Kantor's Luxy Taxi Wellington
Complaint #: 405
Highway Robbery - Taxi fare ripoff 
I've used cabs in Wellington for more than 10 years. I've never had such a bad experience as my experience with Roger Kantor the owner/driver of Kantor's Luxy Taxi (White Toyota Camry - MGA 768) kaz.f@xtra.co.nz, 0274 79 75 62.
On 15 November i jumped in a cab that was waiting at the taxi rank at the central wellington railway station - this was at approximately 5:35pm (based on text/phone records i made from the cab).
I asked to be taken to Wellington Airport. I saw no rates listed in the cab and in fairness i didn't ask what the fare would be as in 10+ years of traveling to wellington for work (and specifically heavy travel in the last 2 years nearly fortnightly) i'd never encountered any out of the norm fares by the assorted cab companies that wait at the train station.
The cab driver was friendly enough and his car was clean.
There was traffic between the train station and the turn to go around the waterfront to the airport, the overall trip was perhaps 10 minutes longer than usual afternoon traffic) - i was dropped off at 6:15 according to receipt and looking at the photo of the the car i took after expressing frustration at the rate charged for what amounted to a max 40 minute drive.
The driver charged $128.50 for the less than 11km drive - more than $50 in excess of what I'd ever been charged for the trip (most expensive trip before this was less than $80 for a day when the tunnel was closed and the trip took more than an hour). Standard fare for cab companies is circa $40 one way to/from the airport (+/-)
I had no time to argue or seek outside support as i needed to catch a flight. I paid the amount but expressed my displeasure at the time.
I wrote to the driver the following morning asking for an explanation of his rates and charges.
Based on Roger's email response to my complaint the charge should have been in the range of $80 (fare, airport fee and CC fee). I pointed this out in a follow-up email which he responded that i was being unreasonable.
I may or may not recover my costs, which i can live with. I'm more interested in raising this complaint so that other unsuspecting people / tourists get stung by the same tactic of charging more than the market.
On 15 November i jumped in a cab that was waiting at the taxi rank at the central wellington railway station - this was at approximately 5:35pm (based on text/phone records i made from the cab).
I asked to be taken to Wellington Airport. I saw no rates listed in the cab and in fairness i didn't ask what the fare would be as in 10+ years of traveling to wellington for work (and specifically heavy travel in the last 2 years nearly fortnightly) i'd never encountered any out of the norm fares by the assorted cab companies that wait at the train station.
The cab driver was friendly enough and his car was clean.
There was traffic between the train station and the turn to go around the waterfront to the airport, the overall trip was perhaps 10 minutes longer than usual afternoon traffic) - i was dropped off at 6:15 according to receipt and looking at the photo of the the car i took after expressing frustration at the rate charged for what amounted to a max 40 minute drive.
The driver charged $128.50 for the less than 11km drive - more than $50 in excess of what I'd ever been charged for the trip (most expensive trip before this was less than $80 for a day when the tunnel was closed and the trip took more than an hour). Standard fare for cab companies is circa $40 one way to/from the airport (+/-)
I had no time to argue or seek outside support as i needed to catch a flight. I paid the amount but expressed my displeasure at the time.
I wrote to the driver the following morning asking for an explanation of his rates and charges.
Based on Roger's email response to my complaint the charge should have been in the range of $80 (fare, airport fee and CC fee). I pointed this out in a follow-up email which he responded that i was being unreasonable.
I may or may not recover my costs, which i can live with. I'm more interested in raising this complaint so that other unsuspecting people / tourists get stung by the same tactic of charging more than the market.
Comments & responses (3)
He is using an xtra.co.nz email address. I've found anyone with this decades old email address to almost always be out there to get you. Had similar overcharging issues with a painter and plumber - both with xtra email addresses. Coincidence? Perhaps.
As for cabs, just use Uber. It would have cost you around $42. Cabs needs to die out like the dinosaurs, and those who still use xtra email addresses.
As for cabs, just use Uber. It would have cost you around $42. Cabs needs to die out like the dinosaurs, and those who still use xtra email addresses.
AVOID THIS TAXI OPERATOR! Similar to the first complaint posted here, I was significantly overcharged by Kantor's Taxi. He took me to the wrong address in the first instance, despite my insistence that I knew the correct street address. Then I was charged $43 when the exact same trip in reverse cost me $16 with a different operator.
If you see this taxi on the rank at Wellington train station where I got in, walk right past and choose a different company.
What makes this even worse is that there is a lack of regulation and independent operators like this can apparently overcharge with no comeback for the consumer. See also here: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/warren-quirke-small-passenger-service-association-executive-director-on-independent-taxi-drivers-violating-guidelines/ .
Passenger beware!
If you see this taxi on the rank at Wellington train station where I got in, walk right past and choose a different company.
What makes this even worse is that there is a lack of regulation and independent operators like this can apparently overcharge with no comeback for the consumer. See also here: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/warren-quirke-small-passenger-service-association-executive-director-on-independent-taxi-drivers-violating-guidelines/ .
Passenger beware!
Yes this guy is a complete rip off and should not be able to operate -avoid 4.7km 10min trip fare $40+ usually around $20-25 with a reputable company
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