Taxi Prestodigitation

From GopStopTravel

Event Stats
Victim:	Sarit & Alex
Author:	Stanyslava
Scam Type:	Overcharging
Date:	2006-03-11
Location:	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Keywords:	Prestidigitation Taxi

I am so mad at myself I can't even begin to describe you how much. I wish it was different, but it's my own fault for letting my guard down and not paying enough attention. I guess the only excuse I can give is that we were really tired after our night bus back from Puerto Madryn to Buenos Aires. Even though we came in the afternoon, and sort off got some sleep on the bus, we were exhausted and wanted nothing else but to get ourselves a room and climb into bed.

We took a cab from the bus station, there was no way around it, BA is not a small city after all. I remember thinking the cab driver looked dodgy when he approached us, but we at least try not always judge a book by its cover, so we agreed to go with him. When we arrived at our hostel the meter showed about eight and change so I thought I'd give the driver ten, and we'll all go to our merry own ways. Shurik went to get the backpacks from the trunk, and I was handing the driver the money when he refused to take my bill. "I don't like this one," he said. "It's too old." Fine. I handed him another bill, this time a twenty. "No, this one looks worn out too." "Alright, how about this twenty?" "No," and he reached for the fifty bill in my hands. Whatever, I thought to myself, as long as I get my change I don't care from what bill is it from. By that time Shurik was already done with the bags, and so we were both standing outside the cab giving each other confused looks. "What's the problem?" Shurik asked. I shrugged and turned to the driver who had a five peso bill in his hand. "Five, and another five," he pulled another five bill from my hands. "And here is your change." Great, I thought, since you've been so difficult, I will take my change, thank you very much. "Gracias, Ciao" and the cab drove off leaving me only to realize and say in a few seconds: "Didn't I have a fifty bill here somewhere?"