Stories Uber drivers tell

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Sideshow Bob

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Story of uber driver who dropped us from airport. Says business is terrible and after some time says he owns 3 cars and then when asked why he doesn't sell if it is not profitable, then basically same answer - which is he gets customers to call him directly. I also asked him if he kept on buying cars if business is at a loss? Then he said something about social responsibility as he gives employment.

funny. At times, he said when uber started, they had great surge pricing and that they have cut down now. Again I asked point blank that surge pricing means customer pays more for same distance so maybe customers complained and he says no and uber makes more profit during surge but it doesn't pass it on to drivers.

He owned a 3 year old Hyundai H1 which we were in - and I said that I won't be able to afford it and he is doing quite well despite all these losses.

He wasn't SA citizen but said government should copy uber app and subsidize it for them to make money for struggling people like him.

All uber drivers in other countries also told us same sad story. No business apparently. Many were well off though as during conversation, they slipped information like where their children are studying etc.. I suspect this was done intentionally in anticipation of a tip.
 
.....and disclosing that he competes with his employer. A clear conflict of interest. He is blatantly dishonest imho.
 
surface said:
Story of uber driver who dropped us from airport. Says business is terrible and after some time says he owns 3 cars and then when asked why he doesn't sell if it is not profitable, then basically same answer - which is he gets customers to call him directly. I also asked him if he kept on buying cars if business is at a loss? Then he said something about social responsibility as he gives employment.

funny. At times, he said when uber started, they had great surge pricing and that they have cut down now. Again I asked point blank that surge pricing means customer pays more for same distance so maybe customers complained and he says no and uber makes more profit during surge but it doesn't pass it on to drivers.

He owned a 3 year old Hyundai H1 which we were in - and I said that I won't be able to afford it and he is doing quite well despite all these losses.

He wasn't SA citizen but said government should copy uber app and subsidize it for them to make money for struggling people like him.

All uber drivers in other countries also told us same sad story. No business apparently. Many were well off though as during conversation, they slipped information like where their children are studying etc.. I suspect this was done intentionally in anticipation of a tip.
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Tell him to fck off. SA is over crowded.
 
Pax said:
.....and disclosing that he competes with his employer. A clear conflict of interest. He is blatantly dishonest imho.
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He did say he only uses uber to get customers to contact him later on directly. He sounded quite angry. I asked him how I was supposed to have used his services without uber and his only answer was government subsidized app for "poor" taxi owners like him.
 
surface said:
Story of uber driver who dropped us from airport. Says business is terrible and after some time says he owns 3 cars and then when asked why he doesn't sell if it is not profitable, then basically same answer - which is he gets customers to call him directly. I also asked him if he kept on buying cars if business is at a loss? Then he said something about social responsibility as he gives employment.

funny. At times, he said when uber started, they had great surge pricing and that they have cut down now. Again I asked point blank that surge pricing means customer pays more for same distance so maybe customers complained and he says no and uber makes more profit during surge but it doesn't pass it on to drivers.

He owned a 3 year old Hyundai H1 which we were in - and I said that I won't be able to afford it and he is doing quite well despite all these losses.

He wasn't SA citizen but said government should copy uber app and subsidize it for them to make money for struggling people like him.

All uber drivers in other countries also told us same sad story. No business apparently. Many were well off though as during conversation, they slipped information like where their children are studying etc.. I suspect this was done intentionally in anticipation of a tip.
Click to expand...
Probably was an attempt to solicit a tip. I know one lady I used to work with got in early and was making a killing getting other guy to drive cars that she financed. Like thousands per week profit.
Its less now with all the competition but people are still doing it so must still be money in it.

Surge pricing is how Uber encourages drivers to service a location or timeslot. So on new years eve you will pay more, especially at certain times.
You always know when surge pricing is in place because you will be quoted accordingly.
 
surface said:
Story of uber driver who dropped us from airport. Says business is terrible and after some time says he owns 3 cars and then when asked why he doesn't sell if it is not profitable, then basically same answer - which is he gets customers to call him directly. I also asked him if he kept on buying cars if business is at a loss? Then he said something about social responsibility as he gives employment.

funny. At times, he said when uber started, they had great surge pricing and that they have cut down now. Again I asked point blank that surge pricing means customer pays more for same distance so maybe customers complained and he says no and uber makes more profit during surge but it doesn't pass it on to drivers.

He owned a 3 year old Hyundai H1 which we were in - and I said that I won't be able to afford it and he is doing quite well despite all these losses.

He wasn't SA citizen but said government should copy uber app and subsidize it for them to make money for struggling people like him.

All uber drivers in other countries also told us same sad story. No business apparently. Many were well off though as during conversation, they slipped information like where their children are studying etc.. I suspect this was done intentionally in anticipation of a tip.
Click to expand...
Yup does does like a sop story in hope of a Tip. I don't have many stereotypical traits but trait I do posses is when somebody tries guilt me with a sad story on how they are struggling, I immediately respond with my own sad sop story, that usually shuts them up.
 
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Polymathic said:
Yup does does like a sop story in hope of a Twitter. I don't have many stereotypical traits but trait I do posses is when somebody tries guilt me with a sad story on how they are struggling, I immediately respond with my own sad sop story, that usually shuts them up.
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I bet you have many to tell. :p:p
 
panic mechanic said:
Put your headphones on and stop talking to bums
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On the contrary, it was quite interesting conversation. I hardly use uber so not used to it. Also, it just so happened that his story seems totally what most uber drivers told me recently so I will probably put on headphones from now on. :ROFL::ROFL:
 
Everyone seems to love the free market until times get hard then they all look for taxpayer bailouts.
 
Bigjay84 said:
Everyone seems to love the free market until times get hard then they all look for taxpayer bailouts.
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yeah. What pissed me off is 2 things.
1. He said he was happy with uber during initial 3 years when he benefited from surge pricing but that meant that I as a customer was being ripped off way more in those days.
2. Also, he said they all are going to show it uber by getting customers to contact them directly as much as possible.

I really get that covid has hit transport industry hard but he owned 3 cars (SUV and 2 sedans) so it was not like he was poor as he was projecting himself to be.
 
MikeaMatrix said:
Haven't needed to use an Uber in a long time.
Would like a "No talking option". Would gladly tip a dude if he would just stfu and drive.
Last time I used one, guy spent 30mins ride just complaining about his wife, trying to get feedback from me.
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As a afterthought, I riled him up by showing that he was greedy and that absolved me from guilt of not paying him any tip. So, it was worth it. :cool:
 
I suppose if we had proper cab drivers in SA, like in NYC, or elsewhere civilized, you would hear all sorts of things,

take it as you will, some enjoy it, others dont,
its almost the same as Talking in an elevator, some do it, and others dont.
 
eg2505 said:
I suppose if we had proper cab drivers in SA, like in NYC, or elsewhere civilized, you would hear all sorts of things,

take it as you will, some enjoy it, others dont,
its almost the same as Talking in an elevator, some do it, and others dont.
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Took a taxi in Washington, DC once. It was short distance and I think fare was close to 7 dollars so I rounded it to 10 dollar and driver was quite chirpy about it. It seems the locals pay 5 dollars as a tip for that distance. I didn't give extra 2 dollars.

Tip is not a right in my opinion. Be nice and I will definitely give. Be nasty and get nothing.
 
surface said:
Tip is not a right in my opinion. Be nice and I will definitely give. Be nasty and get nothing.
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agreed, Tip is not a Right, but some people think it is,
especially people who think driving an uber is Graduating from Being a car guard, where you get money for standing and hassling people with your stupid hand signals.
 
eg2505 said:
agreed, Tip is not a Right, but some people think it is,
especially people who think driving an uber is Graduating from Being a car guard, where you get money for standing and hassling people with your stupid hand signals.
Click to expand...
In 2 minds about car guards. Definitely a nuisance but if they keep away after I show irritation at their wild signals, I am more likely to pay them a bit. Times have been hard especially after covid. Giving 10 rands is absolutely nothing for us but means a lot to them. It becomes 30 rands if you visit 3 places though so it depends on situation.
 
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