One final scam in India
On my final day in India I escaped from another rickshaw scam. I was getting a rickshaw from Chandni Chowk to the National Museum, a relatively short distance, which I knew should cost me no more than 40 rupees. I found a rickshaw, got him to agree to use the meter as it usually gives a more reasonable price than they ask for, and we drove off. After pulling away from Chandni Chowk the meter jumped from 10, the minimum charge, up to 90. I asked him straight away what was up with the meter, explaining that it had just jumped up. He told me that it was fine, and we would sort it out when we got there. Alarm bells were ringing, but I knew there was no way that I would be paying what the meter read. When we finally arrived at the National Museum the meter read 130 rupees and I was adamant that I wasn’t paying it. The rickshaw driver just kept saying 130 as I told him I wasn’t paying the extra. In the end I offered him 40 rupees or nothing at all. He continued to argue so I told him that he either accepted 40 rupees or I would report him to the tourist police. He still didn’t back down so I walked to the back of the rickshaw and went to take a picture of his license plate. Seeing what I was planning to do, he jumped in front of it, blocking the picture, still asking for 130. As he saw a police car approach and my arm starting to rise to wave it down, he scurried back into the rickshaw and drove off. I escaped with a free rickshaw ride, but it goes to show that you need to pay attention to the meter.
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He was probably thinking – dirty foreigner, they can all afford it!
You've got to be aggressive in those situations and proactive. I went through many shady drivers in the several trips I took in India.
We leave for India in two weeks. This is good to know. Now I can't wait to look through your site to find other tips for India!
I travelled to many developing countries and I have probably experienced more attempted sacams in India than all other countries combined. It seemed to me that every interaction with the locals incolved a discussion or bartering. No-one had change until you walked away from buying something, every rickshaw and taxi wanted to overcharge, there were offers to show you where you were going when you knew and then attempted to charge for it. Despite all this I loved the country and would quickly go back – somehow all the bustle and activity was part of the charm of India's madcap cities.