How Would You Have Handled This Taxi Scam Differently?

This happened to me today. I've traveled to China on several occasions for work. The first time I came, I got scammed by a "black cab" who charged me RMB 300 for a ride from the airport to my downtown hotel (should be about RMB 130 for those who doesn't know). I talked to my Chinese colleagues about it, but ultimately let it go. But, this time was different. I travel to a lot of developing countries, and know to be on alert. I follow procedures. I arrived at terminal 2 (domestics), swatted off the usual black car scammers as they approached me, and joined the taxi line. I get to my assigned cab, show the driver the address of the Langham airport hotel, which is in terminal 3 (a 10-min drive and a ride that's about RMB 40), I show him the map, he nods and he's onboard. About 5 min after leaving I notice the meter has gone to RMB 240 (hot meter), at this point I express concern, but he only speaks Chinese and gets agitated. He pulls into the Langham convention center, which is opposite the hotel and completely empty. Demand I pay and get out. This is my last day on the trip so I have only left enough cash for the short taxi ride to the hotel. I don't have the choice to just pay and get out, knowing he'll then take off with my bag. I try to explain that he's at the convention center and not hotel and request he takes me to the hotel. He then decides to drive me to the side of the road next to the hotel where there's no hotel entry or people. Same deal, pay, get out. I keep demanding he drives me to the hotel. At this point I have called the hotel and explained the situation and requested they come out to meet me to help translate. Here he pulls the same scam as above, he refuses to go into the hotel and just want to drop me by the gate. I know if I get out, I'll have to wave goodbye to my bag. The hotel staff is now trying to find me, at which point the taxi driver u-turns and speeds out of there with me in the backseat. What I left out is that I'm 5 months pregnant and getting a bit distressed. He speeds into traffic, all the while I'm still on the phone with the concierge who's trying to get my coordinates. The driver takes me to a Bank and demands I take out money. So, now we are in extortion mode, but he doesn't drive into the bank he pulls over at the side of the street and indicates I have to cross the road. Again, abandoning my luggage, which I at this point am close to saying goodbye to. I am still on the phone with the concierge who says they will send a car to help me (I am able to give them my coordinates based on nearby businesses). I have the concierge talk to the taxi driver on several occasions, but after a while he just hangs up the phone when I hand it to him, and I have to redial. The driver realize that I will not go to the Bank and he then drives off again. Now he enters negotiation mode and suggest I pay him RMB 200. I keep telling him "I will pay, but go to hotel". He offers RMB 100. I say "go to hotel, I will pay". Again, back at the gate, he doesn't go in. He uses a translation service on his phone to tell me that "his time is not worth 100 and he wants more". I tell him, get my bag out, and I'd give him what I have. After some more anger and back and forth he finally pops the trunk, gets the bag and I get him the money RMB 140 for a drive from terminal 2 to terminal 3. In all the years I've traveled and all the countries I've visited, this has been the most disturbing experience. One important point to take away is that even if a cab is considered legit, they may not be, and when you get one from the airport you are at their mercy. I took the taxi ID, but didn't get the plate. I will report this to my local work office tomorrow, which will take the appropriate action if they can. My biggest regret... That I didn't keep the luggage with me. I often do, but this time I didn't.

My husband and I were scammed in Beijing last week, we gave the taxi driver the right money he gave it back saying it was counterfeit, saying give him new notes, so he had us giving him 100 yuan notes, giving them back to us saying they were counterfeit, when we got back into the hotel we told them about it they checked our money through the machine and they were all counterfeit, so he had swooped them, so we got scammed out of 900 yuan, make sure you have two purses one with just small notes, do not let them see you have any 100 notes, that is what they are after not the small notes, we made the mistake of not taking a picture of his licence and registration number,etc next time we will take a photo before we get in the cab, so please be careful if you use taxis in Beijing

I have had similar experiences and I just hand the guy the correct fare and walk off. They are counting on the situation being too awkward and you caving into paying them. Don't cave and it's a non issue.

This is typical for Beijing (and Shanghai) taxiriders for foreigners. I carry small bills so I can give the driver the correct fare. They won't pursue you, they know they got caught and see it as playing a game. For 3 USD I won't worry too much; for longer rides like to the airports it is good to know the approximate fare. If any problems you can always call the hotel, explain that the driver isn't taking you to the correct location, and ask them to give directions.

I was in a few Asian and African cities recently, including Beijing, and have a few comments: (1) I found the subway to be the best way to travel in Beijing. (2) London is the only city known to me where taxi drivers are properly trained and tested. Almost everywhere else your typical cabbie is a poor uneducated migrant from some distant province who doesn't even know the city's streets, let alone English. He expects you to provide detailed directions. In most 3rd world countries, if he spoke half decent English, he would not be driving a cab. (3) If I need a taxi in most cities, including Beijing, I use Uber or its local counterpart (like Ola in India). Not only are they less expensive on average, but you are also dealing with GPS management of destination and route, which minimizes blatant errors. And those can be appealed, should they occur. (4) If after all this a cabbie still manages to make an extra 50 cents, I don't begrudge him that. We tip/waste a lot more in more expensive bars, restaurants, salons, etc. I want to be a smart consumer, not a Scrooge.