1. Offering non-metered "flat rates" to airport, or other notable destination, or "I'm off duty and won't turn on the meter". Sorry, you will turn on the meter, partly because I'm not in the mood for your games, and partly because it says right here on the back of your seat that it's the law, end stop. I've not yet had to pay more with it on, which is basic proof that you're flat rate "deal" is a) trying to rip your customer off for $5 or $10 more, and b) likely your employer too by not reporting the revenue. Best case scenario - pay at least a legitimate measured amount.
2. Pulling over to let you out "here, at your destination". But sir, this isn't my destination. "Oh, I thought that's what you said, we'll have to circle back." Yes, we certainly will, because that's where I need to go. Secondly, you acknowledged and repeated back to me the destination when we got in (make them repeat it). If it's an error of location, remind them that also can't exist, as they all have GPS sitting on the dash - if they don't know a location, and elect not to use GPS, that sure isn't your fault. I'll pay the price to here, or mentally adjust it to the proper location. I have no moral issue shoving the amount I feel is correct through the window and departing, let them whine. Presuming it's within a dollar or two, it's not like they're going to chase you back to Canada. Best case scenario - pay the "right" amount vs an inflated amount.
3. Short changing - this was one of the more sinister ones I saw, as it needed more preparation, and therefore wasn't just a spontaneous thing. I don't like the idea that there's that much plotting against the customer in advance. Cab ride from A to B costs $11. Hand over a $20 through the window. Recieve $4 back as I'm starting to shuffle towards the curb side door. Look at money and sorta figure it out with my mathematical genius that I'm $5 short, before any judgement on tip. "oh, you must have dropped it sir" as he turns around in his seat and pulls a $5 up from the driver side little junk ledge by his seat near the hole in the window that separates the driver from the passengers. Now think about this for a second: I'm a sober guy in a suit coming back from a meeting, handed four $1 bills in a fairly neat stack... that's not something where one of the bills falls from your hand... we're not talking Canadian Loonies here. He's purposely trying to short change, with a pre-meditated excuse of "having dropped one" and has that little ledge planted with a $5 to back up his story. Best case scenario - leave with all your change.
4. From airport taxi stands - they often tell you what the rate to downtown will be from official taxi stands, like "$67 downtown, all in" meaning that's all you pay, tolls and such included. Either ask twice so you're abundantly clear, or ask for the little chit they can hand out right there in the case where it's advance quoted... cause chances are, buddy driving you says it's X plus tolls, not X including tolls.
5. "Sedan" or "Black car" service. Skip it. Just as functional as getting you around, just as scammy as the rest of them, but not traceable by ID number by the customer and under no transportation authority to keep them in line. Leave those for people who a) live in the city and know rates for various distances, b) those who "know a guy" they always call, or c) when you're straight up stuck and need to get out of the rain and it just becomes worth it. Easy "diffusive" excuse for the guy touting you "can you provide official receipts? ok, I can't go then. My work only reimburses me for official receipts."
6. I can't make change for that stack of $20's (or alternately, gives you some short and says the change "includes a tip"). First, I decide the tip rate, not you - that's totally fair game to state point blank. Second, if you're on that can't make change front, we've got two options. I'll pay by credit card on that slick little chip swipe system mounted back here, or I'll under pay you or give zero tip. There's nothing saying that inability to change is in the drivers favour. Secondly, there isn't a cabbie in the world who can't change a $20, that's basically their job in a nutshell other than honking horns and running yellow lights. Show the money you will pay with before handing it over so its in your hands while they make change, and if this issue arises, simply call BS and offer to underpay while moving toward the door (ie. $40 for a $50 ride) - change is usually made very fast. If there's dawdling, refer to writing down the number of the taxi. If none of those work, switch to Visa. If the "card system is down" (ie. NY technically counts the system not working as a car not working and won't let it on the road if known, so its not likely true), throw your underpayment over and let them pout.
There are more, but those were the typical ones this week. NY doesn't exactly have the "tout system" problem where you say you want to go to place A, but they try to push you to place B (dinners, hotels) as they know everyone makes reservations.
Practically speaking, how do you cope?
1. When you get in, type their ID card number into your blackberry. This doesn't do much, as the only things that matter are destination and price. Having said that, if they know you have it (ie. when you first get in and they ask something, just say "hold on one second, just gotta finish writing down the taxi ID and driver ID numbers"), helps level the playing field. Recourse I bet is basically zilch though in reality.
2. Have plenty of change for "those who can't make change".
3. They assume everyone is a non-confrontational pushover. Yeah, it may be a pain. But don't forget, you have rights and shouldn't be trampled. Keeping the whole system more honest, and preventing them with thinking everyone is a target help the cause. Just state what outcome needs to happen instead of crying ripoff in accusatory way (you need to give me $5 more change back, you need to make change, you need to drop me off here, etc.) and don't take other answers. They won't force their cheating logic on you if you point it out, they'll brush it off as a mistake - usually they try once and back off if they notice you aren't sheepish.
4. Get all your change or have it settled before you get out of the car!
Finally, I realize taxi driving is an entry level job and a foundation for many entering the country. The ones that zip you straight from A to B, asks two good questions along the way or provides you some trivia, punch the meter and say thanks... hand them a few bucks extra. Just seems like those aren't the majority of the population of drivers as of late.
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