How do taxis still get away with a 5% credit card surcharge?

[Daver6]

Can one still pay a taxi with cash these days?

 

[jastel]

Never found a taxi or uber that refuses cash.
You can pay with cash...it is legal tender.

Some companies try to make it difficult but I find leaving the item on the counter and walking out works every time....

 

[jastel]

The difference is in one you're paying a bundle/package price for a whole bunch of services, and in the other you're paying a surcharge for an optional extra. Just as you pay a surcharge to Qantas, or a hotel, or petrol station for paying with a credit card.

Whereas in the first you're paying for a package, just as with airbnb, or even a travel agent for a travel booking with transfers, and hotels, and tours and flights, or even a hotel booking through anyone but the hotel e.g. booking.com, or a TA. Commission is rolled up into all those models, the same as uber.

OK - so its not a "package" or "bundle" but the costs are still there and you are still paying for it somewhere.

 

[oz_mark]

Never found a taxi or uber that refuses cash.
You can pay with cash...it is legal tender.

Some companies try to make it difficult but I find leaving the item on the counter and walking out works every time....

Cash might be legal tender, but nothing compels anyone to accept it. No laws in Australia require you to accept cash.

 

[AIRwin]

No laws in Australia require you to accept cash.

No cash accepted on board QF/JQ/VA

 

[Mattg]

Can one still pay a taxi with cash these days?

Yes you can.

Although, the last time I used a taxi, even though I had withdrawn cash beforehand, I was overcharged so much that I didn't have enough cash to cover the fare. Meaning I had to pay by card, adding another 5%.

 

[odysseus]

OK - so its not a "package" or "bundle" but the costs are still there and you are still paying for it somewhere.

Nobody said you weren't paying for it. You just questioned why there was not a similar reaction against Uber to the surcharge for cabs. But the model is decidedly different - and further the key issue is that where there are credit card surcharges, there is some tolerance of them when they are realistic - but when they are a gouge like here is when there is an outcry. Whereas while Uber's internal commission is high, the overall package that the consumer is paying is competitive to the market.

 

[jastel]

Then just imagine the uber model 20% cheaper...and I'm still allowing for a massive 5% credit card gouge like taxis do...

Uber charging 20% to dispatch a car via an app that costs maybe $500000...once...is in my view an "unrealistic" charge. Uber probably use 15% of that 20% in marketing and subsidies to entice more customers and drivers into the game and squash newer rivals who try to take less commission.

I just dont get the taxi hatred when uber does the same thing??
Both systems have good and bad points. I've had good and bad rides in both.

 

[jastel]

Cash might be legal tender, but nothing compels anyone to accept it. No laws in Australia require you to accept cash.

Exactly...same as saying "Cash Only" is OK.
If they dont want my cash I'll go elsewhere.
I dislike BB knowing my every purchase.

 

[Ausbt]

Years and years of Cabcharge sucking down 11% caused me to enthusiastically move to Uber, when normally I would be more reluctant as a matter of philosophy to move toward a disruptor. Sure, Uber do surge pricing but I see that as supply-and-demand. Uber is cheaper. cleaner and more pleasant and has refunded lots of little amounts over the years where disputes have been raised, and there have been more than a few.

Too many years of being force-fed redneck radio talkback. Sure I've had some entertaining times in cabs - the white-gloved chap who explained all of his conspiracy theories; the one telling sexist jokes about a politian I admired; the one I was in an accident in; the one I ended up in court over (let's not go there and yes I was acquitted); too many that stank.

You know I do feel bad (apparently) for all of those little old pensioners who own a licence plate (apparently) ...well at least that what Hadley and Jones and their ilk keep telling us (this message brought to you by RSL Cabs)

 

[Vic]

Cash might be legal tender, but nothing compels anyone to accept it. No laws in Australia require you to accept cash.

Well that's not exactly correct. they have to specify in advance, when offering the service that cash will not be accepted. If they do not specific alternative payment means or exclude cash in advance, then the debtor is entitled to offer cash (legal tender) in settlement of the debt.

The creditor is certainly compelled to accept cash if they want their money, and no alternative means of payment have been specified in advance.

Post automatically merged: Oct 12, 2021

What's a taxi? They're about as useful as this, that I found at my parents' house recently

View attachment 249459

hey?

You still have that thing, just it's electronic and on your phone now.

 

[Ade]

What's a taxi? They're about as useful as this, that I found at my parents' house recently

View attachment 249459

Out of curiosity ... what is this device? what was it used for?

 

[Ade]

or uber that refuses cash.

I have never been able to pay cash for Uber in AU. In India, when you book an Uber, the driver calls you to ask if you can pay cash. If you say you can't they cancel the ride

The issue is, I have linked & made my AU AMEX as default for any Uber (& Uber Eats) txn, so I'm charged automatically when I book a ride in India via Uber, only to have the driver call and cancel on me because I can't pay cash (in INR). At some point in time in 2018-19, I had so much Uber credits in Indian & Sri Lankan Rupees because I'm forced to pay cash and then request a refund of the money that was deducted from my AMEX. Some of those credits have now expired because I didn't use them within a certain time ... It was only around 1000 rupees (say $10 AU). Uber prefers to give out credits instead of refunds.

 

[Daver6]

Out of curiosity ... what is this device? what was it used for?

Marbig Telephone List Finder You can still buy one.

Used to store phone numbers. You'd move the bit on the front to the letter of the page you wanted to open and then push the button on the bottom. It would flick open and the right page.

 

[Ade]

Marbig Telephone List Finder You can still buy one.

Used to store phone numbers. You'd move the bit on the front to the letter of the page you wanted to open and then push the button on the bottom. It would flick open and the right page.

Simply wow! I mean, wowwie!!! that's an amazing device ... I learnt something new today

I looked it up, it's available in OfficeWorks! near Braddon, CBR !! Once the shops open I will go and have a look at it ... may be ask for a demonstration too !

 

[TheRealTMA]

Marbig Telephone List Finder You can still buy one.

Used to store phone numbers. You'd move the bit on the front to the letter of the page you wanted to open and then push the button on the bottom. It would flick open and the right page.

LOL! We used to have one of these! Long log time ago in the time of PSTN phones with rotary dials!