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?

[nic2006]

Er...ask them how much it will be when you order a cab and only pay that. Do you want to know how to order a cab or can you manage that yourself?

[cazzz1975]

I think the local council has upped the charge for taxi drivers lately, this could be a council price increase, or he could have just charged you extra, its worth querying it with the company

[pinkkitty]

are you sure they haven't just put their prices up? �2 is not a lot, all things considered, is it?

[Ethel]

�2 is 20% - that's one heck of a price increase.

As you didn't query it at the time, I should just forget about it.

[smudge]

On the very rare occasion that we need to use a cab (mainly in the early hours when coming home from the airport), I always phone the taxi firm to ask for a fixed price of the journey first - they usually oblige.

I very rarely drink, so am usually the one to drive us home from anywhere else!

[jno]

I always ask when I book. I very much doubt that the receptionist bothers to tell the driver anything about it, so I make sure I have the right change to hand over and if the driver asks where I got the figure from, I tell him. It's not as if he can do anything about it if he disagrees.

I could be wrong here, but I doubt there are any 'right' fares with minicabs as there are with metered taxis; it's down to the company to set what fare they want to Gatwick (or wherever), and you're free to shop around other companies if you think they're asking too much.

[hundreddolla]

If i were you i'd hire a high flying solicitor to fight your cause. Perhaps even go to The Guardian with your story, it's sure to be a cause celebre.

[smudge]

P.S. I wouldn't bother querying it this time, but make sure you ask for a fixed price where possible in the future. Good luck....

[Octavius]

Did it say �10 or �12 on the meter?
If it said �10 then you were overcharged and should have queried this with the cab driver. If it said �12 then you were not overcharged. If the ride was not metered, then he goes by a mileage rate, or post code, in which case he can pretty much put his finger in the air and guess what you might pay.

[filthiestfis]

To Nic2006: G Fck Yrslf.

I am sure that it is not an increase as the increase already took place from �9 to �10 recently. Apart from that, I have been calling the same cab office for the past several nights now, all have charged me a �10 for the same trip except for this driver from last night.

[filthiestfis]

Octavius: They dont have a meter, because they are mini cabs. I am just mad at being overcharged but have learnt my lesson for next time...always always ask for the price when calling.

[nic2006]

you GET a life!!

[cazzz1975]

wow nic, your very shirty over a taxi question, god help anyone who wants real advice from you...

[cazzz1975]

In a mini cab the fare is agreed between the driver and the passenger, on a black cab the fare is set by the council via a meter on time and milage (driver has no control on this)

My advice would be to agree a fare before you set off, if you agree to pay 12 pounds then that is it, you could mention that the trip normally costs you 10 pounds

[nannon]

i always ask before i get in.
But after midinght fares go up around here, and on sundays

[nuoyg]

What a cheek (cab driver), did you say you usually only pay a tenner. I would have! I hope the only tip you have him was not to be such a rip of merchant. When you phone next time and book I'd ask for a quote and take the persons name who gives you the quote.

[nuoyg]

God my spelling. I meant to put I hope the only tip you gave him was not to be such a rip off merchant.

[filthiestfis]

Obviously I didnt leave a tip.
I was thinking of calling the cab office and telling them about it as I got his license plate number but I dont think it will be of much use now.

[nuoyg]

If it is really annoying you, then you could mention it when you next call? I think I'd leave it for this one and just get the quote next time. And perhaps request that they don't send the guy that charged you the �12.

[Scarlett]

Always establish the cost in advance. Get in the cab and say "This journey usually costs me a tenner. Is that okay with you?" and they will say yes! Also DO phone the cab company and "just check" the price. See what they say.