Tipping Uber drivers in Australia

[odysseus]

The tipping thing is complex. It has its pros and cons. For the most part, you do get much better customer service in the US.

The trouble with Australia is you don't get the same level of service and yet they ask for a tip.

To each their own, but my latest trip to the US I wasn't impressed with the service. Sure, where you're paying tips, the service is 'greater,' but often ingratiatingly so. And you pay a high dollar for the price - restaurant prices are similar base prices to here e.g. "$30" for a main, but then you have taxes and tips and conversion on top. You pay way more in just an older, or suburban restaurant than you do here.

Alternatively, where you don't pay a tip, the service is _shocking_. Seriously, bus drivers abusing people, telling customers to get back, shouting at them, retail workers ignoring you, forgetting about you, grunting, or one of the best, the supermarket cashier who was playing with her phone, we had to wait for her when we put our things on the belt, she said nothing at all the whole transaction, didn't look at us, waited for us to pay, then just put the change on the counter and turned right back to her phone.

Certainly, there is better and worse service here, but I've never experienced such bad service as in the US where people aren't tipped e.g. fast food, or the examples above. And as said, where you do tip, you pay a lot more for that 'service.' And I've also had really good service here, without tips, especially in high end boutiques, but even department stores e.g. Myer are still better.

 

[odysseus]

But how does it do that? I honestly don't know so am asking the question here, but are higher-rated drivers given more work by the system? Do they get preference over lower-rated drivers? If this doesn't happen, the only logical way higher-rated drivers could get more work is if the passenger was able to pick who they wanted to be picked up by, and that doesn't happen.

Uber keep their allocation algorithm tightly hidden. However, there are definite penalties for lower rated drivers from warnings, less pick-ups and suspension.

Benefits for higher rated drivers is less certain. While some speculate you may get better allocations e.g. less waiting and there's been mention of it in limited circumstances, it could also be the same for many others getting a good result in their performance reviews... just no complaints, and carry on with what you're doing.

 

[justinbrett]

To each their own, but my latest trip to the US I wasn't impressed with the service. Sure, where you're paying tips, the service is 'greater,' but often ingratiatingly so. And you pay a high dollar for the price - restaurant prices are similar base prices to here e.g. "$30" for a main, but then you have taxes and tips and conversion on top. You pay way more in just an older, or suburban restaurant than you do here.

Alternatively, where you don't pay a tip, the service is _shocking_. Seriously, bus drivers abusing people, telling customers to get back, shouting at them, retail workers ignoring you, forgetting about you, grunting, or one of the best, the supermarket cashier who was playing with her phone, we had to wait for her when we put our things on the belt, she said nothing at all the whole transaction, didn't look at us, waited for us to pay, then just put the change on the counter and turned right back to her phone.

Certainly, there is better and worse service here, but I've never experienced such bad service as in the US where people aren't tipped e.g. fast food, or the examples above. And as said, where you do tip, you pay a lot more for that 'service.' And I've also had really good service here, without tips, especially in high end boutiques, but even department stores e.g. Myer are still better.

I guess we can’t say definitively that one country is more expensive than the other, but in my experience food was a lot cheaper in the US. However, this is obviously affected by the exchange rate, which is rather low at the moment. Dinner and drinks in Australia can easily cost you $80 per person (I would say $30-40 for a main is standard, whereas $15-20 is standard in the US). In my experience, once you add tax and tip, the prices are then about the same. But a few years ago when our dollar was higher, it was much cheaper. Also keep in mind, most meals in the US are double the size of those here which means you get a free lunch the next day with the leftovers.

Also, you need to compare like for like. Going out to eat in Manhattan is much more expensive than somewhere in middle America - just as a restaurant in Sydney CBD is going to cost a lot more than your local at Ryde or even Marrickville.

All of your retail / transport examples may be valid, but I’ve experienced them here also. I think you’re much more likely to be ignored in a shop here (especially Myer) than in the US. Fast food in the US is very cheap, our fast food is rather expensive (often not much more to get a proper meal at your local pub). And this is OT, since neither country tips for these services.

 

[DC3]

To each their own, but my latest trip to the US I wasn't impressed with the service ... And I've also had really good service here, without tips, especially in high end boutiques, but even department stores e.g. Myer are still better.

Getting a bit O/T, but great service in Macy’s and Bloomingdales for me, consistently. Beats Myer hands down.

 

[dajop]

Getting a bit O/T, but great service in Macy’s and Bloomingdales for me, consistently. Beats Myer hands down.

Continuing to stray off topic (but why not to make a point ) service in Big W and the Reject Shop also beats Myer hands down (these days)

 

[Moody]

Back on topic for a change

So I posed the question “Has anyone here never tipped a taxi driver?” I take it from the silence that you all have.

SO WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT UBER ENABLING THE EXACT SAME FACILITY???

 

[Flying mermaid]

Back on topic for a change

So I posed the question “Has anyone here never tipped a taxi driver?” I take it from the silence that you all have.

SO WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT UBER ENABLING THE EXACT SAME FACILITY???

No need to yell (even if it is a very Moody thing to do - he was a real grump).

 

[DC3]

Back on topic for a change

So I posed the question “Has anyone here never tipped a taxi driver?” I take it from the silence that you all have ...

I have never not tipped a taxi driver. Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have responded as you are after the always-non-tippers to respond.

 

[dajop]

So I posed the question “Has anyone here never tipped a taxi driver?” I take it from the silence that you all have.

Never "tipped" a taxi driver in Australia. But often let them keep the change

 

[JohnK]

And when someone at the team dinner says "It comes to $45 each with a tip", Ekka insists on paying the exact amount.

Me too. If it's one thing I don't like is someone telling me how much I have to pay and whether I tip or not. I know exactly how much I have to pay from what I've ordered. Let me decide if I want to tip.

And I don't tip taxi drivers for doing their job. I round up to nearest dollar or $5 depending on the fare.

 

[DC3]

... And I don't tip taxi drivers for doing their job. I round up to nearest dollar or $5 depending on the fare.

So, that’s not a tip?

 

[Himeno]

So, that’s not a tip?

No. It's "we don't have the time to deal with waiting for 10cents to be found".

 

[DC3]

No. It's "we don't have the time to deal with waiting for 10cents to be found".

10 cents. I see.

 

[justinbrett]

Who the hell is still carrying cash?

 

[JohnK]

So, that’s not a tip?

No. It's certainly not a tip for the service, I've already paid the fare. I don't want to wait for small change.

 

[dajop]

Who the hell is still carrying cash?

And who the hell is still charging 5% to accept credit cards?

 

[justinbrett]

And who the hell is still charging 5% to accept credit cards?

And who the hell is still getting taxis when uber is here?

 

[DC3]

I must admit to being guilty of the Clayton’s tip, i.e., “keep the change”.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And who the hell is still getting taxis when uber is here?

Grown ups

 

[Forg]

Just as much chance they'll spit in your coffee in Australia. Which is almost zero on both counts - what the hell would motivate someone to do that?

Well in order to get paid enough to live on, they can’t display their coughtiness with you in the US; so get it outta the system in other ways.

Not that I really underatand this whole “bad service” thing, in general. Brilliant service I’ve seen, the person serving you knowing what you want (or that you’ll want something) almost before you do. But bad service ... nah, that just means the server:servee ratio is rooted on that day, not their fault.