As I remember, the meter doesn't start at zero but at 2 or 3 Euros, even at a taxi rank. So the E8.8 included a couple of Euros plus the fare from the time of dispatch.

The cab probably didn't come from far away but there may have been traffic that increased the fare.

The choice is to accept this method as part of traveling or stay home or take public transporation. But if you take public transport you'd probably complain about Venice vaporetti charging extra for luggage.

At a normal time/day of the week, the meter starts at 2.40€.
The minimum fare for a taxi ride, even if you only want to go to the end of the block, is 6.40€.

More information here: http://www.taxi-paris.net/page36.html

Kerouac's info adds up to the 8.8E. Interesting. thank you.

No it doesn't. It just means that if the meter has not reached 6.40€ by the time you arrive at your destination, you will pay 6.40€ anyway.

Oh, I see what you mean, but that is just a coincidence.

I have read here several times that you can't hail a taxi in Paris. But I have done it many times. As Kerouac says, the only rule about not hailing taxis is within 50 meters of a taxi station. And what would be the point of green lights to show a taxi is free if you couldn't hail them on the street?

Interesting coincidence. Maybe he just dropped it to that. Glad for the clarification about a stand. Makes sense. I actually think I DID hail one once--and hadn't realized about the "rule". Maybe the ones that passed me were from the stand--I kept walking!!

Every day, I see so many people trying to hail taxis right across the street from a taxi stand. Of course the taxis ignore them. There are (just a few) "municipal taxi testers" but I don't know if this is one of the common traps that are used to fine drivers who do not respect the rules.

I have hailed taxis in paris several times - with no problem. But I wasn't near any taxi stand that could see. But we generally did get them at stands or called by the hotel. And every taxi I have every seen anywhere has a flat rate drop - ti starts when you get in the cab. the meter is never zero.

I think the OP makes it clear that he has no interest in logic by justifying his complaint by asking drivers in other places. In every city of any size taxi rates and practices are controlled by the local government. And they are all different. For instance - you can't call a cab in NYC - they don;t operate that way - only pick up on the street. And taxi stands are unknown except at major transit hubs - Penn Station, Grand Central, Port Authority and airports. If you want to order a car in advance you have to use a car service - and they charge whatever they choose - and you agree to.

This is the law. The taxi driver is just doing his job in the present case. The amount that shows on the meter when you get in if you made a reservation is called "l'approche" in French (meaning the approach).
Discussion is outdated however if you are looking for info about getting a cab in Paris here is info you should read:
http://www.shuttle-paris.com/taxis-cabs.htm
If you want to quote your journey consider this site:
http://www.itaxis.fr/ (In French)
Rgds