Tipping Uber drivers in Australia

[odysseus]

Personally, I don't like it and I can just see Uber using it as an excuse to (eventually) pay less to drivers in Australia.

I don't see it as a plan to reduce wages. However, it gives corporate the ability to improve driver satisfaction at no cost to themselves, and also indicate they support their "driver partners" so gives them a positive story to sell.

Of course, if it becomes accepted practice, drivers will rate lower if not tipped as they do in the US.

 

[samh004]

That's not really correct. The flow is designed for the driver to rate immediately, but there are ways around that if the driver is so inclined.

Further, drivers can also amend their ratings, so if a driver wants to give a lower score later they can.

You speak as if you're a driver yourself?

Everything can be changed I guess, Uber has a robust support team to deal with any issues that may arise, but I'm loving reading the scaremongering over a simple change to allow drivers to receive tips in what is a low-paying job. Considering this site has members that travel at the pointy end and hold Centurion cards, it's interesting reading the comments.

 

[odysseus]

Personally, I find the whole expectation of giving 5 stars for a normal service bizarre. If you look at any competency / maturity model which has five steps, 3 is the 'normal level, meets expectations'. Four stars go to "clearly exceeds expectations", i.e. drivers who go well beyond the norm in good service. 5 stars would be reserved to the handful who master the art of excellent service. Therefore, an average driver (and passenger) rating would be 3, really good or nice ones hover near 4 and the awesome individuals gradually sneak past 4.5.

While I agree with you logically/mathematically, to the majority of the public when rating it is more typical to give 5 stars as a default.

ebay tried this model first and while they used those descriptions, actual practice saw most ratings move to 5. ebay subsequently removed the descriptions.

In uber's case, the impact of ratings is from what people are actually rating - again, most people give 5 stars; hence, most drivers have a score significantly above 4.

 

[odysseus]

You speak as if you're a driver yourself?

Everything can be changed I guess, Uber has a robust support team to deal with any issues that may arise, but I'm loving reading the scaremongering over a simple change to allow drivers to receive tips in what is a low-paying job. Considering this site has members that travel at the pointy end and hold Centurion cards, it's interesting reading the comments.

"Robust support team." Hmm... probably the first time I've seen them described that way. And I'd be very surprised for them to take any action regarding re-rating, given it's a standard feature of the system.
"scaremongering." I'm not sure where that's come from. It's Australian culture that tipping is not customary and I think the commentary reflects that - nothing more.

 

[samh004]

"Robust support team." Hmm... probably the first time I've seen them described that way. And I'd be very surprised for them to take any action regarding re-rating, given it's a standard feature of the system.

Can't go into further details on a public forum, but will agree that the "green light hub" is shockingly bad, however, I was talking about telephone support etc...

 

[eric2011]

Its not our custom in AU or NZ to tip, however when I use uber in USA I leave a tip

 

[pauly7]

If the past ten or so trips I've had with uber are the standard in future I'm going to suggest drivers tip passengers for taking the trip.

Just over the last 6 months I've noticed uber drivers getting worse and worse. We use uber maybe 4-5 times a month and it's rare to get a good driver. One in five honestly.

Agreed and a lot of people at work have noticed this trend as well - over the last 4-6 months. I’ve complained about 2 of my last 5 drivers for unsafe driving (driving straight through a stop sign and excessive speed).

Car quality and cleanliness has also taken a dive.

Honestly I’m starting to avoid Uber now and go back to drivers.

 

[samh004]

Its not our custom in AU or NZ to tip, however when I use uber in USA I leave a tip

So you tip out of local custom, rather than on service provided?

What would happen this year if you have your worst Uber experience in the US, and your best Uber experience in AU/NZ? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to change people's attitudes to tipping, as I flat out don't – being on a low income. However, if I was going to tip, it would be based on merit I would hope.

 

[Danger]

Not for me. I agree with others that we don't tip in Australia and wages are paid accordingly. I can't stand seeing a tip jar at a bar or coffee shop in Australia. Get a grip.

So you tip out of local custom, rather than on service provided?

What would happen this year if you have your worst Uber experience in the US, and your best Uber experience in AU/NZ? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to change people's attitudes to tipping, as I flat out don't – being on a low income. However, if I was going to tip, it would be based on merit I would hope.

If that was the scenario I'd tip zero for the US ride and . . . zero for the Aus/NZ ride.

 

[samh004]

If that was the scenario I'd tip zero for the US ride and . . . zero for the Aus/NZ ride.

Good to know

 

[Spongbob]

As I posted elsewhere, I won't be tiping Uber in Australia and NZ fullstop!

Ummm ... , so why to you use Uber?

 

[Moody]

Nothing wrong with supplying an optional tipping system - I rarely have an appropriate amount of cash on me, so this is an feature I would use .... for exemplary service. Many comments here about the dropping standards of Uber drivers, and this seems to be a lever to reward better driving (and banter). Very different scenario to the US compulsory tipping regime.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I don't like this at all, I hope drivers don't rate their passengers based on whether they tip or not. I tip in Australia based on service because I want to, not because I feel i have to. Honestly, most Uber drivers of recent don't deserve a tip.

Ms FM used Uber in Canada a few years ago and didn’t realise you were supposed to tip. The driver gave her a bad rating.

 

[NoName]

How often do people tip in this country? For anything. Surely it’s not often. I’m yet to receive a tip after a dozen or so trips yesterday and certainly don’t expect to receive them. Would think they will be as rare as hens teeth even with my 4.92 driver rating and that’s totally fine.

 

[Mattg]

So you tip out of local custom, rather than on service provided?

Actually, this is exactly how I tip.

If tipping is customary/expected in the country where I am, the amount of the tip will depend on the service provided.

I don’t tip in Australia or New Zealand.

 

[DC3]

Ms FM used Uber in Canada a few years ago and didn’t realise you were supposed to tip. The driver gave her a bad rating.

... as would be expected by locals and those in the know, I guess. No tip = poor review.

 

[DC3]

... I agree with others that we don't tip in Australia ...

... but, we may tip if we choose. There being nothing to prevent it.

 

[samh004]

How often do people tip in this country? For anything. Surely it’s not often. I’m yet to receive a tip after a dozen or so trips yesterday and certainly don’t expect to receive them. Would think they will be as rare as hens teeth even with my 4.92 driver rating and that’s totally fine.

Maybe you should compare notes with @frankie in a conversation

 

[Flying mermaid]

... as would be expected by locals and those in the know, I guess. No tip = poor review.

when Uber first started in the USA there was no tipping and they had only just moved to tipping when she used them. She would have been quite happy to have tipped if she knew it had changed......

 

[Himeno]

Ms FM used Uber in Canada a few years ago and didn’t realise you were supposed to tip. The driver gave her a bad rating.

Drivers can see who tips what and are able to base rider ratings on that? They shouldn't be able to see tips per ride, just a lump sum amount of total tips for a given period.
Isn't the point of Uber ratings that no one can see who gave what and are only able to see an average?