In Reply to: Bur drivers are astute businssmen...... posted by dadvet on Friday, 22. May 2009 at 11:58 Bali Time:
who seems to know everything a lot of what you are saying doesn't acually stand close scrutiny.
You may get sucked in to a commisson shop or restaurant on day one but if you haven't learned by day two you deserve it. The driver can only get the sort of commissions you describe by is guests paying more than double the going rate for whatever they bought or ate.
Most places don't pay commission at all - the restaurant we are involved with certainly doesn't. A smart driver takes his people to a place with good food and gets a tip for appreciation not to a crappy place that pays commission and a smart touist doesn't buy anything at a shop he's taken to.
Also for many drivers 90% plus of their trips are transporting tourists from A to B.
The cost of transport from Amed to Legian for example is 450.000.
This is a round trip of 210kms and consumes 100.000 - to 150.000 of gas which leaves 300.00 - 350.000 left over for insurance, car repayments, repairs and maintainance and driver remuneration - with nothing left for vehicle replacement.
So it only really pays if you have an old cheap car and it's this that sets the price, but tourists don't want the old car so they demand the same price of a car worth 130 million or more.
Many posts say "you can't compare " but economics is the same everywhere it's just that so many locals don't see that the price is too low to enable them to save to replace their vehicle.
Ketut, whom I've known for 25 years kept his old van going until chewing gum and number 8 wire couldn't keep it going any more. He knew years ago that he was not making enough to replace the van and is now back tayloring full time.
My mate Nengah gave me the figures and it's his analysis, not mine.
So call me fair minded if you like, or a handsome cab if you wish, but call me paternalistic and you risk the wrath of the Rangatira.