Although I have used taxis in Bali many times over the years, I struck a new "scam" this last trip - Nov/Dec 2010.
This in fact happened twice during my 14 days there, with different drivers both times, although both times, the taxis were the usually recommended Bluebird Taxis, and the company I usually prefer!
After hailing a cab to take me the short distance from Centro Discovery Centre to the Ida Hotel, the fare came to no more than the flagfall of 5,000Rp.(Quite often, I will pay them more than this). However, the driver asked for 15,000Rp, pointing to the sign on the taxi door, which states: "Minimum Charge for Phoned Taxi: 15,000Rp" or some such wording.
On both occasions, the drivers spoke very little English, and when I informed them that I had taken their number and could report them, they backed off immediately, accepting the 5000rp without futher fuss.
I also had another driver(Komoda) who point blank refused to take me down the small connecting road and then into the laneway leading to the Ida Hotel, instead wanting to drop me on the one way road which would take him directly to Bemo Corner, therefore avoiding the sunset traffic that builds up along Jl Pantai Kuta of a late afternoon.
Luckily, the rain had stopped, but as I had 2 armfuls of parcels, I did not particularly want to walk the rest of the way. When I refused to get out of the cab, he got very annoyed especially as there was a queue of traffic building up behind us.
He asked for the 5000Rp fare, so I said I would only give him 4000 seeing as he wouldn't take me to my destination which I had informed him of when he first picked me up at Discovery. After I continued to sit in his cab without moving, he then threw the money back at me, and said "No charge". So I reluctantly exited the vehicle, but was very happy that many cars were tooting their horns at him by this stage.
Another thing that I have noticed over the past few trips, is that many of the drivers do not know their way around Bali that well, and on this last trip, I had to direct drivers on at least 3 different occasions. Also, their lack of ability to speak the English language is another problem. Several of them told me thay had only been here a few weeks from Lombok, so hopefully, they are licenced to operate a taxi.
Anyone else had similr problems?