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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: alfie on 10 September 2012, 09:28:25

Title: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: alfie on 10 September 2012, 09:28:25
Hi all,just browsing next years holidays looking for the cheapest and best deals for flights and hotels.Decided that Easy jet and trip ,  The only problem being is that the taxi's from palma to resort cost more than the flights.They are chargeing per person plus per peice of luggage. Is this the lastest scam that the Spanish taxi drivers are pulling.   

                                                         Alfie,
ps My lappy is having a funny turn this morning,any mistakes are HP faults and not Alfies.                                                       
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: Plomien on 10 September 2012, 09:37:00
I think you missed something, were you looking for info?
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: alfie on 10 September 2012, 09:39:39
I know, puter gone nuts,please later post
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: Plomien on 10 September 2012, 09:52:01
ah fair enough, probably cheaper to hire a car then
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: Drewomega on 10 September 2012, 10:48:18
You can get a small car for around €10-€15 per day at the moment.  :y
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: cam2502 on 10 September 2012, 11:00:54
Have you tried booking the taxi online? We did this from gerona airport to lloret de mar last year, a journey of around 40mins. They sent An E class Mercedes which cost us 50 euros, there were 4 of us so worked out cheaper than the bus! Same on the way back, the drivers were very courteous and helpful.
We were in Majorca as well, we stayed in Aranal so wasn't far from Palma airport, but again found the taxis cheap and easy, with friendly drivers.
I'll have a root around, see if I can find the paperwork.
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: mantahatch on 10 September 2012, 11:47:33
Had a similar experience this June/July in Majorca. There was 5 of us so booked a minbus. No problem with arrival the minibus was just for the 5 of us. When it came time to go home a minbus arrived at our hotel and it allready had 2 women on board. I argued with the driver about the fact we had paid for the entire minibus to ourselves, but got nowhere. Then the minibus proceeded to make another 3 collections on the way to the airport.

So if everyone on that bus paid for a taxi the company was raking it in. We complained to travelrepublic who we booked with but as per usual no reply from them. So yes it looks like they are scamming us.

We are away again in October (already booked with travelrepublic months ago) but this time only 2 of us, the taxi is booked form Girona to Llorett DeMar, never been there before.
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: Varche on 10 September 2012, 11:52:24
There is a crisis on! The poor taxi drivers have to make a living somehow.

I have zero experience of taxis so can't really comment. I do know that hire cars are cheap enough (but even there there are scams like full/empty) and driving in Spain is easy enough
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: 05omegav6 on 10 September 2012, 12:15:59
D
Had a similar experience this June/July in Majorca. There was 5 of us so booked a minbus. No problem with arrival the minibus was just for the 5 of us. When it came time to go home a minbus arrived at our hotel and it allready had 2 women on board. I argued with the driver about the fact we had paid for the entire minibus to ourselves, but got nowhere. Then the minibus proceeded to make another 3 collections on the way to the airport.

So if everyone on that bus paid for a taxi the company was raking it in. We complained to travelrepublic who we booked with but as per usual no reply from them. So yes it looks like they are scamming us.

We are away again in October (already booked with travelrepublic months ago) but this time only 2 of us, the taxi is booked form Girona to Llorett DeMar, never been there before.

Sounds like the booking agent was taking the pish...

Use google to research the local tariffs and extras, then use google maps to work out distance, add %10 for good measure. This way you'll know roughly what to pay. Grab a cab from the airport, agreeing the price first (which you already know). When it comes to home time, get the hotel to call a cab for you, allow plenty of time though as last minute taxis have lower odds than the lottery.
 
Even if there are only 3 or 4 of you make sure that you get a car that is large enough for the luggage. If you need an estate car or people carrier because you've got golf clubs etc then be prepared to pay extra, although this shouldn't be a surprise because the official tariffs should include all the variations.

If you've had a few bevvies, be polite. Calling the driver a 'disgusting can't' ,as happened to me on Saturday, is guaranteed to leave you stranded. Remember it only takes a couple of phonecalls and you'll not be able to get a cab again in any given town or resort.

If you do feel aggrieved, for any reason, always take a card from the driver, along with their badge number, taxi plate number, reg and description. If you get into a licensed taxi or prebooked car, always pay, a criminal record is not worth the fare. If an unlicensed car picks you up, go wherever you need to. When you arrive, just get out and walk away. They cannot legally ask you for money. Just remember that they and you are not insured.
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: alfie on 10 September 2012, 14:31:30
Hi all,Thanks for your thoughts,as there is only myself and wifey going next year it looks as if an hire car is the best bet.
                                                       Alfie.

Ps but plans can change.
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: Rods2 on 10 September 2012, 15:41:25
There are several internet Airport Transfers websites that cover most of Europe, have a look to see how these costs compare.
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: 05omegav6 on 10 September 2012, 17:56:18
There are several internet Airport Transfers websites that cover most of Europe, have a look to see how these costs compare.
A quick and efficient way of parting unsuspecting tourists from their cash if ever there was... you don't even need a car ::)

Every time I pick up at Heathrow, there's a selection of confused people holding print outs of emails that allegedly confirm that a car has been booked with A N Other. The lucky ones get an answerphone message, the not so lucky, an old dear in Derby or worse still, an unobtainable number :-\
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: Rods2 on 10 September 2012, 22:24:55
There are several internet Airport Transfers websites that cover most of Europe, have a look to see how these costs compare.
A quick and efficient way of parting unsuspecting tourists from their cash if ever there was... you don't even need a car ::)

Every time I pick up at Heathrow, there's a selection of confused people holding print outs of emails that allegedly confirm that a car has been booked with A N Other. The lucky ones get an answerphone message, the not so lucky, an old dear in Derby or worse still, an unobtainable number :-\

My next door neighbour has had no problems, taxi / minibus has always been there to pick them up from Izmir or Bodrum airport and take them to Altinkum or vice versa.
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: cleggy on 10 September 2012, 22:33:54
Could look up the bus services :y I know that from Girona airport to Girona is only about 3 euros, more to Barcelona.

I presume that airport bus services are available in Palma
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: 05omegav6 on 10 September 2012, 22:44:05
There are several internet Airport Transfers websites that cover most of Europe, have a look to see how these costs compare.
A quick and efficient way of parting unsuspecting tourists from their cash if ever there was... you don't even need a car ::)

Every time I pick up at Heathrow, there's a selection of confused people holding print outs of emails that allegedly confirm that a car has been booked with A N Other. The lucky ones get an answerphone message, the not so lucky, an old dear in Derby or worse still, an unobtainable number :-\

My next door neighbour has had no problems, taxi / minibus has always been there to pick them up from Izmir or Bodrum airport and take them to Altinkum or vice versa.

Glad to here it :y

The vast majority of us are here simply to make an honest living, but as with most things there are always those who aren't...   sadly :-\
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: cam2502 on 11 September 2012, 16:29:02
Had a similar experience this June/July in Majorca. There was 5 of us so booked a minbus. No problem with arrival the minibus was just for the 5 of us. When it came time to go home a minbus arrived at our hotel and it allready had 2 women on board. I argued with the driver about the fact we had paid for the entire minibus to ourselves, but got nowhere. Then the minibus proceeded to make another 3 collections on the way to the airport.

So if everyone on that bus paid for a taxi the company was raking it in. We complained to travelrepublic who we booked with but as per usual no reply from them. So yes it looks like they are scamming us.

We are away again in October (already booked with travelrepublic months ago) but this time only 2 of us, the taxi is booked form Girona to Llorett DeMar, never been there before.


I think you'll enjoy lloret, ive been a couple of times in last 4 years.  You MUST try the cocktails at the bar on the beach, its at the top end near the roundabout. Fantastic.
 Another couple of bars we enjoyed were the rabbie burns ( scottish pub obviously) and baileys irish pub.
The main strip in lloret is fairly boisterous at night, nightclubs and bars up and down both sides. If your after a quieter evening, head to the Fennels area, it's about a mile on from lloret. Cost about 5 euros in taxi. There's some really lovely restaurants in that area, and a Chinese that does 4 courses for 10 euros and is superb.
 What's the hotel name your staying at?
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: cam2502 on 11 September 2012, 16:38:13
Pm sent mike  :y
Title: Re: Greedy spanish taxi drivers,
Post by: mantahatch on 11 September 2012, 18:03:36
Pm sent mike  :y

Thanks for the info, and I have replied  :)