Un-Fare Expectations

A guest from out of town needed a ride to the restaurant he chose for dinner tonight and asked for a taxi, so I called one. It gets here, he talks to the driver for a minute or so, and then the taxi takes off, and the guest comes back to me.

Guest: “That taxi was VERY expensive.”

Me: “Well, our city’s taxis are actually pretty reasonably priced compared to some places I’ve visited.”

Guest: “Can you call me a cheaper taxi?”

Me: “The taxi rates are mandated by the city; every taxi costs the same.”

Guest: “Oh. Well, can I call an Uber?”

Me: “Of course, we have Ubers pick up and drop off people here all the time.”

Guest: “Great, can you call it for me and bill it to my room?”

Me: “What?”

Guest: “I don’t have an Uber app. Can you call me one and bill my card on file?”

Me: “No, that’s not how Uber works. You need to pay for it through the app using your own registered payment method.”

Guest: “…Okay, call me a taxi again.”

Ten years working at the front desk, and I’ve never been asked this before.