Driver in Chiang Mai for several days (page 2 of 2)

For the "grand Manitou," I’m not sure who exactly, but I’d say we all tend to be one because we automatically think that what applies to us applies to everyone.

Yet none of us travels the country every day in every province with every driver to know exactly what the perfect average or the right price is at any given time for any given place. Our first and only trip to Thailand was in the winter of 2007. So I’d stuck with 1600 to 2500 baht for July, a quieter season, depending on the length of the workday, the type of vehicle, the distance traveled, and possibly the elevation gain. Not to mention who you end up with and how successful the negotiation goes.

I checked with a local today who’s more up-to-date than I am, and considering the different factors, the peak season, and the fact that there’s less competition because few drivers are available right now, the daily price average you got isn’t outrageous. Okay, you’re a bit above the best price you could’ve gotten.

From experience, I’ve noticed that if you push the price to the max, there’s often a knock-on effect on the quality of the service, and you might end up losing out without even realizing it.

Just make sure to reassure me once you’re certain you’ve found someone reliable...

Yes, but how many waterfalls in the park at that price?

Worth noting: Wat Rong Khun, the waterfalls...

Françoise

Jean-Marie’s itinerary is way more extensive than that, and you’ll cover a much greater distance in the national park, with some extra elevation changes. It’s not the same service at all.

From experience, I’ve found that if you push the price to the absolute limit, there’s often a knock-on effect on the quality of the service, and you can end up losing out without even realizing it.

I totally agree with you on that. I’ve got a lot of experience with this, having used drivers many times during my early trips to India. Back then, I was working and could afford that "luxury." More than once, I thought I’d negotiated a great deal, only to end up disappointed because the driver—who’d had to seriously lower his price—made me "pay" for it, either through bad attitude, sulking all day, or cutting the itinerary short, etc. Not to mention the rock-bottom prices where you end up with a clunker that breaks down after an hour, can’t handle hills, or has busted seats... On the other hand, some drivers with rates that seemed high to me provided extraordinary service—great skills, good attitude, professionalism—throughout the day or even multiple days...

I was thinking of you today. I bought myself two nice shirts from two different shops. Negotiated the price really well. I’m great when it comes to clothes, an object, or any other "souvenir" where I can estimate the market value. But for car rental and my first trip to Thailand, I had no idea about basic rates, fuel prices, etc., which would’ve let me negotiate with confidence when faced with arguments I couldn’t counter—high mileage, fuel costs, time spent driving and visiting, etc.

I also didn’t know the standard of living for a driver, whether they’re self-employed, own their own vehicle, or work for a "boss" who exploits them (as is often the case in India, which is my only reference point).

There are many who don’t own the vehicle—the others often bought it on credit.

When they categorically refuse to continue bargaining, it’s because it’s been pushed too far. On the other hand, you should be wary of the arguments they use. While they may be valid in principle, they’re sometimes used to inflate prices.