What's your Uber experience?

[Quickstatus]

We had our first use of Uber Select this morning to get from home to airport (family of 2, 2 bags + 4 carry-on).

First tried UberX and first car that accepted was a Starlet or similar. Wasn't going to fit us in so cancelled straight away.

Went up to Select as no Black available. We also have discount code in wife's new Uber account.

A BMW X5 turned up from nearby suburb (a local) so had a great ride.

How many km? And what was the cost?

 

[blackcat20]

Less than steller ride on Friday from CBD to MEL. Tiny little Yaris turned up; it was lucky we were HLO as luggage would not have fit. And he seemed to have his GPS set to "avoid tolls" as he drove pass the tollway entrance and took the long way through Moonee Ponds and Essendon. We only just avoided being waived into the Booze Bus that was stopping cars along the way too...All up it took 30 mins (rather than the expected 20) to get to the airport.

 

[Quickstatus]

Do tolls get automatically added on to the uber invoice. ??? I wonder what that mechanism is?

That would be a PITA IMO as it encourages drivers to avoid tolls when you want to get to destination quicker

 

[NoName]

Do tolls get automatically added on to the uber invoice. ??? I wonder what that mechanism is?

That would be a PITA IMO as it encourages drivers to avoid tolls when you want to get to destination quicker

Yes tolls are automatically added on to the fare. The Uber system knows where the toll points are located and therefore knows if you've gone through one. However I have noticed that sometimes they charge the wrong toll. There have been a few times when I've requested a recalc as they've charged the customer a lower toll amount.

I will ask the customer if they want to take the toll or go another route. Just curtesy IMO and as a rider I wouldn't be putting up with a driver avoiding a toll just to get more money in their pocket if it is going to take longer to get to the destination.

 

[blackcat20]

Yes tolls are automatically added on to the fare. The Uber system knows where the toll points are located and therefore knows if you've gone through one. However I have noticed that sometimes they charge the wrong toll. There have been a few times when I've requested a recalc as they've charged the customer a lower toll amount.

I will ask the customer if they want to take the toll or go another route. Just curtesy IMO and as a rider I wouldn't be putting up with a driver avoiding a toll just to get more money in their pocket if it is going to take longer to get to the destination.

Our driver didn't ask, nor did he seem particularly confident in his driving... I would have been more than happy to pay tolls but once we realised he has zipped past the entrance to the freeway it was a bit late to turn around.

 

[NoName]

Our driver didn't ask, nor did he seem particularly confident in his driving... I would have been more than happy to pay tolls but once we realised he has zipped past the entrance to the freeway it was a bit late to turn around.

Go into the app and find the trip. There will be an option to request a recalculation of the fare. It sounds like you ended up paying more than you would otherwise have paid so if that's the case you will get a refund of the difference between actual fare and the optimal route.

 

[dajop]

Go into the app and find the trip. There will be an option to request a recalculation of the fare. It sounds like you ended up paying more than you would otherwise have paid so if that's the case you will get a refund of the difference between actual fare and the optimal route.

Could be line ball as to cost 5-10 mins extra travelling time vs 3-4km extra driving ...

 

[blackcat20]

Go into the app and find the trip. There will be an option to request a recalculation of the fare. It sounds like you ended up paying more than you would otherwise have paid so if that's the case you will get a refund of the difference between actual fare and the optimal route.

Not worth it; the potentially toll cost would make the fare higher, even if we had saved a few minutes.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

If you see a small car appear in the app after you make a booking just cancel immediately and rebook

 

[Happy Dude]

I'm keen to try uber so I can see what the fuss is about and contribute to this thread.

Anyone have a referral link? Apols, Mods, in advance if I cannae ask that but I couldn't see anything current in the referral thread.

 

[QF WP]

How many km? And what was the cost?

Distance is 18.47kms and cost was $53.85 - similar to a taxi fare but much better ride

 

[QF WP]

If you see a small car appear in the app after you make a booking just cancel immediately and rebook

Something I've got used to doing - and I taught my wife on Monday night. Arrived at BNE and ordered as we got our bags. A Kia Rio took the job, so I showed her how to cancel immediately. No way it was going to take 2 adults, 2 kids, 4 carry-ons and 2 bags in any kind of comfort.

 

[Deleted member]

Something I've got used to doing - and I taught my wife on Monday night. Arrived at BNE and ordered as we got our bags. A Kia Rio took the job, so I showed her how to cancel immediately. No way it was going to take 2 adults, 2 kids, 4 carry-ons and 2 bags in any kind of comfort.

Or just order an XL. .

 

[Skyring]

I'm keen to try uber so I can see what the fuss is about and contribute to this thread.

Anyone have a referral link? Apols, Mods, in advance if I cannae ask that but I couldn't see anything current in the referral thread.

Here's mine: https://www.uber.com/invite/a2e4e

Which my rating has now bumped up to 4.95 out of five. Judging by recent comments, my decision to stream Barry Manilow songs last week was a good one.

 

[Skyring]

If you see a small car appear in the app after you make a booking just cancel immediately and rebook

Why? If you have a large object, lots of luggage, or four people in your party, fair enough, but if you are cancelling just to get a bigger (and presumably better) car, then this is quite selfish. It wastes your time and that of the driver.

If I get a ping, I start driving immediately. I usually don't work at times when I have to pay for parking, but when I do, it might mean I've lost a parking spot and have to hunt for another. I'll tell myself, these things happen, but it's not pleasant.

I drive a Golf - the wagon version, because I found the hatch was often a bit tight on airport runs - and it's plenty big enough. I might have to move the front seats back and forth a bit to distribute legroom, but it's okay. I can fit pushbikes and things in, and it's remarkably roomy with a bit of juggling and VW's clever design features.

But I get the odd cancellation. I guess that this is why.

Smaller cars are perhaps associated with drivers who are less well off. I guess if a passenger doesn't want to mix with a driver who's a bit further down on the bank balance scale, then that's their privilege. But Uberdrivering isn't a handsomely-paid job, and sometimes a driver can't afford a big car. Cancelling them just makes their life even harder, and it won't work to drive small cars out of the Uber fleet, because so long as a car has four doors, is roadworthy, and is less than nine years old, it will be accepted as an Uber. There's no policy on size.

 

[QF WP]

Or just order an XL. .

That's what we did the second time around to make certain we had an appropriate sized car. Still a novice when it comes to Uber, but I've learnt a lot from here

 

[blackcat20]

Why? If you have a large object, lots of luggage, or four people in your party, fair enough, but if you are cancelling just to get a bigger (and presumably better) car, then this is quite selfish. It wastes your time and that of the driver.

If I get a ping, I start driving immediately. I usually don't work at times when I have to pay for parking, but when I do, it might mean I've lost a parking spot and have to hunt for another. I'll tell myself, these things happen, but it's not pleasant.

I drive a Golf - the wagon version, because I found the hatch was often a bit tight on airport runs - and it's plenty big enough. I might have to move the front seats back and forth a bit to distribute legroom, but it's okay. I can fit pushbikes and things in, and it's remarkably roomy with a bit of juggling and VW's clever design features.

But I get the odd cancellation. I guess that this is why.

Smaller cars are perhaps associated with drivers who are less well off. I guess if a passenger doesn't want to mix with a driver who's a bit further down on the bank balance scale, then that's their privilege. But Uberdrivering isn't a handsomely-paid job, and sometimes a driver can't afford a big car. Cancelling them just makes their life even harder, and it won't work to drive small cars out of the Uber fleet, because so long as a car has four doors, is roadworthy, and is less than nine years old, it will be accepted as an Uber. There's no policy on size.

I assumed the small comment was in relation to being able to fit luggage; we were lucky to be able to squeeze our bags into the uber that arrived, and if we'd had checked bags it would have been impossible. I've never cancelled a request but I would have in that situation.

 

[PLANT]

Simple Uber need an addit for airport pick up.... Ie. Click on people and luggage size!

 

[Skyring]

Simple Uber need an addit for airport pick up.... Ie. Click on people and luggage size!

Or any pickup, really. Half my work is taking people TO the airport. And occasionally I'll be asked to carry a bicycle or big box of something. It would certainly make life easier for both drivers and passengers.

Perhaps Uber don't want to add more complexity to their app.

 

[Quickstatus]

Can I get uber to deliver an urgent parcel?
Will necessitate the driver going into reception to pick up parcel and drop off at another reception?