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Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

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Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#171

Post by packetized »

cortesoft wrote: post #109
dawnerd wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

You're definitely an outlier. In San Francisco, tips are sought more than 10% of my trips.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#172

Post by zedadex »

techsupporter wrote: post #108
walru wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 fo…

Possibly a cultural affect though? His statement could be true for the american context.

In a capitalism steeped melting pot, it does seem like things that might be more commonly 'seen'/appreciated in other cultures - pride in one's work, common standards of politeness, sense of serving/interacting with 'your community' rather than just 'anonymous strangers from other communities' - that could be non-financial motivators for good service elsewhere that are simply missing or too few & far between here.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#173

Post by ziikutv »

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…

To me it sounds like they should consider adding a feature where a driver can pick an area they want to give rides in.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#174

Post by dnautics »

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.

If you're tipping the drivers off-app, then uber sees 0% of it as a cut, versus 30% or whatever crazy percentage it's become. So it's exactly anti-welfare for Uber. Are you complaining that other passengers are changing the expectation of what the drivers should be paid (and doing so out of their own wallet?)

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#175

Post by whathappenedto »

thesmallestcat wrote: post #160
ProfessorLayton wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the implication here? The parent post paid more than they were required, if not then the business could charge more to cover their costs. This kind of thinking is precisely what's wrong with tipping in the first place.

The implication is that 20% the widely accepted minimum "good tip" rate, and consistently tipping 15% is consistently being cheap. Especially when you're a tech worker FFS. Let's break out of our echo chamber a bit. In the US, tipping isn't "paying more than required," it's basic manners. You can argue until you're blue in the face about how businesses are to blame, but the vast majority of society, who have no big b…

Actual data shows the average tip is 16.1%

https://qz.com/189458/the-united-states-of-tipping/

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#176

Post by ClassyJacket »

snowwrestler wrote: post #158
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…

The implied social judgment whenever Uber drivers come up is a bummer. Yes, people prefer to make a little bit of money instead of not having money. This is surprising? And when someone earns a little bit of money, they might wish that they made more money. Again--not news. I think before getting critical about why Uber drivers are so dumb, it's worth thinking about why you don't drive for Uber. The answer probably s…

But the comment you're replying to is saying what's the point in working literally for free or at a loss? Sure, if you're not making much, that's one thing, but actually making zero is what they were talking about.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#177

Post by deathhand »

iamaelephant wrote: post #74
untog wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately it's the nature of the beast when wages are so low. Bartenders are typically paid next to nothing and depend on tips, whereas in Europe they are paid a decent amount and don't need tips to get by. Unfortunately US politics means this won't change any time soon. Evidently it's simpler for every American to carry around spare dollar bills every day than it is to pass meaningful legislation.

If Americans would stop tipping then the current wages would become untenable and the restaurants and bars would lose staff. They would need to increase wages (and prices) accordingly. This is something the American people have the power to change without legislation.

America also pioneered the term 'unions'. The collective bargaining of those people has been lost for quite some time.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#178

Post by dnautics »

thinkloop wrote: post #138
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 too am not a fan of tipping culture. But I don't see it as welfare for Uber, if Uber charged 18% more, and passed it on to drivers, the net effect would be the same. One thing I think it would do is harm the perceived cost of uber rides. Partitioned pricing works. Anchoring users on a lower base fare + 20% service, is, unfortunately, "cheaper" than 1.2 * fare for most people. At minimum Lyft would have to agree to…

it would be worse for drivers, because uber would take a 30% cut of that 18%.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#179

Post by ProfessorLayton »

My recent policy is to not answer my phone or texts once I've requested an Uber/Lyft. Too often I've had riders call me to ask where I'm going, and then ask me to cancel. I have had awkward phone calls where they ask me to cancel, but I politely decline and ask them to do it if they'd like.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#180

Post by hkmurakami »

nomnombunty wrote: post #116

Uber pool is just a terrible experience in many levels 1. Many drivers think they make less if the passengers are using Uber pool. I am not sure if this is true or if they are confused. However, when they find out I am using pool they instantly turn passive aggressive and start complaining how they make nothing on a pool ride. They make me feel as if I am taking advantage of them. 2. Uber also tries to pack the car t…

Aren't there a few different pool "aggressiveness" options you can choose from?
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