I use Uber several times a week and good on frankie and other 5-star drivers for providing good service, but I wonder how many people are now tipping because they felt obliged to, rather than as a recognition of excellent service beyond a 5-star rating?
I do think that's a fair point, perhaps the prompt could be a little more hidden, such as "if you want to tip, click here" and then the additional screen loads. However, I imagine they have basically copied the app from the US and if that functions fine over there, it probably doesn't need changing (despite the model being different).
Personally I think Uber is too cheap and I am prepared to pay more for the service so drivers are paid fairly, but I despise tipping culture and the expectations it creates.
I've always said I'd only ever tip in an AA lounge, but only because of the tips that have been posted here about what that does for you... for everything else, if they want to get paid more they should elect representatives who fight for better minimum wages.
Wasn't there already the 'Give a compliment' feature to acknowledge drivers who excel at something in particular?
Trouble with compliments are that they don't actually provide anything to the driver, beyond a good feeling. Can't eat a good feeling, etc. Also, because of the nature of the platform, when you request a driver you can't see a selection, look at the compliments and then pick one, you just get a lucky dip, so if the compliments don't provide for anything more than a warm fuzzy feeling for the driver and don't give anything to the rider, it's not actually a useful system?
Would it be great if more compliments and higher ratings resulted in the driver getting a greater cut, or if riders could see randomised data of drivers in the area, but essentially see compliments and choose their ride based on this? This would better reward drivers, as they would get more fares.
Surely it's just a play from Uber to grab a % of "cash-in-hand" revenue that drivers get directly without paying a commission to Uber.
As mentioned already upthread, Uber
DOES NOT take a cut of tips. I am sure if they did try and do this the public backlash would make them reverse course quickly.
Also, if there's an expectation of tip, the "headline" price looks lower (see: US restaurants)......
I do share your concern though – perhaps not as a rider – that if tipping were to really take off, they could lower the cost of rides to make their service more attractive, arguing that the rider will be paid the same as they'll be tipped. I imagine this too would receive some negative publicity, especially as Australia really isn't a tipping nation, IMO.