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I 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, plast

I 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 ago
I'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 ago
    They 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 ago
      I am pretty sure that Amazon.com and Sears.com do this too.
      - nemo44x 8y ago
        For 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 ago
        Nope. I had two tabs open with different prices.
- DenisM 8y ago
  Did you know that Google Maps shows both Uber and Lyft price at the same time? Very handy for comparison.
ghostly_s 8y ago
Cabbies 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 ago
Been 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 ago
  Just 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.

nemo44x 8y ago

I'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 ago
  They 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 ago
    I am pretty sure that Amazon.com and Sears.com do this too.
    - nemo44x 8y ago
      For 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 ago
        Nope. I had two tabs open with different prices.
DenisM 8y ago
Did you know that Google Maps shows both Uber and Lyft price at the same time? Very handy for comparison.

ghostly_s 8y ago

Cabbies 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 ago

Been 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 ago
Just 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.