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Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

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Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#201

Post by noonespecial »

Uchikoma wrote: post #192
noonespecial wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the devil didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent him. Uber was built from the ground up to tangle with cantankerous and corrupt authorities whose first impulse is to outlaw it. Even if that enemy turns out not to exist, they operate as if it does. Its their nature.

Uber was built from the ground up to make money. Everything else is PR.

That's certainly true but it's how they were built to make money that's important here. If I ask what the case of the new MacBook is made of and you reply "atoms", it's true enough but it isn't exactly useful.

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#202

Post by Uchikoma »

oleganza wrote: post #7

Some quotes from the article: "The market is unregulated, meaning that you can set any price for your services." "You can safely say that there’s healthy competition on the market." "You do need a permit to have a taxi service." "The fact is that Uber are asking for an exemption to be able to compete on unfair grounds" Notice some contradictions here? Author claims that market is unregulated and competition is fair,…

You also need a certificate to open a restaurant in most places. You would call the restaurant market "regulated"?

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#203

Post by Uchikoma »

noonespecial wrote: post #201
Uchikoma wrote: post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Uber was built from the ground up to make money. Everything else is PR.

That's certainly true but it's how they were built to make money that's important here. If I ask what the case of the new MacBook is made of and you reply "atoms", it's true enough but it isn't exactly useful.

How? They have created an app connecting two market participants that before were not connected.

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#204

Post by brazzy »

chrisrhoden wrote: post #178
subsystem wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They only thing they (or their subcontractors) have done to date is apply for an exemption which they weren't covered by and then complain about it. If they include the proper information in their app and get it certified as a meter than they might have a case. Now they just come of as spoiled and childish. Also a sign isn't required and the yellow plate gives you advantages in traffic (bus lanes etc.), but they'll p…

I think it's pretty clear that the email that was sent out was not written in the way that it should have been, and that they may have misjudged both the source of the friction they are encountering and the public sentiment about such regulations. We're sort of arguing past eachother on the other point. If we agree that Uber isn't out to rip people off and their customers like the way that they do business, why shoul…

> Part of what they offer is the appearance at your destination of having been delivered by a private driver.

Honest question: why would anyone care about that at all?

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#205

Post by jbooth »

chrisrhoden wrote: post #178
subsystem wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They only thing they (or their subcontractors) have done to date is apply for an exemption which they weren't covered by and then complain about it. If they include the proper information in their app and get it certified as a meter than they might have a case. Now they just come of as spoiled and childish. Also a sign isn't required and the yellow plate gives you advantages in traffic (bus lanes etc.), but they'll p…

I think it's pretty clear that the email that was sent out was not written in the way that it should have been, and that they may have misjudged both the source of the friction they are encountering and the public sentiment about such regulations. We're sort of arguing past eachother on the other point. If we agree that Uber isn't out to rip people off and their customers like the way that they do business, why shoul…

why should they need to change? If you acknowledge that the changes required are superficial, why are they required?

If they're superficial, why can't Uber just play ball? I can't disconnect my electricity meter and install a more accurate one of my choosing, even if that leads to me paying more in utilities. Some things are standard just because it makes it easier for people to tell that nobody's breaking the rules.

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#206

Post by drivebyacct2 »

viggity wrote: post #118
Indyan wrote: post #40

They did the same thing in USA. Here's a series of articles penned by Paul Carr documenting what Uber did in the US. http://pandodaily.com/2012/10/31/assholes-shrug/ http://pandodaily.com/2012/10/17/whos-the-real-bully-uber-or... [written by Nathaniel] http://pandodaily.com/2012/10/24/travis-shrugged/ http://pandodaily.com/2012/11/02/a-final-word-on-uber-and-th... http://pandodaily.com/2012/12/04/shock-uber-scores-vi…

regarding the first link, in which Uber jumped fares during Hurricane Sandy - People who think price gouging have obviously never given the consequences more than a moments thought. He even mentioned that Uber reported the supply of drivers went up 50%. Isn't that a major, important factor. The author just blows it off and calls the Uber evil. fuck that. I'd rather know that a service is going to be available, but at…

So the rich "need" transportation to safety more than poor people. Got it.

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#207

Post by subsystem »

chrisrhoden wrote: post #178
subsystem wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They only thing they (or their subcontractors) have done to date is apply for an exemption which they weren't covered by and then complain about it. If they include the proper information in their app and get it certified as a meter than they might have a case. Now they just come of as spoiled and childish. Also a sign isn't required and the yellow plate gives you advantages in traffic (bus lanes etc.), but they'll p…

I think it's pretty clear that the email that was sent out was not written in the way that it should have been, and that they may have misjudged both the source of the friction they are encountering and the public sentiment about such regulations. We're sort of arguing past eachother on the other point. If we agree that Uber isn't out to rip people off and their customers like the way that they do business, why shoul…

They didn't argue that they complied with regulations, they applied for an exemption, see the difference? If they want to charge a non-fixed price I think they should have to show the price for comparison and during the trip. With an exemption they wouldn't have to do that at all.

I might not know their marketing, but you don't know the market in Stockholm so maybe you should be a little less cocky about it.

Sometimes regulation gets in the way of innovation, but this time it seems like regulation only gets in the way because they can't be bothered to innovate. Getting their app certified as a meter would be a nice precedent for more innovation.

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#208

Post by gwright »

king_jester wrote: post #160
gwright wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If every store tripled the price of bottled water you would have truckloads of water arriving within 24 hours with absolutely no government intervention at all. It would also mean that smart entrepreneurs would pre-stage needed supplies in anticipation of the price increase. With strong 'gouging' laws, there is no incentive to spend money on preparing the supply chain or in spending more money to overcome supply diff…

> If every store tripled the price of bottled water you would have truckloads of water arriving within 24 hours with absolutely no government intervention at all. In natural disaster scenarios, this is likely impossible as delivery infrastructure usually goes down for some period of time. This is why price gouging is successful for the businesses raising prices in first place. > It would also mean that smart entrepre…

The utility of 'price' (whether it involves "gouging" or not) is to signal the entire marketplace regarding the current state of supply vs. demand. The market is dynamic and responds to the signal.

If you attempt to legislate the rules regarding price you are making it illegal to respond to the signal. This just leads to oversupply and legally enforced profit (the price is too high) or shortages and legislative enforced queues and delays (the price is too low).

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#209

Post by rdouble »

chrisrhoden wrote: post #178
subsystem wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They only thing they (or their subcontractors) have done to date is apply for an exemption which they weren't covered by and then complain about it. If they include the proper information in their app and get it certified as a meter than they might have a case. Now they just come of as spoiled and childish. Also a sign isn't required and the yellow plate gives you advantages in traffic (bus lanes etc.), but they'll p…

I think it's pretty clear that the email that was sent out was not written in the way that it should have been, and that they may have misjudged both the source of the friction they are encountering and the public sentiment about such regulations. We're sort of arguing past eachother on the other point. If we agree that Uber isn't out to rip people off and their customers like the way that they do business, why shoul…

Part of what they offer is the appearance at your destination of having been delivered by a private driver.

Uber X and Uber Taxi are just Priuses and regular taxis.

Re: Uber Stockholm throw a PR-tantrum when refused unfair advantages

#210

Post by freshhawk »

gwright wrote: post #146
untog wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Price "gouging" is actually a public service, it LITERALLY SAVES LIVES. It ensures that needed materials find their way to the people that need them the most. Seriously? The lower income people living on Staten Island during Sandy would like a word with you. Price gouging ensures that things are only available to people with excess income to absorb the gouged price. The whole point about price gouging during Sandy is…

If every store tripled the price of bottled water you would have truckloads of water arriving within 24 hours with absolutely no government intervention at all. It would also mean that smart entrepreneurs would pre-stage needed supplies in anticipation of the price increase. With strong 'gouging' laws, there is no incentive to spend money on preparing the supply chain or in spending more money to overcome supply diff…

> If every store tripled the price of bottled water you would have truckloads of water arriving within 24 hours with absolutely no government intervention at all

You mean "According to my preferred economic ideology if every store tripled the price of bottled water you should have ...", because it's fairly easy to check the historical records and see that this is definitely not what actually happens.

But by all means, don't let facts get in the way of your faith.

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