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New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

blog.lyft.com

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Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#71

Post by rodgerd »

simias wrote: post #38
rodgerd wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> What would prevent you from just giving him some cash out of your physical wallet? Perhaps this is just a difference depending on where you are in the world, but I'm not used to people in first world countries carrying cash.

Uh, in which first world country exactly? I'm not aware of any place in western europe where carrying cash is uncommon.

NZ, Australia, Scandanavia, France, even England I've got around largely without much in the way of cash.

Interesting that Germany is different.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#72

Post by FireBeyond »

amyjess wrote: post #47
usaphp wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having an option to tip enforces customers to tip, I would prefer using a service that does not force me to tip by providing that option. I am against tips in general for drivers.

I've heard stories of Uber drivers demanding cash tips out of customers and giving low ratings to any customers who decline (IIRC, Uber's TOS forbids this, but that's almost impossible to enforce). That doesn't happen with Lyft: because tipping is built into the app, nobody asks for cash. I don't carry cash, so I'd be screwed if I rode Uber and a driver threatened me with a 1-star rating if I didn't fork over cash.

If you 1 starred the driver, and then complained to Uber, they'd be able to see the drivers rating as a retaliation.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#73

Post by nommm-nommm »

rodgerd wrote: post #28
larrys wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would prevent you from just giving him some cash out of your physical wallet? In general you are getting a ride from someone. Other than the fact that with legacy taxis you tip, (just like at a restaurant) where it doesn't really relate to quality of service, I don't see how much extra someone can do that would make a ride tipworthy.

> What would prevent you from just giving him some cash out of your physical wallet? Perhaps this is just a difference depending on where you are in the world, but I'm not used to people in first world countries carrying cash.

I just spent two weeks in the UK as a tourist. I had a wonderful time. Perhaps it was me? But I used cash much much more than I do in the US. I pulled out my credit card in a pub and got scolded. Perhaps because I was outside the big cities?

It might be me but I perceived the culture in smaller town Scotland to be more cash oriented than I am used to in the USA.

I personally saw more people pay with cash than I am used to.

I still love your country and will go back at any time.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#74

Post by bcassedy »

mmanfrin wrote: post #33
chipgap98 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does it enforce customers to tip? You tip via the app well after the ride is over. I usually don't tip, but occasionally I get a great driver and toss them a few bucks. They don't make great money so the tip is worth it. I'm not really sure why you are against tips for drivers.

They don't make great money so the tip is worth it. This is the main issue for me. When tips are allowed, the floor for pay/remuneration drops. I would much prefer to know that people are paid sanely for the job they do than to know I am obligated to supplement their pay.

We have direct evidence to the contrary. Uber disallows tipping and pays somewhat substantially less than Lyft.

It's great that you want people to be paid sanely for the job they do, but the fact of the matter is people largely aren't in this industry. Uber doesn't allow tipping, and doesn't pay particularly well. After factoring in depreciation of their vehicle most drivers are going to be bringing in something like $10/hr.

We live in a culture where businesses won't pay their employees sanely. Until that is fixed I want the ability to show my gratitude for a job well done with a tip. "Blah blah use cash!" Sure I can do that, but it's inconvenient for a number of reasons and the reality is that most people won't do it.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#75

Post by matt_kantor »

amyjess wrote: post #47
usaphp wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having an option to tip enforces customers to tip, I would prefer using a service that does not force me to tip by providing that option. I am against tips in general for drivers.

I've heard stories of Uber drivers demanding cash tips out of customers and giving low ratings to any customers who decline (IIRC, Uber's TOS forbids this, but that's almost impossible to enforce). That doesn't happen with Lyft: because tipping is built into the app, nobody asks for cash. I don't carry cash, so I'd be screwed if I rode Uber and a driver threatened me with a 1-star rating if I didn't fork over cash.

It's anecdote-vs-anecdote, but I use Uber often in the Bay Area and have never experienced nor heard of this.

If a driver ever asked this of me I would give them a bad rating along with an explanation. I'd expect the driver to get canned pretty quickly if passengers report such behavior and passenger reputation to be restored if the drivers gave them 1-star ratings. As far as I understand it, driver reputation is far more important than passenger reputation (they certainly have a lot more to lose).

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#76

Post by on_ »

SilasX wrote: post #50
kuschku wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The issue is, this is how profitable it is effectively – any driver following the law will have to pay this much. And this is why uber can only currently provide their high margins because they provide no insurance between rides (only during rides), because they don’t follow laws, etc. It’s unfair competition, and sadly, people expect Lyft to offer the same.

IMHO, this is a misconception. Most of the benefit of Lyft/Uber comes from app convenience, being cashless, mutual rating to weed out the jerks, carpooling efficiency, transparency (easy to get estimates and know if you overpaid), good customer support, and reliability in getting a ride, all of which are legal and which cab companies could have done. They have a lot of room to raise prices before it outweighs those a…

100% agree. That is why it has been successful. The magnitude would certainly be less if the cost was more because demand is elastic, but head to head with cabs they would dominate at the same price. It is an efficient way to manage resources and just a great thing.

"Breaking Laws" is maybe a bit strong, as regulation is extremely bulky and a monolithic unequippted government isn't in the position to adapt. The laws vary on every level but what I think it comes down to, in a society that teies to be democratic, is whether people are comfortable with this existing. It seems they are.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#77

Post by amyjess »

fweespeech wrote: post #60
larrys wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would prevent you from just giving him some cash out of your physical wallet? In general you are getting a ride from someone. Other than the fact that with legacy taxis you tip, (just like at a restaurant) where it doesn't really relate to quality of service, I don't see how much extra someone can do that would make a ride tipworthy.

Even in the US, I don't know anyone who regularly carries cash anymore. Why would you want the hassle? Or risk it being lost/stolen?

Yep. In the last several years, I've only ever carried cash on two types of occasion: fairs and trips out of town.

If I'm in town and not attending a fair, I don't have cash on me. Period.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#78

Post by jonknee »

chc wrote: post #63
jonknee wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're having a hard time using it I'm happy to use it for you!

What common use would you find for it that I couldn't do just as well with a credit card?

Cash has great privacy, works at cash only places, small merchants are happy to receive it because it means no fees, you get a discount when buying gas, the aforementioned tipping (good luck giving the valet a credit card!), it works when the power is out and a lot more I'm sure. Cash is pretty great. Even if you don't carry it you should definitely keep some at home.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#79

Post by larrys »

dorkrawk wrote: post #56
larrys wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would prevent you from just giving him some cash out of your physical wallet? In general you are getting a ride from someone. Other than the fact that with legacy taxis you tip, (just like at a restaurant) where it doesn't really relate to quality of service, I don't see how much extra someone can do that would make a ride tipworthy.

I think drivers are discouraged from taking cash because companies like Lyft don't want people to assume drivers are carrying lots of cash, for safety reasons.

I guess that doesn't make sense to me. I thought one of the bedrock principles of these types of services was a situation where you knew a bit about the person (reputation) that you were transporting.

Additionaly, nothing is to prevent a driver from keeping a small amount of cash on their person and then stashing the rest periodically in a hidden safe. So yes they might lose $50 or $100 vs. not getting tips. Even if they don't get tips a person could assume they had some cash on them.

The point of the small amount of cash is twofold. One it's a small amount so if you lose it not that big of a deal. But it's also enough that if you got robbed you could give something to the robber. So they don't harm you or beat you thinking there is more somewhere. [1] This is similar to the old rule of leaving a small amount of cash in your cash register at a store and leaving the register open. That way someone comes in, takes the cash, and in theory has less of a reason to trash your store.

[1] Of course you could store more of the money where you can find it to satisfy them if the $100 wasn't enough and if you felt your life depended on it. Kind of a honey pot in a way.

Re: New Initiatives for Lyft Drivers

#80

Post by SilasX »

Mz wrote: post #27
tswartz wrote: post #10

I like how Lyft is trying to make it easier for more people to drive for them. But, after Lyft's cut, tax and gas the hourly rate was very low. I drove for a couple months and they promised $25 - $35 during peak time, but I netted out to about $10/hr. Now to add on a Hertz rental fee, that is going to get very slim. Obviously this is still a better job for some people then there alternative. Lyft will market to new d…

Already live in Las Vegas, Hertz cars are available to Lyft drivers at special affordable daily, weekly, and monthly rates. Approved drivers can quickly rent cars on-demand and earn money as a Lyft driver with no long-term lease commitment. Most people with cars are already making a car payment or lease agreement payment, taxes, insurance, etc. Having a car is typically not cheap. Hard to say if this will really be a…

Yeah, I tend to agree. Driving for Lyft/UberX seems like it only makes sense if your car was worth buying and having for reasons other than to give rides through a TNC.

This -- along with Uber's car financing plan -- really raises my "ick" factor in that they seem to be taking advantage of those who don't see the full expense or risk that they're taking on, and it may end up similar to the GM situation: "we're a finance company that happens to give rides too".

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