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Scams in India
Thanks for all the warnings ESW. Anything that makes travelling safer for the members is a good thing and warning them about the scams is excellent.
We nearly got scammed at New Delhi station. We had arranged with the travel company when booking the holiday that we would be met at the station and taken to the hotel
The Rajdhani Express from Guwahati was a couple of hours late. The station was crowded and there was no sign of our guide. Michael left me with the luggage while he checked the exit. No guide. He then fought his way across the long footbridge across all the platforms to check the other exit. No guide.
After 20 minutes of standing like lemons we decided we would need to get a taxi to the hotel. This is not a good idea at Delhi station as there are all sorts of scams. We were also at the ‘wrong’ side for the official taxi cabs. We couldn’t face a the battle across the footbridge with all our luggage, so a helpful porter took us outside and arranged with the owner of a rather disreputable car to take us to our hotel. We were told 1500rupees with 500 rupees up front. We knew this to be extortionate. Michael said very firmly ‘we will pay you at the hotel’.
We got in with luggage piled in round us. We were very relieved to be taken in the right direction and to arrive at the right hotel. Nor did we ‘run out of petrol’ on the way – a way of ensuring payment during the journey.
Security staff did rather blink when we arrived at The Claridges, but the doorman kept a deadpan face. Michael checked with the doorman and the hotel manager what a reasonable fare from the station would be. After looking at our mode of transport the hotel manager decided 300 rupees was reasonable. The driver wasn’t happy but the presence of Michael, hotel manager and doorman was too much and he accepted the 300 rupees and went off grumbling.
When contacted the tour agent in Delhi was very apologetic – there was a long and very complicated story but we did get a free car for our use the following morning.
We were very relieved to arrive safely and paying a reasonable sum for the journey. We just hope the next ‘victim’ manages as well.
What great information. You really are an encyclopaedia of great tips for the traveller. Love reading your contributions please keep them coming.
My only experience of India was landing at what was then Bombay Airport on route to and from Australia with Qantus Airlines many years ago. I remember that we deplaned so that the aircraft could be cleaned, fuelled and stocked up. We were taken to the transit terminal and it appeared to be empty until staff started appearing from behind the serving counters where they had been sleeping!!
Scams are abundant everywhere and changing all the time.
• Taxis around railway stations may tell you your hotel is closed/full burnt down and want to take you to another one where they will get a commission and you pay a premium rate.
• Many taxis/cars don’t have or refuse to use a meter. Overcharging is rife among less reputable drivers. Make sure you know what a fair price is and negotiate hard a fair price before getting into the taxi. If you are unhappy about the amount the driver is asking check with the hotel before paying what a reasonable amount is. Big hotels will help you with this and defuse potentially difficult situations.
• You may encounter unofficial guides at tourist attractions who start to talk to you in a friendly way. If you ask questions you start to get their version of the guided tour. These can be of variable quality – some are excellent and worthy of a tip, others not – BUT you are still expected to tip. One even pursued us to the car in search of a tip.
• Requests for contributions to a school or other worthy cause. We nearly got caught by this one in Lodi Gardens. Husband was approached by a very well dressed gentleman in a suit who pinned a flag on him and asked "where do you come from… Ah, England, my favourite country…" He then produced a clip board and asked for a contribution to a children’s school. The clipboard had a list of names who had contributed 500r, 1000r, 1500r and upwards. At this point husband realised he was being scammed and said he’d no money on him. It was all in the car… It worked. The gentleman reclaimed his flag and then went in search of another victim.
No doubt others will be able to add to the list.
Having said all this, we found nearly all Indians to be charming people who were very friendly and helpful. Be aware of the possible scams so they won’t spoil your holiday.