Travel Tip: Don't Let Your Uber Driver Convince You To Cancel Ride To Save Money!

[am1]

No option to choose an XL vehicle? When we (me, DH & DD + luggage) used Uber in Toronto in the spring I ordered an XL vehicle and it was a big Suburban that could easily fit 4 or even 5 large adults and 4 big suitcases and more. Our 1 suitcase, 3 carry-ons and 2 backpacks were lost in the back of that SUV.


~Diane

No option for XL. Very few large cars there in general.

 

[Ken555]

It isn't really any different. But the companies have to always be willing to find new clients. That cost of customer acquisition increases the costs overall for the company. Perhaps a reason why Uber had to decrease the driver split was due to these types of actions by drivers.

I'm rather pessimistic about Uber's rationale for its pricing... and I'd just say they were greedy. Yes, companies like Uber have cost for churning/acquiring customers. This still doesn't explain why a driver only receives ~35-50% of the total paid. Also, at least in California, we pay an extra fee that supposedly goes direct to the driver.

FWIW, I know private drivers that don't work with Uber/Lyft or any other rideshare app, and they're great. Reasonable prices, always nice to know the driver, and great for pickups at LAX since they can meet me at the terminal rather than the rideshare pickup area.

 

[peepelow]

When you refuse, what is usually the driver's reaction? Does he (or she) seem a little miffed? Angry? Disappointed? Does he try harder to convince you kind of like when someone tells a TS sales person No?

they get annoyed when I do that, They cant do anything else apart from that

 

[am1]

I'm rather pessimistic about Uber's rationale for its pricing... and I'd just say they were greedy. Yes, companies like Uber have cost for churning/acquiring customers. This still doesn't explain why a driver only receives ~35-50% of the total paid. Also, at least in California, we pay an extra fee that supposedly goes direct to the driver.

FWIW, I know private drivers that don't work with Uber/Lyft or any other rideshare app, and they're great. Reasonable prices, always nice to know the driver, and great for pickups at LAX since they can meet me at the terminal rather than the rideshare pickup area.

But costs will be higher as they have to wait longer for you and not the next available customer. Also once they drop you off at your house where and when is their next fare?

 

[Ken555]

But costs will be higher as they have to wait longer for you and not the next available customer. Also once they drop you off at your house where and when is their next fare?

When they get 100% of the fare they don’t need to worry so much about having an immediate next passenger. In general I’ve paid about the same if not slightly more than average Uber rates for this, but then it’s a better service all around. And it’s better for the driver, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[davidvel]

When they get 100% of the fare they don’t need to worry so much about having an immediate next passenger. In general I’ve paid about the same if not slightly more than average Uber rates for this, but then it’s a better service all around. And it’s better for the driver, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are they licensed, do they have kn force commercial driver insurance? I highly doubt it.

 

[davidvel]

I'm rather pessimistic about Uber's rationale for its pricing... and I'd just say they were greedy. Yes, companies like Uber have cost for churning/acquiring customers. This still doesn't explain why a driver only receives ~35-50% of the total paid. Also, at least in California, we pay an extra fee that supposedly goes direct to the driver.

FWIW, I know private drivers that don't work with Uber/Lyft or any other rideshare app, and they're great. Reasonable prices, always nice to know the driver, and great for pickups at LAX since they can meet me at the terminal rather than the rideshare pickup area.

Uber lost $9 BILLION last year, though they had their first quarterly profit 2023 Q2. I think their lifetime losses exceed $30 BILLION.

Is that charity or greed?

 

[emeryjre]

Uber Management was not known for trying to keeping costs down during the start up phases of the business

I am all in on employees making a living wage.

But lavish work environments can be over the top

The costs were being absorbed by early investors and early shareholders so I had no skin in the game

At one point I was short the stock and did OK

I do not attribute the fact they were losing money to rides just being underpriced as they tried to develop the market

If I remember correctly, when the CEO and founder was ousted from leadership position, he sold all his stock for about 6 Billion Dollars

 

[Ken555]

Are they licensed, do they have kn force commercial driver insurance? I highly doubt it.

In one case (the one we use the most), he has told me he has commercial insurance. Not sure about the other, but it’s been a long time since I’ve hired him and probably won’t as long as the other is available.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[am1]

When they get 100% of the fare they don’t need to worry so much about having an immediate next passenger. In general I’ve paid about the same if not slightly more than average Uber rates for this, but then it’s a better service all around. And it’s better for the driver, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes better service and can be better for the driver. But Uber is everywhere so individuals are fighting a hard battle. Anyone who is against Uber can start their own ride share app.