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Uber rolls out in-app tipping

washingtonpost.com

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Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#51

Post by JoshTriplett »

BoiledCabbage wrote: post #29

For something that is supposed to be friction free, tipping really runs against that. We all know that next there are going to be the subtle and not-so subtle encouragements from drivers to tip. Then the expectation to tip. This move seems to only confuse me as a consumer, create something else for drivers to be annoyed about (the tips they receive vs what uber claimed they'll see), and adding an additional cognitive…

> We all know that next there are going to be the subtle and not-so subtle encouragements from drivers to tip. Then the expectation to tip.

That already happened, with passive-aggressive comments about how you can tip in cash.

> I don't see the lasting benefit here. Just increase prices or increase driver share of payout.

There's a clear perceived benefit to Uber: PR with drivers, perceived improvement as a company (as opposed to having to fix hard corporate-culture issues), and the ability to keep the "advertised" price lower. (Of course, they're missing that they've now abandoned one of their major differentiators from their lead competitor.)

But there's certainly no lasting benefit to customers. Tips should be for extraordinary, stand-out service, not a customary hassle in every transaction.

Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#52

Post by SilasX »

Well, there goes my last reason for using Uber. I had been really excited that they were the one oasis pushing back against the tipping culture[1].

Particularly troubling is the framing:

>Uber is enabling passengers to tip its U.S. drivers with a tap on its ride-hailing app for the first time, part of a push to recast itself as a company with a conscience and a heart.

What? As if anyone preferring that a service be upfront about prices is "heartless"? Anyone who doesn't want tip jars at the grocery store checkstand or bus farebox is heartless? All of Europe and Asia are heartless?

As if all of the alternatives for increasing driver compensation are heartless? (Higher payouts or the Sidecar drivers-set-prices model.)

[1] Before anyone says it, yes I know you have to pay more for a tip-free service; I'm not an idiot. I'm fine with that. I'm not fine with the lack of consistent, clear, compatible expectations it involves, and being stuck in the position of either a) overpaying, b) making a silent faux pas, or c) having negative feedback misinterpreted as stinginess.

Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#54

Post by SilasX »

RunawayGalaxy wrote: post #10
bpicolo wrote: post #2

Why not just raise the prices a bit again? Now I'm worried I'll get down-starred for not tipping on Uber, which is just kind of annoying. I feel like not requiring a tip is Uber's biggest differentiator

You answered your own question. Why raise prices and risk losing customers when they can just use widely accepted social pressure to coerce you into subsidizing their cost of doing business for free?

For the same reason Uber originally went with the tip-free model for their service?

Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#55

Post by SamLevin88 »

vthallam wrote: post #8

The most important feature I liked in Uber relative to lyft was no tipping. Why not spike the price up a little and compensate them. When they have started, the motto was, "Uber - Your private driver" and it was truly like that until today I tip the driver like every other service you get.

Why are people up in arms over this? Being able to tip on Lyft is one of my favorite parts and from what I've read and understood, it generally favors the drivers. You don't need to tip immediately, a nice little dialog pops up with pre-configured amounts, and you can go above and beyond if you had good service

Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#56

Post by objclxt »

Consultant32452 wrote: post #37
bpicolo wrote: post #2

Why not just raise the prices a bit again? Now I'm worried I'll get down-starred for not tipping on Uber, which is just kind of annoying. I feel like not requiring a tip is Uber's biggest differentiator

What makes you think your lack of tip doesn't impact your rating now? The few Uber drivers I know expect a tip.

> The few Uber drivers I know expect a tip.

I think this varies a lot by city. I don't know if you're in San Francisco, but it's never been my experience here that drivers expect a tip. But when I fly down to Las Vegas nearly all the Ubers I've taken have notes taped up in the back stating the driver expects to be tipped (in cash).

Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#57

Post by aquadrop »

j4kp07 wrote: post #41

Wow. There are a lot of people in here that have never worked in the Services industry or done the math for an Uber driver's take home pay after taxes/gas/maintenance. It's ironic how the same people who say they don't mind paying a higher price vs tips, are choosing Uber because they are cheaper than a Lyft/Taxi.

Why do you think those are the same people?

Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#58

Post by BoiledCabbage »

I love this tidbit

> Riders will be charged by the minute if they keep an Uber car waiting for more than two minutes.

And will riders also be reimbursed for waiting for drivers? it seems all to frequent now that Ubers arrive significantly after their estimated time. Other times I get drivers that somehow don't move for 5 mins after reserving and yet accepted a ride.

And there is now no way to cancel out of this within 5 mins. Now you need to do so within two mins.

Re: Uber rolls out in-app tipping

#59

Post by prostoalex »

BoiledCabbage wrote: post #29

For something that is supposed to be friction free, tipping really runs against that. We all know that next there are going to be the subtle and not-so subtle encouragements from drivers to tip. Then the expectation to tip. This move seems to only confuse me as a consumer, create something else for drivers to be annoyed about (the tips they receive vs what uber claimed they'll see), and adding an additional cognitive…

Lyft seems to have nailed it - the tip is not necessarily immediate (and can be added 3 days later), and the payout to the driver is in a single anonymized chunk, so it's not easy (or too late) to track the rider to the tip amount.
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