I can never seem to get a taxi driver willing to go by the meter.
I usually pay 10 or 15 to get to the main strip - i.e. HuiHua or Pozolim or somewhere like that.
And its not like i'm gonna wait around for 10 taxis to try and save those few bucks.

I usually walk out to the road to get a taxi. I don't wait in that taxi line. Is that right too?

Does anyone have the same experiences and/or suggestions?

on my trip to SZ last week, 50% of my trips were on non-licensed non-metered cars.  All had reasonable prices - you just had to know approximately how much a metered trip would normally cost and negotiate from there.  Plus it helps to be able to speak Mandarin, or Cantonese.  Most drivers will be fair with you especially if you know the price.

10-15 RMB is pretty standard.  If they go by the meter, it would be 9RMB or so.  

When you exit the CRH building, walk past the guys waiting in line, they wait in line and pass the savings on to you!

Head towards the McDonalds and exit there.  Flag down a cab and in your best foreigner chinese state the place you want to go and the price you are willing to pay.

I normally just spout off:  (phonetically)  May E Dung.   Shuh Kwai  ::  Mei Yi Deng Shi Kuai

Sometimes they say ok, sometimes they point at the meter, sometimes they say Shuh Oooo ::  Shi Wu (15)

I run out of patience by the third cab.   However, I wont pay 20rmb and will just hop on a motorcycle for 10 (which they are happy about)

10-15 is the right fare
20 may not seem much to us
but imagine paying $10 for a big mac when it costs $5 .........

come on guys!!!!
You are willing to pay thousands of $$ for pussies and partying.

What is additional RMB10 to 20 to you?



similarly other examples:

- Complain about spending RMB300 on for drinks while picking expensive models for sitting and doing 3Ps overnite with KTV gals for RMB3,000 to RMB4,000.


- Go to most high end KTV and took a RMB 2,000 model back and stay at RMB100 hotel room to save money with brick wndows.

WTF!!

Yes... and NO!

I just HATE those taxi drivers in CP! And the whole rotten "system" behind it where taxi ranks, Hotel entrances, popular spots for passenger pick-ups are basically "controlled" and ONLY designated taxis/cars are allowed to do pick-ups at such places.  

Of course there are "charges" levied for the privilege of being able to pick up at these spots - and thus the regular asking for RMB 40 as an opening price for ANY points in CP from the taxi rank in front of the CRH ticket counter.

I had in the past just walked across the street to where the long-distance bus stop is, hold two fingers up to make a cross signifying 10 and most times quite easily get a taxi driver to take me.  

But of late, its been getting worse/frustrating doing so - and too darn hot to be waking around; so more for the LUXURY OF CHOICE rather than anything else, I've been smugly hopping on the public air-conditioned buses (inadequate as it usually is) and it takes me to the main Hotel street (Zhong Yan Rd) quite comfortably for the princely sum of RMB 2.

OK Hunter - fire away at my cheap-skatedess!  LOL!!

SEAJ

ur missing the point
u have no choice but to pay top rates for ktv chicks
u pay premium for premium

y shud u be okay to pay 20rmb for a 10mb cab ride?
to me its my own principle
im not gonna pay $10 dollar for a $5 big mac

but i have to admit, when ur done at ktv and there are limited taxis
u just gotta pay $10 for that big mac

Well, if you domicile or goes to CP every weeks, that;s diffferent. Cost add up.

As long as they dont quote me > RMB30 for a destination that only cost 10 to 15RMB, I can live with it.  
I dont hag or get pissy with those idiots. Meter or if no meter, RMB20 max.
Unless I need a long haul ride to Chang An or Shenzhen, I will marked down before agreeing.


However, we can just slam the door and stop the next taxi. Plenty around.

But I agree it is getting worse. CP is spoilt by punters around the world. Only us to blame.

Yeah - CP IS getting too spoilt - and we've only got ourselves to blame...besides SBF, ISG, Laksa etc. And all those "agents" operating large scale businesses there.

Just a few years back, there were hardly ANY foreign mongers in CP - mostly just Hong Kong guys, a few Taiwanese and the stray foreigner via ISG. Even for me, before I actually started going there, I thought that CP was ONLY for low class mongering favoured/patronized only by the cross-border truck-drivers etc.

Nowadays, mongers from all around the world come in by the bus-load, spend wildly as they ARE there only once a year or whatever - and its driving the prices thru the roof.

And worse, a lot of these newbie bros who comes from further ARE generally very easy for the gals to manipulate into agreeing to ridiculous prices/presents/arrangements etc - so much so that we Hong Kong guys are NO LONGER the favoured client! OUCH!!!

So mebbe...just mebbe we from Hong Kong should all equally just act like suckers and get our rightful place back in the CP hierarchy.  LOL!

SEAJ

Are sure you paying for a premium Biatch??? or It just the norm in CP to overprice the pussy ?.


It is ok bro.
You continue your rant with the Taxi driver, I am not the one charging you extra USD1.50.


It is just me and my principle. If I can afford RMB2,000 pussy on a gal I met first time, likewise. I would not be stingy in giving my dad or mum RMB2,000. Needless to say, additional RMB20 taxi ride.
I just want to be consistent in my spending.


So what can we do with the Taxi culprit in CP?  
As punter, as long as the fare is reasonable to your standard, we hop in the taxi and off you go.

Other option is to take the public Bus - RMB2.  That would save you some so that you can pick a Model category KTV gal

[ Last edited by  hunter at 31-8-2011 22:36 ]

I agree with you.

Its just that no-one, no matter how rich you are, likes the feeling of being ripped-off, right?

That's why I usually go with whatever price the taxi driver says, but I always wonder what the proper fair price is.
yea an extra 10rmb can barely buy you a coffee in the states so no big deal.

totally agree with not paying over what it is meant to be.

though it's only a matter of a few dollars, it's more of a matter of principal.

1. If you walk away from the train station's taxi line and go to the main street, you can normally catch a taxi for 10rmb.

2. Depending on your hotel, you can call them to pick you up at the train station, free.

3. Take the buses at the train station.  Cost is only 2 rmb. Take the number 1, 1b, 1a or 2. There are others that goes to Hui Hua area.

4. Fouth option is to take the motorcycle that can carries 4 people. Cost 5-8 rmb.

5. Bicycle taxis, cost 3-5 RMB. See picture below:    This picture was taken in front of a former BBS that has moved to Hui Mei Alley.  You can hire one to take you and your girl to the promo.  

6. Walk.....cheapest and some exercise.   

7. Before there were tons of motorcycle taxies before they banned them in CP.

[ Last edited by  Weelock at 4-9-2011 20:09 ]

I usually get quoted 10-15 rmb to and from , but sometimes 20rmb from the train station.  I asked 3 taxis and they all said 20, so I'm like shui bian.. whatever... extra 5 bucks no big deal.  There are green taxis and yellow ones.  I tend to go with the yellow ones with chinese writing on the side.  Also, although YiHao seems like walking distance from the train station... It is better to take a taxi for 10 rmb than to risk heatstrock walking there......  I did it once, and I had to hit shower right away haha

I don't like CP anymore, its way too commericalized now. Once in a while you find a diamond in the rough, but all the girls knows what's up.   Either they think you will take them for "fast food" or "overnight" or they think you have no 前途 "future" and quickly ask you for your 300 sitting fee or they play dead fish for the rest of the night.      I played in GZ and other places and its so different.  Same 300 sitting fee, BUT.... they are a sport and don't ask your your sitting fee until you leave !   They work for their 300 unlike CP girls....

One of my pet peeves are when the taxi cab drivers add the extra tip to the metered ride.  I do not mind a normal 10-15% markup.  Anytime they ask for more then I say in a commanding tone - Ni Yao Bu Yao (Do You Want it or NOT?!?) then walk out of the cab.

Yes....the good ole days...but then again, today wil be somebody's good ole days in the future!!
And yes, CP IS getting to be VERY commercialized - but then again, it has ALWAYS been commercialized as far as sex is concerned. At least for as long as I've known it.

The only difference nowadays being that it SEEMS to be the only place left where sex is still on sale quite openly and to a large extent...safely.  Other previous "hot spots' like Zhuhai, ChangAn, Shenzhen, Longang etc being just a mere shadow of its past glory days.

Of course, there ARE still places where KTV's are going strong - KTV's seeming to be sort of more tolerated by the Powers-that-be as it at least put up a semblance/veneer of "repectability. But as far as a particular  location/city where just about ALL forms of sexual services is still being offered, well.... seems to only be CP left.  At least for now/cross your fingers!

My suggestion for those who are starting to get "jaded" with CP is to take on CP with moderation and good humour. Also, I've never espoused the idea that one goes to a KTV to just get a gal to Pop; to me KTV is more where I'd go to to party with friends, have a few drinks/songs/groping of gals - and count myself lucky if I do end up with a good "apres KTV" gal. I also nowadays usually just go to KTV's with a regular gal - usually saves me disappontment that way.

SEAJ

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 5-9-2011 19:59 ]

Be glad you are not KTVing in shanghai where the sitting fees are from 400 , 600 , 800 and an overnight cost 1600 to 2000.  Some people say it's quality over there but Ijust think it's a big city with higher cost of living...

ive been told 50rmb once for li hao hotel lol. but there have been times its been 30rmb at nights

i've tried option 6, walking there, not really my intention, friend told me it's close and couldn't be hassle with the taxi drivers, nightmare if you ask me, walking through some poorly-lit streets