webfact Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 TAKEN FOR A RIDE Scottish couple charged £500 for FIVE-MINUTE taxi journey while on holiday in New Zealand John Barrett and his wife travelled just 500m in the taxi and were charged NZ$930 for the trip By Kara Godfrey The distance was just 500m from the train station to the airport SCOTTISH couple John and Susan Barrett were shocked to find themselves charged $930 (£483) for a five-minute taxi ride while on holiday in New Zealand. The pair were travelling from Wellington Railway station to an apartment on Johnston Street - just 500m away. After arriving in Wellington on January 21, the couple found a white car parked in the taxi rank with a Wellington roof sign, with the driver showing them a photo ID card, according to Stuff.co.nz. John admitted "nothing at the time" made them suspicious of the driver. The meter reader said the price was under $10 but the driver's hand obscured the card reader, which he handed over for payment when they arrived at their destination. Full story: https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/8294826/scottish-couple-500-pounds-five-minute-taxi-new-zealand/ -- The SUN 2019-01-29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ukrules Posted January 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2019 Pay them cash, especially if you can't see the amount clearly displayed on the device. Some people are literally too dumb to use things like credit cards. It's a good job their bank will refund them as this is absolute fraud. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AlexRich Posted January 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2019 I would have refused to pay. Let them call the Police, it is basic fraud. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sweatalot Posted January 29, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2019 I heard the Thai taxi society has invited that driver for a crash course 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post colinneil Posted January 29, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2019 Maybe the taxi drivers name was Somchai. 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post overherebc Posted January 29, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, AlexRich said: I would have refused to pay. Let them call the Police, it is basic fraud. Meter said under 10 dollars. The driver used a card reader that was somehow rigged to overcharge. At what point would your refusal to pay have come in? Or could it be that the 9.30 fare became 930 in the the cards system somehow? Edited January 29, 2019 by overherebc 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bluesofa Posted January 29, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2019 47 minutes ago, sweatalot said: I heard the Thai taxi society has invited that driver for a crash course Is that with the emphasis on 'crash'? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JAG Posted January 29, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2019 Time a for a Kiwi cabbie to return a forgotten bag containing cash and jewelry? ???? 1 1 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berkshire Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 And I thought New Zealand was supposed to be the least corrupt country in the world. Yes, corruption is more about government behavior, but this doesn't look good from a public perception standpoint. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeray Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Let no man/woman ever again malign the service and reputation of a Thai Taxi operator. This Kiwi has made his Thai counterparts look positively angelic. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simtemple Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Maybe New Zealand is recovering costs incurred by other quality tourists from the UK: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6636919/amp/Traveller-family-caused-havoc-New-Zealand-lands-UK-moaning-holiday-hell.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo860 Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Maybe New Zealand is recovering costs incurred by other quality tourists from the UK: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6636919/amp/Traveller-family-caused-havoc-New-Zealand-lands-UK-moaning-holiday-hell.htmlIrish gypsies. Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80sboy Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 I am from NZ and most Taxi drivers in NZ are not an accurate depiction of the tangata whenua/people of the land, you would not find a Kiwi behind the wheel of mosts cabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexRich Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, overherebc said: Meter said under 10 dollars. The driver used a card reader that was somehow rigged to overcharge. At what point would your refusal to pay have come in? Or could it be that the 9.30 fare became 930 in the the cards system somehow? I don’t pay taxi fares with cards. For that short distance, why would anyone pay with a card? Edited January 29, 2019 by AlexRich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxcorrigan Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 3 hours ago, roo860 said: Irish gypsies. Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Or "Pikeys" to be exact ie. travellers that don't travel minority group that have special rites in fact! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 News reports say the money has been returned to the victims. The card company was able to trace the taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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