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What the hell was I thinking these past few years... Uber Eureka

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by MikeOPensacola, Jul 30, 2016.

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  1. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Just had my first Uber experience and loved it. I'll never take a cab again, especially in Las Vegas.

    I recently spent a week in LV and the cabbies there about sent me into orbit with their rude and surly demeanor, trying to long haul me even when given specific directions & just being plain nasty. I signed up for Uber when I got home and I'm so glad I did.

    Ok, so I've made the long overdue transition......for those of you whom are experienced with Uber are there any downsides, catches or things I should watch out for? As always VMBers thanks in advance for any and all help.

    :peace::beer:
     
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  2. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    Haven't had any problems anywhere in the country. I always throw them a few bucks cash tip and thank them for driving.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2016
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  3. brownies95

    brownies95 Low-Roller

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    Looking forward to using Uber for the first time when we are in Vegas this October!
     
  4. bdautch

    bdautch VIP Whale

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    Wait 'till you get a load of Uber Pool. I've been paying $3.00...yes, 3 bucks, for rides that used to cost $6 or $7. I can live with some other person sitting in a different seat if it cuts my ride costs by 50-60%. Now I'm like Uber Pool exclusive.
     
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  5. Porkchop

    Porkchop Low-Roller

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    Uber makes a big deal about "no need to tip", but from what I've read they pay their drivers so poorly that it really does make a big difference for the driver. I always have some bucks cash for the Uber guy/gal, too. I just wish they'd add that tipping ability in-app like Lyft does, and still keep the whole experience cashless.
     
  6. kiki1964

    kiki1964 Tourist

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    Haven't tried Uber yet but will be on next trip in October. Our last trip in May did it for me and cabs. Returning to the airport, the cab makes a right out of the Paris and before we know it we are on the freeway. At first I thought okay, this looks like a long haul but how bad will it be? Well twenty five minutes and almost $35 later I got my answer. I have been long hauled from the airport if not quick enough to catch it a few times in the past, but this was a first. My husband and I were pissed but not going to let it ruin our trip. Lesson learned and the last cab ride in LV for us .

    Thanks for sharing :)
     
  7. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

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    I had only had one bad experience with Uber and they gave me a credit after I complained. Try getting a credit for a bad taxi ride!
     
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  8. bdautch

    bdautch VIP Whale

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    This happens frequently. Whenever a driver takes a flawed route, I enter it into my feedback. Just something quick like, "Can route be evaluated". In less than a day, I've been credited back as much as 40% of what I was originally charged.
     
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  9. jagdan61

    jagdan61 Low-Roller

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    im using Uber for first time In Late/Aug,Sept trip.
     
  10. Ty

    Ty ?

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    The only problem I've had was a couple of mix-ups on pick location. Once we were at the Cal and the driver's app said we were at the Plaza. He called us and found us. Another time, we were at the Outlet Mall.

    Nowadays I call the driver and give specific landmarks, ie, "We are at the Cab pick-up area at the flag pole." when at the Outlet Mall. My last trip the pick-up area at the airport was pretty busy, I told the driver, "I'll be on your immediate left once you come through the u-turn." He pulled up, looked at me, and asked, "You Ty?"

    I also ask if they have a preference where I sit. Some far they've all said no, so I sit up front.
     
  11. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    I'm really leaning toward this. Last time, when I moved from Golden Nugget to Mirage, the taxi driver started going to the freeway and I said "uh-uh". I took him to be Middle Eastern and he mumbled some sort of language the whole way. I still gave him a generous tip for karma purposes.

    Going from Mirage to airport, the driver said the freeway is quicker and I said I have 2 hours before my flight. We were there in less than 15 minutes on Strip to Flamingo yadda-yadda and had a laugh-filled conversation along the way. Tipped him generously, too.

    Does Uber let you decide the route?
     
  12. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    The route is provided by their software but you can always ask that they follow your instructions.
     
  13. Sinatraatthesands

    Sinatraatthesands Low-Roller

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    Sorry but you cost yourself money. Main to Cahrleston. I15 to Spring Mtn. Expressway is cheaper from Golden Nugget to Mirage. You tacked on about $5 sitting at those 20 stoplights.
     
  14. bshowell

    bshowell VIP Whale

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    I love Uber. I will be using it in Vegas. I use it all the time here. And used it on a work trip as well. No downsides and I've been using it since they only had UberBlack.
     
  15. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    Been using uber for over 4 years now, my main advice would be to make sure you also download lyft so that if one is surging, you can check the other.

    Always throw your driver at least a couple bucks, uber has greatly reduced what drivers make over the last couple years.

    And as far as ratings go, always rate your driver 5 stars unless they really suck. It's not like yelp where you would give 3 stars for decent, 4 for good, and 5 for exceptional. With uber, as long as everything is at least acceptable, rate them 5. Drivers need to maintain a high rating to continue driving, I think it's at least 4.6. Giving them 4 stars is basically like giving them an F.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2016
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  16. PTC Larry

    PTC Larry Off We Go

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    Why would I rate someone a 5 if they are a 3.. This is like Giving all the kids a trophy even though they lost and played bad. Rate everyone like they deserve and not to make them feel good!!!!!!.
     
  17. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    If they do something to warrant a lower rating, such as poor driving or not following directions, rate them as you see fit.

    But as long as they do an adequate job, you should rate them a 5. As I said, drivers need to maintain at least a 4.6 average to continue driving. You should only rate less than 5 if the ride was below average. But they shouldn't be required to go above and beyond basic and efficient transportation to earn a 5.
     
  18. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    I agree with you on principle, but when the bottom few percent is below a 4.6 average, then really shouldn't rate "average" a 3 unless you want him/her to possibly be fired. Similar to how a C really sucks in school now. Average is probably closer to a B in a lot of places.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/leaked-charts-show-how-ubers-driver-rating-system-works-2015-2
     
  19. martinr

    martinr Rock Chalk Jayhawk

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    Seems like we all develop our own "bar" of what we accept as our personal standards. Then we judge every experience against that "bar". If you've never had any experience where the ride was more than just "point A to point B" transportation, with no frills in the vehicle or witty conversation or really cool music, then your "bar" has been set pretty low. The first time you do have an experience where any of those things are present, you will probably raise your bar and start grading differently based on that one exceptional ride. Don't be lured into the bells and whistles and forget what the objectives are with these services. We're just trying to get somewhere safely, comfortably and inexpensively. Unless your experience was worthy of lodging a complaint regarding the price, condition of the vehicle, driver's inappropriate behavior or other such issues, do the right thing and grade them the maximum. Plain and simple.
     
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  20. csully71

    csully71 Tourist

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    Couldn't agree more! The service you are paying for is transportation from A to B, rate your driver accordingly. It would almost be nice if the rating system was 1 or 0 to really clarify that anything less than a 5 is not acceptable. Giving that range of numbers gives the user the impression that there is supposed to be a sliding scale of service rather than a yes or no answer of did you get to your destination in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable price.
     
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