I used Uber for the first time. Neat.

[leftyladyfrommo]

It probably took 5 minutes for the car to come. Driver was really nice.

The prices were very reasonable
And their app was easy.

[VarryOn]

1. I travel lots for work and am a huge fan of theirs and Lyft...

I rarely rent a car and havent used a cab in a long time.

I generally try to stay near airports when I travel, and it got so tiring to have a bitchy cab driver when I told them I needed to go just off-airport. A couple times, I was actually invited to leave the cab. Totally mindful that short-hauls are the bane of cabbies, I always quickly offered a big tip. Still, it rarely assuaged. And that's many cabs have minimum fees. That didnt matter.

Anyway, with Lyft and Uber, the days of a petulant cabbie for me over a short haul are done are done. With Lyft or Uber, the driver sees the route before accepting. If they dont like it, they dont have to accept it. And i always tip well especially on short trips.

I love the drivers I meet with ride-sharing. I do wish they made more and always do my part to help.

The cab industry will hopefully get with the times...and maybe I'll go back.

[Major Nikon]

7. I've been told the same thing many times by cabbies

Sometimes you have to go through several to find one that will take you on a short trip. Cars are usually dirty and sometimes smell. Drivers get rude with you for no reason.

I don’t miss them.

[VarryOn]

9. Competition is a good thing! Nt

[Arkansas Granny]

2. I use Uber 2-3 times a month. Far better than our local cab company.

They arrive quickly, the cars are clean and the drivers are neat & respectable looking. Its well worth the higher price, IMO.

[skypilot]

3. Higher price?

Are you using Uber during the surge pricing times? My Uber rides are more often than not less than the price of a cab.

[Major Nikon]

8. I took a 30 minute Uber ride in Lima for $9

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. Oh shoot. I didn't even think about tipping. Damn

It was a short run. Now I feel bad.

[cwydro]

5. The app usually gives you a prompt to tip.

At least it did when I used it. Maybe that was Lyft.

But I’ve always been a tipper. College days of working for tips has ensured that.

[VarryOn]

6. Uber used to not prompt for a tip...

So a cash tip was necessary.

But, for the last year or so, the app now promos for a tip at drop off.

Now, if we could just get Sonic to allow tipping when you pay on the screen after you order!! One of the mysteries of life on why they don’t have tipping when you pay with a debit or credit card. Lol

[cwydro]

17. Yeah, I think it was Lyft I used.

You could even add it afterwards if you had forgotten. Good idea.

[Major Nikon]

11. I always try to give cash when I can

The drivers seem to appreciate it more.

[VarryOn]

18. They can keep it free and clear...

Of giving anyone else (Uber, city govt, state govt, fed govt, etc) a cut. I’d like it better, too!

[Dem2theMax]

10. I am going to be without a car for the first time in my adult life.

And I live in an area with no public transportation. So I am going to have to use Uber and Lyft.

Can anyone share some basic advice with me. How do I avoid surge times? What is an average tip? Anything anyone can tell me that they think will help me, I would really appreciate it.

[smirkymonkey]

14. Hi Dem!

I use Uber/Lyft a lot, but I am in a fairly large city so there is a lot of availability. It's kind of difficult to avoid surge times because if you need to get someplace during rush hour when the weather is bad, the prices will be more expensive, but sometimes I will be pleasantly surprised and they aren't as high as I think they will be. Also, they can change tremendously within the span of 15 minutes or so, it's just a matter of waiting it out.


Most of my trips are about $11 to $15 and I tip around $3 or $4 depending upon service. Sometimes, if rates are really inflated, I won't tip, but feel kind of bad about it. Most of the drivers are really nice and have little treats like bottled water, mints, tissues, etc. in their cars. One of the drivers I had the other day heard me coughing and gave me a wrapped Halls cough drop. I have to admit, I am a little addicted to the service. I should really use public transportation more, but I love the convenience.

[Dem2theMax]

15. smirkymonkey, thank you so much!

Your information has really helped me. I was at a total loss, and now I feel like I can go into this knowing what to expect.

We don't even have bus service where I live, so everyone is dependent on their cars. My car was just deemed a lemon, and Hyundai is buying it back. Sometime in the next few weeks or month, it is going to disappear and I won't have transportation.

I don't want to rush into buying a new or used car, (hopefully used, so I don't have to make payments,) so I wanted to be able to rely on Uber and Lyft while I make up my mind what to do.

Thank you for sharing all of this information with me. It has helped to calm me down from the panic of not having a car!

[smirkymonkey]

16. Anytime, Dem2theMax and welcome to DU!

I hope everything works out well for you!

[Dem2theMax]

19. Thank you for the welcome.

I must be invisible, because I've been here since 2004. Lol! I don't post very often, but I've been a member since 2004.

[LeftInTX]

21. Have you also checked into rentals?

Rentals might be more economical if you do alot of driving etc.

I rent whenever my car is in the garage. It isn't too expensive.

[Dem2theMax]

22. That thought briefly crossed my mind.

And I totally forgot about it. Thank you so much for reminding me. That would be an easy way for me to go.

[HeiressofBickworth]

12. As i said in a previous post,

I have been being treated for cancer. While i was at the rehab facility getting to the clinic and back wasn't a problem as the facility furnished transportation. Once I got home, it became a problem. Family members and friends have jobs and cant take time off to cart me around. Due to my broken hip, I can't drive myself. My daughter set me up with an Uber account. Problem solved. Never took more than 5 minutes for a car to arrive, drivers were helpful in getting me in and out of the car and I was always on time for my appointment. Cars were always clean and comfortable. My first ride was a real adventure: I was picked up by a brand new shiny red Tesla.

[JonLP24]

13. I would go with Lyft or something

Uber's CEO is a POS.

Uber chief tries to backpedal after calling Khashoggi murder ‘a mistake’

Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief executive of Uber, has attempted to limit the damage after calling the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi “a mistake” similar to a fatal accident that occurred during tests of his company’s self-driving car.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national resident in the US, and a severe critic of the Saudi regime who wrote for the Washington Post, was murdered in Istanbul last year after visiting the Saudi Arabian consulate there. His body was dismembered and disposed of.

His death has been described by Agnès Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, as a “deliberate, premeditated execution” that warrants further investigation into the responsibility of the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

The prince is a key US ally close to Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and chief adviser.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/technology/2019/nov/11/uber-jamal-khashoggi-saudi-arabia-mistake-dara-khosrowshahi

I didn't even get into their labor practices.

[Totally Tunsie]

20. I'd love to try Uber sometime, especially for trips to the airport.

Last edited Sat Dec 14, 2019, 05:19 AM - Edit history (2)

I live in the suburbs, tho, about an hour from Logan in Boston, and I'd be terrified that no-one would want to make the drive at the time I needed it. What then? Too late to call a limo service. Then, on the return, I'd have to find someone willing to take me to the boonies. Could be a long wait!

In contrast, a limo service is a reserved and guaranteed ride, but a pricey one. For me, from home to Logan is $235 round trip, and I generally tip 25% for handling my luggage. Most of the flights I take are less than the limo!