In Reply to: At the risk of taking to task one posted by Rangatira on Friday, 22. May 2009 at 12:58 Bali Time:
Here in Jakarta a basic Daihatsu starts at IDR159,650,000 and goes up to IDR194,000,000 with the refinements most tourists are wanting. The Luxio (passenger version of Gran Max) with 1.5 litre engine will possibly become popular with drivers as it is roomy and carries 5 passengers + driver in comfort. This would be the cheapest "people mover" around and prices range from IDR136,000,000 to IDR165,000,000. These prices of course do not include Taxes (Registration in Oz) or Insurance (expensive). If you take these into consideration then allow for Depreciation, Maintenance and Fuel, there is not much it a daily rate of even IDR400,000 for the driver's "take-home" - and that's assuming he is the owner/purchaser and not paying a rental fee to a third party which is often the case.
I always nominate to where I wish to travel and also desinate my stops for shopping and meals as I suspect the bulk of repeat visiors to Bali do. Very few "regular" restaurants of market-style shops can afford to offer commission payments to drivers although a driver is in most cases offered a simple rice meal whilst waiting for his passngers to finish their meal.
For anybody to expect a full-day charter in a reasonably-new and well-maintained vehicle with knowledgable english-speaking driver for less than IDR400,000 would, in my opinion, be both unreasonable and unrealistic. If you find a driver who is prepared to accept a ridiculously-low charter fee, then he will surely be looking to augment it by looking for commissions etc. It is rather like comparing Money Changers offering high rates (then taking "commissions" or "short-changing" to compensate) with legitimate operators like PT Central Kuta.
Please remember the old saying "there is no such thing as a fre lunch"!!!