Remember a few months ago when I came to Beijing, to assess the city before my big relocation. I got scammed in my taxi trip from the airport.
I was leaving the baggage claims and looking for sign for taxi stop. As soon as I start walking towards the taxi direction, someone came up to me and asked if I was looking for a taxi. She spoke to me in English, and told me she has a taxi ready, which I don't have to line up, and she can help me to carry my luggage to the taxi. Yeah, I was suffering from carrying all my heavy luggage. So I welcome this offer, and said "sure, I am looking for a taxi.
On my way to the taxi, she told me the trip will cost around 300 yuan. I should have asked around to check the average taxi price before coming, so I have no idea of how much a taxi trip would be. I somehow start suspecting if they will charge me more.. so I asked them, is the taxi metered? She said, yes, it is metered, don't worry, our taxi is no difference than the one at the taxi station."
During the trip, yes, I did see the meter, but it was mostly blocked by the lady's feet.. I cannot see how much the trip was until i need to pay for it.. The trip end up costing me 350 yuan. I thought it was quite expensive, so I asked my colleague when regarding the fee. He told me my trip should only costed $100 and the receipt I got is not the usual taxi receipt. I was so sad that as soon as I landed in Beijing, i got scammed.
Anyhow, this time when I arrived in Beijing in September, I took more precaution of course. I went to the taxi station for a taxi. My trip only costed me 75 yuan. What a rip off in the first time!
