[Tri]

Hi, for over a year my rider rating has been about 4.96 but in the past month it has steadily gone down to 4.91. That means I've received at least 5 non-5 star ratings in the past month.

I don't think I am doing anything different than before. I:

1. never keep drivers waiting
2. always politely greet and say goodbye
3. try to get a sense of whether the driver prefers to have a conversation and if so I'm responsive (I'd usually be quiet otherwise, except for maybe an occasional innocuous comment or two)
4. if not, I will usually start using my phone (never any music or even conversations and I take off my headphones)
5. may take an Uber to the gym but never one back as I might be sweaty
6. don't eat or drink or bring hot food in the car
7. if going to the gym I do bring my gym bag
8. use Uber for v short rides as well, like 4 or 5 minutes, and have explicitly asked drivers if like or dislike such short rides and the ones I've asked all said they like them
9. don't slam doors
10. have been getting $4 dollar Uber discounts on every ride for about a month and also very often in the past year

So what am I doing wrong? (i now have the same rating as my girlfriend and I can't stand it!)

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[ColumbusRides]

Don't put to much thought into it, just keep driving

 

[Tri]

Don't put to much thought into it, just keep driving

If this continues at this pace, I'll be an outcast in a month or 2

 

[islanddriver]

Do you tip. IllI bet not. On those short rides we only make between $3 and $4 . I know for one if I dontd get at least $1 tip illI rate you less than 5 too many questions and you'll get a 1 or 2

 

[SJCorolla]

Any problems with drivers finding you at pickups? I usually downrate riders who are nowhere near the pickup location shown in the app, particularly when they blame me for the discrepancy.

Do you tip the driver? I don't downrate for this reason, but I know there are drivers who 1-star each and every non-tipper. Crazy, I know.

Other possible reasons: backseat driving, leaving stains on the seat, foul body/mouth odor, requesting last-minute unplanned stops or destination changes.

 

[Pax Collector]

use Uber for v short rides as well, like 4 or 5 minutes

So what am I doing wrong?

Of all the things you mentioned on your list, you didn't say a word about tipping, especially while taking short trips.

Tip in cash and your rating will improve.

 

[Disgusted Driver]

A driver is not going to tell you they don't like short trips, ... because pax only want to hear positive things like unicorns and rainbows coming out of their butts.

 

[FLKeys]

It's BO man nobody wants to tell you to your face, I smelled it as soon as I opened the thread. You are doomed for life with bad BO.

Seriously from reading some of the driver threads around here rating you low because of possibly short trips helps them later decided if they want to accept your ping in the first place. Welcome to the ANT vs PAX wars.

 

[grayspinner]

Easy - TIP
Preferably in cash - if you don't have cash, tip in the app so the driver can see you do it

Seriously - the easiest way to improve your rider rating is to tip generously in cash. Uber's CEO even said so a few months ago.

 

[Tri]

Any problems with drivers finding you at pickups? I usually downrate riders who are nowhere near the pickup location shown in the app, particularly when they blame me for the discrepancy.

Do you tip the driver? I don't downrate for this reason, but I know there are drivers who 1-star each and every non-tipper. Crazy, I know.

Other possible reasons: backseat driving, leaving stains on the seat, foul body/mouth odor, requesting last-minute unplanned stops or destination changes.

There's virtually never a problem with finding the pickup location and in the rare cases there is and it is my fault I tip extra, when in the car.
Re tipping: I almost always tip but afterwards in the app. One of the things I like most about Uber is the cashless, in-out experience. But now I'm thinking I should maybe start tipping in cash in the car.

No backseat driving, no sudden stops or destination changed, definitely no bad breath.

Easy - TIP
Preferably in cash - if you don't have cash, tip in the app so the driver can see you do it

Seriously - the easiest way to improve your rider rating is to tip generously in cash. Uber's CEO even said so a few months ago.

Thanks. I think I will start doing this now. It's odd though that this (tipping afterwards in the app, not in the car) didn't use to be an issue but seemingly has become one. I also feel a bit silly handing over $1 for a $5 ride, while I don't feel silly tipping that same $1 in the app.

 

[goneubering]

Hi, for over a year my rider rating has been about 4.96 but in the past month it has steadily gone down to 4.91. That means I've received at least 5 non-5 star ratings in the past month.

I don't think I am doing anything different than before. I:

1. never keep drivers waiting
2. always politely greet and say goodbye
3. try to get a sense of whether the driver prefers to have a conversation and if so I'm responsive (I'd usually be quiet otherwise, except for maybe an occasional innocuous comment or two)
4. if not, I will usually start using my phone (never any music or even conversations and I take off my headphones)
5. may take an Uber to the gym but never one back as I might be sweaty
6. don't eat or drink or bring hot food in the car
7. if going to the gym I do bring my gym bag
8. use Uber for v short rides as well, like 4 or 5 minutes, and have explicitly asked drivers if like or dislike such short rides and the ones I've asked all said they like them
9. don't slam doors
10. have been getting $4 dollar Uber discounts on every ride for about a month and also very often in the past year

So what am I doing wrong? (i now have the same rating as my girlfriend and I can't stand it!)

Thanks for any suggestions

Don't worry about it. A few riders with bad intentions can drop your rating because they're making up stories to get a free ride. You're actually doing great with any rating in the 4.9 range.

 

[Tri]

it's BO man nobody wants to tell you to your fave, I smelled it as soon as I opened the thread. You are doomed for life with bad BO.

Ha! You have just changed my life.

Seriously from reading some of the driver threads around here rating you low because of possibly short trips helps them later decided if they want to accept your ping in the first place. Welcome to the ANT vs PAX wars.

OK, so drivers *do* mind short trips?

Don't worry about it. A few riders with bad intentions can drop your rating because they're making up stories to get a free ride. You're actually doing great with any rating in the 4.9 range.

Thanks. But if it continues at this pace I'll be down to a 4.8something rating in no time. A friend of mine recently casually mentioned she has a 4.5 rating and I'm now reconsidering this friendship (and for sure will never allow her in an Uber with me).

Uber changes things, you know.

Of all the things you mentioned on your list, you didn't say a word about tipping, especially while taking short trips.

Tip in cash and your rating will improve.

OK.

Do you tip. IllI bet not. On those short rides we only make between $3 and $4 . I know for one if I dontd get at least $1 tip illI rate you less than 5 too many questions and you'll get a 1 or 2

I tip always unless there is a good reason not to (which IIRC has only happened 3 times in maybe 200 rides), but I do it in the app. I will start doing cash tips, accepting a somewhat less pleasant Uber experience.

Do you tip. IllI bet not. On those short rides we only make between $3 and $4 . I know for one if I dontd get at least $1 tip illI rate you less than 5 too many questions and you'll get a 1 or 2

So that means you also give unfairly low ratings to all the people who tip in the app, and that's a sizeable percentage.

 

[goneubering]

Forget my post. I thought you were a driver.

 

[grayspinner]

Thanks. I think I will start doing this now. It's odd though that this (tipping afterwards in the app, not in the car) didn't use to be an issue but seemingly has become one. I also feel a bit silly handing over $1 for a $5 ride, while I don't feel silly tipping that same $1 in the app.

We used to make a lot more money so tips were less important. Now, uber (and lyft) rates to the driver are very low & they have moved away from sharing the surge with drivers. Uber keeps more than half of the fare most of the time now.

So, tipping is much more important to drivers.

We also have to rate you before we see the tip in the app - thus all the advice to tip in cash or tip on the app so the driver knows what you are doing.

Do NOT just say, I'll trip you in the app because most who say this don't actually tip & could cause your rating to drop faster.

A high passenger rating IS important - I don't pick up low rated passengers

 

[ECOMCON]

Hi, for over a year my rider rating has been about 4.96 but in the past month it has steadily gone down to 4.91. That means I've received at least 5 non-5 star ratings in the past month.

I don't think I am doing anything different than before. I:

1. never keep drivers waiting
2. always politely greet and say goodbye
3. try to get a sense of whether the driver prefers to have a conversation and if so I'm responsive (I'd usually be quiet otherwise, except for maybe an occasional innocuous comment or two)
4. if not, I will usually start using my phone (never any music or even conversations and I take off my headphones)
5. may take an Uber to the gym but never one back as I might be sweaty
6. don't eat or drink or bring hot food in the car
7. if going to the gym I do bring my gym bag
8. use Uber for v short rides as well, like 4 or 5 minutes, and have explicitly asked drivers if like or dislike such short rides and the ones I've asked all said they like them
9. don't slam doors
10. have been getting $4 dollar Uber discounts on every ride for about a month and also very often in the past year

So what am I doing wrong? (i now have the same rating as my girlfriend and I can't stand it!)

Thanks for any suggestions

You're attempting to reason with drivers,
Most of whom are unemployable
Because of mental defect, paranoia & immaturity?

Seriously ?

 

[FLKeys]

If you want to continue tipping in the app because you don't have cash just put the tip in before the ride ends. The driver will see it right away and that should stop the drivers from low rating you for not tipping.

Personally I see no reason to down rate someone for not tipping but hey that is me I have to live with my actions.

 

[Tri]

If you want to continue tipping in the app because you don't have cash just put the tip in before the ride ends. The driver will see it right away and that should stop the drivers from low rating you for not tipping.

Personally I see no reason to down rate someone for not tipping but hey that is me I have to live with my actions.

Ah, thanks, that's good to know. I didn't realize they would immediately be able to see it.

 

[Fuzzyelvis]

Hi, for over a year my rider rating has been about 4.96 but in the past month it has steadily gone down to 4.91. That means I've received at least 5 non-5 star ratings in the past month.

I don't think I am doing anything different than before. I:

1. never keep drivers waiting
2. always politely greet and say goodbye
3. try to get a sense of whether the driver prefers to have a conversation and if so I'm responsive (I'd usually be quiet otherwise, except for maybe an occasional innocuous comment or two)
4. if not, I will usually start using my phone (never any music or even conversations and I take off my headphones)
5. may take an Uber to the gym but never one back as I might be sweaty
6. don't eat or drink or bring hot food in the car
7. if going to the gym I do bring my gym bag
8. use Uber for v short rides as well, like 4 or 5 minutes, and have explicitly asked drivers if like or dislike such short rides and the ones I've asked all said they like them
9. don't slam doors
10. have been getting $4 dollar Uber discounts on every ride for about a month and also very often in the past year

So what am I doing wrong? (i now have the same rating as my girlfriend and I can't stand it!)

Thanks for any suggestions

Unless you have over 500 rider trips, it I'll drop more than .01 for a 1 star.

10. What do do discounts have to with anything?

8. Drivers lie. Most hate short trips.

No mention of tipping. Lol. And if you do (no mention, so maybe you don't) then if it's not cash, it won't help your rating.

There's virtually never a problem with finding the pickup location and in the rare cases there is and it is my fault I tip extra, when in the car.
Re tipping: I almost always tip but afterwards in the app. One of the things I like most about Uber is the cashless, in-out experience. But now I'm thinking I should maybe start tipping in cash in the car.

No backseat driving, no sudden stops or destination changed, definitely no bad breath.

Thanks. I think I will start doing this now. It's odd though that this (tipping afterwards in the app, not in the car) didn't use to be an issue but seemingly has become one. I also feel a bit silly handing over $1 for a $5 ride, while I don't feel silly tipping that same $1 in the app.

That's because a $1 tip is cheap as hell and you know it, which is why it's awkward.

 

[Tri]

Unless you have over 500 rider trips, it I'll drop more than .01 for a 1 star.

10. What do do discounts have to with anything?

I didn't know whether they did or not so I thought I'd mention it, to be sure.

8. Drivers lie. Most hate short trips.

Which is good to know.

No mention of tipping. Lol. And if you do (no mention, so maybe you don't) then if it's not cash, it won't help your rating.

See my other responses

That's because a $1 tip is cheap as hell and you know it, which is why it's awkward.

Only for *very* short rides would i tip only $1.

 

[Las Vegas Dude]

Even a dollar cash tip should get you a 5 star. I think everyone should at least tip 2 bucks for any ride. If you read these forums most drivers give a four if there is no cash tip.