MEL taxi scam

[Quickstatus]

Taxi Touts exist all over the world. It’s unsavoury on one level. Understandable on another. Similarly, Beggars exist. Unsavoury but understandable.

Basically a sign of a structural problem in the economy

No one is clean on this matter - the taxi industry - the product), the airport - the queues, the long walk to taxi stand, the government - poor public transportation, taxi policies, the travelling public - who want services to be dirt cheap and are happy to exploit the gig economy while at the same time want jobs that pay highly with all the benefits.

Interesting:

 

[Sprucegoose]

Having been through MEL airport a few times the touts have always been there and there is sometimes constant messaging warning they’re operating. Why are they still there - is a APAM management question.

If you’re a skilled negotiator sometimes you could obtain a reasonable deal, however as mentioned before, familiarity is a key to stress reduced business travel so getting into unknown situations isn’t part of the game plan.

 

[Notyourbag]

Irony - tout when I landed at T1 in Melbourne last week asking me if I wanted to take a ride whilst the "please avoid and report unsolicited drivers" announcement was being made!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Irony - tout when I landed at T1 in Melbourne last week asking me if I wanted to take a ride whilst the "please avoid and report unsolicited drivers" announcement was being made!

That would never deter them. I am sure some would survive a nuclear blast....

 

[NoName]

Has anyone ever “agreed” to use one of these people and then “changed their mind” 20 minutes later once their bags have come out? Would be interesting to see the reaction to wasting their time.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Has anyone ever “agreed” to use one of these people and then “changed their mind” 20 minutes later once their bags have come out? Would be interesting to see the reaction to wasting their time.

What .....get them to carry your bags to a taxi !!!

 

[NoName]

What .....get them to carry your bags to a taxi !!!

No.
I assume once you tell them you’d like their service that they hang around waiting for you to get your bag and be ready? That could take 20 min or more. I’m saying wait for your bag then tell them you’ve changed your mind and go to whatever mode of transport you had always intended to use.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

It's seeing cough like this why I continue to use Uber. I've already spent several hours with Qantas, I don't want to be taken for a ride any further!

 

[AIRwin]

It's seeing cough like this why I continue to use Uber. I've already spent several hours with Qantas, I don't want to be taken for a ride any further!

And earn more QF points (before coming full circle?)

 

[Sprucegoose]

No.
I assume once you tell them you’d like their service that they hang around waiting for you to get your bag and be ready? That could take 20 min or more. I’m saying wait for your bag then tell them you’ve changed your mind and go to whatever mode of transport you had always intended to use.

lol, respectfully, try getting away with this!

You are dealing with unconvicted nefarious characters capable of any heinous criminal act, these guys make Ali Baba and his 40 thieves look like a kindergarten Christmas party..........

 

[Longgrain]

The other week I was down in Melbourne from Canberra for a conference, and after an early morning flight I was approached as I exited the terminal by a gent of... shall we say... western-Asian descent, who asked if I wanted a cab. I was kinda still half asleep, so I uttered yes, to which he asked me to follow him. First of all, I must say that being driven in a Mercedes might have social status, but the car was pretty ordinary compared to my BMWs, but the fare!!! well over $100 - WTF? This has got to be a scam. Normal taxi fares to Southbank (after some research) is only ~$80. Is it just me or is this something that travellers should be made aware of?

M

Similar experience, approached in the same manner and 3/4 of the way through the trip he informs us his credit card scanner wasn’t working and we had to pay cash which we didn’t have. Drove around for 30 mins trying to locate an ATM. Never again, straight to the taxi rank for us.
BL

 

[SYD]

Why does MEL allow something that you‘d expect to see in more dubious locations?

I see it every time I arrive at the Domestic terminals (so not even unsuspecting foreigners arriving) and wonder why security aren’t moving them along? Surely it’s illegal?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I took a ride with one of these fellows at Melbourne many years ago. It turned out to be a very useful service, and I used it for many years. I could book a car and be picked up exactly when I wanted. I also had a bill sent to me every month instead of having to record every journey for tax. I searched for a similar service in Sydney, but never found a reasonablely priced one.

There is a huge difference between pre-arranged private car hire services and the touters being mentioned here. The former to my knowledge is officially sanctioned by the airport and has necessary insurance whereas the other who knows.

Sometimes, it works.

I will grant you that. When I landed in Pittsburgh late at night it was tough finding either an Uber or Lyft. I ended up settling for a sanctioned taxi and paid through the nose for it (thank goodness my employer reimbursed me for that)

Similar experience, approached in the same manner and 3/4 of the way through the trip he informs us his credit card scanner wasn’t working and we had to pay cash which we didn’t have. Drove around for 30 mins trying to locate an ATM. Never again, straight to the taxi rank for us.
BL

If a taxi driver informs you that payment methods that offer are not available after you are in the car do you need to pay for the ride? It's my understanding that such misrepresentations may violate Australian Consumer Law.

Why does MEL allow something that you‘d expect to see in more dubious locations?

Presumably it is hard to enforce. You would need to have someone undercover looking for them, and once caught they would remember who those undercover agents are. What I would be curious is what the fines for such an offence are? Presumably nowhere near enough since the activity is still happening. And riddle me this, if I were to fly into Melbourne from abroad with an undeclared sandwich I could face hundreds if not thousands of dollars in fines, but the person on the other side of the arrivals door running an unlicensed service gets no more than a slap on the wrist? How does that make any sense?

I see it every time I arrive at the Domestic terminals (so not even unsuspecting foreigners arriving) and wonder why security aren’t moving them along? Surely it’s illegal?

Presumably it's illegal and maybe there is a penalty associated with it (cost). Presumably they make more money from these services than running a legitimate taxi one (benefits). So it would seem that the cost benefit works out for those doing it. In terms of the passengers who accept such solicitations it's no wonder why. Try getting a cab from the taxi rank at Melbourne or Sydney. You'll wait! And if you are a business traveller who can expense it back to your company, who cares if it costs a bit more?

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

Try getting a cab from the taxi rank at Melbourne or Sydney. You'll wait!

I’ve never seen touts at SYD domestic (or if they exist, possibly ignored them as irrelevant because there are options eg a train, or rideshare…).

And if you are a business traveller who can expense it back to your company, who cares if it costs a bit more?

Good luck getting a receipt!

 

[Saab34]

Melbourne are really weak, the behaviour isn’t as rife in other capitals, not sure what the issue down south is. It’s been on ACA multiple times, yet Management just continue on. It’s no trade secret either, known by many.

Last time I noted they hiding in the shadows ready to leap out at T4, I was going to shake my head at them in disgust when they popped out, however the big pacific bloke ahead of me told them to fark off among some other words and they soon bolted.

Just another thing the authorities turn a blind eye to here, amongst many other things.

 

[Gladstone Tim]

For the last couple of years I’ve used in Melbourne the Silver Service taxi recommendations from AFF contributors. Most times the high quality vehicle is discreetly marked as a private hire car (Or whatever the Vic licensing terminology is). Nothing better than the kudos from my wife arriving at MEL at 11pm to have the transfer waiting for us.

 

[p--and--t]

For the last couple of years I’ve used in Melbourne the Silver Service taxi recommendations from AFF contributors. Most times the high quality vehicle is discreetly marked as a private hire car (Or whatever the Vic licensing terminology is). Nothing better than the kudos from my wife arriving at MEL at 11pm to have the transfer waiting for us.

There’s no problem with booked licensed operators in insured vehicles meeting passengers eith a sign that I have used many times.

The problem is the touts that have being doing this unabated for years that in some cases that are not licensed passenger transport operators with potentially no car insurance, no drivers license, unroadworthy vehicles and a criminal record..

 

[Gladstone Tim]

There’s no problem with booked licensed operators in insured vehicles meeting passengers eith a sign that I have used many times.

The problem is the touts that have being doing this unabated for years that in some cases that are not licensed passenger transport operators with potentially no car insurance, no drivers license, unroadworthy vehicles and a criminal record..

Hi p-and-t, I think I am agreeing with you regarding the risk with touts, just outlining my experience with authorised and better quality outcomes.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Hi p-and-t, I think I am agreeing with you regarding the risk with touts, just outlining my experience with authorised and better quality outcomes.

I think (and I could be mistaken here) that authorized drivers aren't allowed to tout like that. Either you prebook them online or over the phone or you queue up at the taxi rank.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

More evidence that Melbourne is a decaying and lawless cesspit. It makes arriving into Melbourne Airport so uninviting - every other capital city airport manages to avoid this problem.