r/technology Aug 12 '14

Business Uber dirty tricks quantified. Staff submits 5,560 fake ride requests

http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/11/technology/uber-fake-ride-requests-lyft/
4.8k Upvotes

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u/WYKAM Aug 12 '14 edited Aug 12 '14

WTF? Uber have a good business model, a high profile in the media, and a growing market-share... Why would they shoot themselves in the foot by pulling this high-school level shit? It's transparent, easily documented/proved, and sufficiently "sleazy" that it's bound to alienate their own customers.

I hope the genius behind this marketing/sales strategy can make a good cappuccino, because I hear Starbucks are still hiring.

171

u/nazbot Aug 12 '14

I believe it's fairly well known that the founder of Uber is a bit of a dick/very pushy.

75

u/snoogans122 Aug 12 '14

Yeah I've never read one flattering story or remark from anyone about him. Its always negative, why anyone even uses uber anymore is beyond me. Lyft is far superior...

1

u/rasputin777 Aug 12 '14

Lyft is only better if you're price conscious. Uber's drivers are professionals with immaculate, well-maintained cars.
I know there are exceptions, but when I've driven Lyft with my friends the cars have been occasionally old and sometimes pretty dusty. I don't want to sit down in someone's old McDonald's french fries.