Took an Uber yesterday - first time

[wdfifteen]

I needed a ride back to our old home, looked around for options and settled on an Uber. I don’t see how this is a sustainable income model for the drivers. The trip is 45 miles each way and it cost me $54. I don’t know how much Uber took. It took 2 1/2 hours for the driver to complete the trip. After he figures in 90 miles worth of gas and wear and tear on the car he’s not making much. It looks like the business model is to buy a car and trade the declining value of the car as you put miles in it for lunch money. The car was a clean nice looking Hyundai with good tires, bad rear wheel bearings, and a cracked windshield.

[berettafan]

Uber's business model, at least in the UK where we used it quite a bit this past summer, is to continually reduce pay and transparency with their drivers (one told me they have no idea what customers pay for a trip) which forces the more professional drivers out which spots are then filled by recent immigrants who are willing to work for less and less $$.

I had some long uber rides while overseas and the honeymoon is over for the drivers. Turns out Uber is a nasty, greedy, heartless company.

[Pazuzu]

Wait, you took the same car back and forth? For $54?

You're supposed to tip heavily for that. Especially if you tip cash. I'm actually surprised you got a driver at all, since you're a zero ride person on a new account asking for a 90 mile round trip, most drivers probably would ignore that request.

But, the drivers (and cars) on Uber have fallen off the cliff the past few years. I've been Ubering for 12 years, back in the day it was courteous drivers in nice cars picking up Friday evening shifts, enough to pay the car note. Now it's angry drivers that don't speak much English driving cars that clearly don't pass the Uber requirements pulling 12 hour shifts.

[faverymi]

I agree the last UBERS that I have been on here in MA are old, stinky, stained not nice vehicles.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Wait, you took the same car back and forth? For $54?

You're supposed to tip heavily for that. Especially if you tip cash. I'm actually surprised you got a driver at all, since you're a zero ride person on a new account asking for a 90 mile round trip, most drivers probably would ignore that request.

For me, the trip was one-way. The driver originated in the town next to me, drove me 45 miles, dropped me off, and went back home. I tipped him $10. My schedule was flexible enough that the driver could pick his time and day. I requested any day this week between 9AM and 3PM. They came back with Tuesday noon.

[ckcarr]

I'd never taken an Uber before either.

But I had to fly back to Chicago and then go out to the Northwest Suburbs...

I was expecting a junker. However what I got was a middle aged Indian man in turban driving a brand new Cadillac. It was a great ride, cost me $55 to get to Lake Zurich from O'Hare.

[Paul T]

I’ve taken hundreds of Ubers, and I find the quality varies dramatically by location. For ex., in Naples FL, vehicles are 98% new, immaculate Tahoe’s or Teslas or something equally nice. A lot of eastern european drivers. In major cities, I find it’s a crap shoot….I’ve had some great ones in DC area and some horrible ones in NYC. The business model sucks for the drivers and is getting worse. I’d say 75% of the time the drivers hand me their personal card so I can call them directly and bypass the uber app entirely.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

I'd never taken an Uber before either.

But I had to fly back to Chicago and then go out to the Northwest Suburbs...

I was expecting a junker. However what I got was a middle aged Indian man in turban driving a brand new Cadillac. It was a great ride, cost me $55 to get to Lake Zurich from O'Hare.

My understanding is they’ll rent a large suv at $200+ a day and run it between two people.

[vash]

I asked a guy and he said he does fairly well. (relative I know)

we paid the guy $150 from northern CA city to Sacramento at 3;30am. it was brutal. he was so chatty and enthusiastic..and I was suffering no coffee, sleepy, had to poop...

my friend paid!! hahha..

[911_Dude]

We spent the winter in Baja last year and used Uber's extensively. They were dirt cheap. I dont think we paid more than $5-6 for in town rides. It was a shocker getting a Uber back in the states. What would have been $3-4 in Baja was $30.

[vash]

80% of the time, the drivers wears way too much cheapass cologne..

[911boost]

I have used Uber for a very long time as well. A $30 Uber is cheaper than a DUI back when that was a concern.

Like everyone has said, it really varies based on where you are. I always tip pretty well and give them 5 stars. In the end it is not much $ to me, but it could make a difference for them.

By the far the best Uber experiences I have had are in Key West. Unreal quick service and clean vehicles.

Worst, Atlanta and Chicago, taxis there suck too.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by vash

80% of the time, the drivers wears way too much cheapass cologne..

Not nearly as bad as the last UBER driver I had who was coughing his head off the whole trip, but was careful not to start hacking 'till it was too late to be let out. Despite opening up the back windows for fresh air, I came down with whatever he had and felt lousy for several days of a vacation.

Haven't used a ride-share since then...

[matthewb0051]

I had a guy in a Tesla as Uber driver. It was a between season, not too hot, not too cold, day and was raining a bit. So he was trying to save his range by not using the AC. By the time I got to destination the windows were fogging up and he finally relented and turned on the AC to rectify.

The Tesla was totally unimpressive. Poor ride in the back.

The other thing that gets me is when the driver lists his/her car as something of the luxury variety. News flash: a Chevy Equinox or Traverse is not a luxury vehicle.

[Cloggie]

I won't use Uber for anything.

They failed to show up for two pickups to go to an airport - one in Denver, one in NL and I do not trust them at all,.

Will never use them again for anything, ever.

D.

[ramonesfreak]

I only use Uber to bring me back and forth to car dealer when I need work done instead of waiting or taking day off work. Works out good for this.

My first Uber drive blew a red light while making a left on a 4 lane 55 mph road.

The system works great for me….but I have not felt safe with any of them. Probably used a dozen times.

[Zeke]

One Uber ride from the auto shop like ramone. It was fine. The shop paid so I didn't tip. I've wondered about that since. The guy was cool and drove well. A shop I use now has their own shuttle. No extra and I like it. I let them leave me short of my house at a convenient drop point headed back their way. I use the walk the rest of the way to get in my quota. I have walked a couple miles from some shops. The tire shop might not even be a whole mile so that's a certain. They would drive me if I asked.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I use them all the time, some are definitely better than others but I’ve never had what I would call a bad experience. Still better than a taxi in the US.

In Korea, Uber basically reserves you a taxi which are quite nice. It also lets you type in your destination in English to get around the language barrier of hailing a cab.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I use them all the time, some are definitely better than others but I’ve never had what I would call a bad experience. Still better than a taxi in the US.

In Korea, Uber basically reserves you a taxi which are quite nice. It also lets you type in your destination in English to get around the language barrier of hailing a cab.

100%. That’s the way I look at it….

[HobieMarty]

Originally Posted by vash

80% of the time, the drivers wears way too much cheapass cologne..

That's to cover up the smell of weed.

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