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Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

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Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#601

Post by vostrocity »

buu700 wrote: post #473
aeontech wrote: post #366

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I prefer a UX as close to "type destination, arrive, done" as possible, which Lyft's whole tipping deal needlessly impairs. I wonder if you used Lyft a long time ago, because I don't even notice the tip screen until next day sometimes. When I leave the car, my phone is in my pocket, or I'm already doing something else on it, so I do not see the tip screen until I happen to open the app next time. Dismissing the tip…

That sounds like how Lyft was when I last used it, but doesn't contradict what I meant. I'd rather take care of the tip right away (or as soon as I have a chance) than have to remember to do it well after the fact, but in either case I'd much prefer to not have to remember it at all and just be done with the whole thing the second I step out the car. (There's also the rating thing with both Uber and Lyft, but at leas…

If I remember correctly, Lyft's tip options are No Tip or +$1 or +$2 or +$3, so it's not much math.

I usually use Lyft, and one reason is that I get the option to tip the driver.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#602

Post by kelnos »

mst wrote: post #245
ziikutv wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

There couldn't possibly be any PR consequences if they did that. I mean, it's not like redlining at all.

I think it'd be reasonable to only allow use of that feature when heading home at the end of a shift. Could enforce it by (for example) refusing to allow the person to sign back into the app as a driver for an hour after getting home or something.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#603

Post by nommm-nommm »

clairity wrote: post #542
yladiz wrote: post #532

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a good point, but I do want to note one caveat, which is that in a lot of restaurants now tips, at least those that aren't in cash, are split between front and back of house staff. This means that even if you tip extra for the purposes of rewarding your waiter/ress for their service, it may not go to them. This does not mean you shouldn't tip extra if the service was great, amazing, etc., but just something t…

the reason for that is it takes the whole team (server, host, line cooks, busser, etc) working in concert to give you good service (timely, tasty, well-prepared food in an enjoyable environment).

Service is by and large a function of how well a place is managed.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#604

Post by amyjess »

taneq wrote: post #78
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…

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've had some drivers straight-up tell me that they enjoy driving for fun, and they drive for Uber/Lyft just because it gives them an excuse to do it. And I'm sure that even if they don't make a profit, driving for Uber/Lyft is less expensive than just driving around and not getting paid at all.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#605

Post by homakov »

Steeeve wrote: post #248
brandonbloom wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> your cancel reflects poorly on you in Uber's rating system This is simply not true. I just checked: My rating is 4.73. I've probably taken a few hundred rides with Uber. I assume they adjust ratings for bad experiences, especially if you're a regular rider. By the way: It's not that hard to get consistent 5 stars as a passenger. Be respectful of the driver and follow these steps: 1) Say something like "Hi, are you…

4.7 is low. 4.6 is where drivers get fired. At 4.5 a lot of drivers won't pick you up.

If my rider rating goes down I will just create a new account. Never cared about it.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#606

Post by zapu »

kelnos wrote: post #596
zapu wrote: post #448

Earlier quoted context omitted.

View on Europe on HN seems to be a little skewed. We have tipping here as well, maybe not to the same extent as in US, but it's definitely present. Even sandwich or coffee places would have "tip jar" where people would drop their change when they pay cash, but it's not required or even expected. It's not like there is no concept of tipping at all.

Sure, but that's still drastically different than in the US. With little exception, you're expected to pay an 18-20% tip just for the base level of service . Paying less than 15% -- even for mediocre or poor service -- is considered cheap and shameful. To compare apples to apples, in a sandwich/coffee place in the US you're still expected to tip the standard amount, even if your change from a cash payment falls short…

Thank you, I've just realized how... different (to not say "awful"...) it is in US after reading more comments here.

To be honest sometimes I'm anxious when my bill ends up some number that's hard to tip from; but if I don't tip, nothing will happen.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#607

Post by vostrocity »

jrohn92 wrote: post #557
px1999 wrote: post #348

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But isn't that covered in the "willing to pay more for the service" bucket? I find tipping awkward to the point of being willing to pay more for alternatives that bundle an otherwise expected tip into the service's initial pricing.

As a driver, sometimes you need to go the extra mile (no pun intended). There are times I need to help passengers carry things, go through drive throughs, catch trains using offensive driving, stopping for drunk people to puke and even serving as a makeshift therapist. The option is there, obviously I don't expect a tip for a 5 minute ride.

This is exactly why I enjoy Lyft's option for tipping. Tipping is awkward if I have to fumble for cash and stuff it in the driver's hands. It's not awkward if I can just press a button and charge it to my credit card.

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#608

Post by kelnos »

matz1 wrote: post #193
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…

You should if you think it can benefit you. I personally don't like tipping but If I'm a driver I would ask for tip too.

I'm fine with a driver having an (unobtrusive, tasteful) tip jar in their car, but if a driver ever actively asked me for a tip, I'd give them a lower rating (commensurate with how hard they pushed for the tip) and report them to Uber for making me feel uncomfortable while captive in their car.

I use payment-in-app services in part because I don't like carrying much or any cash around, and when I do, it's usually just a few $20 bills, which aren't very useful for tipping in this scenario.

And yes, I do tip in-app when I use Lyft, in part because their social contract includes tipping, and I can do it without the on-the-spot pressure of needing to do so in the car. Uber explicitly states that tips are not expected or required, and does not provide an in-app way of tipping, so I wouldn't tolerate tip solicitation from a driver. (Hell, I wouldn't tolerate tip solicitation from a Lyft driver, either. Asking me for a tip when the app does it for you counts as "worse service" to me.)

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#609

Post by amyjess »

chrisseaton wrote: post #471
snowwrestler wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The post above that one (the actual Uber driver) says that their hourly rate is about $8, not $0. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says "today I'm going to drive for Uber literally for free." Of course not. Let's use a little common sense here. Uber drivers expect, plan, hope to make money. The point is, they don't make much, and sometimes it's very little (like on a long fare). So the question is, then why do they…

> I'm just suggesting that maybe a lot of them don't have a higher-paying alternative This still doesn't make any sense. If you are losing money working for Uber, then you do have access to a higher paying alternative - which is literally standing in your house and doing nothing. Because zero is greater than a negative amount. I think there are really three explanations that make sense: People are not literally losin…

A fourth:

People are literally losing money working for Uber but enjoy driving as a hobby, and Uber helps them recoup at least some of the costs of driving around all the time.

(yes, I've had drivers tell me they do Uber/Lyft for fun because they love driving)

Re: Uber Driver Tip-Hustling Schemes

#610

Post by kelnos »

zht wrote: post #540
frgtpsswrdlame wrote: post #523

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>One of lifes most enjoyable things is to be generous. Then shouldn't Uber be generous and pay their employees more? >Ask your next uber driver why they are working. They're working for money, come on man.

because 1) uber doesn't classify them as employees, they classify them as contractors, and 2) Uber doesn't give a shit about their drivers.

That's not an argument for tipping. That's an argument for organized labor action, or finding a different job. Hell, just work for Lyft (ok, yes, I know, Lyft is not available in every market Uber is); I believe they pay comparably, and also have a tipping culture and in-app tipping.
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