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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Overcharged by taxi driver AIBU?

53 replies

StrategyMaps · 16/10/2023 09:17

I take the same journey once a week, at the same time, on the same day, and get a taxi each time from a taxi rank. I know the journey well and it takes less than 5 minutes. The fare is always £6.60 or similar give or take £1. This week I took my cab and the driver wasn’t using the machine which shows you the fare due. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But when the journey ended it was £3 more than I’d expect to pay, and I felt cheated. But since it was late at night I didn’t feel safe to challenge them, as I was alone and no one around. So I paid with my card, and later logged on to the council website to report overcharging. Unfortunately I wasn’t thinking properly and didn’t photograph the number plate as he drove off… AIBU to be annoyed about this? I feel like he just made up the fare.

OP posts:
SisterMichaelsHabit · 16/10/2023 09:18

Late night taxi fares are usually the more expensive night rates, could it be that?

octodrive · 16/10/2023 09:20

Our rate changes at 10pm.

Check your local council where you will be able to find information on fares

octodrive · 16/10/2023 09:22

Oh wait sorry he did the job off meter; I missed that part.

Ignore me previous

Mydogmybestfriend · 16/10/2023 09:41

Get over it, it's £3 maybe he needed it. It will come back to you some how

HerMammy · 16/10/2023 09:43

Fares increase at 10pm, its £3 not £30

Whataretheodds · 16/10/2023 09:44

Are you sure he was a legit driver. I'd expect all drivers to be using the meter.

Yes, round here there is a different price after 10pm (and possibly another one again after midnight)

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 16/10/2023 09:44

Mydogmybestfriend · 16/10/2023 09:41

Get over it, it's £3 maybe he needed it. It will come back to you some how

What a terrible attitude.

Original poster
StrategyMaps · 16/10/2023 09:48

I take the taxi at the same time each night, about 8:50pm. So it’s not the time. If anything, I am sometimes later and it still costs £6.60.

OP posts:
MrsMarzetti · 16/10/2023 09:55

Mydogmybestfriend · 16/10/2023 09:41

Get over it, it's £3 maybe he needed it. It will come back to you some how

Would you be happy with the cahier at Tesco charging you double because he has Christmas presents to buy for his children ?

DaftQuestionForToday · 16/10/2023 09:58

In future just make sure the meter is on, however, that doesn't guarantee it'll be the same price each time either as it'll depend on the traffic/lights etc.

Ranking & only getting a small fare is a nightmare. When they go back they'll be at the end of the line again. It's not uncommon to be there a couple of hours before getting a fare.

Taxi driving really isn't the profitable game you think it is. It's expensive with running the car (petrol/servicing) and all the fees they have to pay on top.

octodrive · 16/10/2023 09:59

Mydogmybestfriend · 16/10/2023 09:41

Get over it, it's £3 maybe he needed it. It will come back to you some how

Yeah, let's all just pay extra in case someone else needs it Confused

Emmalin · 16/10/2023 10:01

octodrive · 16/10/2023 09:59

Yeah, let's all just pay extra in case someone else needs it Confused

Show quote history

It's an argument that seems to be working well for energy companies, supermarkets etc

Aitrop · 16/10/2023 10:03

It’s not possible to say whether you’re being unreasonable without knowing why the cost was higher.

If it was because the taxi driver was making it up to get more cash, you’re not being unreasonable.

If it was because they charge more at night, or the rates have gone up, or because there was a bit more traffic than usual, or similar, then yes, you’re being unreasonable.

Original poster
StrategyMaps · 16/10/2023 10:05

The traffic was very quick, no hold ups or waiting. I’ve had queues of traffic later in the evening before and it has cost less.

OP posts:
SisterMichaelsHabit · 16/10/2023 10:15

StrategyMaps · 16/10/2023 09:48

I take the taxi at the same time each night, about 8:50pm. So it’s not the time. If anything, I am sometimes later and it still costs £6.60.

But that doesn't add up with what you said in your OP about it being late at night and being scared and alone so worried about questioning him. Unless you were going to an empty warehouse in the Mafia district and making the exchange with no cops present, people around you in their homes would reasonably be as awake at 8:50pm as at 3:50pm.

What did you think would happen if you said "that's £3 more than usual"?

Original poster
StrategyMaps · 16/10/2023 10:20

@SisterMichaelsHabit where I live it’s deserted after dark, very quiet. Many homes are holiday homes so in the off season it’s a bit spooky. That’s why I get a taxi, because I don’t feel safe to walk for 20 minutes at 8:50pm somewhere so deserted. And that’s why I also didn’t question the driver, who I felt was already slightly odd for not having a fare calculator. Maybe I should stand up for myself more? I tend to just try to report things rather than confront directly.

OP posts:
HerMammy · 16/10/2023 10:22

8.50pm? I thought the way you were going on it was at midnight,
with late at night !

Mydogmybestfriend · 16/10/2023 10:22

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 16/10/2023 09:44

What a terrible attitude.

Show quote history

No yours is a terrible attitude to encourage someone to get upset over 3 pounds. People like you are negative 24/7 and miserable.
I follow karma and law of attraction it will come back to her.

Mydogmybestfriend · 16/10/2023 10:24

MrsMarzetti · 16/10/2023 09:55

Would you be happy with the cahier at Tesco charging you double because he has Christmas presents to buy for his children ?

Show quote history

I regularly find money, win money or get money for jobs. So It will return to me.

Maddy70 · 16/10/2023 10:30

Charges change after certain. Times the later it is the more you pay

Greenshake · 16/10/2023 10:33

You should have said something at the time.

Thelittleweasel · 16/10/2023 10:33

@StrategyMaps

I'd have been tempted to say "I'll pay what's on the meter".

More seriously we have two types locally [the same company]. "Hackney" which can pick up on street and have meter and "pre book" where there is a fare set by the controller. [I always go for the latter]

Banana1979 · 16/10/2023 10:36

You should have said oh the meter isn’t on-it’s normally about £7 has the rate gone up ? Taxi driver probably didn’t know what the average fare is and just gave a flat fare
put it down to experience, but next time make sure the meter is on. If it’s not on say do you mind if you put the meter on please?

Needmorelego · 16/10/2023 10:48

It may have been a genuine error. As you didn't say anything at the time you will never know.

Stephjmumof3 · 16/10/2023 19:51

Although taxi was at rank,was it a black cab Hackney? They have to have meter on display. If it was a cab sitting down licensed to a city,you'd be charged a set fare. Taxi drivers are allowed to surcharge their meters however they want,if a Hackney. As theyre self employed. If u didn't ask,you'll never know. £3 I'd put it down to experience,next time u get in a car without a display meter,just ask the fare before u start the journey.