Taxi overcharge

[filthiestfis]

Yesterday I was overcharged by a Minicab. My trip always costs �10 and he charged me �12. In future, should I always establish a quote when phoning for a cab?

Should I contact the cab office and tell them that I was overcharged? Im guessing that they will probably laugh at me.
How can I prevent being overcharged in future?

[spaced]

dont pay the extra �2. Call the office in advance and get a cost. They are a law unto themselves

[NORMANTHEDOG]

thanks a lot spaced, we run a very respectable private hire company,there are no minicabs anymore,did you have any waiting time,did he divert to avoid traffic,if not then why did you pay the extra �2,people make me laugh,we hear about this all the time from other companies,if you do that journey 5 days a week and pay �10,why did you pay the guy the �12,phone the office and make a complaint and say you want the �2 knocked off your next journey,we sack drivers for overcharging.

[filthiestfis]

Norman-I did mention it to the driver and he said that its what he always charges. Hmmmm. He did take the longer way to get me home but what difference should it make when the taxi isnt metered?

[joannie10]

if he went a longer way then there would have been more mileage on the meter therefore more of a charge. Sorry just an observation not got any more suggestions that what has already been said except perhaps if you knew he was taking you a longer route then mentioned it at the time.

[filthiestfis]

Joannie-I have been taken on longer routes before on minicabs but they dont overcharge me. The taxi did not have a meter either.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

you should have made him contact his office there and then and fronted him out,dont let him get away with it.

[almcd007]

If "fronting it out" with him doesnt work then - always get a receipt with the drivers badge and car's plate number on it. Double check when you leave the car, with the plate it's carrying. Always suggest to the driver that you are being overcharged and tell the driver why. Then you can phone the taxi company. Ask them upfront how much the journey from A to b should cost and then ask why have you been charged �12 (you have a receipt to show that you did pay) when it should be �10. You have covered yourself in all ways. Don't do it in the car as the driver tends to lock his doors and take you to the police station !!! You can also take it up with the licensing dept of your local council the next day.

A mate of mine was a little drunk the other week, got a taxi home and the driver thought he'd try it on and tried charging him double. He went the normal way and my mate refused to pay the double fare. He tried "fronting it out with him" outside his house and even offered to get the extra from inside the house where he had it. The driver took him to the Police station - 3 miles from his home and it all went pear shaped. My mate was left, paying the taxi driver what he was going to pay him anyway, 3 miles from home with no money to get a taxi back, arguing with the police that he was in the right. Because he had had a drink - it obviously didnt work this time. He should have still insisted on a written receipt with the drivers number on it and thrashed it out when he was sober.

Always get a receipt, drunk or not, if you suspect you are being overcharged, then discuss it with the office - it's usually the best way to resolve matters.