Ok, so it's only petty crime. Try shoplifting something that costs 40 peso at Mega for grins and see how forgiving they are.
The taxi union agreed on profitable rates and the drivers won't negotiate below those, but some will gouge if they get a chance. 40% extra is what it is, and it's a pain to have to stand on the curb, discuss, find agreement or move on every time.
Have to agree.
And further, part of the reason why taxis all over tourist areas in Mexico play these games is for two reasons, number one is that obviously there is the chance of getting away with it easily, since they are hoping you're oblivious to any information in regard to what the true rates are, and secondly the attitude presented here from people of "it's only a couple of dollars... if you can't afford it... relax.. don't be so up tight", that only reinforces their theivery and rewards the behavior.
We just got back from Cancun and spent close to $250 on taxis for the 10 days there, and the games were ridiculous that went on. We got quoted so many different amounts for the same rides over and over again it was laughable if it wasn't so dishonest. This doesn't even touch on the real thievery going on which is the exchange rate game played by everybody in Mexico. It really paints the Mexican national as a dishonest thief, preying on tourists for everything they can, it's pretty disgusting and really taints the experience of travel. The only thing that makes taxis bearable was how befuddled you could get them by turning the tables on them. I travel with both US dollars and Pesos so I could pay the fare either way. Some would quote you in dollars and some in Peso, they even mind banged themselves after awhile. Our final cab ride to the airport the fare asked for was $35 US, when he didn't have change for the $50 bill I gave him, I asked how much in pesos then, he replied he wanted 350 pesos. With the proper exchange in pesos it should have been 450 pesos. These cabbies are so used to screwing any tourist they run across they even screw themselves since they don't use any official tables for exchange or rates. He forgot he was doing the screw you on the exchange rate backwards which is to quote you in 350 pesos and then quote you 35 us dollars where they instantly screw you for a further 30% profit, this dishonest dude screwed himself. If you really want to have fun pay the fare in a combination of dollars and pesos and have some real fun, they can't do the math fast enough to keep up.
When a cabbie threatens you like he did you John that's really stepping over the line, there would be a real confrontation at that point.
By the way, you don't have to ask for a price first, if you know the price, just get in and when the cabbie tries to stick it to you, just refuse to pay his dishonest fare, tell him the correct fairs is X, here it is, hand it to him and on the way out of the cab show him a five dollar bill or a 50 peso note and tell him, this was the tip you were getting, until you tried to screw me, get out and walk away, you're in no danger of anything. He will fuss and throw a fit like a baby, but he knows he's trying to steal from you and won't do a thing other than grumble at the lesson taught him by somebody who refused to be ripped off.
I experienced similar crap in Italy in a highly touristy venue, the waiters game was to not return with your change when you paid the bill, he would disappear or run around and ignore you... it didn't work out well for him, not only did I get my large amount of change back, he lost all of his tip.
Unfortunately this stuff goes on all over the world, its a game that dishonest people employ in different methods to fleece tourists, they roll the dice you're in a foreign land, don't know the customs, can't do the math... etc... unfortunately they don't realize the damage they do representing their country to foreigners, its a short term benefit only.
