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Reeling from algorithm glitch, Instacart institutes $3 minimum fee for drivers

fastcompany.com

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Re: Reeling from algorithm glitch, Instacart institutes $3 minimum fee for drivers

#2
So.... they aren’t going to stop steeling tips, just limit how much they steal? And they are claiming that it was an algorithmic glitch that cause them to steal a drivers tip that one time... yet they aren’t going to stop it all together just limit it.

They need to come out and say “all tips goes to the driver” or they are going to dies in distrust. No-one wants to buy from or work for a company that downright steals tips from its employees.

Re: Reeling from algorithm glitch, Instacart institutes $3 minimum fee for drivers

#5

So.... they aren’t going to stop steeling tips, just limit how much they steal? And they are claiming that it was an algorithmic glitch that cause them to steal a drivers tip that one time... yet they aren’t going to stop it all together just limit it. They need to come out and say “all tips goes to the driver” or they are going to dies in distrust. No-one wants to buy from or work for a company that downright steals…

But they do say “all tips goes to the driver”, and the worst part is that they _aren't lying_. Some MFA was reading that statement thinking "how can we claw that one back", and came up with the clever idea of guaranteeing a minimum rate. In other words, they can now say "all tips go to the driver" and "drivers are always at least paid X amount" and not be lying. They just don't disclose that they only pay the driver _if the tips don't cover the minimum_. It's a very clever way of taking two positive statements that sound good to consumers and employees and finding a money hole between them.

Re: Reeling from algorithm glitch, Instacart institutes $3 minimum fee for drivers

#6

So.... they aren’t going to stop steeling tips, just limit how much they steal? And they are claiming that it was an algorithmic glitch that cause them to steal a drivers tip that one time... yet they aren’t going to stop it all together just limit it. They need to come out and say “all tips goes to the driver” or they are going to dies in distrust. No-one wants to buy from or work for a company that downright steals…

It's too late for me, I don't tolerate this sort of bullshit. I had pizza delivered once and paid/tipped online (I have ten years in restaurants behind me, on the rare occasion I eat out I tip really well) and the delivery guy gave me a funny look when he dropped off my order. I took a look at the receipt attached to the order and the price I paid was higher plus the tip was not on the slip, I sent him a text with my order confirmation to let him know what I paid he texted me back that this wasn't the first time they screwed him on tips and that hes going to find another job. Every few months I post a yelp review with this experience so it remains on the first page for the restaurant.

Re: Reeling from algorithm glitch, Instacart institutes $3 minimum fee for drivers

#9
post #7

Maybe people should start tipping in cash again. Every service person I've asked has preferred it.

That isn't a bad idea, but not exactly something drivers can rely on.

And it is not something i carry with me most often.

Re: Reeling from algorithm glitch, Instacart institutes $3 minimum fee for drivers

#10
How on earth was this an "algorithm glitch" or anything close to "black box"? It's how they calculated pay, by setting a minimum hourly rate and subtracting any tips from that before paying out themselves.

This reporter is far too trusting.

> Instacart still hasn’t explained exactly what went wrong in calculating Arrigo’s 80-cent fee. But it shows the risks inherent in relying entirely on the “black box” of algorithms that, regardless how clever they are, can sometimes produce baffling results.

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