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Originally Posted by VentureForth
(Post 26683884)
Ok. Shame on me for not researching your previous posts before responding. You are obviously anti-side-bribes and there is really nothing I can say. Get out there and drive and if you feel the same, that's you're prerogative. When you go from roughly $18/hr to $10, and still have to pay for all your expenses out of that, you'll do what I did and drive less.
Do you drive for Lyft? I happily tip Lyft drivers. Probably 25% on average, since it's equally easy click $2 as it is $1, and my rides are often $6-8 base rate. @:-) Several of them have commented that they prefer getting Lyft rides over Uber rides. |
Originally Posted by VentureForth
(Post 26683884)
Ok. Shame on me for not researching your previous posts before responding. You are obviously anti-side-bribes and there is really nothing I can say. Get out there and drive and if you feel the same, that's you're prerogative. When you go from roughly $18/hr to $10, and still have to pay for all your expenses out of that, you'll do what I did and drive less.
5* means "met all reasonable requirements." I don't downrate drivers who have the radio on when I get into the car (unless I ask them to turn it off, and they refuse), or ones who don't have the passenger seat all the way forward to maximize back seat legroom. |
Originally Posted by cestmoi123
(Post 26685173)
or ones who don't have the passenger seat all the way forward to maximize back seat legroom.
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Originally Posted by chrisny2
(Post 26685256)
That's a tricky one. Depending on the time of day and location, there could be lots of parties of 3 or 4 where someone is using the front passenger seat. I wouldn't downrate the driver for not moving it up and back between each trip. (I would downrate the driver if I asked nicely for it to be moved up and s/he refused.)
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Originally Posted by pinniped
(Post 26684297)
I don't blame you for driving less. That's the way economics works. An appropriate reaction to the drop in rates...if enough people do it, the market will reset itself to a higher rate. Uber will have to do it - or lose all of their drivers to Lyft.
Do you drive for Lyft? I happily tip Lyft drivers. Probably 25% on average, since it's equally easy click $2 as it is $1, and my rides are often $6-8 base rate. @:-) Several of them have commented that they prefer getting Lyft rides over Uber rides. Unfortunately, there are a lot of very desperate drivers. The non stop push for more and more drivers has saturated this area tremendously. If Uber would balance their marketing budget for new riders as much as they spend on recruiting new drivers, there probably wouldn't be a taxi left in this town. New drivers, getting pilfered an extra 5% from Uber, expecting $0.85/mi and have never seen what $1.50 is are ecstatic to drive. There are going to be many bankrupt drivers the moment they start having real work done on their car. I mitigate my low rates by driving about the oldest vehicle that is allowed on the platform (yet I get compliment by folks thinking it's still pretty new). I owe little enough on it, that if it gets totaled, I won't be at a loss. I get that the riders have been told by Uber that tipping isn't necessary. It's really unfair for Uber to drop the rates 45% and build that wedge between the driver and the rider. I've never solicited a tip. When asked, I simply say that it's not necessary, but not included in the fare. But it does sting when your rate drops from $1.5/mile to $0.85/mile. My basic expectation from a rider is toes on the curb when I arrive (within a minute or two), communication otherwise, no drinks, food, or smoking/vaping. Don't slam my doors. Do let me know if you aren't comfortable. I will take being uncomfortable whether it's music, temp, or squishing my fat gut up against my steering wheel for the comfort of my passengers. Tipping generally isn't a 5 star criteria for me, unless it's flaunted like it was in the above example. People are proud NOT to tip Uber drivers, and it's a shame.
Originally Posted by chrisny2
(Post 26682888)
I don't think it's very cool to join a website that's been around since 1998 just to berate its members.
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Originally Posted by chrisny2
(Post 26685256)
That's a tricky one. Depending on the time of day and location, there could be lots of parties of 3 or 4 where someone is using the front passenger seat. I wouldn't downrate the driver for not moving it up and back between each trip. (I would downrate the driver if I asked nicely for it to be moved up and s/he refused.)
I'm not sure if it ever really took hold or not. Nor do I know whether Lyft makes a big deal about it now with drivers (they obviously don't with riders). Maybe it went away with those silly pink mustaches... But it could explain why a driver who is logged in to both Uber and Lyft slides the seat back prior to picking up a Lyft rider.
Originally Posted by VentureForth
(Post 26685442)
People are proud NOT to tip Uber drivers, and it's a shame.
As I've said before, this is my preference: the complete no-tipping model, but with the drivers benefitting from the surge where appropriate. My 2nd preference is the Lyft model: a slightly lower base rate than Uber, tipping is customary, and tipping is done entirely in the light. I hope you get Lyft soon...it sounds like their drivers are pretty happy. |
Originally Posted by pinniped
(Post 26685781)
When Lyft was brand new, didn't they try to start a custom that the rider sat in the passenger (front) seat? I seem to recall it was one way they were hoping to differentiate from taxis (and even Uber, I guess).
I'm not sure if it ever really took hold or not. Nor do I know whether Lyft makes a big deal about it now with drivers (they obviously don't with riders). Maybe it went away with those silly pink mustaches... But it could explain why a driver who is logged in to both Uber and Lyft slides the seat back prior to picking up a Lyft rider. |
I look forward to Lyft. It seems to fit my personality better. Do I think I'll actually make more with Lyft? No. Lyft has a history of causing Uber to race them to the bottom of the rate bucket.
Oh - and I meant to say "Some" people are proud not to tip. I probably rake in a meager $5 a night in tips. Most are oblivious. The thing is, many who don't tip feel that way back when they set their UberTaxi tip, covered all of Uber. People actually state "Tip is included, right?" or "Tip is taken care of, right?" It gets awkward when I have to say "No. It's not necessary, but tip isn't included. Uber is supposed to be a seamless transaction, but it doesn't accommodate gratuities." Worse - when someone is about to tip, their co-rider says "Hey - you don't have to do that - it's included." The big lawsuit in California and Boston (?) partly referred to the fact that Uber used to actually say that Tipping was included, though it never existed for non-Taxi. They've long ago since changed that nomenclature on their website, and I argue with drivers all the time who say that Uber is still telling pax that. They aren't. This is a gig for me. I'm a fairly well educated engineer. I do it because I enjoy the social education I get from driving. Unfortunately, there are many who do this full time, and they get hurt the most. As for the relaxed relationship between Driver and Rider, it's pretty much spread to Uber that way. Half my riders get in up front. Others get in the back. Sometimes when there are three, they split, sometimes all three squish in the back. |
Originally Posted by VentureForth
(Post 26686128)
Do I think I'll actually make more with Lyft? No.
There's gotta be a Lyft driver forum out there similar to your Uber one... I'm sure they have threads breaking down every angle of the comparison. Perhaps with different examples for different cities... Vegas seems like the ultimate short-ride place...maybe things work better for Uber in places where the airport run is a long ride. |
Originally Posted by pinniped
(Post 26686182)
There's gotta be a Lyft driver forum out there similar to your Uber one... I'm sure they have threads breaking down every angle of the comparison. Perhaps with different examples for different cities... Vegas seems like the ultimate short-ride place...maybe things work better for Uber in places where the airport run is a long ride.
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Originally Posted by rny321
(Post 26661395)
If someone had asked me a month ago what mix or car companies I planned to use, I would said Uber most of the time and car services when I didn't want to take a chance on availability or surge pricing. Going forward, I will utilize a car service for trips to local airports, Lyft when available and Uber internationally and when other services aren't convenient in the US.
A few years ago many cabs had minimal competition and didn't need to care about the quality of their service. Once Uber started and cab companies realized that the threat was going to remain, the quality of service improved considerably. I still prefer Uber, but the difference in quality isn't as dramatic because taxi service has improved and experienced Uber drivers prefer to work the surge and not base rates. I have noticed a tendency for Uber driver's justifiable unhappiness to be reflected in their attitudes towards passengers. Although a tip at the end of the ride will make a driver happy as one exits the car, the driver may not have been in a good mood until then. In some cities, it is difficult to justify driving for Uber without tips and I understand the driver's frustration. On the other hand, in NYC prices are just as high as those of cabs that need a special vehicle with handicap access and a medallion currently valued at roughtly $700,000 but that apparently hasn't stopped stop some NYC drivers from complaining. I prefer the original Uber model where the price was supposed to inclusive. Although I wouldn't mind if prices were adjusted to incorporate a tip, I don't want to pay tips in cash. When I travel internationally, I don't always exchange money at the airport and when on a business trip I don't want to track additional tips in a foreign currency. Although Uber is more expensive than a taxi when going from the airport in Bangkok to city hotels, I prefer the cashless model of Uber. If tipping is going to be part of Uber, I hope the company will allow riders to use preset tip amounts for all of their services in the future. Although I like Uber, I will utilize Lyft instead of Uber whenever possible because tips can be handled in the app after I know how the amount of my fare. Only time will tell. |
Originally Posted by pinniped
(Post 26673733)
So how'd it work? Did people stop driving for Uber? Did riders stop requesting rides? Did Uber push things too far? I mean, if Uber breaks their own model, that's bad on them and they'll have to reconsider.
But you've just described my basic expectations of Uber. Should I have to bribe you to have a smoke-free car? :confused: Well, it's good to know that I really do need to hold off on my ratings for an hour or two, do my own rating check in the app, and then rate the driver after that. You'll have to take another rider before I need another Uber, so you'll probably have to rate me first. I don't see how a side-bribe-for-ratings scheme works out for the drivers in the long run. Especially if more mainstream tech blogs/sites write about it, as they often do about all things Uber. At the same time, if you believe tipping your server at a restaurant or bell-hop at a hotel is 'bribery' that is consistent and fair. But if you think tipping in a rideshare or livery service is bribery and other service areas it is simply a gratuity of appreciation for such service...I disagree with you and think such language is purely argumentative and sensational for the sake of such. |
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Originally Posted by UberDriver
(Post 26690170)
All very well stated. Uber is trying to be disruptive on many fronts...personally, I think Travis has something against a tipping culture. Lyft might just win out in the end, on this single issue alone.
Only time will tell. Contrary to what people say, tipping actually lowers the level of service I receive overall. It's very annoying having to take out your wallet every single time anyone does anything for you, and remembering to keep small bills in your wallet. I want a seamless transaction where I don't have to worry about anything additional. I never tip/bribe for good service, I tip/bribe so I don't receive bad service the next time I come. These days, I only use service that don't require tips. That means less domestic vacations and more international vacations to Europe/Asia, and especially Japan where people are willing to go out of their way to help you even knowing that they won't get any extra money for doing it. |
Originally Posted by htehtrshtsrhstrhrsh
(Post 26690725)
There are many people out there that hate the tipping culture. They're afraid to speak out because of what others might think. And some just want to pay the lowest price. I can't imagine Uber losing to Lyft especially in my market where there are three times as many Uber drivers, and Lyft only drivers are parked waiting a long time for a passenger.
Contrary to what people say, tipping actually lowers the level of service I receive overall. It's very annoying having to take out your wallet every single time anyone does anything for you, and remembering to keep small bills in your wallet. I want a seamless transaction where I don't have to worry about anything additional. I never tip/bribe for good service, I tip/bribe so I don't receive bad service the next time I come. These days, I only use service that don't require tips. That means less domestic vacations and more international vacations to Europe/Asia, and especially Japan where people are willing to go out of their way to help you even knowing that they won't get any extra money for doing it. |
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