Korean Job Discussion Forums

gypsyfish · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

How much did it cost you to get to the airport? It sounds like it cost you W40,000 on that trip. That should have been a clue that there was a misunderstanding. You can't go across Seoul for W17,000; I don't see how you could have figured that you could get from the airport (in the middle of the night) for W17,000. (Though I appreciate that you were tired.)

What time did you arrive? The shuttle busses cost @ W8,000 depending on the company, but they are carrying more than one passenger.

My first instinct was to ignore your post, but, as a fellow American, I didn't appreciate that you brought up your nationality with the whineyness (is that even a word?) of your comments. Feel bad for yourself, rant, say bad things about the taxi driver, but don't act like we deserve special treatment because we give so much to this country. Very condescending.

To Swiss James, where were coming from? You must be the best negotiator in Seoul (or the taxi driver's son-in-law).

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

coffeeman · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Location: Korea

Hey butter808fly!

What I am going to tell you probably won't make you feel better, but it will put your thinking on a more correct path.

That is; don't blame Korea for that incident you had. Why? 'Cause that s$&t happens all over the world - even in our own countries.

I once had a Japanese student who was met at one of the airports in NYC by a fully uniformed limousine taxi driver. He "looked" legit, so the student and his friend asked him for a price. He said $20 to the hotel. Well, they arrive at the hotel, then the driver asks for $200. When the two Japanese students complained that he had said $20 at the airport, he said "Yeah, $20 is for each couple of miles." Feeling totally scammed, the two Japanese said that they weren't going to pay it. The taxi driver replied, "If you don't pay it, I won't give you your luggage out of the trunk!" Feeling helpless now, they paid it. I don't remember if they had gotten the guy's licenese plate number for the police. I think they didn't bother. They just wanted to try to salvage their vacation.

Anyway, I am just saying, there are scammers everywhere - even in our own countries. I am sorry that you met one of them.

Homer · Guest

Homer · Guest

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I think both the OP and the taxi driver displayed a normal (but tacky) human trait:

When upset, attack the most 'visible' difference.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

butter808fly · Joined: 09 May 2004 Location: Northern California, USA

I got his card, thanx.

And as for racisim that came in when I handed him the 22,000 and he threw a fit and started to say ooooo... tisk tisk... US US US.... like my being American had anything to do with my not wanting to pay the whole 90,000 for a 20 minute taxi ride!

The lying came in when the information booth guy told me that the taxi drivers amount was a "good deal".

I paid him his 90,000 as I didnt double-check the amount I heard. I trully think he probably said 70 at the airport therefore I took responsiblity and paid.

Hes an asshole and jerk cuz he wasnt humanly willing to go down a little on the price... I think a normal, understanding person would have. He was out to screw me, as shown by this gesture of inflexibility.

Im done defending myself. People on the board always attack and fight. I expected sympathy and I get attacked. Whatever. Live and learn. (I wonder how many of you double check prices when getting in a taxi... give me a break).

Later.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

dude, you're an idiot. You have no reason to complain. Sure, the taxi driver was jumping to conclusions with his USA rant, and went overboard, but come on. You were dumb- that's what it comes down to.

Hell yeah I double check taxi prices, at least when they seem like the deal of the century (which yours certainly sounded like).

butter808fly · Joined: 09 May 2004 Location: Northern California, USA

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

Two words:

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

So the OP's been here before and can't clarify between ship-jil and jil-ship?

The last time I was at Incheon Int. I was offered a ride to Daegu for 70,000. Of course I clued in right away that something was wrong, and took the bus. The airport and some bus terminals are the only places in Korea where taxi drivers can be annoying to recent arrivees. Otherwise they're cheap and honest the nation over, if rather clueless at times.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Has anyone ever been offered a discount by a taxi driver when they get a bit lost and the fare is well over what it should have been?

They tend not to offer but will negotiate if you protest.

In my mind the taxi driver should know or find out where your destination is. In my home country if they don't know they phone their depot for directions and will feel a little embarrassed to even do that.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004