4 ms·
Their prices are often worse than yellow cabs in NYC. They act like locals won't be able to tell but it's pretty obvious when it's a $10 more ask at a time that
by nemo44x 8y ago
Their prices are often worse than yellow cabs in NYC. They act like locals won't be able to tell but it's pretty obvious when it's a $10 more ask at a time that isn't even busy and there are yellow cabs everywhere.
- lemoncucumber 8y agoYeah, in SF I've gone back to hailing cabs when uber/lyft are surging significantly.
- baddox 8y agoIn my experience in SF that only works if you happen to be at the front door of a hotel.
- lemoncucumber 8y agoThere are a handful of corridors where you can pretty reliably do it: Market St. and Valencia St. for sure, along with a handful of others. But yeah, doesn't work in many/most parts of the city.
- Androider 8y agoI had a yellow cab driver claim just last month that his credit card machine was broken, after a ride from the airport into Manhattan. I told him too bad, plastic is all I got, and wouldn't you know it miraculously the machine worked when he tried it (with a sour face). As a cherry on top he then tried to charge me more than the fixed rate set for the airport fares. So taking a yellow cab in NYC still absolutely sucks in 2018 and you'll get swindled if you're a tourist.
- nemo44x 8y agoI'm not defending yellow cabs here. There's a reason ride-share has taken so much of their market. I'm just pointing out how ridiculous Uber is by trying to charge me significantly more than a yellow cab to get somewhere when I can ballpark the cost pretty easily. It's just a very poor longterm business decision. Only now do I try other services because I am suspicious that Uber is trying to rip me off.
- chrisseaton 8y ago> I'm just pointing out how ridiculous Uber is by trying to charge me significantly more than a yellow cab They charge more... for a better service. It's not some kind of con or scheme or a rip-off.
- nemo44x 8y agoThey charge 2 different prices at the same time for the same ride to 2 different people. And they aren’t clear about this. I didn’t say it’s a con and sometimes they charge less. But it’s certainly a practice that makes me skeptical and check out other services.
- sjg007 8y agoI am pretty sure that Amazon.com and Sears.com do this too.
- nemo44x 8y agoFor different locations, yes. But if my wife and I, at the same time and same location try and buy the exact same thing, we are given the same price. This is a case of Uber using a variety of algorithms to determine just how much they can get out of you. I prefer the old surge pricing model where it was a conscious choice to overpay. But however clever they may think they are I’m not fooled by their fake market pricing. Only now do I look for cabs and have accounts on competitors when I’m sure Uber is mispricing actual market value.
- sjg007 8y agoNope. I had two tabs open with different prices.
- DenisM 8y agoDid you know that Google Maps shows both Uber and Lyft price at the same time? Very handy for comparison.
- ghostly_s 8y agoCabbies have been pulling this scam all over the US for years. Got it constantly in Minneapolis ten years ago when I lived there.
- jmathai 8y agoBeen there. And if you pay for a $30 fare with $40 they won't have change to give you and will "keep the tip". I believe that's the last time I took a cab anywhere.
- nemo44x 8y agoJust tell them to fuck off. When you hand them money tell them how much you want back. I assume they know I’m from here so I dont see that side but I’ve had them try some shit and you just need to do battle. In the end you’ll always win. They have change. Their credit card machine works. If they claim neither then give them below fare and walk out. They will suddenly have change and a working credit card machine.
- deminature 8y agoPool is an option in NYC though, which is usually 1/3 of the price of a taxi/X and effectively reduces traffic.
- kchhina 8y agoVia is another great option in NYC that I use all the time.
- nemo44x 8y agoEveryone I know says Via is much better than Pool. I don’t really use either but my wife takes Via to work as it’s only $2.50 more than the Subway and often gets the front seat. I don’t know if I could though. I have a certain love for getting on the crowded morning subway. It gives you something to legitimately hate anyways.
- chapium 8y agoIf you dont like the price, decline it. The fare is what uber thinks you will pay for the service, not some agreed upon rate by the locals.
- nemo44x 8y agoThat’s my entire point - I decline it and use another service. I didn’t do this before when they only used surge pricing and were upfront about it. This is, IMO, a very short sighted business practice. And my disuse of Uber is possibly widespread hence the massive growth shrink.