Uber.... Pls explain.

[gprsh924]

Again, that's simply not how the app works, but feel free to believe whatever you want. I've taken 500+ rides on uber and have experienced a fare being different that what I previewed/agreed/accepted exactly zero times.

[gprsh924]

Btw, not a fanboy at all. Actually disappointed with quality in Uber and lyft lately. I mostly use Via for my commute now (shared rides in black SUV livery vehicles).

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by Macroni

what is the economics behind it?

Everything must be re-monetized. Out with the old and in with the new. In our modern "app" world that means taxis are not cool and we need "ride sharing." When you say sharing nowadays, in the new Internet paradigm, that means someone gets paid and someone else does not. Sharing, when stated in Internet terms, means stealing. (Look at the music industry for proof. Napster, etc.) ("Apple never saw a good idea it wasn't happy to steal." Steve Jobs)

Uber is a brilliant way to grab the young people and make it hip to get around town using their phones. Their phones are sewn onto their hand and it has become a part of their body. Any schlub can hail a taxi. The cool kids Uber. And some clever sociopath enriches him or herself in the process.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by Mike80911

The whole thing makes no sense anyway why charge more when there is higher volume? Is there any extra service given is the driver doing any extra driving? You are getting exactly the same service as you would at any other time and traveling the same distance. Surge pricing is a scam to make more money.

Actually, surge pricing is brilliant. If there aren't enough drivers on the road to meet demand, pricing goes up. The higher rates entice more drivers to get out there to meet the demand. Simple economics.

Contrast this with the traditional experience, where you get to wait for well over an hour to get a cab in some cities (Vancouver) during peak times.

[sugarwood]

Uber is amazing.

I used it in LA and SanFran.

It's way cheaper.

Instead of hailing a cab out on the street, you just tap your phone and a guy will be dispatched and arrive within a few minutes.
Need a larger van for luggage or 5 people? Just click that on your phone.

You can wait inside the hotel/restaurant/bar until the cab arrives.

You know the fare ahead of time.
Due to modern GPS and Maps, you even know when you'll arrive at the destination.

The market forces ensure that you will never get screwed by some rigged meter or some jerk driving in circles to pad the fare.

No need to dick around with tipping, either.

Uber is simply amazing on every level. I will never go back to yellow cabs, ever.

I am sure when the telephone was invented, clueless luddites were whining about how they can just walk down the street and talk to whomever they wanted. Or write a letter.
Some people get the obvious, some people never will.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Mike80911

The whole thing makes no sense anyway why charge more when there is higher volume?

Supply and demand...period. So it does make sense. Higher prices discourage riders and attract drivers.

When it is -40F and the options are standing on the street looking for a cab or using Uber and seeing when the cab is outside your door, the decision is easy.

[Gogar]

Demand pricing is a pretty basic concept.

If you don't understand it or it upsets you, it's simply because you had 'demand.'

[SoCal911T]

Demand pricing has been around for decades.

[Macroni]

Thanks…...

[TimT]

In the past week I have been in Charleston, WV. Knoxville, TN.. Gatlinburg, TN.. Asheville, NC. and Roanoke, Va...

For snits and giggles my gf and I checked Uber and Lyft in those cities...

If there was a single car available when we checked that was a surprise.. Seems like these on demand car services have not made in roads into the smaller cities

Was in San Diego and Smell A a few weeks ago and used Lyft almost exclusively...

These type of services are really quite convenient..

[Mike80911]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Demand pricing is a pretty basic concept.

If you don't understand it or it upsets you, it's simply because you had 'demand.'

I understand the basic concepts of business very well I own two businesses myself. I do not charge my customers double during my busier times simply because I can. I consider this to be a poor business model. My customers deserve to be treated fairly and pay a fair price for the goods or services received.
In actuality in NY this upcharge is price gouging and it is illegal under General Business Law § 396-r. The law even lists taxis and liveries specifically.

[Mike80911]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Again, that's simply not how the app works, but feel free to believe whatever you want. I've taken 500+ rides on uber and have experienced a fare being different that what I previewed/agreed/accepted exactly zero times.

Well I guess that makes me a liar. I am relaying an experience I had with Uber and because it never happened to you means it never happened? Google Uber and see if they have ever made a mistake with billing for rides. Like billing people twice for the same ride or billing people for rides they never took. How about the woman in NY who was billed $15,000 for a ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan?

[mattdavis11]

Uber is a highly efficient transportation service in which cities/municipalities wish to learn and earn from. It is a business of the people, created by the people, for the people....

Fk'n liberals ran them out of town here. So if you intend to attend F1 in the states, find another service.

[Gogar]

Oh just go to Torchys and get herself a spicy something or other and forget your woes about uber

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Mike80911

I understand the basic concepts of business very well I own two businesses myself. I do not charge my customers double during my busier times simply because I can. I consider this to be a poor business model. My customers deserve to be treated fairly and pay a fair price for the goods or services received.
In actuality in NY this upcharge is price gouging and it is illegal under General Business Law § 396-r. The law even lists taxis and liveries specifically.

I actually agree with you, I just don't think that the government should prohibit Uber from using "demand pricing." I think consumers will do it on their own, over time.

Notification informs the consumer of a choice, and "gouging" ceases to exist upon notification. An Uber ride is not a right.

I choose what I want. If Uber is in a 'demand pricing' state and my $5 ride might be $30, I decline. Market forces at work.


For the same reasons, I choose a taxi over a livery cab, or a limo. My choice.

[jyl]

Uber works very well for the customer. Convenient, inexpensive, good service. Cars are clean, drivers are competent, no tipping.

I don't know how well it works for the drivers. There's always been a fair bit of controversy there. Still, people keep driving for Uber, and no one forces then to do so.

It is pretty hard on the taxi companies, but that's life in a competitive market. The very best taxi company in Portland is RadioCab, their drivers are still surviving, and I still use RadioCab about half the time, Uber the rest of the time, and I don't use the crappy taxi companies.

I used to be happy my daughter had Uber available in her college town, so that she could get home safely after a late night at the library or a party. Then Eugene kicked Uber out of town, and that eliminated a safe, affordable transportation option.

One of my friends drives Uber part time, to make a little money. I'm glad he has that option.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've been billed incorrectly for one Uber ride, I submitted a protest and it was reversed within 24 hours. Not too shabby. I've also encountered surge pricing and it has always informed me up front of the increase in charge before my ride, which I don't find to be unfair.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by jyl

It is pretty hard on the taxi companies

Here in Philadelphia, a taxi medallion was valued at $500,000, they are now reduced to $10,000 at the latest auction. Uber has changed the marketplace.

I do not understand how an unregulated vendor can just enter a marketplace and be able to operate unrestricted while the incumbent is still required to maintain the standards established by the community in the same marketplace. I do not understand how these small business owners can have not only their livelihood disrupted but their substantial investments in the medallions wiped out.

I understand the horse whip factory closing but this seems different. Especially considering they lost $1.2 Billion dollars. This gives the impression that their product is being sold under the true cost of a viable enterprise.

[wildthing]

I think the NYC location issues can be attributed to GPS not accurate due to tall buildings. I am speculating since I have never used my GPS on the phone while in NYC.

I use Uber infrequently: trips to airports, getting to and from the indie shop where my PCar gets work done... I once rode a Pontiac Aztek.

[Mike80911]

Originally Posted by Macroni

Here in Philadelphia, a taxi medallion was valued at $500,000, they are now reduced to $10,000 at the latest auction. Uber has changed the marketplace.

I do not understand how an unregulated vendor can just enter a marketplace and be able to operate unrestricted while the incumbent is still required to maintain the standards established by the community in the same marketplace. I do not understand how these small business owners can have not only their livelihood disrupted but their substantial investments in the medallions wiped out.

I understand the horse whip factory closing but this seems different. Especially considering they lost $1.2 Billion dollars. This gives the impression that their product is being sold under the true cost of a viable enterprise.

Exactly and the medallion taxi industry is regulated by the city and fare prices are dictated by the city taxi and limo commission. Uber is not only unregulated but they can charge whatever they want.