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Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

nytimes.com

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Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#91

Post by [deleted] »

Griffinsauce wrote: post #81
xiangmin wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> No major revelations of political support They took a kind of strong stance [1] in protesting the recent order that restricted travel from those seven countries, so that's a political statement (whether or not we agree with it.) Their announcement also included some strawman language, which turned off some people: "This weekend, Trump closed the country’s borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residen…

Can you explain how it's a strawman? The Muslim ban (as it has been known for a long time) is a ban on people from a particular faith.

[deleted]

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#92

Post by hueving »

Griffinsauce wrote: post #81
xiangmin wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> No major revelations of political support They took a kind of strong stance [1] in protesting the recent order that restricted travel from those seven countries, so that's a political statement (whether or not we agree with it.) Their announcement also included some strawman language, which turned off some people: "This weekend, Trump closed the country’s borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residen…

Can you explain how it's a strawman? The Muslim ban (as it has been known for a long time) is a ban on people from a particular faith.

That very name is the strawman. The ban doesn't even target the largest Muslim countries.

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#93

Post by bendoernberg »

techsupporter wrote: post #20
prawn wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The question wasn't really why are they better than taxis, but why is Lyft considered a more ethical business than Uber, which has faced criticism, especially recently.

That's what I was getting at, thank you. I understand that taxis are regarded as horrible but I don't get why Lyft is seen as "the better way" (either by investors or customers) when Uber is increasingly reviled. Lyft has the same systemic flaws as Uber but does so behind a pink mustache and a CEO that seems a bit more restrained. Neither company took the opportunity to "fix" a broken taxi system by ensuring that bot…

Setting aside the merits of Lyft, everyone is watching to see what consequences Uber experiences as a result of their chronic antisocial behavior. If people continue to use Uber and their business succeeds, it sends a message to other companies that treating workers humanely is optional and unnecessary. Even if Lyft is substantively identical, there is still signaling value in punishing Uber and helps establish norms. Weak, but better than nothing.

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#94

Post by freyr »

dietrichepp wrote: post #88
freyr wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Lyft has in app digital tipping (drivers keep 100% of tips). One of the reasons I don't like Lyft. How about this system: pay the drivers a fair wage up front, so they don't need to subsist on the generosity of strangers. If they get great ratings, you can give them a bonus.

This is a complaint against American culture in a broader sense, not really Lyft specifically. Valid complaint for sure, just misdirected.

No, it's a complaint against Lyft since they made a conscious decision to include tipping, while their main competitor demonstrated that modern American companies do not need to bow to stupid customs.

[edit: shouldn't have implied that Uber is financially successful]

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#95

Post by justinzollars »

techsupporter wrote: post #3

Forgive me if this is me being dense, but from an outsider's perspective I don't understand what makes Lyft any better than Uber. Neither company properly categorizes their drivers (as employees), both have a rather sizeable cut from fares, both depended on being basically illegal cabs--except for Uber Black, which uses licensed black car services--to get started, and neither has a financially viable business model.…

I use Lyft because I am able to tip the driver. Also if you ask the drivers which platform they prefer typically they say Lyft treats them better.

That is my reason.

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#96

Post by hueving »

techsupporter wrote: post #3

Forgive me if this is me being dense, but from an outsider's perspective I don't understand what makes Lyft any better than Uber. Neither company properly categorizes their drivers (as employees), both have a rather sizeable cut from fares, both depended on being basically illegal cabs--except for Uber Black, which uses licensed black car services--to get started, and neither has a financially viable business model.…

Many people have no problem with the contractor model or disrupting the ridiculous cab system. However, systemic sexual harassment and a generally abusive CEO is not something most people want to support.

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#97

Post by eropple »

hkmurakami wrote: post #75
jbw976 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the in app tipping that lyft provides is what seals the deal for me. the drivers are performing a service for me and having an integrated way to enhance their compensation is really nice. a lot of the drivers have a hard time making a good living especially considering vehicle related costs are all on their shoulders. I'm happy to have a 1-click way to give them a bit extra. I've never understood why uber doesn't let…

Personally, being pressured to top is bad UX. I feel bad when presented with the prompt via square et al. I'd much rather have the price baked in like other countries.

I would rather have it baked in, too. But since it's not, and tipping is de facto part of the compensation for service jobs, the fact that you feel bad when you're presented with the tip prompt and choose not to leave one is not really a bad thing.

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#98

Post by rimantas »

freyr wrote: post #72
smileysteve wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The key points are - CEO never blackmailed journalists - No major revelations of sexual harassment - ~~No major revelations of political support~~ Related to core business - Surge Limit has prevented complaints about emergency pricing vs Uber. - Lyft takes a lower commission capped at 20%/25% - Lyft has in app digital tipping (drivers keep 100% of tips). Uber's tip policy encourages cash, which is an often cited comp…

> Lyft has in app digital tipping (drivers keep 100% of tips). One of the reasons I don't like Lyft. How about this system: pay the drivers a fair wage up front, so they don't need to subsist on the generosity of strangers. If they get great ratings, you can give them a bonus.

I thought drivers are not employees…

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#99

Post by jimmywanger »

bad_user wrote: post #44
envy2 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not—and anyone who says that it is is deluding themselves. I think we've reached the point where ridesharing apps are 100% a commodity: there's no real product differentiation, so I'll choose based on price and how long it'll take the car to arrive. Lyft drivers seem 'happier,' but that hasn't translated into anything significantly different for me in terms of ride quality. This won't be a popular opinion, but I…

> drivers who are happy are the ones who recognize this and do it to make some extra cash in their spare time after a 'real' job; the ones who are upset are trying to make their living driving. This is also Uber's supposed mentality, but you are wrong and Uber is misleading the public. If a part time job is profitable, then doing it full time would also be profitable. The biggest lie in their marketing campaign is th…

> If a part time job is profitable, then doing it full time would also be profitable.

That's making a major assumption. A lot of times aren't as profitable as others, and there might not be enough profitable hours for a full time job, but enough profitable hours for a part time job.

For instance, Friday nights in downtown at last call might be very profitable for 4 hours, which would make perfect sense as a part time job. If you need to make a certain amount of money, you might be forced to work hours that are a net drain on your finances, such as 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon.

Re: Lyft Is Said to Seek New Funding as Its Rival Uber Stumbles

#100

Post by jimmywanger »

hueving wrote: post #96
techsupporter wrote: post #3

Forgive me if this is me being dense, but from an outsider's perspective I don't understand what makes Lyft any better than Uber. Neither company properly categorizes their drivers (as employees), both have a rather sizeable cut from fares, both depended on being basically illegal cabs--except for Uber Black, which uses licensed black car services--to get started, and neither has a financially viable business model.…

Many people have no problem with the contractor model or disrupting the ridiculous cab system. However, systemic sexual harassment and a generally abusive CEO is not something most people want to support.

> However, systemic sexual harassment

That has yet to be proven with any sort of evidence other than an uncorroborated blog post or two.

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