Taxi Ride Update

A follow up to the taxi ride. Come to find out this sort of thing with guys wanting to 'help you out' with an off the grid taxi ride are all shysters. The 80 RMB I paid for the ride is about double what it should have cost.

This situation is this, guys hang out by the front door of the airport and size up recently arrived travelers. They then suggest a ride to the (insert destination here) and give you a price. What I had thought was a 150 RMB taxi ride should have been between 30 and 40 RMB. A misunderstanding on my part. When he suggested 80 RMB I thought I was getting a deal, instead he was ripping me off.

I also understand that these guys have a habit of taking the scenic route to make you think its a longer distance to your destination than you thought. They are also notorious for suggesting other hotels. I can only assume they get some kind of a kick back or have some other kind of arrangement with said hotel. In any event it aint legit.

So it turns out I was hosed a third time and didn't even know it. I personally am a little relieved because I had been looking for a third unfortunate event to occur. I have a superstition that these kinds of things come in threes. Stupid I know but I can't shake the feeling.

Anyway, I've learned a lot and hope that my hard earned lessons can be absorbed by others. I'm definitely on my guard now.