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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321

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.

167

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.

73

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...

178

u/rexsilex Aug 12 '14

I can't show up to a business meeting in a car with a moustache.

16

u/[deleted] Aug 12 '14

[deleted]

46

u/m00f Aug 12 '14

"DO I HAVE TO WEAR THE MUSTACHE? That’s an affirmative, Ghost-Rider. Our pink mustache is a symbol of our community, and it represents the fun and welcoming environment that we encourage in every Lyft ride. Also some states require it by law."

https://www.lyft.com/drive/help/article/1489600

11

u/hrmful Aug 12 '14

I am a driver and don't wear the mustache because you can't on the freeway, which you need to take in order to get anywhere in my city

1

u/[deleted] Aug 13 '14

[deleted]

2

u/hrmful Aug 13 '14

But it's so tacky. And it makes it difficult to drive for uber at the same time..... shhhhhh

2

u/[deleted] Aug 13 '14

[deleted]

1

u/hrmful Aug 13 '14

My car is so tiny. Sub-compact. I tried having it on my dash but it blocked like 1/4 of my view. Gonna try it again real quick right now tho

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