Uber app sucks

[TimTDP]

I have just created a Uber account.
On my Windows Mobile 8 phone, Uber will not:
1. find my pick up point - I type it it
2. find the destination point to give me a quote!

So what's the point of having Uber..............

 

[DA-LION-619]

It's Windows Phone & it works fine on my phone, make sure you can receive GPS signal.

 

[TimTDP]

Many thanks

It finds my location, near enough - one road out - so gps must be working

 

[OMB]

works fine on android

 

[TimTDP]

Now I understand your handle!!

 

[OMB]

Now I understand your handle!!

who? me?

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Many thanks

It finds my location, near enough - one road out - so gps must be working

No that doesnt sounds like GPS, there is a difference between triangulation(coarse location) and GPS(fine location) Are you sure its switched on?
I have never used Uber but I know many people that have and were very happy with it.

 

[mister]

I have just created a Uber account.
On my Windows Mobile 8 phone, Uber will not:
1. find my pick up point - I type it it
2. find the destination point to give me a quote!

So what's the point of having Uber..............

are you drunk?

 

[DA-LION-619]

are you drunk?

Maybe that's why he needs a Uber ride

 

[mister]

Maybe that's why he needs a Uber ride

That's why I'm asking. The only time I've had trouble with the uber app is when I was drunk!

 

[ghostR]

Yea, Check that your GPS is enabled and mobile data. Generally it is very accurate within 5 meters of my location. Unless your phone GPS has an issue or something.

 

[DominionZA]

How safe is this Uber thing?
My daughter is out tonight and their designated driver has been drinking so the rest of the kids are using Uber to get home at 1AM. Makes me nervous.

EDIT: They have used it before, but much earlier at night and closer. Suppose I am just nervous cause it is so late and they are on the other side of JHB.

 

[ghostR]

How sage is this Uber thing?
My daughter is out tonight and their designated driver had been drinking so the rest of the kids are using Uber to get home at 1AM. Makes me nervous.

Very good, Safer than normal taxi services, Because when you request a taxi you can see their number plate, name, what car they're driving and Uber runs background checks on all the Cars and drivers.

 

[DominionZA]

Very good, Safer than normal taxi services, Because when you request a taxi you can see their number plate, name, what car they're driving and Uber runs background checks on all the Cars and drivers.

Awesome. Nice to hear that. Thanks!

 

[ghostR]

Awesome. Nice to hear that. Thanks!

Yup, Not to mention it's cheaper, more reliable and a helluva lot more convenient than normal taxi services. and you can see in realtime where your driver is and send ETA via whatsapp, facebook etc with a map of where you are and estimated time to reach the destination.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Awesome. Nice to hear that. Thanks!

Do be aware that Uber has had its fair share of safety scandals, including drivers implicated for rape. In these cases, Uber's response has been less than stellar, with a lot of media back-lash.

Haven't used them myself, but I also know they recently got into a lot of trouble with the City of Cape Town recently, with a lot of Uber taxis impounded (because they're not properly licensed as operators).

Uber is more the technology platform, not a taxi company. In my opinion you're still better off going with a reputable taxi company, but you might end up getting a cheaper deal with Uber (although did you hear about that kid in Cape Town who paid like a serious amount of money over New Years?).

Not to scare you or anything, but if it was my daughter I might end up rather phoning the most expensive taxi company I could and paying for it happily.

Edit: Link to Uber story - http://time.com/3626143/uber-india-rape/
Edit: Link to R2800 Uber fare story - http://www.fin24.com/Tech/Companies/Tipsy-teens-Uber-expensive-ride-home-angers-dad-20150102

 

[DominionZA]

Do be aware that Uber has had its fair share of safety scandals, including drivers implicated for rape. In these cases, Uber's response has been less than stellar, with a lot of media back-lash.

Haven't used them myself, but I also know they recently got into a lot of trouble with the City of Cape Town recently, with a lot of Uber taxis impounded (because they're not properly licensed as operators).

Uber is more the technology platform, not a taxi company. In my opinion you're still better off going with a reputable taxi company, but you might end up getting a cheaper deal with Uber (although did you hear about that kid in Cape Town who paid like a serious amount of money over New Years?).

Not to scare you or anything, but if it was my daughter I might end up rather phoning the most expensive taxi company I could and paying for it happily.

Edit: Link to Uber story - http://time.com/3626143/uber-india-rape/

I have read some of those scare stories but none were local in SA. Have there been any?
What makes me feel a bit easier is she is with a few guy friends, so at least not on her own. Else I would drive out to Fourways myself.

 

[ghostR]

Do be aware that Uber has had its fair share of safety scandals, including drivers implicated for rape. In these cases, Uber's response has been less than stellar, with a lot of media back-lash.

Haven't used them myself, but I also know they recently got into a lot of trouble with the City of Cape Town recently, with a lot of Uber taxis impounded (because they're not properly licensed as operators).

Uber is more the technology platform, not a taxi company. In my opinion you're still better off going with a reputable taxi company, but you might end up getting a cheaper deal with Uber (although did you hear about that kid in Cape Town who paid like a serious amount of money over New Years?).

Not to scare you or anything, but if it was my daughter I might end up rather phoning the most expensive taxi company I could and paying for it happily.

Edit: Link to Uber story - http://time.com/3626143/uber-india-rape/
Edit: Link to R2800 Uber fare story - http://www.fin24.com/Tech/Companies/Tipsy-teens-Uber-expensive-ride-home-angers-dad-20150102

Fortunately, There haven't been any cases in south africa yet and I believe that case in india was an isolated one and there haven't been any others anywhere else?

And if you go and click the link on their website in south africa they do say they will perform background checks on the drivers and cars.

Also the reason why their taxis got impounded in CPT was due to other taxi services causing trouble for uber by saying they are committing tax evasion by routing their money through the netherlands.. Although the normal taxi services get paid in cash??

 

[Foxhound5366]

I have read some of those scare stories but none were local in SA. Have there been any?
What makes me feel a bit easier is she is with a few guy friends, so at least not on her own. Else I would drive out to Fourways myself.

In my experience, taxi drivers in SA are dodgy at the best of times, regardless what company they're with.

If your daughter is with friends then it's probably better.

I have no clue how comprehensive Uber's driver background checks are, but I still think there's a difference between 'background checks' and the constant surveillance that exists between an employer taxi company and their employee taxi drivers. Uber drivers don't have that relationship, as I understand it: they're more like independent owner-operators. That takes all bets off the table, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[DominionZA]

It's all good. Her friends band played early so they are done and leaving now. Phew...