It was going very smooth but when it came to end the trip and clear the outstanding amount, faced a horrible situation.
While booking, I had received document mentioning the estimate to be paid. It was made clear that there won’t be any return cab charges. It was 6 days trip and fare would be according to minimum 1500 kms (=6 x 250 kms). As per discussion, there won’t be any other charges. I was in fact told that they were lowest in market and I was free to compare the charges. I did compare and found Map Cabs to be lowest.
Paid them some in advance, got cab details one day before the commencement of journey. Driver was on time at the airport. I noted the reading, but forgot to take photo of this and did not even ask from driver. That was the biggest mistake I realised later.
The driver Mr Sunil, not knowing english, could speak only in local language. He drives vehicle at unusual high speed. Anyways all went well till 7pm on our last day when I told him that our trip had come to an end and ask your agency to provide me final bill.
At around 9pm, I got the message that I had to pay around Rs 12000.00
On asking details, I was told that car running was around 1450kms.
I argued that it was not possible. And even if it ran, it was within limit of 1500.
No. They told me that I will have to pay for return drop of 450kms.
They argued that during their calculation, considering that we would not use car for more than 900 kms, they had included 450 kms as return kms and thus within limit of 1500 kms and that way it would be profitable.
They even refused to accept the initial estimate given by them and discussion we had in the beginning. I argued that as per Google map calculation our entire trip was 800kms. But they said we went each place twice and so we ran for 1450 kms.
I asked even driver to provide me details of car trip but he refused. He even threatened me saying that we were in his area (he belongs to Mangalore)
After heated arguments, they agreed to recalculate the total distance travelled as per details provided by driver and me.
Finally, they calculated it as 900 kms.
So it was within 1500 kms limit (900+450).
But then they asked me to pay Rs 300 for driver charges for next day and return toll. Though it was not mentioned in the estimate, I agreed to pay as it was already 1 am now.
But now driver started misbehaving. He took my phone saying that he had exhausted his mobile data and had to speak to company guy. I had to snatch my phone back from him. He said that he was the owner of car, I should had paid to him and not to the company. Now the company people said that I was free to call police. Somehow after an hour or so he left the place silently.
After going through reviews, about the company and driver, there are mixed reactions. Few others have faced similar kind of situations before too. I think they are aggregator, are good to local people who can reach to their local office easily, but try to cheat outstation people.
Anyways, just a warning.... Do note initial kms reading and keep sharing with the company and driver on daily basis to avoid conflict.
As per last communication, they have removed the driver.