Uber let-downs

[VPS]

This can happen, but not without you knowing about it. When you book it comes up with the multiple of the normal amount which you have to accept before booking the car. You can choose to decline to book. I guess if you were drunk it may not sink in

Well the reason I'm not driving is because I'm going to have a few drinks but don't normally get to the stage where I don't know about my money

 

[Bolthead]

I'm thinking about using Uber in Adelaide - I'm guess I'm concerned about the surge charge - I've heard of people finding large amounts extra on their credit card - what do people think of the safety aspect vs a taxi driver (for an older female)

All Uber drivers have to pass a National Police Check. (I'm surprised I managed to pass considering my past profession as an axe murderer ) This may weed out a few people but I don't think it is any different to how they select taxi drivers as well. (not sure to be honest) My wife was down in Adelaide the other week and she used Uber a few return trips from Richmond to the city and she had no issues with drivers and found them all pleasant. The interesting thing is she said that she had 6 different routes (3 x return trips) every time however the charges where only $0.20 different between the cheapest and the most expensive.

 

[Bolthead]

I tried to use Uber for first time last Sat night - well know Docklands location - clown couldn't find it - took a taxi instead.

Not trying to defend Uber or the driver however if it was a well known location the app should have been able to get you there. I guess that is one reason why Uber is cheaper than a taxi. Most drivers are not professional drivers and they rely 99% on the app to first find their customer and in turn find the destination. It could have been an app issue. Having said that I always ask the passenger if they have a preferred route or are they happy for me to use the app. By the way the only maps they can use is either Google Maps or Waze. (which is based on google maps and also owned by them I believe) I use Waze as it is easier to read while driving. However now I think about it I used Uber to the airport the other day and he had no idea how to read the map. I had to give him lessons. I'm a sucker for a nice person. I still gave him a five star rating.

I certainly have made some blunders in the past as a driver and all you can do is apologise and learn from the experience. The biggest blunder I made was when I picked up a couple from Marrickville and they wanted to go to Millers Point. (I thought he said Milsons Point) Despite this the address was in the app and I knew how to get to Milsons Point without the app. It was raining heavily and we were having a good old chat and I was distracted. As we got closer to the city with all the flyovers and underpasses around the western side of the city I soon went past the point of no return as he pointed out his apartment to the left. The only way to get there was to drive all the way across the harbour bridge, do a u turn in North Sydney and come back again. I immediately apologised, completed the trip so he didn't get further charged and I had to pay the return toll out of my own pocket. Lesson learnt...

 

[dajop]

Not trying to defend Uber or the driver however if it was a well known location the app should have been able to get you there.

The app can be quite useless in Singapore. If I book a taxi, I get the chance to enter address (well postcode to be specific - each building has unique postcode) and a text field instructing pick up point. Uber is quite pathetic in that regard, at my condo, it doesn't show the entry point so you have to pick the point on the map, and no chance to give the condo name and write "guardhouse" (like I do with a taxi). 7 times out of 10 is OK, other times they've gone to nearby hotel or shopping centre over the road. It's at the point now where if it is time critical I will not use uber.

Provide feedback and it's always blame the driver for not knowing how to use their ever-so-perfect app.

I don't know for sure, but if in Docklands, I expect Cruiser encountered similar problems.

 

[NVRENUF]

My experience is , always use uber black , this gets you a nice car , professional person, and generally a company rather than a private person. Haven't used it in Singapore but used it all over Australia with no problems .

 

[moa999]

I have yet to use Uber overseas but we are off to the states in October and will give it a go in Washington DC. It will be interesting to compare as I am also a member of a USA based Uber Facebook group and some of the stories and attitudes of drivers are hilarious.

I've used it Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, US, Panama, Croatia, Slovenia all without issue (although I do have s credit balance for Vietnam after a refund of a cancel fee on an airport pickup)

It's even better in countries where cab drivers can have limited English, and/or dodgy meters/ negotiated fares

 

[opusman]

On the weekend I called an Uber from Balmoral in Sydney. The car that took the job looked like they started out in North Sydney, and as I watched they turned onto the M1 and proceeded to cross the Harbour Bridge. Not sure what was behind that particular train of thought - why take the job in the first place if you can't get there without driving into the CBD and back again?

 

[Bolthead]

The app can be quite useless in Singapore. If I book a taxi, I get the chance to enter address (well postcode to be specific - each building has unique postcode) and a text field instructing pick up point. Uber is quite pathetic in that regard, at my condo, it doesn't show the entry point so you have to pick the point on the map, and no chance to give the condo name and write "guardhouse" (like I do with a taxi). 7 times out of 10 is OK, other times they've gone to nearby hotel or shopping centre over the road. It's at the point now where if it is time critical I will not use uber.

Provide feedback and it's always blame the driver for not knowing how to use their ever-so-perfect app.

I don't know for sure, but if in Docklands, I expect Cruiser encountered similar problems.

We were staying at an Air BnB apartment in Singapore near Sentosa Island in March this year and we had no problems getting taxis to pickup us up in the basement carpark every time. (although a couple of them had problems getting out). If I remember correctly the phone number of the apartment was registered with the taxi company and their system knew where to pick us up from. I am sure the Uber App and Uber drivers would have battled to find us. We had a guardhouse as well and I wonder if they would allow Uber in considering they have no identifying marks to prove who they were. Compared to Sydney taxis in Singapore taxis are pretty cheap so I was happy to catch them.

 

[Bolthead]

I've used it Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, US, Panama, Croatia, Slovenia all without issue (although I do have s credit balance for Vietnam after a refund of a cancel fee on an airport pickup)

It's even better in countries where cab drivers can have limited English, and/or dodgy meters/ negotiated fares

You are right about dodgy meters... we travel often to Shanghai to visit our son and we have had 2 x dodgy meters over the years. The last time was last year where we caught the Maglev from PVG and then decided to catch a taxi to our hotel. There was one trying to get our business away from the rank. My wife said he looks honest and I said no... lets go to the rank. I lost the argument and about 100rmb over the normal fare. I have also heard that Uber (or Didi) can also somehow ripe you off in China but I don't know how unless they take you the long route. Had any experience in China?

 

[Bolthead]

On the weekend I called an Uber from Balmoral in Sydney. The car that took the job looked like they started out in North Sydney, and as I watched they turned onto the M1 and proceeded to cross the Harbour Bridge. Not sure what was behind that particular train of thought - why take the job in the first place if you can't get there without driving into the CBD and back again?

It has happened to me as a driver... (once again not defending him as a driver). 2 examples come to mind

Driving south down the Eastern distributor I accept a job only 900 metres away. As soon as I get the directions I realise I am in the right hand lane and need to immediately turn left. Impossible on the ED. Lights change and no option but to go ahead. All of a sudden I am 8Km's away from job because I had no chance of doing a U turn. Decided to stick with it but halfway to picking up they cancelled. (don't blame them)

Driving west down Market Street I accepted job at Potts Point. Before I knew it I was on the ED going south. (I had no option because of where I was - city traffic can be difficult at time) Experience then told me to cancel the job.

With your experience I am surprised the driver hadn't cancelled the job once he realised where he was going. I know when I was new at the job I tried to please everyone and accept every job. Now I know what I am better off either not accepting the job or cancelling the job once I realise that the passenger will be better off with someone else.

 

[bjm76]

I am a strong advocate of Uber here in Sydney.. since UberX started I have not used a taxi in Sydney. I work in Sydney CBD and live about 5km outside the city - usually $25 in a taxi and $15 in an Uber - no contest. Plus the Uber drivers are usually friendly, keen to either chat or respect the need for quiet at times, cars are usually super clean and well maintained, and air conditioning/heating always used. Compared to taxis - ancient cars, vinyl seats, dirty, air conditioning/heating rarely used, loud AM talkback radio and questionable drivers.
Also really dislike the attitude of many taxi drivers - and I have had my taxi fare manipulated several times when coming home from work - taxi driver realising that I was in a suit and being picked up outside a well known bank, therefore easy money, and charged me $35 for the fare after I saw him doing something weird with the meter.
Have used Uber in Bangkok, Prague, Budapest, New York and Houston - absolutely seamless experience, charged back to my Australian credit card, always cheaper than the local taxis and always very friendly drivers. Just brilliant!

 

[BAM1748]

I am a strong advocate of Uber here in Sydney.. since UberX started I have not used a taxi in Sydney. I work in Sydney CBD and live about 5km outside the city - usually $25 in a taxi and $15 in an Uber - no contest. Plus the Uber drivers are usually friendly, keen to either chat or respect the need for quiet at times, cars are usually super clean and well maintained, and air conditioning/heating always used. Compared to taxis - ancient cars, vinyl seats, dirty, air conditioning/heating rarely used, loud AM talkback radio and questionable drivers.
Also really dislike the attitude of many taxi drivers - and I have had my taxi fare manipulated several times when coming home from work - taxi driver realising that I was in a suit and being picked up outside a well known bank, therefore easy money, and charged me $35 for the fare after I saw him doing something weird with the meter.
Have used Uber in Bangkok, Prague, Budapest, New York and Houston - absolutely seamless experience, charged back to my Australian credit card, always cheaper than the local taxis and always very friendly drivers. Just brilliant!

I haven't used Uber, but because of what you say about taxis I often prefer to take public transport when the need is there.