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Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

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Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#101

Post by mikepurvis »

djsumdog wrote: post #63
dataminded wrote: post #33

I don't agree with the argument that passengers should tip because Uber isn't paying their drivers enough. That sounds like welfare for Uber. If the pay sucks, Uber should have trouble recruiting drivers.

I really hate tipping culture in America. In Germany, servers are surprised if you give them anything more thana euro. I have friends who visit from non tipping cultures who ask "Why isn't it just included in the price!" I agree with the author. Tipping is out of hand. Charge more for food, clearly state it on the menu/check, remove the tip black on the receipt and pay people a decent wage!

I don't mind tipping in principle, but I really hate the payment terminals that are preconfigured with outrageous options, so it prompts you to pick 20%, 25%, 30%, "other", so you feel like a total sleaze giving a normal 10-15% tip.

It's the worst when I'm picking up takeout from a restaurant that also has tables. Like, am I supposed to tip in this scenario? Do I have to go into "other" to tip less than 20% for being handed a brown bag?

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#102

Post by Retra »

aianus wrote: post #94
taneq wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe you can explain something that I've never understood. I see drivers saying "driving for Uber is terrible and a waste of money". I see them saying "after expenses I'm basically working for free." But they keep doing it . They keep driving for Uber even though they know that they're basically just working for free, in order to make money for Uber. If you take vehicle depreciation into account, you're probably not…

I drive for Uber part time even though it pays literally 8x less than my day job. It's relaxing and gives me an excuse to drive my car while someone else pays for the gas and mileage.

Are you making enough to pay for the new car you'll need after this one wears out?

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#104

Post by syrrim »

taneq wrote: post #70
SilasX wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do feel the same way! But Uber's relentless fare-cutting has made it such a bad deal for drivers that I feel the awkwardness has come right back, since I'd pretty much have to tip in order to not feel like I'm taking advantage of the driver.

You're not taking advantage of the driver. Uber is. It's the same thing with restaurants - you're letting yourself be guilted into subsidizing a corporation's business strategy, with the justification that it's either you that gets screwed, or their employees.

>subsidizing a corporation's business strategy

This is called paying them, and occurs even in the absense of tips. Tips give people the second option of not subsidizing the corporation; were tips removed, everyone would be forced to subsidize equally. This is to the business' disadvantage only because some people are willing to pay more when it is in the form of a tip then the corporation could ask the rest of their market to pay.

You think of Uber as the employer, and yourself as a mere customer, but it is just as apt to think of yourself as the employer and the driver as your employee. If we do so, the money Uber gives the driver, as well as any tips you provide, become the employee's wage. From here we see you are paying them an unlivable wage, and should be scolded the same as any employer doing the same.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#105

Post by hamandcheese »

electriclove wrote: post #73
hamandcheese wrote: post #69

> Then I’ve discovered first-hand that more and more Uber riders are calling ahead to ask for your destination to see if it’s “worth it” to pick you up. When I use Uber the first question it asks is the destination. I assume this is seen by the driver, no? Why would they have to call?

Uber asks for the destination but doesn't share it with the driver until they pick you up.

Interesting. In Orlando, Fl I have never been called ahead of time and I use Uber rather frequently.

Different markets I suppose. It's also pretty easy to drive considerable distances around here.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#106

Post by crisopolis »

I do Uber part-time but only deliveries (UberEats). I get tipped from time to time and I have no expectation on the tip. I also don't have the problem of driving for free as the restaurants have a radius and usually I'll be near another place or return to my spot to sit for a bit.

I find tipping awkward as the courier. Sometimes people like to explain they don't have cash to tip me and I have to explain tipping isn't expected on Uber's platform so don't worry about it. Other times there shoving $5 bills at me for driving 1.0mi down the street.

As a customer I've yet to tip a Uber driver as other stated I don't carry cash only plastic. Same goes with getting my car detailed ... Do I give them $20 on top of the $100 or leave it at $100.

Then I think how many drivers actually report the tips they make to the IRS.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#107

Post by rdiddly »

nvr219 wrote: post #20
redm wrote: post #4

No Tipping is one of the main reasons I liked Uber; no cash, no pressure, you just get out of the car and walk away with everyone happy. I would rather pay more for each fare and have Uber aggressively prohibit tipping. I suspect many people feel the same way and if Uber doesn't get it under control, it could be the biggest challenge they face.

I don't believe this will come anywhere near the biggest challenge they face.

I think it's a small part of the 3rd-biggest challenge they face.

1: Google LiDAR suit 2: sexual harassment 3: driver exploitation 4: local regulation

Though you'll notice the most recent problems are higher in the list, indicating short public memory/outrage.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#108

Post by techsupporter »

walru wrote: post #96
ryandvm wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know. Maybe Uber should just pay you more and we can not encourage the antiquated custom of tipping.

Is good service and hospitably an antiquated notion? I'll happily give a bartender, server or a driver an extra buck or two when they make the experience pleasant/informative/friendly because, far too many people treat their jobs not as a privileged but a chore. Without tipping far too many would take your money for granted and the quality of service would decline across the board because there is zero incentive to p…

> Without tipping far too many would take your money for granted and the quality of service would decline across the board because there is zero incentive to provide anything better.

I don't mean to sound flippant but, have you ever been to Europe? I've traveled to Germany, Ireland, Finland, and Iceland multiple times. None of those countries has a tipping culture and the service I receive, even at your basic fast food restaurant, is the same or better than in the States.

I must ask, why do you believe your statement to be true?

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#109

Post by cortesoft »

dawnerd wrote: post #24
redm wrote: post #4

No Tipping is one of the main reasons I liked Uber; no cash, no pressure, you just get out of the car and walk away with everyone happy. I would rather pay more for each fare and have Uber aggressively prohibit tipping. I suspect many people feel the same way and if Uber doesn't get it under control, it could be the biggest challenge they face.

I deleted my Uber account over all the bad press and a few bad rides last couple months. There's definitely a trend for the drivers to be either really really bad at driving, or super aggressive with tips. Do drivers really expect people using a cashless system to... carry cash? I actually had one driver accepts tips using stripe.

I wonder if this varies by region? I ride with uber quite a bit here in Los Angeles, and I have never once been asked for a tip. I wonder what makes it different?

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#110

Post by bigjimmyk3 »

iopq wrote: post #53

I drive Uber from time to time. I've only gotten a tip once over ~50 rides. A lot of the time the traffic conditions mean that after costs (I assume $0.40 per mile costs for mileage, gas, maintenance, etc.) my hourly is closer to $8 an hour (because after I drive for a while sometimes I need to drive a long way back as well on my own dime), which is below minimum wage. That's not including having to pick up plastic b…

That's interesting, because one of the Uber drivers I spoke to recently said that he had the ability to "request" a pickup/destination twire per shift; the intent was to allow him to monetize his "commute" time into the metro area where he normally drives. I don't know how you get this feature turned on, but it can't hurt to ask.
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