marvelousmouse

Lol, me too, Nikki.

I was warned by three different clerks at my hostel about the cheating taxi drivers of Rome, and was rather disappointed when not a single one tried to fleece me! I never had someone try to sell me a leather jacket out of his trunk either. Oh well, there's always next trip!

xcountry

Dave - they’ll be payback time. November 25th - 12 pm.

Unless of course ...

Dave_Ohio

XC: That'll be a Cold day in November, but (quel) che sarà, sarà.

Dave_Ohio

Nikki, I've been deceiving myself for most of my life. Therefore, I saved three € by not taking a taxi from the airport... right? Thanks! That feels so much better!

maitaitom

Don't worry Dave, I'll buy the drinks before the Moody Blues Rock and Roll induction ceremony next year. Thanks for the warning.

Dave_Ohio

Tom, maybe some day I should try writing a real trip report, so we can go off on some fun tangents. Discussing cocktail prices in main piazzas vs side streets, how to haggle with pop-up street vendors, how to repel pop-up street vendors, underrated sites with unsung masterpieces, overrated tourist attractions, and so much more.

By the way, your reports have helped me avoid repeating your mistakes. You have challenged me to make new ones of my own. Thank you.

:-B

bvh

The only time I experienced this rip-off was my first taxi from JFK to manhattan. The guy was very friendly, but a serious crook. Once it happens, you never make that mistake again. Hopefully.

dweislaw

Our Rome taxi story is a bit different. We had our hotel (Hotel Campo De Fiori) call a taxi for us one evening and after the ride, I discovered the mobile wifi device I carried had fallen out of my rear pocket and been left in the taxi. When I returned that night, I informed the hotel staff and they were able to call the taxi company the next day and with some insistence on their part get the company to give them our driver's contact information. While they had some trouble getting him to respond, when he finally did he acknowledged having the device and told the staff, as they related to me, that he was at the airport and I could pay 50Euro for him to drive to the hotel for the unit's return or wait until he was back in town for him to drop it off at his convenience. I waited and he did return the unit later that day (all in all, about 48 hours after my mistake).
Having had the hotel call the taxi was the game changer here as I otherwise would never had known enough about the taxi to track down my unit. I suppose one of the lessons here is to gather identifying info about any taxi you take as you never know when you might need it. I was saved from myself.
I obviously owe a debt of gratitude to the hotel staff who were brilliant in helping their dumbass guest out. The hotel was great in any event, but this type of service is never forgotten.
Finally, I admit to being conflicted about the taxi driver. He obviously did me right, by keeping the unit, agreeing to deliver it and ultimately bringing it back to me (and I tipped him for his trouble, but not 50Euro). But, the "offer" to pay him 50Euro to drive it from the airport seemed a little suspect to me.

goddesstogo

My only taxi ripoff attempt was also in NY. We were not tourists but my SO's mom was visiting so we probably looked like we were. I knew just about how much the short trip should be and when I saw the meter spinning away like crazy, I told him to stop the car right there and let us out. He wanted what was on the meter, I said no, gave him 8 bucks (about the right amount for that spot sans tip) and we got out and hailed another cab.

The funny thing was that just the week before I'd read an article in New York Magazines about taxi scams and the fast meter was one of the ones they mentioned.

crefloors

Well, I have my own tale. Had my wallet lifted on Ile de Citie a couple hours ago. All the times I have always been very careful, always aware of my bag, always zipped, always in front, ad nauseum, and dropped guard and wham. What's worse is now thinking back, I see how they set me up.

So, live and learn people. It has not been a good day in the City of Light. LOL

So, ready for the hits, shoulda, woulda, coulda. Lucky for me I am travelling with a friend who has money.

I don't think I'm the only person in the world who has ever dropped their guard and almost didn't post this, feeling really dumb, but it's a reminder that it CAN happen so new travelers, don't be fearffearfull, but DO be careful and keep an eye on your stuff.

vincenzo32951

I think you rightfully started with #1. That is the 1st step of a scam. If it happens, scream, "Get your hands off my luggage!" Scam artists don't like attention.

gomiki

crefloors, I am sorry to hear about your wallet. It only takes a moment.

Are you going to do a trip report? We arrived back from Paris on Sunday. I have severe withdrawal. Are you going to stock up on Paris socks?

crefloors

Thanks Miki. Gawd I feel like a fool. Anyway, I'm looking for some. I'm going to drown my sorrows. I may do a report.

I said this trip was my Europe "swan song" so perhaps the "gods" agree. I had just lit a candle at Notre Dam to be thankful for my wonderful trip with my friend and the fact we are still speaking after 3 weeks together and one more to go.

gomiki

I saw lots of the socks and thought of you! Enjoy the rest of your trip! I hope you do a report.

crefloors

Thanks Mimi. Having a coffee at BHV. Thanks to my friend I purchased a couple of table linens. I was so sad Bouchera (?), can't remember, but I remember it was right across the street from Galarie Lafayette and now it's a Galarie Lafayette shoe store.

I loved that store and really was looking forward to shopping there again. Oh well, its been 11 years, can't expect things to stay the same.

I WAS looking for socks and a couple of stocking stuffers for kids and SIL's and the dastardly deed happened.

crefloors

It keeps changing Miki to mimi.

NewbE

Please don't feel dumb, it really can happen to anyone, and beating yourself up only adds insult to injury. A friend of ours had his backpack stolen in a pub in London years ago, and it really ruined his memories of that trip, which is so unfortunate. I hope you can shake it off!

vincenzo32951

The Vegas line is 8-5 that a certain knucklehead here will post something to the effect of "Well, I've been taking taxis in Rome for 20 years, and that's never happened to me."

massimop

dweislaw

you wrote:

I admit to being conflicted about the taxi driver. He obviously did me right, by keeping the unit, agreeing to deliver it and ultimately bringing it back to me (and I tipped him for his trouble, but not 50Euro). But, the "offer" to pay him 50Euro to drive it from the airport seemed a little suspect to me.


A taxi driver at the Roman airports has to wait in queue until he reaches the front of a line to get a fare. That can sometimes mean he is waiting an hour or more for his turn to get a customer, and if he leaves the line for any reason, he can't re-join the line where he left it, but he has to back to the end of the queue.

So if when you got in touch with the driver he was at the airport waiting in the queue, his asking for 50e to leave the queue just deliver your lost item immediately was fair. Basicially, he was charging you the same flat rate as if he had a customer. Since you were willing to wait until he got a paying customer and returned to Rome center, he was nice enough not to charge you for whatever short distance he drove to drop it off where you were (since some other traveler getting into the taxi at the airport paid him to drive back to Rome).

crefloors

I appreciate the support newbIe. I called everyone I needed to call and will take care of other stuff when I get home. So moving right along.......LOL