Korean Job Discussion Forums

whatever · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Location: Korea: More fun than jail.

Over the course of the four or so years I've been here, I've left a few items in taxis...dumb and absent-minded, I know, but it happens to quite a few people. Ordinarily, they were nothing of great importance.

Once, my phone fell out of my pocket and I got it back a couple of days later by the kindness of the driver calling my friends and coworkers. I really appreciated it. Very classy.

Now, I've unfortunately left a very valuable (to me) item in a taxi when I was intoxicated and on the way to the airport for a very early morning trip abroad.

As I've been told and perhaps have seen postings on this before, it would be helpful to know the pickup place, time, the destination and the taxi company. I know all of those details except for the last one.

I've been doing my best with my low-intermediate Korean skills to inquire about finding my possessions via the telephone and am not getting far. It's understandable that these folks wouldn't have fluent support on the line for someone like me. Also, I've been shy about asking friends and coworkers for help, as they are extremely busy and I feel significant embarrassment over the whole thing.

If you have a story to share about how you successfully tracked down your stuff lost in a cab, please do. It would be practical advice for others to read.

If you feel you are up to specifically helping me attempt to find my stuff, using your fluent or near-fluent Korean skills, I would appreciate it and will REWARD YOU for your troubles. Please PM me. I live in the Seoul area. Thanks!

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

Bloopity Bloop · Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Location: Seoul yo

Forward Observer · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Location: FOB Gloria

I have a rule: Never take a taxi unless you take one with "T-Money" payment. Combine your Tmoney with your credit card, simple.

Why? Because (always keep your receipts) your receipt gives you the info and taxi number - you should always be able to recover any lost items.

One important thing to note: Most, not all, taxi drivers will hold your stuff ransom for 20,000 reward to bring it back to you. They feel that this is fair, although it's not legal by any stretch. Best thing to do is to tell them you'll pay them to bring your stuff back to you, then give them 5,000 when they get there. If they complain, tell them you'll call the cops. That's what Koreans do.

Jane · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Try calling the Seoul Global Center at 120. Without sounding too much like an advertisement, but they call help you at leave contact someone.