3 ms·

When customers use Uber, they have no real choice in the drivers they are getting, unlike eBay or Craigslist, where they can comparison shop and choose based on

When customers use Uber, they have no real choice in the drivers they are getting, unlike eBay or Craigslist, where they can comparison shop and choose based on seller ratings, product/seller descriptions, and prices. With Uber, you just press a button and Uber gives you a driver that is assigned to you, at a rate that Uber defines. The consumer is penalized for canceling the trip (you can usually get the cancellation fee waived if you have a good reason, i.e. "the driver didn't arrive for 20 minutes and seemed confused when I called them") Rather than merely being a medium for connecting drivers and passengers, Uber the controller of these transactions, and is assuming the role as the provider of the services. There are many other reasons that the eBay/Uber comparison is invalid, which other commenters have given. And, like the original author said, Uber drivers fail the IRS's 20 point test spectacularly.

amyjess 11y ago
> The consumer is penalized for canceling the trip (you can usually get the cancellation fee waived if you have a good reason, i.e. "the driver didn't arrive for 20 minutes and seemed confused when I called them") As somebody who has only used Lyft, this is yet another reason why I won't even touch Uber. I've cancelled many times because a driver accepted a request while sitting in their house and then wasted my time while they (presumably) sat on their ass and watched TV. I've also had drivers call me and ask me to cancel because their car broke down or the app on their phone locked up. I don't want to have to call support and argue with them to waive a fee every time this happens. (oh, and your whole comment was spot on... I was just so shocked when you wrote that Uber operates like that that I had to say something)
ahallock 11y ago
> they have no real choice in the drivers they are getting Have you used Uber? That's a feature. I don't want to comparison shop on Uber; I'm performing a quick action in real-time, often on a busy street or at an airport after a long flight. Plus it's not like you have this huge pool of drivers to compare--at least the times I've used it. People don't want to put huge amounts of effort into a transient experience that gets them from A to B. Now shopping for that antique armoire, of course. > Uber drivers fail the IRS's 20 point test spectacularly Interestingly removing drivers for bad ratings and customer complaints were reasons they gave for failing the IRS test, so I guess no one will ever be satisfied. If Uber is so awful, don't use the service. I mean, barring ISPs, I generally don't use products & services I hate.

amyjess 11y ago

> The consumer is penalized for canceling the trip (you can usually get the cancellation fee waived if you have a good reason, i.e. "the driver didn't arrive for 20 minutes and seemed confused when I called them") As somebody who has only used Lyft, this is yet another reason why I won't even touch Uber. I've cancelled many times because a driver accepted a request while sitting in their house and then wasted my time while they (presumably) sat on their ass and watched TV. I've also had drivers call me and ask me to cancel because their car broke down or the app on their phone locked up. I don't want to have to call support and argue with them to waive a fee every time this happens. (oh, and your whole comment was spot on... I was just so shocked when you wrote that Uber operates like that that I had to say something)

ahallock 11y ago

> they have no real choice in the drivers they are getting Have you used Uber? That's a feature. I don't want to comparison shop on Uber; I'm performing a quick action in real-time, often on a busy street or at an airport after a long flight. Plus it's not like you have this huge pool of drivers to compare--at least the times I've used it. People don't want to put huge amounts of effort into a transient experience that gets them from A to B. Now shopping for that antique armoire, of course. > Uber drivers fail the IRS's 20 point test spectacularly Interestingly removing drivers for bad ratings and customer complaints were reasons they gave for failing the IRS test, so I guess no one will ever be satisfied. If Uber is so awful, don't use the service. I mean, barring ISPs, I generally don't use products & services I hate.