What's your Uber experience?

[Freq Flier 2013]

The other morning before another trip to the airport, an 8 minute away Uber arrived in 3. Despite being 5am he pulled into the driveway, flashed headlamps at the house and honked his horn, waking my young son, then rang me 10 seconds later as I went to put my child back to sleep (which I politely explained over the phone). I received a poor rating, presumably because I kept the driver waiting for under a minute.

The trip was already started when I got into the car, and as I live on a short cul-de-sac (he could see the end 20m away) the driver made no attampt to turn the vehicle to be ready for departure - ie. to make use of the 'spare' time that I was now paying for since the job had started. So the next minute was a demonstration of the worst ways to slowly and awkwardly turn a vehicle around... yep, i paid for that too.

Enroute to the airport I did check-in on my phone while my driver (who was dressed like he just rolled out of bed in a crumpled tee shirt and footy shorts) sped much of the way there. I mentioned it when he was doing 80 in a 50 zone.

I'm not precious so i only rated down for speeding, also giving feedback to Uber about the speeding. I didn't bother with the rest because Uber couldn't care, i would get a template response.

It's like I say, Uber is still amateurs driving as a hobby. From their lacks approach in driving to their dress code. I've had an Uber driver lady in her night gown pick me up in the morning in Canberra. At least taxi drivers do it as a proper job or know how they should pretend to act. Ie pick up bags and put them in the boot, not honk in the mornings and generally more patient.

 

[VPS]

It's like I say, Uber is still amateurs driving as a hobby. From their lacks approach in driving to their dress code. I've had an Uber driver lady in her night gown pick me up in the morning in Canberra. At least taxi drivers do it as a proper job or know how they should pretend to act. Ie pick up bags and put them in the boot, not honk in the mornings and generally more patient.

I've had taxi drivers that honk in the drive way and sometimes while I'm locking the front door they've started the meter. I'm a 60+ female and would occasionally get drivers that wouldn't even get out of the car and just popped the boot when they picked me up

Once at the airport I paid and the driver popped the boot and just sat there - so I left the boot open and walked away

 

[NoName]

I've had taxi drivers that honk in the drive way and sometimes while I'm locking the front door they've started the meter.

I had a taxi driver at a rank start the meter before I got in the door once. I asked him if he always did that and he laughed and said yes. I told him to pull over just after a red light 10 meters from the rank, paid him the $2.70 flag fall and went and got the next taxi at the same rank. He had to go around the block and rejoin at the back of the rank. It was a weekday afternoon and the rank was chockers so it probably took him another hour plus to get another job.

 

[dajop]

The system is still flawed and given time I am sure it will improve.

By the way I have found it is best to ignore the pin and go the the actual address.

I found in Singapore, the hit rate with Uber drivers finding my condo was about 3 in 5. When I provided feedback to Uber the response was we will "provide feedback to the driver" rather than recognising a fundamental system flaw. Since going to Grab, not had a problem, their interface is more address driven, also on the actual booking screen there is the opportunity to enter "Notes to driver" so I always write "{Condo name} guardhouse" so it is doubly clear where to pick me up. Shame the Uber message to driver function is more hidden.

 

[Bolthead]

......... Shame the Uber message to driver function is more hidden.

I agree, for me to send a message I have to press the screen 3 times before I can even start typing. They should have more short cuts on the front screen.

 

[Bolthead]

It's like I say, Uber is still amateurs driving as a hobby. From their lacks approach in driving to their dress code. I've had an Uber driver lady in her night gown pick me up in the morning in Canberra. At least taxi drivers do it as a proper job or know how they should pretend to act. Ie pick up bags and put them in the boot, not honk in the mornings and generally more patient.

I have to disagree with you. In the majority most drivers are trying their best and as far as I can see at the airport queue, (where I see the drivers waiting in the car park) they are all dressed smartly. There is always exceptions just like the taxi driver at my local rank the other day who was wearing his uniformed shirt unbuttoned with a army camouflage tee shirt on underneath for all to see. It looked pathetic. (although maybe not as pathetic as a lady in a night gown.) I hope you reported her. As for amateur, everyone is an amateur until such a time as they learn the ticks of the trade and the do and don'ts of a new job. I think it's fair to say that there are bad apples amongst both sides. I wish I had more hobbies like this that pay this well. (not counting fossicking and gem collection LOL)

 

[N860CR]

I live on a road where there is really nowhere to stop out the front, so I do the right thing and set the pickup at a shopping centre carpark about a block away and walk down to meet the driver there (saves the hassle of the "no stopping" zones - I really don't like putting the driver in the position where they need to stop illegally). I also always send a message to the driver stating "BWS Carpark on xx_ St".

Half the time, I'm standing there and watch the guy drive right past. The last one actually abused me and said "if you can't put your address down properly, don't use Uber".

I get the feeling that all of the Uber drivers left in Sydney are just failed taxi drivers.

 

[Bolthead]

I live on a road where there is really nowhere to stop out the front, so I do the right thing and set the pickup at a shopping centre carpark about a block away and walk down to meet the driver there (saves the hassle of the "no stopping" zones - I really don't like putting the driver in the position where they need to stop illegally). I also always send a message to the driver stating "BWS Carpark on xx_ St".

Half the time, I'm standing there and watch the guy drive right past. The last one actually abused me and said "if you can't put your address down properly, don't use Uber".

I get the feeling that all of the Uber drivers left in Sydney are just failed taxi drivers.

That's terrible for a driver to say that. Considering you gave him plenty of notice and info. I would be thanking (and certainly do) when the customer has done the extra hards to to make our life easier. I'm not a failed taxi driver by the way... hopefully I am not a failed anything. LOL. If you live in the south send me a PM and I may be able to help you occasionally.

 

[Happy Dude]

It's like I say, Uber is still amateurs driving as a hobby. From their lacks approach in driving to their dress code. I've had an Uber driver lady in her night gown pick me up in the morning in Canberra. At least taxi drivers do it as a proper job or know how they should pretend to act. Ie pick up bags and put them in the boot, not honk in the mornings and generally more patient.

Not sure what taxi drivers you get, but the ones that I used to get did none of those things. Its why I now prefer Uber. The dressing gown, practically a religious garment in some circles, would have been a good talking point at least.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

I just read that Uber will be banded from London.
Uber's London licence to operate will not be renewed over 'public safety and security' concerns - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Uber Admits to Small Payoffs to Indonesia Police as It Reviews Asia Operations – Skift

Attorneys are focused on suspicious activity in at least five Asian countries: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea. For instance, Uber’s law firm is reviewing a web of financial arrangements tied to the Malaysian government that may have influenced lawmakers there, the people said.

The mounting legal troubles have played a role in the departures of several top executives, including Kalanick. He was pressured to step down by investors, who said his leadership put the company at legal risk. The head of compliance left this month, and Salle Yoo, the chief legal officer, also said she plans to depart after helping new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi find her successor. On Tuesday, Michael Brown, head of operations in Asia, said he plans to leave.

 

[dajop]

If they have been bribing officials in Asia, and USA DoJ investigates breaches of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, it could get very very ugly.

 

[get me outta here]

Recently was having a polite chat about credit cards and points with a driver on the way to the airport. He startled me by saying that cc are motherfu**ers, and then carrying on as if it was a common turn of phrase in a conversation with a stranger. I didn't mark him down, was just a bit bemused.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Uber Drivers Can Now Leave Feedback For Riders - One Mile at a Time

Starting today, UberX and UberPOOL drivers in the US and Canada will be able to leave feedback for riders when they don’t rate them five stars. Riders have been able to do this for years, though this is the first time that drivers can leave feedback.

As you can see, this probably isn’t quite as brutal as it could be. That’s to say that the passenger will only be advised of the feedback if they get the same type of feedback three times in a 30 day period, which seems highly unlikely. In reality I suspect the main benefit is that it will make drivers feel like they’re being understood and have more control over situations, even if the feedback doesn’t directly make it back to riders.

 

[moa999]

And being the US I can guess what the top 3 complaints will be.

No tip
Stingy tip
Bad tip

 

[OzEire]

Had a couple of Uber shockers on this week's trip to BNE.

First one, new driver (<1 month, 5* rating), app quoted 4 mins...4 mins later driver still "completing trip nearby". After 12 mins drives past me so I ring and try chasing him up the street (35 deg, 100% humidity in a suit) but he u-turns and gets stuck in traffic going the wrong way, i can see it will easily be 10 mins back to pickup point ... refuses to cancel so i do. $8.00 fee.

 

[OzEire]

Second one. Set my pickup point at the hotel. Confirm pin is set where the driveway meets the street. Msg driver that I am at "hotel blah" and the driveway entry is at ### blah street. App shows car circling in nearby blocks. I ring, reiterate message... driver says he is exactly where app sent him. Didn't receive message. Wants me to come to him since this is where Uber sent him. I arrive and sure enough we compare phones showing Uber sent driver a different address to my pickup point. WTAF Uber ?

Third, same hotel airport destination, schedule pickup, even more detail in message to driver. Same problem and again driver refused to come to me (this time I had luggage) and the driver couldn't say where he was exactly (app showed a block away but couldn't trust this was accurate). So I cancel. $8.00 fee and time to flight now an issue.

 

[blackcat20]

Second one. Set my pickup point at the hotel. Confirm pin is set where the driveway meets the street. Msg driver that I am at "hotel blah" and the driveway entry is at ### blah street. App shows car circling in nearby blocks. I ring, reiterate message... driver says he is exactly where app sent him. Didn't receive message. Wants me to come to him since this is where Uber sent him. I arrive and sure enough we compare phones showing Uber sent driver a different address to my pickup point. WTAF Uber ?

Third, same hotel airport destination, schedule pickup, even more detail in message to driver. Same problem and again driver refused to come to me (this time I had luggage) and the driver couldn't say where he was exactly (app showed a block away but couldn't trust this was accurate). So I cancel. $8.00 fee and time to flight now an issue.

Complain to Uber and get the free refunded. I complained about the experience I detailed a few weeks back and was told in that case I would not have to pay the fee as the driver was in the wrong (accepting ride while stuck in traffic and trying to get me to come to him). In my case they also noted it against the driver in case it happens again.

 

[andyhui01]

You can get the cancel fee refunded if the driver is more than 5 mins late from the original quoted time.

I have found it much better to type the address instead of moving the pin around. The problem based on my discussions with the drivers is that when you move a pin, Uber then sends the GPS coordinates to Google Maps (or the nav system they are using) and GM translates it to the closest address it can get to by car. The pin would most likely be moved during this "translation".

If you type the address in, it is then passed on to the nav system as a landmark. This way the address/name of hotel appears on the pick up point on the drivers app as well instead of a random street number.

If your driver can't locate where a hotel driveway is. They really shouldn't be driving people around for money. Just rate them appropriately and let the Uber system do its thing.

 

[blackcat20]

You can get the cancel fee refunded if the driver is more than 5 mins late from the original quoted time.

Something I wish I'd known when our estimated 4 minutes was closer to 25....