Have you ever used Uber/Lyft (1 Viewer)

[Michael Brown]

Have to use Uber a couple times a month. Wife and I didn't want to make any car payments for awhile, and since I drive her to and from work on my way to my own office it works out great on the rare occasions that I can't take her or I'm traveling for work. End up spending maybe $40/month on a "second" car instead of $400.

I always sit in the back seat, most of the drivers start up conversations. On a few occasions, I just wasn't in the mood to talk and they were cool about it. Surprisingly, I've had quite a few lately who complain the whole drive about how much they hate it and they're gonna quit soon. Like ok thanks pal, sorry to hear it. Weird.

 

[pats3in4]

Used Uber extensively on 4th of July weekend in San Francisco. Great service, but the lone drawback was the app with GPS running drained my phone's battery fairly quickly, although it might be my old battery not holding a charge like it used to. The surge pricing after the fireworks show to get back to the hotel was even reasonable.

I typically would chat up the drivers. One driver was particularly friendly in explaining how it works, particularly the ratings for riders and UberPool. He said in cities with lots of Uber riders like SF, UberPool can be a great bargain as the algorithm works to optimize routes for pickups and dropoffs for multiple users near each other even if they don't get in and out at the same spots. Often, cities will have UberPool sales that never get subjected to surge pricing. As for rider ratings, he said the worst ratings are for the UberPool riders who insist that they get dropped off first and make a stink about it if they don't. A bad rider rating can kill your ability to use Uber as either no driver will pick you up or you will have to wait a long time for some desperate driver to take your fare. In busy cities, the drivers may not need your business.

 

[sbonomo]

The drivers rate the passengers just like you can rate them. Best to not backseat drive.

That's correct. I know my wife, as a driver, can look up her rating... not sure passengers can do the same. Maybe I'll have her pick me up so she can see my rating.... and get a little somethin-somethin in the back seat.

Yes, you can see it. I have a 4.9.

5.0 here :flex:

 

[RC94]

How does surge pricing work?

 

[pats3in4]

How does surge pricing work?

Surge pricing happens when demand of riders exceeds supply of drivers. If you try to schedule a ride during surge pricing, you will get a notification that surge pricing is in effect (e.g. "1.5x, 2.3x the normal rate") and for how long (e.g. "the next 5 minutes"), then ask for confirmation if this is okay with you before proceeding with the pickup. I've waited out mid-day surge pricing, but have also got stuck with it as it didn't go away.

Drivers get notifications when surge pricing is in effect, with Uber hoping to lure idle drivers to help balance out the supply and demand.

 

[culdeus]

I primarily walk or take the subway so I haven't tried Uber yet, but I hate NYC taxis so I am considering signing up for it.

since posting this how many people have sent you referral codes?

 

[RC94]

How does surge pricing work?

Surge pricing happens when demand of riders exceeds supply of drivers. If you try to schedule a ride during surge pricing, you will get a notification that surge pricing is in effect (e.g. "1.5x, 2.3x the normal rate") and for how long (e.g. "the next 5 minutes"), then ask for confirmation if this is okay with you before proceeding with the pickup. I've waited out mid-day surge pricing, but have also got stuck with it as it didn't go away.

Drivers get notifications when surge pricing is in effect, with Uber hoping to lure idle drivers to help balance out the supply and demand.

Thanks!

 

[RC94]

I primarily walk or take the subway so I haven't tried Uber yet, but I hate NYC taxis so I am considering signing up for it.

since posting this how many people have sent you referral codes?

None, but its only been an hour.

 

[comfortably numb]

I haven't tried it yet but am fascinated with good business models and ideas.

This seems like one of those ideas that benefit customer and employees tremendously.

 

[Michael Brown]

Never checked my rating before now. Just looked and it's only 4.7, wtf? Feel like such a LOSER!

 

[Politician Spock]

The drivers rate the passengers just like you can rate them. Best to not backseat drive.

That's correct. I know my wife, as a driver, can look up her rating... not sure passengers can do the same. Maybe I'll have her pick me up so she can see my rating.... and get a little somethin-somethin in the back seat.

Yes, you can see it. I have a 4.9.

Ah, I figured it'd be on your profile. Found it in the "help" section -- guess they'll email it from customer support.

Also a 4.9. Hmph. Now I'm gonna be racking my brain to see who didn't rate me a 5. Probably when I was with one of my drunk-asz friends.

I drove for Uber in my free time back before the big rate drop in January. You are better off with a 4.9 rating than you are with a 5.0. Most riders with 5.0 are brand new and some drivers avoid brand new riders. 4.9 shows you're not new, but have a very high rating. You would never get passed due to a 4.9.

 

[Politician Spock]

How does surge pricing work?

Surge pricing happens when demand of riders exceeds supply of drivers. If you try to schedule a ride during surge pricing, you will get a notification that surge pricing is in effect (e.g. "1.5x, 2.3x the normal rate") and for how long (e.g. "the next 5 minutes"), then ask for confirmation if this is okay with you before proceeding with the pickup. I've waited out mid-day surge pricing, but have also got stuck with it as it didn't go away.

Drivers get notifications when surge pricing is in effect, with Uber hoping to lure idle drivers to help balance out the supply and demand.

I never got notified when surge pricing is in effect. You have to be logged to accept trips to find out. And if you login to just check and it's not surging you could easily get a non-surge request sent to you that you don't want. Basically, Uber expects that if you're not willing to give rides for $0.75/mile, then stay off the system.

 

[Scoresman]

Never checked my rating before now. Just looked and it's only 4.7, wtf? Feel like such a LOSER!

Are you a #### to the drivers?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

No tips, right?

 

[[icon]]

No tips, right?

Actually this is a point of contention.... If one checks out uberpeople.com (the rideshare equivalent of FBG), you quickly discovers:Uber is absolutely fisting their drivers financially. They've been gradually dropping prices in all markets in an effort to snuff out lyft and such while increasing adoption. These "temporary" fare cuts always become perm. They usually offset them with subsidies at first, then remove the subsidies.

The result is Uber X drivers are struggling to turn any semblance of a profit. It's to the point where large numbers of drivers are learning to game the system by canceling short rides after accepting them and such. There are even threads there on how low of an acceptance rate will get you fired. Many are quitting after short time driving.

For NOW uber is offsetting their driver loses with a huge ad campaign screaming make 35.... Errrrr 18 dollars an hour! But as the truth gets out, folks are going to sign up less and driver churn may turn to driver bleed. In any event, net quality is drifting downward with more "noob" drivers in the fold.

As a final "insult to injury" move, uber is now testing taking a 25% commission out of every fare instead of their standard 15-20%.... Scraping an additional 5% out of drivers pockets. Bad juju and may indicate some sort of underlying financial issues within the company.

Some markets are better than others, but Uber has a real problem on its hands. Drivers are largely miserable. This latest move will not help things. Many are now pushing back for tip education. Some will refuse to rate you 5 stars if you don't tip, etc. This is obviously an issue as it flies in the face of übers "don't tip" advertising.

End result is going to be lower quality product, dissatisfied drivers which will bleed into consumer satisfaction.

I love the cheap prices, but theyre digging into a somewhat untenable position here... At least in some markets. (Fares vary wildly in markets)

 

[Michael Brown]

Never checked my rating before now. Just looked and it's only 4.7, wtf? Feel like such a LOSER!

Are you a #### to the drivers?

Not at all. There was one time I requested a car and by the time the driver showed up, we decided to go back inside the bar. But he charged me anyway, so I assume it was all good. Only other thing I can think is that I don't tip. The first time I ever used it, I threw the guy $5 and he kept going on and on about how we aren't supposed to tip. So I never did it again.

 

[culdeus]

Their very best feature is the no tip thing. I did have a x driver say that short rides basically net him nothing

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

No tips, right?

Actually this is a point of contention.... If one checks out uberpeople.com (the rideshare equivalent of FBG), you quickly discovers:Uber is absolutely fisting their drivers financially. They've been gradually dropping prices in all markets in an effort to snuff out lyft and such while increasing adoption. These "temporary" fare cuts always become perm. They usually offset them with subsidies at first, then remove the subsidies.

The result is Uber X drivers are struggling to turn any semblance of a profit. It's to the point where large numbers of drivers are learning to game the system by canceling short rides after accepting them and such. There are even threads there on how low of an acceptance rate will get you fired. Many are quitting after short time driving.

For NOW uber is offsetting their driver loses with a huge ad campaign screaming make 35.... Errrrr 18 dollars an hour! But as the truth gets out, folks are going to sign up less and driver churn may turn to driver bleed. In any event, net quality is drifting downward with more "noob" drivers in the fold.

As a final "insult to injury" move, uber is now testing taking a 25% commission out of every fare instead of their standard 15-20%.... Scraping an additional 5% out of drivers pockets. Bad juju and may indicate some sort of underlying financial issues within the company.

Some markets are better than others, but Uber has a real problem on its hands. Drivers are largely miserable. This latest move will not help things. Many are now pushing back for tip education. Some will refuse to rate you 5 stars if you don't tip, etc. This is obviously an issue as it flies in the face of übers "don't tip" advertising.

End result is going to be lower quality product, dissatisfied drivers which will bleed into consumer satisfaction.

I love the cheap prices, but theyre digging into a somewhat untenable position here... At least in some markets. (Fares vary wildly in markets)

Then we might as well take cabs

 

[The General]

The drivers rate the passengers just like you can rate them. Best to not backseat drive.

That's correct. I know my wife, as a driver, can look up her rating... not sure passengers can do the same. Maybe I'll have her pick me up so she can see my rating.... and get a little somethin-somethin in the back seat.

Yes, you can see it. I have a 4.9.

5.0 here :flex:

Showoff

 

[The General]

No tips, right?

Actually this is a point of contention.... If one checks out uberpeople.com (the rideshare equivalent of FBG), you quickly discovers:Uber is absolutely fisting their drivers financially. They've been gradually dropping prices in all markets in an effort to snuff out lyft and such while increasing adoption. These "temporary" fare cuts always become perm. They usually offset them with subsidies at first, then remove the subsidies.

The result is Uber X drivers are struggling to turn any semblance of a profit. It's to the point where large numbers of drivers are learning to game the system by canceling short rides after accepting them and such. There are even threads there on how low of an acceptance rate will get you fired. Many are quitting after short time driving.

For NOW uber is offsetting their driver loses with a huge ad campaign screaming make 35.... Errrrr 18 dollars an hour! But as the truth gets out, folks are going to sign up less and driver churn may turn to driver bleed. In any event, net quality is drifting downward with more "noob" drivers in the fold.

As a final "insult to injury" move, uber is now testing taking a 25% commission out of every fare instead of their standard 15-20%.... Scraping an additional 5% out of drivers pockets. Bad juju and may indicate some sort of underlying financial issues within the company.

Some markets are better than others, but Uber has a real problem on its hands. Drivers are largely miserable. This latest move will not help things. Many are now pushing back for tip education. Some will refuse to rate you 5 stars if you don't tip, etc. This is obviously an issue as it flies in the face of übers "don't tip" advertising.

End result is going to be lower quality product, dissatisfied drivers which will bleed into consumer satisfaction.

I love the cheap prices, but theyre digging into a somewhat untenable position here... At least in some markets. (Fares vary wildly in markets)

I had wondered how they made any money unless they were constantly having people in their car. A ride of a about 5 miles cost me around 10 bucks I think on the 4th of July. Parking where I was going was going to be a ##### and probably about 10 bucks anyway. With his gas and after paying Uber I didn't see how he was going to make anything. Asked him about rides out to the U.S. Open when that was played outside of Seattle about 1 hour drive from where we were, figured that would be a great fare and he said he didn't want to do that either because he couldn't pick anyone up on the way back most likely.

Seemed like there was no good way for this guy to make decent money.

 

[[icon]]

Drivers aggressively chase surges and try for longer fares to areas that have a high likely-hood of return trip. Some drivers impart fairly sophisticated analysis, tracking dead vs live miles and such.

 

[Politician Spock]

No tips, right?

Actually this is a point of contention.... If one checks out uberpeople.com (the rideshare equivalent of FBG), you quickly discovers:Uber is absolutely fisting their drivers financially. They've been gradually dropping prices in all markets in an effort to snuff out lyft and such while increasing adoption. These "temporary" fare cuts always become perm. They usually offset them with subsidies at first, then remove the subsidies.

The result is Uber X drivers are struggling to turn any semblance of a profit. It's to the point where large numbers of drivers are learning to game the system by canceling short rides after accepting them and such. There are even threads there on how low of an acceptance rate will get you fired. Many are quitting after short time driving.

For NOW uber is offsetting their driver loses with a huge ad campaign screaming make 35.... Errrrr 18 dollars an hour! But as the truth gets out, folks are going to sign up less and driver churn may turn to driver bleed. In any event, net quality is drifting downward with more "noob" drivers in the fold.

As a final "insult to injury" move, uber is now testing taking a 25% commission out of every fare instead of their standard 15-20%.... Scraping an additional 5% out of drivers pockets. Bad juju and may indicate some sort of underlying financial issues within the company.

Some markets are better than others, but Uber has a real problem on its hands. Drivers are largely miserable. This latest move will not help things. Many are now pushing back for tip education. Some will refuse to rate you 5 stars if you don't tip, etc. This is obviously an issue as it flies in the face of übers "don't tip" advertising.

End result is going to be lower quality product, dissatisfied drivers which will bleed into consumer satisfaction.

I love the cheap prices, but theyre digging into a somewhat untenable position here... At least in some markets. (Fares vary wildly in markets)

All of this is correct. I drive a 2013 Acrua TL, and before the hugh rate cut last January, I was making around $15 an hour after my costs. It would be around $22 of cash flow (what Uber pays me from the fares), but after subtracting all the costs of using my car (gas, maintenance, depreciation, etc...) it was $15. A lot of new driver just subtract gas, so they think most of the cash flow is profit. They'll get a nice wake up call if they spend that cash flow and then can't afford to buy new tires or brake pads when they wear out. And no one from Uber ever even looked at my car, so don't think for a second that Uber protects riders from poorly maintained vehicles.

After the rate cut, I barely could squeak out minimum wage... so I quit. I can't imagine how those people who decided to do it full time when it was higher rates are still doing it. Most of them quit from what I can tell. WHen I take Uber now, it's becoming a cheaper version of a taxi, unless you order Select or Black.

 

[Quez]

The 1st and only Uber I did on my account was a surge day. I am certain the driver manipulated the Uber system somehow. He had 2 vehicles, and turned one on, I saw it, then he signed out after I set pickup. Another one then popped up at a higher rate. It was him, in his other vehicle. He told me his other non-Uber XL had a flat tire.

I sent them an email, and they ensured me drivers can't manipulate surge pricing. However, their surge pricing formula has to be some kind of number of Uber drivers : # of Uber customers in the area...

I still have him a good review & support Uber. I just thought that was sketchy.

 

[Politician Spock]

Surge can be manipulated, and Uber has ZERO reason to keep drivers from manipulating it... because Uber benefits from surge just as much as drivers do.

In fact, I watched as Uber let pretty much all of Columbus go to surge rates just moments before the Sugar Bowl ended, despite hundreds of us drivers being online and waiting for fares. Surge isn't always a result of their formula. Sometimes it's done intentionally to milk out more money from an known event ending or letting out.

 

[culdeus]

So what exactly is the fee structure for uberx? Is it on a %? What's the structure for the others?

 

[Politician Spock]

So what exactly is the fee structure for uberx? Is it on a %? What's the structure for the others?

Depends on the city and when you signed up. Most UberX drivers are on a structure where Uber takes the first dollar of the total amount the customer pays, and 20% of the rest. In some cities it's 25% for all trips. In some other cities it is the first dollar plus 30% for something like the first 20 trips in a given week, 25% for trips 21 through 35 in that week, and 20% for the rest of the trips that week. All cost of owning and operating the vehicle are the burden of the driver to cover out of the driver's share.

UberSelect (called "Plus" in some cities like LA) is the first dollar plus 25%. Uber XL is the first dollar plus 28%. UberBlack and UberSUV do not take the first dollar, because the driver has to have their own commercial insurance to be a Black or SUV driver. So Uber only takes 25% (for Black) and 28% (for SUV).

There are some other options like UberLux and UberTaxi. I don't know what the structure is for them. They are only offered in very few cities.

 

[Fennis]

Yesterday, I accidentally rated by uber driver a 3 instead of a 5. I immediately resubmitted it as a 5. Anyone know if that actually changed my rating of him? The dude was super nice, I don't want to mess him up.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Are the Uber Black drivers being squeezed the same way the UberX drivers are? I only take black or SUV (good for me!). I tip if there is reason to (like when I got in a car all wet from a rain storm). I have a rating of 4.8, so I must have made someone mad along the way.

 

[RUSF18]

I thought users couldn't find out their rating? Or are you getting the info from the driver?

 

[Politician Spock]

Yesterday, I accidentally rated by uber driver a 3 instead of a 5. I immediately resubmitted it as a 5. Anyone know if that actually changed my rating of him? The dude was super nice, I don't want to mess him up.

From what I understand, riders can change the rating for something like a week or so after the trip. If you are really concerned about it, send the trip ID to support@uber.com, and they will make sure the rating is what you want it to be.

 

[Politician Spock]

Are the Uber Black drivers being squeezed the same way the UberX drivers are? I only take black or SUV (good for me!). I tip if there is reason to (like when I got in a car all wet from a rain storm). I have a rating of 4.8, so I must have made someone mad along the way.

I don't think they are being squeezed rate wise. Some however are being forced into receiving lower tier requests, like UberSelect and even UberX. In my city of Columbus, all UberBlack cars also receive UberSelect requests. So they end up spending time doing work that is less profitable. I'm pretty sure some of them are losing money doing UberX trips with their high costs of those vehicles. Uber doesn't care if they lose money. They get the first dollar and the 20% commission regardless of whether the driver makes money or loses.

If you order an UberBlack, you'll be well liked by the driver. If you order an UberX and get an UberBlack car, the driver probably silently hates you.

ETA: My car qualified for UberSelect, but the city manager of Columbus forces all UberSelect cars to also accept UberX request. So every UberX request I got never got a rating higher than 4 from me. You want a ride from me and also want a five star rating, then order UberSelect. Of course, I don't drive anymore, so it doesn't matter what I do now, but I know other drivers do the same to protest Uber forcing drivers into taking lower rates.

 

[Fennis]

Yesterday, I accidentally rated by uber driver a 3 instead of a 5. I immediately resubmitted it as a 5. Anyone know if that actually changed my rating of him? The dude was super nice, I don't want to mess him up.

From what I understand, riders can change the rating for something like a week or so after the trip. If you are really concerned about it, send the trip ID to support@uber.com, and they will make sure the rating is what you want it to be.

Will do, thanks

 

[RC94]

This thread isn't making me want to try Uber.

 

[RUSF18]

This thread isn't making me want to try Uber.

I use it in Hoboken and NYC all the time. Used it from Chinatown back to home last night. Great and much preferred over a standard cab.

 

[Wooderson]

This thread isn't making me want to try Uber.

Right. I was excited to try it someday. Now I'm not so sure.

 

[RC94]

This thread isn't making me want to try Uber.

I use it in Hoboken and NYC all the time. Used it from Chinatown back to home last night. Great and much preferred over a standard cab.

I have been using a great taxi service in Hoboken and NJ for many years (company is called Travel Car). I wouldn't use Uber over them. I don't like NYC taxis at all, which is where I have been considering Uber, but this thread is making seem like there is a lot of BS with that company.

 

[Buckfast 1]

This thread isn't making me want to try Uber.

Right. I was excited to try it someday. Now I'm not so sure.

In my opinion, Lyft is a better service than Uber. They don't price gouge you with surge rates anywhere near the extent that Uber does.

 

[Politician Spock]

This thread isn't making me want to try Uber.

I use it in Hoboken and NYC all the time. Used it from Chinatown back to home last night. Great and much preferred over a standard cab.

I have been using a great taxi service in Hoboken and NJ for many years (company is called Travel Car). I wouldn't use Uber over them. I don't like NYC taxis at all, which is where I have been considering Uber, but this thread is making seem like there is a lot of BS with that company.

Uber in NYC is actually pretty great for drivers from what I hear. They haven't cut rates there, so Uber drivers are still pretty happy with Uber there.

 

[Swing 51]

I thought users couldn't find out their rating? Or are you getting the info from the driver?

Yeah how do you find out your rating?

 

[RC94]

Are the Uber Black drivers being squeezed the same way the UberX drivers are? I only take black or SUV (good for me!). I tip if there is reason to (like when I got in a car all wet from a rain storm). I have a rating of 4.8, so I must have made someone mad along the way.

I don't think they are being squeezed rate wise. Some however are being forced into receiving lower tier requests, like UberSelect and even UberX. In my city of Columbus, all UberBlack cars also receive UberSelect requests. So they end up spending time doing work that is less profitable. I'm pretty sure some of them are losing money doing UberX trips with their high costs of those vehicles. Uber doesn't care if they lose money. They get the first dollar and the 20% commission regardless of whether the driver makes money or loses.

If you order an UberBlack, you'll be well liked by the driver. If you order an UberX and get an UberBlack car, the driver probably silently hates you.

ETA: My car qualified for UberSelect, but the city manager of Columbus forces all UberSelect cars to also accept UberX request. So every UberX request I got never got a rating higher than 4 from me. You want a ride from me and also want a five star rating, then order UberSelect. Of course, I don't drive anymore, so it doesn't matter what I do now, but I know other drivers do the same to protest Uber forcing drivers into taking lower rates.

Giving a rider a low rating in order to protest something the company is doing is bull####. Between crap like that and surge pricing, I doubt I will be using Uber anytime soon.

 

[Politician Spock]

I thought users couldn't find out their rating? Or are you getting the info from the driver?

Yeah how do you find out your rating?

I have an Android phone, so this may not be the same for the iOS version of Uber... but open Uber and click on the icon that looks like three horizontal lines in the upper left hand corner... then click "help".... then click "Account".... then select "I'd like to know my rating". This will produce a Customer Service Rep request who will then respond with your rating when they get time to look it up for you. You could also email support@uber.com with your account info and get the same response.

 

[Politician Spock]

Are the Uber Black drivers being squeezed the same way the UberX drivers are? I only take black or SUV (good for me!). I tip if there is reason to (like when I got in a car all wet from a rain storm). I have a rating of 4.8, so I must have made someone mad along the way.

I don't think they are being squeezed rate wise. Some however are being forced into receiving lower tier requests, like UberSelect and even UberX. In my city of Columbus, all UberBlack cars also receive UberSelect requests. So they end up spending time doing work that is less profitable. I'm pretty sure some of them are losing money doing UberX trips with their high costs of those vehicles. Uber doesn't care if they lose money. They get the first dollar and the 20% commission regardless of whether the driver makes money or loses.

If you order an UberBlack, you'll be well liked by the driver. If you order an UberX and get an UberBlack car, the driver probably silently hates you.

ETA: My car qualified for UberSelect, but the city manager of Columbus forces all UberSelect cars to also accept UberX request. So every UberX request I got never got a rating higher than 4 from me. You want a ride from me and also want a five star rating, then order UberSelect. Of course, I don't drive anymore, so it doesn't matter what I do now, but I know other drivers do the same to protest Uber forcing drivers into taking lower rates.

Giving a rider a low rating in order to protest something the company is doing is bull####. Between crap like that and surge pricing, I doubt I will be using Uber anytime soon.

Uber doesn't give a #### about drivers, so any complaints we have with their policies fall on deaf ears. So the only way to get Uber to listen is to get the riders to complain about it. Sucks that you riders have to be the messenger, but the only other option for the driver to deal with the problem is to quit like I did, and some drivers just don't have the option to quit like people doing it as a side job do.

 

[RC94]

Are the Uber Black drivers being squeezed the same way the UberX drivers are? I only take black or SUV (good for me!). I tip if there is reason to (like when I got in a car all wet from a rain storm). I have a rating of 4.8, so I must have made someone mad along the way.

I don't think they are being squeezed rate wise. Some however are being forced into receiving lower tier requests, like UberSelect and even UberX. In my city of Columbus, all UberBlack cars also receive UberSelect requests. So they end up spending time doing work that is less profitable. I'm pretty sure some of them are losing money doing UberX trips with their high costs of those vehicles. Uber doesn't care if they lose money. They get the first dollar and the 20% commission regardless of whether the driver makes money or loses.

If you order an UberBlack, you'll be well liked by the driver. If you order an UberX and get an UberBlack car, the driver probably silently hates you.

ETA: My car qualified for UberSelect, but the city manager of Columbus forces all UberSelect cars to also accept UberX request. So every UberX request I got never got a rating higher than 4 from me. You want a ride from me and also want a five star rating, then order UberSelect. Of course, I don't drive anymore, so it doesn't matter what I do now, but I know other drivers do the same to protest Uber forcing drivers into taking lower rates.

Giving a rider a low rating in order to protest something the company is doing is bull####. Between crap like that and surge pricing, I doubt I will be using Uber anytime soon.

Uber doesn't give a #### about drivers, so any complaints we have with their policies fall on deaf ears. So the only way to get Uber to listen is to get the riders to complain about it. Sucks that you riders have to be the messenger, but the only other option for the driver to deal with the problem is to quit like I did, and some drivers just don't have the option to quit like people doing it as a side job do.

I can sympathize with that, but (and this goes for any service or product) - if I order a product at X level of quality because that is the price I am willing to pay, I am not expecting, nor did I ask for X+1 level of quality at X prices. I am not going to be a customer of a company that gives me bad ratings, or gives me a hard time in any way, because they aren't happy that they gave me something I didn't ask for. It just sounds like Uber has a lot of BS going on, and I am not interested in getting in the middle of it.

 

[Politician Spock]

Are the Uber Black drivers being squeezed the same way the UberX drivers are? I only take black or SUV (good for me!). I tip if there is reason to (like when I got in a car all wet from a rain storm). I have a rating of 4.8, so I must have made someone mad along the way.

I don't think they are being squeezed rate wise. Some however are being forced into receiving lower tier requests, like UberSelect and even UberX. In my city of Columbus, all UberBlack cars also receive UberSelect requests. So they end up spending time doing work that is less profitable. I'm pretty sure some of them are losing money doing UberX trips with their high costs of those vehicles. Uber doesn't care if they lose money. They get the first dollar and the 20% commission regardless of whether the driver makes money or loses.

If you order an UberBlack, you'll be well liked by the driver. If you order an UberX and get an UberBlack car, the driver probably silently hates you.

ETA: My car qualified for UberSelect, but the city manager of Columbus forces all UberSelect cars to also accept UberX request. So every UberX request I got never got a rating higher than 4 from me. You want a ride from me and also want a five star rating, then order UberSelect. Of course, I don't drive anymore, so it doesn't matter what I do now, but I know other drivers do the same to protest Uber forcing drivers into taking lower rates.

Giving a rider a low rating in order to protest something the company is doing is bull####. Between crap like that and surge pricing, I doubt I will be using Uber anytime soon.

Uber doesn't give a #### about drivers, so any complaints we have with their policies fall on deaf ears. So the only way to get Uber to listen is to get the riders to complain about it. Sucks that you riders have to be the messenger, but the only other option for the driver to deal with the problem is to quit like I did, and some drivers just don't have the option to quit like people doing it as a side job do.

I can sympathize with that, but (and this goes for any service or product) - if I order a product at X level of quality because that is the price I am willing to pay, I am not expecting, nor did I ask for X+1 level of quality at X prices. I am not going to be a customer of a company that gives me bad ratings, or gives me a hard time in any way, because they aren't happy that they gave me something I didn't ask for. It just sounds like Uber has a lot of BS going on, and I am not interested in getting in the middle of it.

Yes it does.

I see two possible outcomes of this: 1) the company replaces the CEO Travis Kalanick with a new CEO who puts an end to the BS of which everyone knows Travis is the source of (a google search of "travis kalanick ###hole" reveals a lot); or 2) the company implodes upon itself when there are not enough new drivers and riders to keep the rate of growth higher than the rate of decline, which is what is going on right now. Tons of drivers and riders finally have enough of Uber's #### on a weekly basis, but it's still that shiny/new thing to a lot of people who haven't been dicked over by it yet that it's still in growth mode. Eventually the tipping point will be reached and Uber will learn the hard way that you need to treat customers AND workers decently to have a long term business model. IF Uber doesn't replace the CEO and collapses, it will likely be followed by a company or two that does this new model right and kick Uber to curb. The same way Blackberry got kicked to the curb by Apple and Samsung despite having had 70% of the smartphone market at one time. Uber right now is very much like Blackberry was in the past. Smart people dominating their space, but without the right strategy to sustain it.

 

[saintfool]

took it for the first time on a business trip in Atlanta. super quick and convenient. i'm sure it was a competitive price against a taxi. with that said, i think Uber - as a company - is a ####.

 

[RC94]

Are the Uber Black drivers being squeezed the same way the UberX drivers are? I only take black or SUV (good for me!). I tip if there is reason to (like when I got in a car all wet from a rain storm). I have a rating of 4.8, so I must have made someone mad along the way.

I don't think they are being squeezed rate wise. Some however are being forced into receiving lower tier requests, like UberSelect and even UberX. In my city of Columbus, all UberBlack cars also receive UberSelect requests. So they end up spending time doing work that is less profitable. I'm pretty sure some of them are losing money doing UberX trips with their high costs of those vehicles. Uber doesn't care if they lose money. They get the first dollar and the 20% commission regardless of whether the driver makes money or loses.

If you order an UberBlack, you'll be well liked by the driver. If you order an UberX and get an UberBlack car, the driver probably silently hates you.

ETA: My car qualified for UberSelect, but the city manager of Columbus forces all UberSelect cars to also accept UberX request. So every UberX request I got never got a rating higher than 4 from me. You want a ride from me and also want a five star rating, then order UberSelect. Of course, I don't drive anymore, so it doesn't matter what I do now, but I know other drivers do the same to protest Uber forcing drivers into taking lower rates.

Giving a rider a low rating in order to protest something the company is doing is bull####. Between crap like that and surge pricing, I doubt I will be using Uber anytime soon.

Uber doesn't give a #### about drivers, so any complaints we have with their policies fall on deaf ears. So the only way to get Uber to listen is to get the riders to complain about it. Sucks that you riders have to be the messenger, but the only other option for the driver to deal with the problem is to quit like I did, and some drivers just don't have the option to quit like people doing it as a side job do.

I can sympathize with that, but (and this goes for any service or product) - if I order a product at X level of quality because that is the price I am willing to pay, I am not expecting, nor did I ask for X+1 level of quality at X prices. I am not going to be a customer of a company that gives me bad ratings, or gives me a hard time in any way, because they aren't happy that they gave me something I didn't ask for. It just sounds like Uber has a lot of BS going on, and I am not interested in getting in the middle of it.

Yes it does.

I see two possible outcomes of this: 1) the company replaces the CEO Travis Kalanick with a new CEO who puts an end to the BS of which everyone knows Travis is the source of (a google search of "travis kalanick ###hole" reveals a lot); or 2) the company implodes upon itself when there are not enough new drivers and riders to keep the rate of growth higher than the rate of decline, which is what is going on right now. Tons of drivers and riders finally have enough of Uber's #### on a weekly basis, but it's still that shiny/new thing to a lot of people who haven't been dicked over by it yet that it's still in growth mode. Eventually the tipping point will be reached and Uber will learn the hard way that you need to treat customers AND workers decently to have a long term business model. IF Uber doesn't replace the CEO and collapses, it will likely be followed by a company or two that does this new model right and kick Uber to curb. The same way Blackberry got kicked to the curb by Apple and Samsung despite having had 70% of the smartphone market at one time. Uber right now is very much like Blackberry was in the past. Smart people dominating their space, but without the right strategy to sustain it.

and some interesting articles come up with that Google search you mentioned.

 

[El Floppo]

Is Uber/Lyft generally cheaper or more expensive than Taxi?

Generally speaking, yes. There are times, at least with uber, where they have "surge pricing" which could rival taxi fares.

That said, the convenience of the app plus the short time it takes the car to arrive trumps anything a taxi service offers.

in NYC their surge pricing is goofily high. waaaaaaay more than taxis. but otherwise, comparable.

 

[Instinctive]

Haven't been through entire thread yet but has anyone else noticed you can't tip on uber anymore?

 

[sbonomo]

No tips, right?

Actually this is a point of contention.... If one checks out uberpeople.com (the rideshare equivalent of FBG), you quickly discovers:Uber is absolutely fisting their drivers financially. They've been gradually dropping prices in all markets in an effort to snuff out lyft and such while increasing adoption. These "temporary" fare cuts always become perm. They usually offset them with subsidies at first, then remove the subsidies.

The result is Uber X drivers are struggling to turn any semblance of a profit. It's to the point where large numbers of drivers are learning to game the system by canceling short rides after accepting them and such. There are even threads there on how low of an acceptance rate will get you fired. Many are quitting after short time driving.

For NOW uber is offsetting their driver loses with a huge ad campaign screaming make 35.... Errrrr 18 dollars an hour! But as the truth gets out, folks are going to sign up less and driver churn may turn to driver bleed. In any event, net quality is drifting downward with more "noob" drivers in the fold.

As a final "insult to injury" move, uber is now testing taking a 25% commission out of every fare instead of their standard 15-20%.... Scraping an additional 5% out of drivers pockets. Bad juju and may indicate some sort of underlying financial issues within the company.

Some markets are better than others, but Uber has a real problem on its hands. Drivers are largely miserable. This latest move will not help things. Many are now pushing back for tip education. Some will refuse to rate you 5 stars if you don't tip, etc. This is obviously an issue as it flies in the face of übers "don't tip" advertising.

End result is going to be lower quality product, dissatisfied drivers which will bleed into consumer satisfaction.

I love the cheap prices, but theyre digging into a somewhat untenable position here... At least in some markets. (Fares vary wildly in markets)

I had wondered how they made any money unless they were constantly having people in their car. A ride of a about 5 miles cost me around 10 bucks I think on the 4th of July. Parking where I was going was going to be a ##### and probably about 10 bucks anyway. With his gas and after paying Uber I didn't see how he was going to make anything.Asked him about rides out to the U.S. Open when that was played outside of Seattle about 1 hour drive from where we were, figured that would be a great fare and he said he didn't want to do that either because he couldn't pick anyone up on the way back most likely.

Seemed like there was no good way for this guy to make decent money.

some of these drivers are just lazy. Why wouldn't you take a good fair and just drive back to where you were coming from. I take uber to the airport all the time...it is roughly 65 from my place without surge pricing. Even if the driver turned back around and came back to where he started that is still 32.5 per hour. Can you get that many 2 mile rides at 6:00 am in the morning. I doubt it.

 

[El Floppo]

No tips, right?

Actually this is a point of contention.... If one checks out uberpeople.com (the rideshare equivalent of FBG), you quickly discovers:Uber is absolutely fisting their drivers financially. They've been gradually dropping prices in all markets in an effort to snuff out lyft and such while increasing adoption. These "temporary" fare cuts always become perm. They usually offset them with subsidies at first, then remove the subsidies.

The result is Uber X drivers are struggling to turn any semblance of a profit. It's to the point where large numbers of drivers are learning to game the system by canceling short rides after accepting them and such. There are even threads there on how low of an acceptance rate will get you fired. Many are quitting after short time driving.

For NOW uber is offsetting their driver loses with a huge ad campaign screaming make 35.... Errrrr 18 dollars an hour! But as the truth gets out, folks are going to sign up less and driver churn may turn to driver bleed. In any event, net quality is drifting downward with more "noob" drivers in the fold.

As a final "insult to injury" move, uber is now testing taking a 25% commission out of every fare instead of their standard 15-20%.... Scraping an additional 5% out of drivers pockets. Bad juju and may indicate some sort of underlying financial issues within the company.

Some markets are better than others, but Uber has a real problem on its hands. Drivers are largely miserable. This latest move will not help things. Many are now pushing back for tip education. Some will refuse to rate you 5 stars if you don't tip, etc. This is obviously an issue as it flies in the face of übers "don't tip" advertising.

End result is going to be lower quality product, dissatisfied drivers which will bleed into consumer satisfaction.

I love the cheap prices, but theyre digging into a somewhat untenable position here... At least in some markets. (Fares vary wildly in markets)

I had wondered how they made any money unless they were constantly having people in their car. A ride of a about 5 miles cost me around 10 bucks I think on the 4th of July. Parking where I was going was going to be a ##### and probably about 10 bucks anyway. With his gas and after paying Uber I didn't see how he was going to make anything.Asked him about rides out to the U.S. Open when that was played outside of Seattle about 1 hour drive from where we were, figured that would be a great fare and he said he didn't want to do that either because he couldn't pick anyone up on the way back most likely.

Seemed like there was no good way for this guy to make decent money.

some of these drivers are just lazy. Why wouldn't you take a good fair and just drive back to where you were coming from. I take uber to the airport all the time...it is roughly 65 from my place without surge pricing. Even if the driver turned back around and came back to where he started that is still 32.5 per hour. Can you get that many 2 mile rides at 6:00 am in the morning. I doubt it.

too good for Marin Airporter?