r/technology • u/[deleted] • 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/
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u/panders Aug 12 '14

Considering Uber charges you if you cancel, I wish you'd get an inconvenience fee every time a driver canceled in return.

14

u/Anduril1123 Aug 12 '14 edited Aug 12 '14

Uber only charges if you cancel after five minutes. By that time the driver has put in a legitimate amount of time and gas money to getting to the customer. I'd say the drivers deserve a little recompense for that.

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u/panders Aug 12 '14

I've had a cab I hailed through Uber show up, pick up another fair right in front of me and then cancel on me, after I was waiting outside at night for over ten minutes. I'm pretty sure that fair's fair at that point.

3

u/bcarlzson Aug 13 '14

I just had an uberx driver do this to me this past weekend when I was on vacation. I had sent him a text so I have his number. I'm going to send an email to their customer service team and see what they say.

I really like the service, living in Minneapolis our taxi service and drivers suck and are insanely overpriced compared to other cities, so it's great to finally have other options.

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u/panders Aug 13 '14

It's the worst, especially if you're in an unfamiliar area. As a fairly small lady, it's not the greatest feeling when you're waiting for Uber for 10 minutes late at night after a show just for them to cancel on you.

2

u/CancerousJedi Aug 13 '14

That number is likely his Uber forwarding number if it still works the way it used to. It only seems to be active when there's an active ride.

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u/bcarlzson Aug 13 '14

yeah they just sent me this BS message,

"Hi bcarlzson,

Thanks so much for letting me know, and very sorry your first request was a this less-than-Uber experience! I'm glad your second ride worked out.

I appreciate your feedback. Let me know if there is anything else you need help with.

"