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You are pushing the argument a bit by assuming that people will treat it as something different than hitchhiking simply because it's via an app and in-city. The

You are pushing the argument a bit by assuming that people will treat it as something different than hitchhiking simply because it's via an app and in-city. There is no reason to asume that - but I do agree that false advertising from Google and failure to properly inform the users of the risks could expose Google to such a liability. The answer is not to add customer support, but to be honest with the users regarding the risks- and make large commissions in the process.

pron 9y ago
I think that people will almost certainly treat it as something different than hitchhiking, and Google wants them to. In fact, the service depends on it, because if people treated it the same, it would happen at the same frequency as it happens today -- which is hardly at all -- and the service will fail.
- eli 9y ago
  I think you're overestimating how much people can and do rely on Uber support when something goes wrong in an UberPool. And underestimate people's willingness assume all the risks with carpooling with a stranger. I see people lined up for a shared carpool to the DC suburbs every day.
  - BookmarkSaver 9y ago
    I contact Lyft and Uber support multiple times a year for various reasons, and I barely even use Line/Pool. Shit happens. If a company is acting as facilitator and money-handler, they are going to get a lot of customer queries, and they are going to alienate most of them if they aren't prepared for it.
    - eli 9y ago
      Do they do something more than give you a full or partial refund after the fact? I think Google can handle that too.
pavel_lishin 9y ago
> You are pushing the argument a bit by assuming that people will treat it as something different than hitchhiking simply because it's via an app and in-city. Are you suggesting that Google will market this as "it's just like hitchhiking, and is no different, don't @ me"?
naasking 9y ago
> There is no reason to asume that Sure there is, the main one being a public reputation for your prospective hitchhiker that you can check before deciding to pick them up.

pron 9y ago

I think that people will almost certainly treat it as something different than hitchhiking, and Google wants them to. In fact, the service depends on it, because if people treated it the same, it would happen at the same frequency as it happens today -- which is hardly at all -- and the service will fail.

eli 9y ago
I think you're overestimating how much people can and do rely on Uber support when something goes wrong in an UberPool. And underestimate people's willingness assume all the risks with carpooling with a stranger. I see people lined up for a shared carpool to the DC suburbs every day.
- BookmarkSaver 9y ago
  I contact Lyft and Uber support multiple times a year for various reasons, and I barely even use Line/Pool. Shit happens. If a company is acting as facilitator and money-handler, they are going to get a lot of customer queries, and they are going to alienate most of them if they aren't prepared for it.
  - eli 9y ago
    Do they do something more than give you a full or partial refund after the fact? I think Google can handle that too.

pavel_lishin 9y ago

> You are pushing the argument a bit by assuming that people will treat it as something different than hitchhiking simply because it's via an app and in-city. Are you suggesting that Google will market this as "it's just like hitchhiking, and is no different, don't @ me"?

naasking 9y ago

> There is no reason to asume that Sure there is, the main one being a public reputation for your prospective hitchhiker that you can check before deciding to pick them up.