Have you ever used Uber/Lyft (1 Viewer)

[sbonomo]

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.

That seems like a chitty thing to do. It is not the riders fault you are forced to accept them. Complete richard move IMO.

 

[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.

too good for Marin Airporter?

I fly primarily out of Oakland - Southwest is by far my favorite airline!

 

[Scoresman]

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?

I fly primarily out of Oakland - Southwest is by far my favorite airline!

Go figure. I liv̷̛͕̱̟̥͔̫͈̤̩̼̈̔͑̒ͩ̈ͬ̔̏ͬ͒̔ͣ̊͘͘̕ͅe̵̸̞͔̟͙͙̝̠̺͉̭̠̮̜̳̤̦͗̈́͛̊͛̽̚͝ about 5 inutes fr̬͈̥̙̤͛ͩ̀ͮ̇o͙̖͒̾ͮ̽̄̈͠m the Oakland airp̬͈̥̙̤͛ͩ̀ͮ̇o͙̖͒̾ͮ̽̄̈͠rt and always g̬͈̥̙̤͛ͩ̀ͮ̇o͙̖͒̾ͮ̽̄̈͠ to SFO b̷̛͕̱̟̥͔̫͈̤̩̼̈̔͑̒ͩ̈ͬ̔̏ͬ͒̔ͣ̊͘͘̕ͅe̵̸̞͔̟͙͙̝̠̺͉̭̠̮̜̳̤̦͗̈́͛̊͛̽̚͝cause Virgin is min̷̛͕̱̟̥͔̫͈̤̩̼̈̔͑̒ͩ̈ͬ̔̏ͬ͒̔ͣ̊͘͘̕ͅe̵̸̞͔̟͙͙̝̠̺͉̭̠̮̜̳̤̦͗̈́͛̊͛̽̚͝.

 

[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.

That seems like a chitty thing to do. It is not the riders fault you are forced to accept them. Complete richard move IMO.

It's no different than riders who give a driver a low rating because Uber surged the rate.

 

[sbonomo]

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.

That seems like a chitty thing to do. It is not the riders fault you are forced to accept them. Complete richard move IMO.

It's no different than riders who give a driver a low rating because Uber surged the rate.

You are a weird dude. Why would you defend something wrong that you did with something wrong someone else did? Those anyone that accepts the surge pricing and blames the driver is a total richard as well. That doesn't make you less of a richard for rating people low.

 

[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.

That seems like a chitty thing to do. It is not the riders fault you are forced to accept them. Complete richard move IMO.

It's no different than riders who give a driver a low rating because Uber surged the rate.

You are a weird dude. Why would you defend something wrong that you did with something wrong someone else did? Those anyone that accepts the surge pricing and blames the driver is a total richard as well. That doesn't make you less of a richard for rating people low.

It's a system full of richards. No argument here. I'm glad I quit.

 

[Capella]

So I will be in LA this next week and need to go to Anaheim. Wanted to use uber. How does it work? It's 33 miles one way - do I have to pay for his whole round trip back or just the one way drive to my location? Seems pretty far for just a one-way fare.

Tia

 

[Peyton Marino]

So I will be in LA this next week and need to go to Anaheim. Wanted to use uber. How does it work? It's 33 miles one way - do I have to pay for his whole round trip back or just the one way drive to my location? Seems pretty far for just a one-way fare.

Tia

typically don't have to pay for the trip back but there's a point where a trip is so long you need to make special arrangements with the driver beforehand. when you request your ride I would immediately put your destination address into the app, then call the driver (should be able to do this through the app) and explain the situation. if he's not up for the ride he should be able to find someone who is. it's definitely doable, I had a couple colleagues take an Uber from LaGuardia to New Hampshire a couple months ago. just need to make sure the driver is cool with it before he comes to get you (and tip, of course).

 

[avoiding injuries]

On Saturday I took a cab from MDW to downtown Chicago for $103. I took an uber back for $35.

 

[avoiding injuries]

So I will be in LA this next week and need to go to Anaheim. Wanted to use uber. How does it work? It's 33 miles one way - do I have to pay for his whole round trip back or just the one way drive to my location? Seems pretty far for just a one-way fare.

Tia

You can add destination on the request (and get an estimate). The driver will accept and know where you are going. No round trip fees I've ever had to pay and 33 miles isn't bad.

 

[The General]

Go figure. I liv̷̛͕̱̟̥͔̫͈̤̩̼̈̔͑̒ͩ̈ͬ̔̏ͬ͒̔ͣ̊͘͘̕ͅe̵̸̞͔̟͙͙̝̠̺͉̭̠̮̜̳̤̦͗̈́͛̊͛̽̚͝ about 5 inutes fr̬͈̥̙̤͛ͩ̀ͮ̇o͙̖͒̾ͮ̽̄̈͠m the Oakland airp̬͈̥̙̤͛ͩ̀ͮ̇o͙̖͒̾ͮ̽̄̈͠rt and always g̬͈̥̙̤͛ͩ̀ͮ̇o͙̖͒̾ͮ̽̄̈͠ to SFO b̷̛͕̱̟̥͔̫͈̤̩̼̈̔͑̒ͩ̈ͬ̔̏ͬ͒̔ͣ̊͘͘̕ͅe̵̸̞͔̟͙͙̝̠̺͉̭̠̮̜̳̤̦͗̈́͛̊͛̽̚͝cause Virgin is min̷̛͕̱̟̥͔̫͈̤̩̼̈̔͑̒ͩ̈ͬ̔̏ͬ͒̔ͣ̊͘͘̕ͅe̵̸̞͔̟͙͙̝̠̺͉̭̠̮̜̳̤̦͗̈́͛̊͛̽̚͝.

What's going on here? We have a blip in the matrix?

 

[fantasycurse42]

It's raining outside, good news, Uber can charge a 3x surge!

This company is predicated on ripping people off when the weather gets bad. If these surges weren't so ####### ridiculous, they would have the perfect product.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I would live to explain supply and demand to you. However I'll just ask mr NY this one question.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to get a cab in the rain in NY? There is no conspiracy for surge pricing, it's pretty straightforward actually.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I would live to explain supply and demand to you. However I'll just ask mr NY this one question.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to get a cab in the rain in NY? There is no conspiracy for surge pricing, it's pretty straightforward actually.

I would love a lesson on supply and demand. I'd also like a lesson on predictability, like predicting we'll need more cabs between 5-7 compared to 2-4. Is this something we can predict? The yellow cabs (who are awful) have kinda figured this out - Yet at 4:55 it is basically clockwork that Uber surges go into effect. Their surges in NYC are also unreasonable, usually in the 2.4-2.8x range, this is almost daily.

I also enjoyed the studies that they commissioned about how surges are great for me, the consumer. Sure, I'd much rather pay $70 for a $24 ride than wait an extra 6 minutes.

Not sure if you're aware, but Uber isn't the most ethical company. I like this example:

http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/11/technology/uber-fake-ride-requests-lyft/

Being that charging the consumer 3x is so beneficial according to research paid for by Uber, I'm hoping other businesses catch onto this sweet model. Maybe I can spend $12 on a slice of pizza at 6pm, I mean it's the dinner rush, who can see such a thing coming?

& honestly, if their surges weren't so insane and predictable, I'd have no issue here... After all, it is a solid product that I've been using for quite some time. A surge of 1.5x would be fair under some circumstances, a surge of 3x is price gouging. Luckily, I believe the city of New York agrees with this and eventually there will be a 2x surge cap, regardless of how many lobbyists they hire.

 

[comfortably numb]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

 

[fantasycurse42]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yes, you're made aware. They actually make you type in the numbers when it is 2x or higher. Yellow cabs charge the same no matter what. Most car companies in NYC (Dial 7, Carmel, etc) don't take on these type of $24 fairs. Gett has a cool business model that most aren't familiar with, I've never taken one, but looks like a good idea.

ETA: it isn't the surge that annoys me or many others, it's the predictability and actual amount of the surge... It's price gouging.

 

[The General]

Some serious first world problems up in here.

 

[mquinnjr]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yeah, in Uber you have to type in the surge charge rate to accept before a car is dispatched to your location.

I've done this, and it can get expensive. Was out with friends last Halloween in Philly, and I usually take the train home, 5 minute walk to my place. Didn't want to leave the party where I was early to grab the 1:30am train home, so I figured I'd just Uber home, no problem. Normal Uber to my place is about $20 bucks. Surge rate was 5.5x, and I had to hit it in, Lyft was just as bad doing a price check. It happens when there's a universal peak time.

 

[comfortably numb]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yes, you're made aware. They actually make you type in the numbers when it is 2x or higher. Yellow cabs charge the same no matter what. Most car companies in NYC (Dial 7, Carmel, etc) don't take on these type of $24 fairs.

Gett has a cool business model that most aren't familiar with, I've never taken one, but looks like a good idea.

In that $70 example would a local cab company be $50 or $80 as their normal charge?

I know you don't know specifics but just asking if ubers surcharge price is still cheaper than the local cab company or usually higher?

 

[fantasycurse42]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yes, you're made aware. They actually make you type in the numbers when it is 2x or higher. Yellow cabs charge the same no matter what. Most car companies in NYC (Dial 7, Carmel, etc) don't take on these type of $24 fairs.

Gett has a cool business model that most aren't familiar with, I've never taken one, but looks like a good idea.

In that $70 example would a local cab company be $50 or $80 as their normal charge?

I know you don't know specifics but just asking if ubers surcharge price is still cheaper than the local cab company or usually higher?

With their 2.8x surcharge - much higher, not even comparable.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yeah, in Uber you have to type in the surge charge rate to accept before a car is dispatched to your location.

I've done this, and it can get expensive. Was out with friends last Halloween in Philly, and I usually take the train home, 5 minute walk to my place. Didn't want to leave the party where I was early to grab the 1:30am train home, so I figured I'd just Uber home, no problem. Normal Uber to my place is about $20 bucks. Surge rate was 5.5x, and I had to hit it in, Lyft was just as bad doing a price check. It happens when there's a universal peak time.

If you arranged a car well in advance from a car service, it would've been what - $30-$40? Compared to $110 with the surge.

 

[The General]

If there is surge pricing in effect why don't you take a cab?

 

[fantasycurse42]

If there is surge pricing in effect why don't you take a cab?

Bc standing in the rain for 10 minutes is unpleasant.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I used Gett/Lyft/Uber a fair amount over the last year but more often than not I'm back to yellow cabs these days. I mostly need it to get from the West Village up to Hell's Kitchen after pickup from AfterSchool. When Uber surges & there's no cabs (shift change, raining) I just use another service. The Carmel (Dial 7) app isn't as slick but the customer service is great. YMMV but I've never had a driver who wasn't a pleasure to deal with; that's my favorite for getting to/from airports.

I know they're [uber] well funded but IMO it's a ####ty & unethical company. Still use them on occasion but I don't find anything the experience to be compelling.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I used Gett/Lyft/Uber a fair amount over the last year but more often than not I'm back to yellow cabs these days. I mostly need it to get from the West Village up to Hell's Kitchen after pickup from AfterSchool. When Uber surges & there's no cabs (shift change, raining) I just use another service. The Carmel (Dial 7) app isn't as slick but the customer service is great. YMMV but I've never had a driver who wasn't a pleasure to deal with; that's my favorite for getting to/from airports.

I know they're [uber] well funded but IMO it's a ####ty & unethical company. Still use them on occasion but I don't find anything the experience to be compelling.

What's the experience like with Gett? I assume less convenient to match the lower cost.The unethical isn't even in question. There is a negative story on a weekly basis. It's a solid product run by smart people so they'll continue with their success though.

 

[comfortably numb]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yes, you're made aware. They actually make you type in the numbers when it is 2x or higher. Yellow cabs charge the same no matter what. Most car companies in NYC (Dial 7, Carmel, etc) don't take on these type of $24 fairs.

Gett has a cool business model that most aren't familiar with, I've never taken one, but looks like a good idea.

In that $70 example would a local cab company be $50 or $80 as their normal charge?

I know you don't know specifics but just asking if ubers surcharge price is still cheaper than the local cab company or usually higher?

With their 2.8x surcharge - much higher, not even comparable.

ahhh ok....yea can see how the surcharges would be a PITA

 

[mquinnjr]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yeah, in Uber you have to type in the surge charge rate to accept before a car is dispatched to your location.

I've done this, and it can get expensive. Was out with friends last Halloween in Philly, and I usually take the train home, 5 minute walk to my place. Didn't want to leave the party where I was early to grab the 1:30am train home, so I figured I'd just Uber home, no problem. Normal Uber to my place is about $20 bucks. Surge rate was 5.5x, and I had to hit it in, Lyft was just as bad doing a price check. It happens when there's a universal peak time.

If you arranged a car well in advance from a car service, it would've been what - $30-$40? Compared to $110 with the surge.

Yep, gotta pick my spots going forward for that.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I used Gett/Lyft/Uber a fair amount over the last year but more often than not I'm back to yellow cabs these days. I mostly need it to get from the West Village up to Hell's Kitchen after pickup from AfterSchool. When Uber surges & there's no cabs (shift change, raining) I just use another service. The Carmel (Dial 7) app isn't as slick but the customer service is great. YMMV but I've never had a driver who wasn't a pleasure to deal with; that's my favorite for getting to/from airports.

I know they're [uber] well funded but IMO it's a ####ty & unethical company. Still use them on occasion but I don't find anything the experience to be compelling.

What's the experience like with Gett? I assume less convenient to match the lower cost.The unethical isn't even in question. There is a negative story on a weekly basis. It's a solid product run by smart people so they'll continue with their success though.

Our piano teacher uses it a lot. She's a faculty member at the New School & raves about it. We used it with her once (our daughters are also in ballet together.) I thought the driver was flaky / unprofessional but whatever. I think I tried it a couple times after that & ended up cabbing it after a few minutes because no one was available.

I wish Uber didn't suck as corporate citizens because the app is super convenient. But there's a million things that could annoy about Manhattan so when I get the message surge pricing in effect I'm all #### you & just move on.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Here is what happens when it rains:

-People who would normally walk 8 blocks now need an uber

-part time uber drivers don't want to drive in the rain and soil their personal vehicle, so they go home

-full timers take surge calls

-they get dispatched and three or four minutes in the customers decide they want to wait out the surge

-so those drivers are off the grid for four minutes. The more that happens the less drivers you have, and the surge gets higher

-in heavy weather it takes more time to get from A to B.

The faux outrage in here is hilarious, this isn't brain surgery. Uber surges at rush hour times in an and pm, in weather, and when the drunks are going home. If you don't want to pay the surge, take a cab.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

If there is surge pricing in effect why don't you take a cab?

Pretty much this simple. But it goes back to my questions about finding a cab in weather in NY. Don't pay the surge, and TRY to find a cab. If uber is surging cabs are busy too. Uber didn't vecome a company worth $50 billion without understanding the metrics.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Here is what happens when it rains:

-People who would normally walk 8 blocks now need an uber

-part time uber drivers don't want to drive in the rain and soil their personal vehicle, so they go home

-full timers take surge calls

-they get dispatched and three or four minutes in the customers decide they want to wait out the surge

-so those drivers are off the grid for four minutes. The more that happens the less drivers you have, and the surge gets higher

-in heavy weather it takes more time to get from A to B.

The faux outrage in here is hilarious, this isn't brain surgery. Uber surges at rush hour times in an and pm, in weather, and when the drunks are going home. If you don't want to pay the surge, take a cab.

I find their research to be complete bull####. What they want me to believe is that consumers who don't normally take their service at regular fares are lining up to pay almost 3x. And for some magical reason, the car is always 3-5 minutes away with surge prices, same as regular fares.If they want to hike the prices 50% during a high demand time, fine I get that. 200%? That's price gouging. I'm hopeful and reluctantly confident NYC will be putting a cap on this at some point in the next 24 months.

 

[Capella]

I also dislike paying a premium price for premium things at a premium time.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Here is what happens when it rains:

-People who would normally walk 8 blocks now need an uber

-part time uber drivers don't want to drive in the rain and soil their personal vehicle, so they go home

-full timers take surge calls

-they get dispatched and three or four minutes in the customers decide they want to wait out the surge

-so those drivers are off the grid for four minutes. The more that happens the less drivers you have, and the surge gets higher

-in heavy weather it takes more time to get from A to B.

The faux outrage in here is hilarious, this isn't brain surgery. Uber surges at rush hour times in an and pm, in weather, and when the drunks are going home. If you don't want to pay the surge, take a cab.

I find their research to be complete bull####. What they want me to believe is that consumers who don't normally take their service at regular fares are lining up to pay almost 3x. And for some magical reason, the car is always 3-5 minutes away with surge prices, same as regular fares.If they want to hike the prices 50% during a high demand time, fine I get that. 200%? That's price gouging. I'm hopeful and reluctantly confident NYC will be putting a cap on this at some point in the next 24 months.

I have no loyalty to the brand but I can tell you they are going to put traditional cabs out of business within five years. What you are experiencing in NY is not how it is in bmore/DC, I could tell you exactly when surges will happen here.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Uber sucks. Horrible, predatory company, abuses its "employees," and yeah, I'll take my rides in cabs licensed by the city instead of saving a few bucks to ride in Joe Blow Mobile. If this makes me a Luddite I don't care.

 

[Capella]

Uber sucks. Horrible, predatory company, abuses its "employees," and yeah, I'll take my rides in cabs licensed by the city instead of saving a few bucks to ride in Joe Blow Mobile. If this makes me a Luddite I don't care.

I've been in LA for a week and have used it 20+ times to go all over the place. It's unbelievably awesome.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Here is what happens when it rains:

-People who would normally walk 8 blocks now need an uber

-part time uber drivers don't want to drive in the rain and soil their personal vehicle, so they go home

-full timers take surge calls

-they get dispatched and three or four minutes in the customers decide they want to wait out the surge

-so those drivers are off the grid for four minutes. The more that happens the less drivers you have, and the surge gets higher

-in heavy weather it takes more time to get from A to B.

The faux outrage in here is hilarious, this isn't brain surgery. Uber surges at rush hour times in an and pm, in weather, and when the drunks are going home. If you don't want to pay the surge, take a cab.

I find their research to be complete bull####. What they want me to believe is that consumers who don't normally take their service at regular fares are lining up to pay almost 3x. And for some magical reason, the car is always 3-5 minutes away with surge prices, same as regular fares.If they want to hike the prices 50% during a high demand time, fine I get that. 200%? That's price gouging. I'm hopeful and reluctantly confident NYC will be putting a cap on this at some point in the next 24 months.

I have no loyalty to the brand but I can tell you they are going to put traditional cabs out of business within five years. What you are experiencing in NY is not how it is in bmore/DC, I could tell you exactly when surges will happen here.

Love ya, DD, but I bet Uber and competitors are much more likely to be gone (or functionally irrelevant) in five years due to lawsuits and regulation. But maybe they'll bring down cab prices first. If anyone thinks cab fares in NYC are ridiculous, try grabbing a taxi in Los Angeles or San Diego.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Here is what happens when it rains:

-People who would normally walk 8 blocks now need an uber

-part time uber drivers don't want to drive in the rain and soil their personal vehicle, so they go home

-full timers take surge calls

-they get dispatched and three or four minutes in the customers decide they want to wait out the surge

-so those drivers are off the grid for four minutes. The more that happens the less drivers you have, and the surge gets higher

-in heavy weather it takes more time to get from A to B.

The faux outrage in here is hilarious, this isn't brain surgery. Uber surges at rush hour times in an and pm, in weather, and when the drunks are going home. If you don't want to pay the surge, take a cab.

I find their research to be complete bull####. What they want me to believe is that consumers who don't normally take their service at regular fares are lining up to pay almost 3x. And for some magical reason, the car is always 3-5 minutes away with surge prices, same as regular fares.If they want to hike the prices 50% during a high demand time, fine I get that. 200%? That's price gouging. I'm hopeful and reluctantly confident NYC will be putting a cap on this at some point in the next 24 months.

I have no loyalty to the brand but I can tell you they are going to put traditional cabs out of business within five years. What you are experiencing in NY is not how it is in bmore/DC, I could tell you exactly when surges will happen here.

We actually agree on this. Not the yellow cabs, or Dial 7/Carmel mega companies with all of the big corporate accounts (although I wouldn't be surprised if they figured out a model to go after the corporate accounts in the near future), but everyone else, yes.In other cities where cab services aren't efficient, there only competition will be from Lyft like competitors who are currently getting crushed, if they can even survive.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Here is what happens when it rains:

-People who would normally walk 8 blocks now need an uber

-part time uber drivers don't want to drive in the rain and soil their personal vehicle, so they go home

-full timers take surge calls

-they get dispatched and three or four minutes in the customers decide they want to wait out the surge

-so those drivers are off the grid for four minutes. The more that happens the less drivers you have, and the surge gets higher

-in heavy weather it takes more time to get from A to B.

The faux outrage in here is hilarious, this isn't brain surgery. Uber surges at rush hour times in an and pm, in weather, and when the drunks are going home. If you don't want to pay the surge, take a cab.

I find their research to be complete bull####. What they want me to believe is that consumers who don't normally take their service at regular fares are lining up to pay almost 3x. And for some magical reason, the car is always 3-5 minutes away with surge prices, same as regular fares.If they want to hike the prices 50% during a high demand time, fine I get that. 200%? That's price gouging. I'm hopeful and reluctantly confident NYC will be putting a cap on this at some point in the next 24 months.

I have no loyalty to the brand but I can tell you they are going to put traditional cabs out of business within five years. What you are experiencing in NY is not how it is in bmore/DC, I could tell you exactly when surges will happen here.

Love ya, DD, but I bet Uber and competitors are much more likely to be gone (or functionally irrelevant) in five years due to lawsuits and regulation. But maybe they'll bring down cab prices first. If anyone thinks cab fares in NYC are ridiculous, try grabbing a taxi in Los Angeles or San Diego.

Disagree, while regulations/lawsuits will be a drain on them, I don't see this. Smart company hiring powerful people/lobbyists in their corner.The end result of the contractor/employee case will have huge ramifications here, as well as other internet based services like Seamless.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Here is what happens when it rains:

-People who would normally walk 8 blocks now need an uber

-part time uber drivers don't want to drive in the rain and soil their personal vehicle, so they go home

-full timers take surge calls

-they get dispatched and three or four minutes in the customers decide they want to wait out the surge

-so those drivers are off the grid for four minutes. The more that happens the less drivers you have, and the surge gets higher

-in heavy weather it takes more time to get from A to B.

The faux outrage in here is hilarious, this isn't brain surgery. Uber surges at rush hour times in an and pm, in weather, and when the drunks are going home. If you don't want to pay the surge, take a cab.

I find their research to be complete bull####. What they want me to believe is that consumers who don't normally take their service at regular fares are lining up to pay almost 3x. And for some magical reason, the car is always 3-5 minutes away with surge prices, same as regular fares.If they want to hike the prices 50% during a high demand time, fine I get that. 200%? That's price gouging. I'm hopeful and reluctantly confident NYC will be putting a cap on this at some point in the next 24 months.

I have no loyalty to the brand but I can tell you they are going to put traditional cabs out of business within five years. What you are experiencing in NY is not how it is in bmore/DC, I could tell you exactly when surges will happen here.

Love ya, DD, but I bet Uber and competitors are much more likely to be gone (or functionally irrelevant) in five years due to lawsuits and regulation. But maybe they'll bring down cab prices first. If anyone thinks cab fares in NYC are ridiculous, try grabbing a taxi in Los Angeles or San Diego.

Try grabbing a taxi in Sofia Bulgaria. I got raped on a fare one time to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and refused to pay. Like $80 for six miles, made the paper as an international incident. Ny taxis are reasonable fo sho, that's why uber started in Cali.

 

[strykerpks]

Totally gonna fly to Bulgaria just to get a cheaper cab ride than DD. I'm totally sexier than he is. And I'm white.

 

[Aerial Assault]

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense usually just picks me up at the airport.

 

[The General]

If there is surge pricing in effect why don't you take a cab?

Bc standing in the rain for 10 minutes is unpleasant.

Yeah that sucks but no one is making you take Uber. Take a cab, get wet, plan better. If Uber sucks someone else will come in and take their place. In my town I don't even bother with cabs because they suck. When it's busy there is surge pricing but getting a cab then is impossible.

 

[Wooderson]

So uber just started in my city yesterday. I'm excited as it's not a big city which in turn makes for poor cab service.

I've looked and I still can't find an answer. Do you or do you not tip the uber driver? I won't to keep a 5 star rating and am willing to pay for it.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

So uber just started in my city yesterday. I'm excited as it's not a big city which in turn makes for poor cab service.

I've looked and I still can't find an answer. Do you or do you not tip the uber driver? I won't to keep a 5 star rating and am willing to pay for it.

If you give a $2 or $3 cash tip, the driver will be happy.

 

[tdoss]

I can't see how cabs can survive. I don't know a single person in California that do not use UBER religiously. No one our here uses cabs anymore.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I can't see how cabs can survive. I don't know a single person in California that do not use UBER religiously. No one our here uses cabs anymore.

SF is one of the worst places I've been to for cabs. There's like two games in the whole town and they're both awful, they deserve to go out of business.

 

[[icon]]

Usually when people hate a product they just stop using it.

 

[avoiding injuries]

I've never used these services just asking on these surcharges.

Do you agree to the surcharge before agreeing to the ride?

What does a local cab company charge for that $70 surcharge ride that is usually $24 6 minutes later from uber?

Yes, you're made aware. They actually make you type in the numbers when it is 2x or higher. Yellow cabs charge the same no matter what. Most car companies in NYC (Dial 7, Carmel, etc) don't take on these type of $24 fairs.Gett has a cool business model that most aren't familiar with, I've never taken one, but looks like a good idea.

In that $70 example would a local cab company be $50 or $80 as their normal charge?

I know you don't know specifics but just asking if ubers surcharge price is still cheaper than the local cab company or usually higher?

With their 2.8x surcharge - much higher, not even comparable.

ahhh ok....yea can see how the surcharges would be a PITA

My 1.4 surcharge in Chicago last week was still half of the cab (same ride-different direction). My Saturday math tells me 2.8 would be the same as the cab during a non-peak time.

 

[Aerial Assault]

I can't see how cabs can survive. I don't know a single person in California that do not use UBER religiously. No one our here uses cabs anymore.

I do. I was also downtown a few days back and saw about 50 cabs buzzing around the financial district/courthouse area while I walked ten blocks (i wasn't in a hurry and wanted to stretch my legs). Most even had passengers in them.

 

[Scoresman]

So uber just started in my city yesterday. I'm excited as it's not a big city which in turn makes for poor cab service.

I've looked and I still can't find an answer. Do you or do you not tip the uber driver? I won't to keep a 5 star rating and am willing to pay for it.

You DO NOT tip Uber drivers and they're not supposed to accept them. It's part of the appeal that all the costs are handled by the app.