Last edit by: RichardInSF
Uber recently added functionality to tip in-app after rides are completed.
Your driver will appreciate it.
I'm sure they would -- but what percentage of people (outside of NYC where everyone bribes, uh, tips, for everything) are doing it?
Your driver will appreciate it.
I'm sure they would -- but what percentage of people (outside of NYC where everyone bribes, uh, tips, for everything) are doing it?
Tipping Uber drivers
#91
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#92
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I like that Uber has stated today that tips are still not expected. However, are they prepared to police the rating system to ensure it doesn't develop into a tool whereby the rider must effectively bribe the system to get future rides?
I guess I, as a rider, could go on the offensive: if a driver posts a sign about tips or otherwise gives me hassle for one, I give a low rating. Still, I'd rather not have to do that...the current system was working.
#94
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#95
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I'm based in Chicago and got the same email ascribed to NYC. (Didn't check the signature however - presumably a Chicago manager)
I'm less disturbed by this than others, because I have always tipped -- my trips are usually 25 miles or more (home to/from airport) and the savings over taxi so great that it was always a "share the savings" impulse...even with the ORD/MDW surcharge and a small tip, I'm saving significantly over regular cab fare. That model might not apply in other cities.
I'm less disturbed by this than others, because I have always tipped -- my trips are usually 25 miles or more (home to/from airport) and the savings over taxi so great that it was always a "share the savings" impulse...even with the ORD/MDW surcharge and a small tip, I'm saving significantly over regular cab fare. That model might not apply in other cities.
#96
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This is the biggest question for me. If user ratings become impacted by the driver's expectation of a tip, it could spell trouble for the service.
#97
Join Date: Nov 2015
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I came across an article on this somewhere yesterday. Sorry can't remember where. Apparently the driver can only rate immediately after the ride and before the next one he takes. The rider can rate at any time (or days/weeks later). The rider can also find out his rating before and after the trip. It was actually an Uber driver that pointed this out, but if the driver gives the rider a low rating, he puts himself at risk of the rider retaliating with a 1* which can be much worse for the driver than a rider.
#98
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I'm based in Chicago and got the same email ascribed to NYC. (Didn't check the signature however - presumably a Chicago manager)
I'm less disturbed by this than others, because I have always tipped -- my trips are usually 25 miles or more (home to/from airport) and the savings over taxi so great that it was always a "share the savings" impulse...even with the ORD/MDW surcharge and a small tip, I'm saving significantly over regular cab fare. That model might not apply in other cities.
I'm less disturbed by this than others, because I have always tipped -- my trips are usually 25 miles or more (home to/from airport) and the savings over taxi so great that it was always a "share the savings" impulse...even with the ORD/MDW surcharge and a small tip, I'm saving significantly over regular cab fare. That model might not apply in other cities.
#99
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I came across an article on this somewhere yesterday. Sorry can't remember where. Apparently the driver can only rate immediately after the ride and before the next one he takes. The rider can rate at any time (or days/weeks later). The rider can also find out his rating before and after the trip. It was actually an Uber driver that pointed this out, but if the driver gives the rider a low rating, he puts himself at risk of the rider retaliating with a 1* which can be much worse for the driver than a rider.
#100
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I came across an article on this somewhere yesterday. Sorry can't remember where. Apparently the driver can only rate immediately after the ride and before the next one he takes. The rider can rate at any time (or days/weeks later). The rider can also find out his rating before and after the trip. It was actually an Uber driver that pointed this out, but if the driver gives the rider a low rating, he puts himself at risk of the rider retaliating with a 1* which can be much worse for the driver than a rider.
I wonder if Lyft is similar? If their app, I can tip and rate long after the ride is over. I've had ones where I forgot to do it and tipped the driver the morning after the ride.
Does an Uber driver (in the current system) get notified when I rate him? I usually give five stars assuming nothing was wrong with the ride. Does that pop-up in the driver app in real time?
Uber has some key decisions to make in the coming weeks. Say nothing more in hopes that nobody really notices the changed verbiage and the non-tipping model sticks? Make it easier for riders to get their own rider rating in real-time? Revisit their earlier decision to not enable a tipping function in the app?
EDIT: After a bit of searching, I found my rating. You can indeed get your rating in real-time now.
Last edited by pinniped; Apr 29, 2016 at 1:09 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2003
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The rider can also find out his rating before and after the trip. It was actually an Uber driver that pointed this out, but if the driver gives the rider a low rating, he puts himself at risk of the rider retaliating with a 1* which can be much worse for the driver than a rider.
UberX (sans Surge) in NYC is now about 20% cheaper than taxis, so you could tip and it would still be comparable. But you shouldn't tip absent really extraordinary service. The only tip I've ever given an Uber driver was for taking a 50 mile drive out into the boonies.
#102
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We could definitely say it is admirable that Uber is trying to get tipping for rides out of the habits of riders, but this may be a battle they don't win (unlike the airport access).
As Lyft has the tipping option and is starting to get aggressive to attract drivers, it doesn't matter what Uber thinks if it can't get drivers to accept its app that doesn't include tips (and if Lyft has more available drivers).
Interestingly, app tips would also increase credit card fees for Uber and would potentially dent its 19 cents revenue. I think in many cases, the merchant can't subtract card fees from tips. I am sure the cash option suits Uber just fine, but does add to friction in the process (which restaurants figured out long time ago).
Rasheed
As Lyft has the tipping option and is starting to get aggressive to attract drivers, it doesn't matter what Uber thinks if it can't get drivers to accept its app that doesn't include tips (and if Lyft has more available drivers).
Interestingly, app tips would also increase credit card fees for Uber and would potentially dent its 19 cents revenue. I think in many cases, the merchant can't subtract card fees from tips. I am sure the cash option suits Uber just fine, but does add to friction in the process (which restaurants figured out long time ago).
Rasheed
#103
This isn't exactly true. Both riders and drivers have to rate each other before they can request/accept another ride. Practically speaking most drivers are going to need to rate you right away as they're most likely going to look for another ride right away, whereas riders might not ride that often and might have a longer time to rate the driver, but they still have to rate their last ride before they can request another.
#104
Join Date: Apr 2016
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I don't like drivers who give bad service or expect a tip for doing their job. If they actually provide excellent service that's when I'll tip, but that rarely happens.
Last edited by htehtrshtsrhstrhrsh; Apr 30, 2016 at 2:15 am
#105
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Here's an idea. How about Uber allowing tips on the app, but make it anonymous (driver only know who left a tip or not) and the driver only receive a lump sum tip weekly or something? This way, less tension between the drivers and the passengers, in theory.
I know it could sound good in theory but can get awry in practice (a pax can leave 1 cent tip just to improve his/her pax rating), but it is something I thought about. Who knows? Some conscientious/kind pax may leave large tips to balance things out?
I know it could sound good in theory but can get awry in practice (a pax can leave 1 cent tip just to improve his/her pax rating), but it is something I thought about. Who knows? Some conscientious/kind pax may leave large tips to balance things out?