[tomcat007]

As our knowledge in the transport system in Batam increase, we are less likely to be held ransom by taxi drivers here. Unless you're travelling in the wee hours at night.

Just checked out of my room and approached the ojet / taxi gathering place outside Formosa Hotel. Nowadays, they already don't get to earn my money except for the odd trips to bcs or hbb (usually for movies at night). My girl rides a bike, so my transport nowadays is limited to about 20k for her bike fuel.

I approached the driver outside Formosa and quoted them 50k from Formosa to Batam Centre, they wanted 70k cos they claimed that I already paid them 60k from bcs to Batam Centre. Well, the agreed price then was 50k. Which, together with 40k from Formosa to Batam Centre, is 90k and I just gave 100k without asking for the change. And he just assumed that I paid him 60k, which is not wrong but not right either to me.

When he asked for 70k, I just walked away. Even when they had people chasing me offering to take my price, sorry, no way. I'm like that. My attitude is... I may pay you more at the destination. But, you must agree to my price at the first offer. No negotiation. Because once negotiated, the service seller may provide the service grudgingly. And it will become a less than happy experience for me. If not, then it may well become 70k, 80k or even 90k from Formosa to batam centre. I just walked on, until I reach outside Nagoya Hill Mall and boarded a mini bus for 5k.

Thank you supir, for helping me save 45k.