What a dumbass. Granted, surge fares can get pricey and maybe a little predatory, but she went on nearly a 100 mile ride in a 7.8x charge.
https://jalopnik.com/uber-charges-passenger-clueless-about-surge-pricing-92-1819053368
Uber and Lyft tell you how much the price is surging when you request a ride. This woman is a dumbass.
I disagree. She may be a dumbass but 7.8X charge of normal fare is outrageous. Being a dumbass is not justification for highway robbery. Uber tried to spin it as "a perfect storm" occurred. Bullshit. If they thought it was perfectly justifiable then they wouldn't have returned her money after a reporter called them about it.
Times like these you need a...
(https://www.mitsubishi-motors.de/uploadedImages/Contents/Campaign/Sondermodelle/Space_Star_Edition_100/space_star_edition100_verlaengerung_featurebox_plus.jpg)
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 01:28:31 AM
I disagree. She may be a dumbass but 7.8X charge of normal fare is outrageous. Being a dumbass is not justification for highway robbery. Uber tried to spin it as "a perfect storm" occurred. Bullshit. If they thought it was perfectly justifiable then they wouldn't have returned her money after a reporter called them about it.
The refund was just trying to make the best of a no-win situation, in which they'd be criticized no matter what. But who's to say what the "right" fare should be for an Uber ride except for Uber? As long as the fare is communicated to the rider -- which it is -- then it's up to them to choose it. The purpose of the surge pricing is to attract more drivers to an area with high demand, which in turn brings the prices back down *and* gives more people a ride. Uber would also be criticized if it couldn't provide enough drivers for high-demand circumstances, or would be criticized if it made the base fare higher.
Maybe the better way of branding it would be to set a fare floor -- a "minimum fare" rather than a "normal fare" -- and be even clearer that the rate is varying constantly. There would still be some people who'd always insist that anything above the bare minimum is unfair, but maybe there would be fewer.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 01:28:31 AM
I disagree. She may be a dumbass but 7.8X charge of normal fare is outrageous. Being a dumbass is not justification for highway robbery. Uber tried to spin it as "a perfect storm" occurred. Bullshit. If they thought it was perfectly justifiable then they wouldn't have returned her money after a reporter called them about it.
Highway robbery? She agreed to it :confused: If it's too expensive, don't use the service.
Quote from: ifcar on October 03, 2017, 06:52:08 AM
The refund was just trying to make the best of a no-win situation, in which they'd be criticized no matter what. But who's to say what the "right" fare should be for an Uber ride except for Uber? As long as the fare is communicated to the rider -- which it is -- then it's up to them to choose it. The purpose of the surge pricing is to attract more drivers to an area with high demand, which in turn brings the prices back down *and* gives more people a ride. Uber would also be criticized if it couldn't provide enough drivers for high-demand circumstances, or would be criticized if it made the base fare higher.
Maybe the better way of branding it would be to set a fare floor -- a "minimum fare" rather than a "normal fare" -- and be even clearer that the rate is varying constantly. There would still be some people who'd always insist that anything above the bare minimum is unfair, but maybe there would be fewer.
That's all fine. But 7.8X normal fare is ridiculous. It's taking advantage of people. When there is a normal fare which is active 95% of the time, it's normal for a customer who does not use Uber very frequently and/or is not very smart phone savvy to miss that surge pricing is in effect. And if that surge pricing is reasonable, so be it. But if that surge pricing causes a normally $120 fare to be $1000, that's ridiculous. Uber is in a no win situation because they did a dastardly deed. They are in a no win situation because this sort of surge pricing is just to take advantage of people. They probably didn't break any laws although perhaps that's debatable. It's a scam. That's all it is.
Dastardly deed? The app warns you that surge pricing is in effect, and tells you what it will cost. And you have to confirm it! This is 100% on her.
Quote from: MrH on October 03, 2017, 07:20:40 AM
Highway robbery? She agreed to it :confused: If it's too expensive, don't use the service.
Then don't return her fare and proclaim to the media that what your company does is reasonable. To return her fare and then sheepishly claim some bullshit about a perfect storm indicates that Uber knows they engaged in deceptive and egregious behavior.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:23:25 AM
That's all fine. But 7.8X normal fare is ridiculous. It's taking advantage of people. When there is a normal fare which is active 95% of the time, it's normal for a customer who does not use Uber very frequently and/or is not very smart phone savvy to miss that surge pricing is in effect. And if that surge pricing is reasonable, so be it. But if that surge pricing causes a normally $120 fare to be $1000, that's ridiculous. Uber is in a no win situation because they did a dastardly deed. They are in a no win situation because this sort of surge pricing is just to take advantage of people. They probably didn't break any laws although perhaps that's debatable. It's a scam. That's all it is.
No it's not.
Uber/Lyft are usually used for short rides, like around a mile. Base fare is $4 in most cities. 7.8x of that would mean that base fare would be $32. Significantly more expensive, but not outrageous - and cheaper and less hassle than a taxi.
Uber didn't do a bad deed - this woman didn't pay attention and asked for a 100 mile ride; which would have been like $150+ anyways.
If uber and lyft didn't do surge pricing, they'd have zero drivers.
Then Uber is in the right and they should proudly proclaim it. Correct?!
There is no reason whatsoever to backtrack and refund her money unless you know, as a company, you engaged in bad practice.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:27:24 AM
Then don't return her fare and proclaim to the media that what your company does is reasonable. To return her fare and then sheepishly claim some bullshit about a perfect storm indicates that Uber knows they engaged in deceptive and egregious behavior.
They returned it out of good will. They had no moral obligation to return her shit.
And secondly, I hope the driver still got this big fare. Why should he get penalized because the passenger was a dumbass? With Uber rates; that would be around $700-750 in my account after one ride. If this was adjusted down or even removed, I'd honestly sue for backed wages.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:29:18 AM
There is no reason whatsoever to backtrack and refund her money unless you know, as a company, you engaged in bad practice.
Have you ever used Uber?
Quote from: 2o6 on October 03, 2017, 07:29:43 AM
They returned it out of good will. They had no moral obligation to return her shit.
And secondly, I hope the driver still got this big fare. Why should he get penalized because the passenger was a dumbass? With Uber rates; that would be around $700-750 in my account after one ride. If this was adjusted down or even removed, I'd honestly sue for backed wages.
No. They returned it because they know they screwed her and the public already has a not so great perception of Uber. They do have a moral obligation to return it to her. Not a legal obligation but a moral obligation. If they didn't, they would be defending themselves. Which they are not. They are defending "surge pricing" but not defending the amount she was charged.
Quote from: 2o6 on October 03, 2017, 07:30:24 AM
Have you ever used Uber?
I have. Probably 15 times. And I have declined rides due to surge pricing. But I can see a lot of people not realize what's going on.
Uber is getting kicked out of cities (London most recently) because they do stupid things. This is an example of a very very stupid business practice. 7.8X normal fare. That's stupid.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:35:37 AM
I have. Probably 15 times. And I have declined rides due to surge pricing. But I can see a lot of people not realize what's going on.
I don't know how; it gives you two steps of confirmation before you accept.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:37:23 AM
Uber is getting kicked out of cities (London most recently) because they do stupid things. This is an example of a very very stupid business practice. 7.8X normal fare. That's stupid.
Why is it stupid, though? 7.8x means there's probably very few drivers down there with large demand. As a driver, why should I fight and wait for big crowds and large traffic for what will only end up being $3 for me? Even at 7.8x, $3 turns into $25, which is high but is reasonable for a very short journey.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:33:05 AM
No. They returned it because they know they screwed her and the public already has a not so great perception of Uber. They do have a moral obligation to return it to her. Not a legal obligation but a moral obligation. If they didn't, they would be defending themselves. Which they are not. They are defending "surge pricing" but not defending the amount she was charged.
Yeah, they're returning out of bad optics due to other PR disasters related to Uber; surge pricing isn't one of them. (LYFT ALSO SURGE PRICES)
Quote from: 2o6 on October 03, 2017, 07:41:37 AM
Yeah, they're returning out of bad optics due to other PR disasters related to Uber; surge pricing isn't one of them. (LYFT ALSO SURGE PRICES)
But it soon will be (bad optics from surge pricing).
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:44:24 AM
But it soon will be (bad optics from surge pricing).
Lyft and uber have been doing this since their inception.
If you don't like it, call a cab.
Quote from: 2o6 on October 03, 2017, 07:45:01 AM
Lyft and uber have been doing this since their inception.
If you don't like it, call a cab.
Well I think that's what Uber is afraid of. Plus more likely they're afraid of getting regulated by the govt because of charging folk $1000 for a 2 hour ride.
That's one of the reasons medallion taxi cab fares are completely regulated. To prevent people from being charged $1000 for a 2 hour ride.
Then don't use the service. She knew the risks, yet she still accepted the ride.
I just hope the driver didn't get screwed.
Quote from: 2o6 on October 03, 2017, 07:52:40 AM
Then don't use the service. She knew the risks, yet she still accepted the ride.
I just hope the driver didn't get screwed.
Well that's an argument for any predatory financial practice. Then deal with the PR fallout. And Uber is smart enough to install a mathematical model which would allow 7.8X pricing for a 5 minute ride but not for a 2 hour ride.
The driver will get paid by Uber out of their billion dollar or whatever coffers. Just not $1000. Probably $200.
During the OSU vs Oklahoma game, the city surged at 150% basically all day.
By 9pm, it was 400% in some areas. Instead of it being $1.10 a mile, it was $4.40 a mile. I had a gentleman request a ride, was confused about what surge pricing meant (he clearly wanted me to tell him that it doesn't apply to him for some reason) and when I explained his 20 mile ride was going to be close to $100, he canceled. Fair enough.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:57:34 AM
Well that's an argument for any predatory financial practice. Then deal with the PR fallout. And Uber is smart enough to install a mathematical model which would allow 7.8X pricing for a 5 minute ride but not for a 2 hour ride.
The driver will get paid by Uber out of their billion dollar or whatever coffers. Just not $1000. Probably $200.
Why should I get $200 when I was promised $1000?
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 01:28:31 AM
I disagree. She may be a dumbass but 7.8X charge of normal fare is outrageous. Being a dumbass is not justification for highway robbery. Uber tried to spin it as "a perfect storm" occurred. Bullshit. If they thought it was perfectly justifiable then they wouldn't have returned her money after a reporter called them about it.
Supply and demand. :huh:
Also, she changed up the trip after the ride was under way. I don't know how she fucked up...the app tells you how much it's going to be. It doesn't just magically show up on your credit card statement. She fucked up and had to complain that she "literally" felt robbed...lol. I don't believe she intended to accept such an expensive ride...but she did.
Quote from: 2o6 on October 03, 2017, 07:58:56 AM
Why should I get $200 when I was promised $1000?
That I can understand. I have no idea what Uber will compensate him/her. I hear they treat their drivers with a lot of respect.
I don't think Uber has a whole lot of cash. Thought they were struggling a bit?
You'd think with all of the millions of stories on social media of people being idiots when it comes to surge pricing that eventually you'd pay attention. But nope. It works perfectly fine for 99.9% of the people out there and solves very many problems. I really wish Uber hadn't backed down on this because really, the customer is rarely ever right.
Yes being told by Expedia that you're just shit out of luck that your hotel reservation got cancelled and no you won't get refunded; didn't you read the fine print?!
Yes being told by United that just because you're sitting in a seat on the runway, we've overbooked and we're kicking you out and no we're not paying for your hotel tab; didn't you read your contract?!
Yes being charged $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride because of surge pricing; what is normally a $120 fare; yes for that much money you can fly you and your friend back and forth from Chicago to London; but hey, shucks man, it says right there on your smart phone what you're going to be charged?!
Customers are rarely right and all this social media backlash is all about entitlement; until it happens to you.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 07:36:45 PM
Yes being told by Expedia that you're just shit out of luck that your hotel reservation got cancelled and no you won't get refunded; didn't you read the fine print?!
Yes being told by United that just because you're sitting in a seat on the runway, we've overbooked and we're kicking you out and no we're not paying for your hotel tab; didn't you read your contract?!
Yes being charged $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride because of surge pricing; what is normally a $120 fare; yes for that much money you can fly you and your friend back and forth from Chicago to London; but hey, shucks man, it says right there on your smart phone what you're going to be charged?!
Customers are rarely right and all this social media backlash is all about entitlement; until it happens to you.
You're a little confused. Yes being charged $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride after you A) accepted the 7.8x surge multiple times and B) added an additional 98 miles on top of your 2 original ones is completely justified. Your examples are garbage too as Uber didn't sell you a hotel/plane seat that doesn't exist; they offered you a ride that at that moment only existed because of surge pricing. You're free to take it or leave, but you don't accept then bitch after the fact that they charged you too much.
Yeah, it's like buying a $30,000 plane ticket and then bitching about it after you land.
Quote from: Xer0 on October 03, 2017, 08:49:37 PM
You're a little confused. Yes being charged $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride after you A) accepted the 7.8x surge multiple times and B) added an additional 98 miles on top of your 2 original ones is completely justified. Your examples are garbage too as Uber didn't sell you a hotel/plane seat that doesn't exist; they offered you a ride that at that moment only existed because of surge pricing. You're free to take it or leave, but you don't accept then bitch after the fact that they charged you too much.
Plenty of people think that Uber is justified in charging her $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride because it was demarcated as such and one has to press "accept". And if they didn't charge her $1000, no driver would be able to take her to the airport. I mean, come on, what driver would take take her 2 hours for $240 or $360, right?
No, I'm not confused at all about it. Apparently Uber isn't either as they returned her money. They didn't return it because legal expenses would outweigh any moral gain they had. They didn't return it because they had a poor legal case.
They returned it because they didn't want to look like assholes. They returned it because they didn't want Chicago local government to
a) kick them out
b) impose greater regulation
Both of which are not improbable when news gets out what surge pricing can do if you take a longer than usual cab ride.
What would you say if they charged her $10,000? How about $100,000? Its surge pricing man. Quit bitching about it bitch! You're the one who pressed the accept button! Now hand me over your fucking life savings. Read the fucking price you dumbass! We got a game going on man and if you need a ride, you gotta pay what's advertised. I know, I know, it's not the normal price but fuck man, its game day. What, you didn't read the price? Well, see here, this here "accept" button on your smart phone acts as an electronic signature. It's a binding contract which indicates you fully understand and accept the price. Yes, the price is between 70 and 8O times the normal price but it's fucking game day man and I don't think we're going to be able to get you to the airport for less than $10,000 today. Tomorrow, it'll be $120 because there's nothing going on.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on October 03, 2017, 09:00:52 PM
Yeah, it's like buying a $30,000 plane ticket and then bitching about it after you land.
Yes, people rightfully bitched about outrageous airline pricing to leave Florida prior to the hurricane and due to extremely negative social media, most airlines indicated they would no longer engage in such egregious business practice.
It's different if the typical price is $30,000 (something like first class from NYC to Australia). It's outrageous if the typical price is $300 but because of surge pricing you're going to have to pay $30,000. It's also different if due to extenuating circumstances, the cost to operate the airline during a period of difficulty was 10 times more. It wasn't. The storm hadn't hit yet. It was just greed. And social media called them out on it and they could not defend it. It's very difficult to defend asshole behavior. It's probably better business practice to not engage in it in the first place.
She had the choice to deny it. I don't see the argument here.
Would you buy this and then complain that you got ripped off afterward?
https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Diamond-feet-Braided-Cable/dp/B003CT08E4
I would if the typical price for the exact same cable was $120 but because it was "surge price asshole day" and I needed that particular cable to get to the airport for a flight, I was charged 7.8X what it normally cost on the "not surge price asshole day". I would complain I got ripped off.
Really? You'd actually buy it? You wouldn't pass and find a different solution?
I don't believe the market is that inelastic.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 11:44:25 PM
I would if the typical price for the exact same cable was $120 but because it was "surge price asshole day" and I needed that particular cable to get to the airport for a flight, I was charged 7.8X what it normally cost on the "not surge price asshole day". I would complain I got ripped off.
Airplane tickets aren't fixed either.
If you needed to fly to NYC with a day's notice, and the ticket was $2000, would you fly? If you book weeks in advance, it could be as low as $130.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 11:12:55 PM
Plenty of people think that Uber is justified in charging her $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride because it was demarcated as such and one has to press "accept". And if they didn't charge her $1000, no driver would be able to take her to the airport. I mean, come on, what driver would take take her 2 hours for $240 or $360, right?
No, I'm not confused at all about it. Apparently Uber isn't either as they returned her money. They didn't return it because legal expenses would outweigh any moral gain they had. They didn't return it because they had a poor legal case.
They returned it because they didn't want to look like assholes. They returned it because they didn't want Chicago local government to
a) kick them out
b) impose greater regulation
Both of which are not improbable when news gets out what surge pricing can do if you take a longer than usual cab ride.
What would you say if they charged her $10,000? How about $100,000? Its surge pricing man. Quit bitching about it bitch! You're the one who pressed the accept button! Now hand me over your fucking life savings. Read the fucking price you dumbass! We got a game going on man and if you need a ride, you gotta pay what's advertised. I know, I know, it's not the normal price but fuck man, its game day. What, you didn't read the price? Well, see here, this here "accept" button on your smart phone acts as an electronic signature. It's a binding contract which indicates you fully understand and accept the price. Yes, the price is between 70 and 8O times the normal price but it's fucking game day man and I don't think we're going to be able to get you to the airport for less than $10,000 today. Tomorrow, it'll be $120 because there's nothing going on.
:rolleyes:
Surge pricing caps at 10x.
Secondly, if you don't want to pay the price, then stay the fuck home. You want people down here driving in hellish conditions for absolutely free. These services are very clear about what they're charging you.
Not to mention there are other ways of getting there
- She could have walked out of a surging area, usually just a short walk of a few blocks will change the pricing.
- she could have called a regular cab
- she could have rode the fucking bus
- she could have waited it out. Surges are time based and they;re evaluated roughly every 120 seconds. A 15-30 minute wait would have likely resulted in a lower price.
Uber and Lyft are a net gain for so many municipalities. Drunk driving rates have taken a nosedive post Uber/Lyft introduction.
Secondly, pricing gouging because of a natural disaster isn't the same as some idiot who doesn't know how to use an app.
Kevin, if that fare was yours and you got a vibe that the customer in your backseat (who had changed her route/destination while in your car) was not cognizant of what she had just signed up for, ... would you have considered stopping by the side of the road and 'splaining it out? Would your moral sense of right and wrong stop you from proceeding until you were sure that's what she really wanted to do? Because as an Uber driver you know what a typical fare is and what she really should be paying for this. Or would you smack your lips, take her on her journey, and dream about the new carbon fiber hood you're gonna get for your ride? Fuck her, fuck her sorry ass stupid brain, learn how to use the app... vs I'm not going to make a fool of this stranger because it's the right thing to do.
Why you pulling over, do we have a flat tire? No ma'am nothing is wrong with the car. Are you aware ma'am that surge pricing is in effect right now because of the football game and because you've changed your route, and it is a long route during a very busy time, Uber is charging you $1000 for this ride? I just want to be sure you know about this. I'm happy to take you and I realize you might be in a hurry. What? $1000?! These apps are so confusing. My son downloaded this app for me a few weeks ago and I've been using it. It's so much cheaper than a taxi cab he said. He showed me how to use it. Why is it $1000? The app was acting a bit different and was saying "surge" but I didn't know what that meant. It's always been much cheaper. Jesus I'm getting late and I'm supposed to fly with my friend to Orlando. What should I do? My flight is only $350. I understand ma'am. Because of the current game and traffic, I can't change the fare. I have no control over it. You can wait 30 minutes or I can take you 5 minutes from here away from the stadium and then you can try using the app again there. I'll just wait right next to you. I'm sure it'll be much cheaper then. I know it's real silly but I don't control the app or pricing. It's because we're in a real busy area and time the pricing structure has drastically changed. O.K. fine. Please do that. And thank you. I'm so sorry for wasting your time. It's OK.
Vs
You've changed your route ma'am. No problem. I'll get you there.
Yeah. My son downloaded this app for me a week ago. It's so much cheaper than taxis. And the cars are so much nicer and cleaner than yellow cabs. And I have to wait forever for taxis. Yes ma'am. Care for some water? Sure. Thanks. I never get offered that in a yellow cab. That's what's makes these new companies so great. It's always about the customer. ... thanks for the lift. No problem ma'am. Oh if you want to review me, please give me 5 stars ma'am. it doesn't look good if us drivers get anything less than 5 stars. O.K. ... muhahahaha!!!! New carbon fiber hood for me!
Quote from: veeman on October 04, 2017, 05:40:13 AM
Kevin, if that fare was yours and you got a vibe that the customer in your backseat (who had changed her route/destination while in your car) was not cognizant of what she had just signed up for, ... would you have considered stopping by the side of the road and 'splaining it out? Would your moral sense of right and wrong stop you from proceeding until you were sure that's what she really wanted to do? Because as an Uber driver you know what a typical fare is and what she really should be paying for this. Or would you smack your lips, take her on her journey, and dream about the new carbon fiber hood you're gonna get for your ride? Fuck her, fuck her sorry ass stupid brain, learn how to use the app... vs I'm not going to make a fool of this stranger because it's the right thing to do.
Wtf do you mean "should be paying". Most Uber Drivers are people doing this on the side. And yes, fuck her for being dumb as hell.
Why you pulling over, do we have a flat tire? No ma'am nothing is wrong with the car. Are you aware ma'am that surge pricing is in effect right now because of the football game and because you've changed your route, and it is a long route during a very busy time, Uber is charging you $1000 for this ride? I just want to be sure you know about this. I'm happy to take you and I realize you might be in a hurry. What? $1000?! These apps are so confusing. My son downloaded this app for me a few weeks ago and I've been using it. It's so much cheaper than a taxi cab he said. He showed me how to use it. Why is it $1000? The app was acting a bit different and was saying "surge" but I didn't know what that meant. It's always been much cheaper. Jesus I'm getting late and I'm supposed to fly with my friend to Orlando. What should I do? My flight is only $350. I understand ma'am. Because of the current game and traffic, I can't change the fare. I have no control over it. You can wait 30 minutes or I can take you 5 minutes from here away from the stadium and then you can try using the app again there. I'll just wait right next to you. I'm sure it'll be much cheaper then. I know it's real silly but I don't control the app or pricing. It's because we're in a real busy area and time the pricing structure has drastically changed. O.K. fine. Please do that. And thank you. I'm so sorry for wasting your time. It's OK.
He probably DID ask her, but we don't know that from this article. Also, if you're late to a flight - that's your own damn fault.
Vs
You've changed your route ma'am. No problem. I'll get you there.
Yeah. My son downloaded this app for me a week ago. It's so much cheaper than taxis. And the cars are so much nicer and cleaner than yellow cabs. And I have to wait forever for taxis. Yes ma'am. Care for some water? Sure. Thanks. I never get offered that in a yellow cab. That's what's makes these new companies so great. It's always about the customer. ... thanks for the lift. No problem ma'am. Oh if you want to review me, please give me 5 stars ma'am. it doesn't look good if us drivers get anything less than 5 stars. O.K. ... muhahahaha!!!! New carbon fiber hood for me!
I'll ask again: Have you actually used Uber or Lyft? Because it sounds like you want this shit to be free, when arguably the price floor is too low in the first place.
I'm gonna say it - the customer isn't always right. Sometimes they're fucking wrong, and you've gotta take one for the team to make them feel better.
Besides, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, everyone else knows not do to this, and they have no issue with refunds etc.
Secondly, most rideshare drivers stopped offering water because we don't get paid enough for this shit.
I'm supposed to go to SF in about three weeks. My ticket was $292, and prices were low as $189 if I booked a few weeks earlier than I did.
If I wanted to go to SF later today, it would be $1100.
Is United being unfair?
Quote from: 2o6 on October 04, 2017, 08:17:32 AM
Secondly, most rideshare drivers stopped offering water because we don't get paid enough for this shit.
I've had plenty offer water, gum, mints, et al. I never take it. Keep your money man; it's nice of you to offer, but I'm not trying to cut into your income.
I never drank the water. I felt like I should pay for it and not take advantage of the driver :lol:
Just because Uber screws their drivers does not make it OK to also screw passengers. There's a 10x limit because it doesn't pass the sniff test to charge more for short distance travel next to a stadium during game day. It doesn't pass the sniff test to charge $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride because the ride was started or changed in a surge price area with the majority of the ride occurring in a non-surge price area. Don't charge her $120. Charge her $300. There are mathematical models which can do this in today's day and age.
I know you're pissed at Uber. And i know Uber treats its drivers like shit. That does not excuse her charged fare.
And... Uber did not care for the optics of this story, particularly at a time when Rahm Emanuel is considering increasing airport charges for Uber and Lyft drivers because of lost Chicago revenue from decreased medallion taxi rides.
Sounds like a taxi problem, not an Uber problem.
Look, I don't know how to further explain to you that this woman intentionally failed to realize after a giant ass popup tells her her ride cost multiplier. Uber is scummy, but I'm not convinced that they're the scummy ones here.
Also your $300 price is arbitrary as shit.
It wasn't meant to be exact. Of course it was arbitrary. I didn't do the mathematical model.
I hear her sob story and I thumbs upped it. You hear it and you thumbs downed it. We're coming from two different points of view. You come at it from a driver who has been repeatedly shafted by Uber. I come at it from a son who downloaded Uber for his 68 year old Mom 1 year ago and talking her through the phone on how to use it to get from my house to Hartford airport 1 hour away at 4:00 a.m. because of a family emergency and how pissed I'd be if they charged her $1000 for it after 'splaining to her that Uber is a much much better modern take on yellow cab taxis.
Quote from: veeman on October 04, 2017, 08:45:58 AM
It wasn't meant to be exact. Of course it was arbitrary. I didn't do the mathematical model.
I hear her sob story and I thumbs upped it. You hear it and you thumbs downed it. We're coming from two different points of view. You come at it from a driver who has been repeatedly shafted by Uber. I come at it from a son who downloaded Uber for his 68 year old Mom 1 year ago and talking her through the phone on how to use it to get from my house to Hartford airport 1 hour away at 4:00 a.m. because of a family emergency and how pissed I'd be if they charged her $1000 for it after 'splaining to her that Uber is a much much better modern take on yellow cab taxis.
So you're saying you like Uber more, but only if customers get refunds if they ignore how it actually works? It sounds like you *don't* prefer the Uber model. You'd rather have a fleet of full-time cabbies working on fixed schedules at fixed rates than individuals who decide, based on pricing fluctuations, when it's worthwhile to pick you up in their own car. Uber's price structure is modeled around the flexibility that a normal cab company can't provide -- that is literally the entire point of Uber, except for being picked up in a Corolla instead of a Crown Victoria.
People just want to have it both ways, and it's unfortunate that sometimes they get refunds when they complain about it.
Quote from: ifcar on October 04, 2017, 08:53:28 AM
So you're saying you like Uber more, but only if customers get refunds if they ignore how it actually works? It sounds like you *don't* prefer the Uber model. You'd rather have a fleet of full-time cabbies working on fixed schedules at fixed rates than individuals who decide, based on pricing fluctuations, when it's worthwhile to pick you up in their own car. Uber's price structure is modeled around the flexibility that a normal cab company can't provide -- that is literally the entire point of Uber, except for being picked up in a Corolla instead of a Crown Victoria.
People just want to have it both ways, and it's unfortunate that sometimes they get refunds when they complain about it.
This.
Uber makes you confirm the surge rate by typing it in before you request. Also FWIW, this woman isn't "Old". She's a middle aged woman who left a concert.
Quote from: ifcar on October 04, 2017, 08:53:28 AM
So you're saying you like Uber more, but only if customers get refunds if they ignore how it actually works? It sounds like you *don't* prefer the Uber model. You'd rather have a fleet of full-time cabbies working on fixed schedules at fixed rates than individuals who decide, based on pricing fluctuations, when it's worthwhile to pick you up in their own car. Uber's price structure is modeled around the flexibility that a normal cab company can't provide -- that is literally the entire point of Uber, except for being picked up in a Corolla instead of a Crown Victoria.
People just want to have it both ways, and it's unfortunate that sometimes they get refunds when they complain about it.
No. I'm saying $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride is highway robbery and Uber could not justify it in the media and so refunded her. And you believe it's unfortunate they did. And I disagree with you.
It is highway robbery. I can't believe she justified it either by agreeing to it :lol:
Quote from: veeman on October 04, 2017, 09:18:56 AM
No. I'm saying $1000 for a 2 hour cab ride is highway robbery and Uber could not justify it in the media and so refunded her. And you believe it's unfortunate they did. And I disagree with you.
SHE'S THE ONE THAT ACCEPTED IT.
And I also believe there was a high level meeting between Uber Execs which went something like this -
"This lady accepted a ride, agreed upon the price, and now wants a refund"
"That's bullshit."
"I know. But it's Chicago and Rahm Emanuel..."
"It's still bullshit"
"Yup"
"How much was her ride"
"$1000. 2 hours."
"What? Say that again?"
"$1000. It was a surge pricing issue"
"Fuck. This doesn't look good. Not good at all. $1000. Fuck. Return her dough."
"Yes sir"
"You know, we should look at this surge pricing modeling?"
"Yeah. We should"
"Fuck man. $1000. We're fucked. In Chicago too. Fucking Democratic heathen. Make up some bullshit about why surge pricing is needed and refund, refund, refund"
"Already on it"
It probably didn't go that high. It probably stayed in the call-center level of complaints.
If surge pricing didn't exist, everyone would stop driving and we'd be back to where we were in 2007.
Quote from: 2o6 on October 04, 2017, 09:30:11 AM
If surge pricing didn't exist, everyone would stop driving and we'd be back to where we were in 2007.
^^^^^^^^
I don't disagree with the need for surge pricing $1000 for 2 hours when the majority of the ride is outside the surge price zone is stupid.
Y'all disagree with me. Fine. I'm done.
Surge areas are only a few blocks wide. If they were only charging surge pricing in the very small distance where it's in effect, they wouldn't really make any money, and the surge pricing would be moot.
This is her own damn fault.
It's clearly the woman's fault. Veeman's argument that paying her somehow amounts to admission of guilt on the pet of uber is erroneous imo. Companies don't like disgruntled customers and don't like bad press, bad reviews etc. Companies issue refunds even with the customer is wrong all the time.
"The customer is always right" is not a literal statement, it's more like "treat the customer as if they are right".
I've never had an Uber or Lyft ride. Took a taxi one time about 15 years ago. Used to hitchhike when I was a kid. It was dangerous then, suicide now.
Quote from: shp4man on October 04, 2017, 01:13:31 PM
I've never had an Uber or Lyft ride. Took a taxi one time about 15 years ago. Used to hitchhike when I was a kid. It was dangerous then, suicide now.
Aren't you a drinker? Or just at home?
Quote from: veeman on October 04, 2017, 05:40:13 AM
Yeah. My son downloaded this app for me a week ago. It's so much cheaper than taxis. And the cars are so much nicer and cleaner than yellow cabs. And I have to wait forever for taxis. Yes ma'am. Care for some water? Sure. Thanks. I never get offered that in a yellow cab. That's what's makes these new companies so great. It's always about the customer. ... thanks for the lift. No problem ma'am. Oh if you want to review me, please give me 5 stars ma'am. it doesn't look good if us drivers get anything less than 5 stars. O.K. ... muhahahaha!!!! New carbon fiber hood for me!
This could be my wife. Not only is she technically incompetent, she's not very good at arithmetic either. However, what she is good at is speaking her mind. If she was told that she had to pay $1000 for a 2 hour car ride, God help the poor driver who's trying to collect their fare.
Some people don't pay attention to apps and stuff like surge pricing. They don't even know what it means. I'm pretty sure that if the woman knew that the ride was going to cost her a thousand bucks, she sure as hell wouldn't have accepted it.
Quote from: Lebowski on October 04, 2017, 01:28:55 PM
Aren't you a drinker? Or just at home?
Don't go out drinking unless there's a sober driver Or it's a hotel bar and have a room.
Uber really was never set up for long rides in any case.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on October 04, 2017, 02:36:00 PM
Uber really was never set up for long rides in any case.
Yes. If someone gave me a long ride, I would kinda be a little ticked off. Granted it's $$$, but what if I had plans that day? I had someone do that to me a few months ago; they took a Lyft ride to Canton, OH (115 miles) and that was Four hours of my day, gone. Good thing I didn't have plans.
Quote from: veeman on October 03, 2017, 11:17:18 PM
Yes, people rightfully bitched about outrageous airline pricing to leave Florida prior to the hurricane and due to extremely negative social media, most airlines indicated they would no longer engage in such egregious business practice.
It's different if the typical price is $30,000 (something like first class from NYC to Australia). It's outrageous if the typical price is $300 but because of surge pricing you're going to have to pay $30,000. It's also different if due to extenuating circumstances, the cost to operate the airline during a period of difficulty was 10 times more. It wasn't. The storm hadn't hit yet. It was just greed. And social media called them out on it and they could not defend it. It's very difficult to defend asshole behavior. It's probably better business practice to not engage in it in the first place.
Eh, airlines didn't really engage in any egregious business practice. They just let their normal algorithms run. The basic principle of these algorithms is to look at how many tickets were sold vs same flight at the same time the previous year. Because of the hurricane, something that is obviously not built into their models, things were thrown out of whack. It isn't like there's some guy sitting somewhere setting prices on each seat for each flight who decided to screw over Floridians for a little extra profit. Once it was pointed out to them, they (I think it was Delta in particular) went through significant manual work to interrupt those algorithms and put a cap on it.