that will pick me up. No spot on my shoe, no lost hotel, social protest, bombing of nuclear emissions. (maybe).

cyberhippie · Sep 17th, 2006, 14:09

All these scams are well documented and have been for years, just goes to show it never harms you to pick up a guide book or visit a Travel Forum before setting off.

Having said that there is something way wrong that these scamsters get the licencse to run businesses out of IGA, There are so many honest businessmen in India why do these fools get the airport franchise!

Rich Anpoor · Nov 5th, 2006, 04:00

probably not a real scam but worth taking a note of.

this has happened to me twice going thru Delhi Airport. After changing money inside the airport (State Bank of India I think) I did not get a receipt to show I had changed my money. Not really a problem until you try to book a train ticket at New Delhi where they will ask to see proof of currency exchange.

My first time I had to go and change MORE money so I had proof. Last time I managed to blag the guy I had left it in my hotel or something.

Only an annoyance, but if you have a stickler for rules at the desk (with a long queue behind & no desire to stay in Delhi) then it can be a a pain.

cyberhippie · Nov 5th, 2006, 17:10

One way around this is to get an ATM receipt, which the train station will accept!! saves queing!!

machadinha · Nov 21st, 2006, 10:35

... And on the subject of prepaid taxis then, last time I visited which is quite some time ago I noticed these were funnily quite a bit more expensive than you'll manage on the streets with a bit of hassle.

Which should really make all us bargainers and hagglers and what-to-do-with-the-beggars's wonder about the price of things & if it's not possible to actually drive people to accept lower rates than they should, just because having the money in their hands then and there is the more enticing prospect to them. I know it can really work that way.

With the prepaid taxis then, use them for your convenience, not necessarily cos they're cheap. And how bonafide the whole deal is was never very clear to me either no.

May 15th, 2006, 20:42	#17
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Next time, remember the Government Prepaid taxi kiosk which is outside the terminal to the right past the huge crowd holding all the signs and bulletin boards. You'll get a fair rate there and no missing hotel scam. As a little tip always do a little research as to the address and general direction of your choosen hotel - the bad drivers play on any uncertainties in their passengers. Some unscrupulous drivers will tell you that there is a protest going on near, or a bomb scare at the particular hotel you are trying to get to. I always tell them that I was just staying there a few days ago (big lie) and that my luggage and money surplus is there only and if you want to get paid we better go there first regardless of all the danger (which is BS anyway) ... they soon get the message when money or lack there of comes into the equation! __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

May 18th, 2006, 05:00	#19
Bodhisattva Hippie Goddess Join Date: May 2006 Location: On the road... Posts: 64	Actually none of these drivers ever scam alongwith the hotel people,as they are quite capable of doing that themselves..Hehe The next time you come to India, try to get a general idea about the area so that these drivers don't exploit you considering you're a 'gora', or rather ask the hotel to pick you up. It's always a better idea just for the airport hotel sector because it's really pathetic, they even con Indians!...and from my experience, even the drivers hired by the Delhi Government have the same routine as their bosses don't know what they do with the passengers. __________________ All our best men are laughed at in this nightmare land......

Aug 22nd, 2006, 17:02	#22
iamthe43 Account Closed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ireland Posts: 6	H5n1 hey guys, im sooooo excited about going to india now, only 25 days left...what time do the busses from them airport into town stop at? did you know, connacht place is actually descended from irish, well i think it is...im from connacht in Ireland and connacht place in dehli has the english spelling...put 2 and 2 together and we sometimes get four... i cant wait to see your country

Sep 16th, 2006, 22:46	#25
gypsie,lotus "LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL" Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NEW ORLEANS, USA Posts: 155	dog poo, Delhi circle I had the dog poo on my shoe in Connaught place, but my son made the person clean my shoe and then he did not pay. Also a different scam happened to me in Bombay 10 years ago. I PAYED MY TAXI WITH A $50 DOLLAR BILL AND THE TAXI MAN THAT HAD A MAN ON THE SIDE OF HIM RIDING, SAID I GAVE HIM A $5 DOLLAR BILL. SO I GOT THAT SCAM, BUT LEARNED, NO ONE RIDES IN THE TAXI BUT THE DRIVER, AND I TELL THEM WHAT I HAVE AND I GET THE CHANGE FIRST. SO THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT AS WELL. Gypsie Last edited by Dilliwala : Nov 14th, 2008 at 14:14. Reason: removed full quote

Nov 21st, 2006, 10:35	#30
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,391	... And on the subject of prepaid taxis then, last time I visited which is quite some time ago I noticed these were funnily quite a bit more expensive than you'll manage on the streets with a bit of hassle. Which should really make all us bargainers and hagglers and what-to-do-with-the-beggars's wonder about the price of things & if it's not possible to actually drive people to accept lower rates than they should, just because having the money in their hands then and there is the more enticing prospect to them. I know it can really work that way. With the prepaid taxis then, use them for your convenience, not necessarily cos they're cheap. And how bonafide the whole deal is was never very clear to me either no. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

May 15th, 2006, 20:41	#16
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,574	Yeah I hate it. Happened to me in Delhi and my Indian sister-in-law gave them a mouthful because she is from the area, and she knew exactly what they were doing. Oh well, that's life.

May 18th, 2006, 05:37	#20
amarama Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: very near the Mexican border Posts: 164	I have the taxi driver take me to the new delhi train station. then walk down main bazzar day or night and find a hotel. I dont do prepaid, If the taxi driver plays games, I tell them, i mleaving, train station or no money. What would i do with a prepaid slip?

May 18th, 2006, 16:03	#21
dragon Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 17	Better to take the EATS bus from the airport to Connaught Place - it always go the right way!! Then get rickshaw to hotel. You are saving much money!! Dragon

Sep 17th, 2006, 13:50	#26
jerseyjoe Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jersey City, NJ USA Posts: 31	As I recall, BlueSky was originally headng for the fancifully named "Yes Cottage Please." In doing my own research I got an endorsement of the place from a person who regularly brings tourist groups through the area. So I emailed YCP asking for availability and rates. No answer. So 3 days later I wrote again. After another 3 days, still no answer. So I phoned. Spoke with someone who said he'd ask the manager and they would email me in the next hour. No such email ever came. I called again. Got the same promise but this time an email actually did come only two days on - promising to follow with availability and rates if I would provide dates. Which I did immediately. That was more than a week ago. So, BlueSky, I can't say you missed that much. And I have made a resrevation elsewhere at a hotel that will pick me up. No spot on my shoe, no lost hotel, social protest, bombing of nuclear emissions. (maybe).

Sep 17th, 2006, 14:09	#27
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	All these scams are well documented and have been for years, just goes to show it never harms you to pick up a guide book or visit a Travel Forum before setting off. Having said that there is something way wrong that these scamsters get the licencse to run businesses out of IGA, There are so many honest businessmen in India why do these fools get the airport franchise!

Nov 5th, 2006, 04:00	#28
Rich Anpoor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kailash Posts: 166	probably not a real scam but worth taking a note of. this has happened to me twice going thru Delhi Airport. After changing money inside the airport (State Bank of India I think) I did not get a receipt to show I had changed my money. Not really a problem until you try to book a train ticket at New Delhi where they will ask to see proof of currency exchange. My first time I had to go and change MORE money so I had proof. Last time I managed to blag the guy I had left it in my hotel or something. Only an annoyance, but if you have a stickler for rules at the desk (with a long queue behind & no desire to stay in Delhi) then it can be a a pain.

Nov 5th, 2006, 17:10	#29
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	One way around this is to get an ATM receipt, which the train station will accept!! saves queing!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Prepaid cab from IGI Airport	Jeroen	Delhi	132	Jul 31st, 2009 18:39
Mumbai airport immigration desk scam	martess	Scams and Annoyances in India	8	Sep 4th, 2008 11:48
cab fare from airport to calangute	skinnylizard	Goa	24	Jul 10th, 2008 09:49
Warning: Bangalore airport scam	mary10	Domestic India Flights	14	Jul 5th, 2007 16:44
Goa Airport (& hospital) Scam	Dave&Jewel	Scams and Annoyances in India	11	Feb 28th, 2005 06:32