Overcharging
 

Second attempt, the previous just flipped off screen....

We came back from Sri Lanka a few weeks ago after a great three weeks travelling and having adventures we thought were fantastic until we got talking to a couple on the plane on the way back.

It turns out we paid three times as much for the taxi to the airport than they did, and loads more for that marvellous safari in Yala. They'd done the same tour a week before us...

This hurt and took the shine off our holiday completely.

But what can we do about it? And how does anyone know what the right costs is?

Jim

The right cost for a taxi that doesn't use a meter is whatever you can bargain it down to.

What can you do about it?

1) Ask other travelers what the price should be before you reserve/jump in the taxi/hold out your credit card.

2)Never ask other travelers what they paid for something AFTER you've already paid.

What you can do now is to savor your memories of your trip.

From what you have said, we have no idea (and I think you have no idea) whether you were overcharged. You didn't mention it, but on your flight had you polled other passengers, you likely would have found that people paid, say, 50 different prices for their tickets. Was one overcharged and another undercharged? Probably not. The tickets have different conditions, especially in terms of changes or cancellations.

The safari operators offer widely different levels of service and comfort for widely different prices. Did you get a number of bids before you booked? When you do so, you can ask the operator why their price is more or less than another.

Did you take a taxi you flagged down on the street to get to the airport or did you pre-arrange a hotel car? Was there a meter in the taxi or did you agree to a flat rate?

You've already spent the money, nothing you can do about that, so learn something from your experience for planning your next trip.

Thanks Katie - hindsight is a wonderful thing...

After writing this I googled and found a cost comparison chart done in October for Sri Lanka.

Email me if you want it: [email protected]

Wish we'd known before!!!

Jim, I am sorry to hear that you were overcharged, it is never a good feeling. I recall mentioning some Colombo cab companies on a previous thread. Flagging a taxi down is always a peril and what you pay will depend on your own knowledge as well as your bargaining skills. Although there are regulations there are many touts and scammers too. A little basic street wise approach works best. Recently a British guy who met me related how he had used a tuk tuk in Colombo and when the driver had asked him for what seems an exorbitant amount he had argued it out and brought the figure down to a reasonable level.

And yes it's true just last year I was scammed in Chicago airport, paid US$ 80 for a cab to downtown and them was told by the hotel reception that I had been scammed because there is a flat rate from Ohare to downtown of US$ 40/-!

So it happens in America and happens in Sri Lanka and I am sure every other place in the world.

But the memories of my trip to USA and catching a trout in Montana are priceless so who cares!

What can you do about it? Nothing.