Riders taking you through the drive-thru...

42356 Views 34 Replies 23 Participants Last post by lexiestarke2, 5 mo ago

MarieDriver

Discussion Starter · Feb 26, 2015

Anybody had experience with this? Just a warning, I learned my lesson. I'm only a month in.

I picked up a group of young college guys and asked them where we were headed. They said, "Cookout". I didn't know what "Cookout" was, but figured I was dropping them at a restaurant. When we got there, "Cookout" appeared to be a very popular drive-thru only spot. I tried to let them out and they then told me we were going through the drive-thru. We waited in a 15-20 minute line so they could order food! Meanwhile, I could have been accepting another ride. The whole experience took an hour. Not to mention the extremely offensive music they played the whole way. Granted, I let it all happen without a fuss in order to get my fare.

At least now if people let me know we're going to a popular drive-thru I can decline.

In another case, a group asked me if I could wait while they ran into the gas station. I agreed and they bought me some lottery scratchers and a drink, which was a nice gesture. A similar situation where I felt respected and not taken advantage of.

Would love to hear similar stories!

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UberHammer

· #2 · Feb 26, 2015

I've never had a drive thru experience because I've always said "no".

When they ask why, I don't tell them. I respond with nothing more than "would you like me to take you somewhere else?"

Don't tell passengers why you're saying "no", not just for drive thru requests, but other requests you don't want to do. Any reason you give, they will argue back at you with. Don't give them that ammo. The hardest person to argue with is the person who says the least. So say nothing more than "no" and "would you like me to take you somewhere else" and eventually they will realize they are getting no where with you.

Of course, if you WANT to do what they are asking, then by all means do it. But I have a strict "no food" policy in my car. Although I've never told that to a pax. Why? Because they would argue with me about it!!!

Reactions: 3

William_RVA

· #3 · Feb 26, 2015

I agree with UberHammer's position. As a contractor, you can decide how you operate within the guidelines of Uber's policy. However, riders can rate you poorly if you refuse. Also, if they complained to Uber support, you would have some level of headache from them.

One thing to consider is that you are paid $10/hr when you are sitting still ($0.20/min*60min*80% cut). If there is a surge, you're making more. If you were to take a rider directly to their destination, you would then have to potentially deadhead (drive with no passenger and with no compensation) back to a busy area, wait on a new ride, and then drive to the new pax position.

If you're sitting still in a drive through, you're making money, you'll end up with more compensation by driving a greater total distance than straight to the pax home, and your cost of operating is lower.

At the end of the day, it's your decision.

Dutchman

· #4 · Feb 27, 2015

I had one set of two passengers (young males) who wanted to stop at 7-11 to get some cigarettes on a short ride in the Fan. They were quick about it (only one actually got out of the car to go inside) and offered to buy me a cup of coffee (which I don't drink anyway). It took less than five minutes and they were very cool about it. I honestly did not mind - and the meter was still running for that time.

I had no problem with it at all, so long as they did not ask to smoke in my car (which is strictly verboten under any circumstances).

Reactions: 1

Dutchman

· #5 · Feb 27, 2015

No 'drive-thru' stops will be allowed in my car, though, as there is no eating permitted. I can handle someone drinking if they are really decent about it and have a no-spill cup. I once had a very nice young lady with a mixed drink. She was cool about it, the cup was only halfway full and she was not intoxicated. She did not spill anything and was one of the most polite people ever. Being smoking hot did not hurt much, either.

Reactions: 1

Dave W

· #6 · Feb 27, 2015

I had a group of 4 female U of R students that I picked up from a nightclub a couple of weeks ago. I was taking them back to campus and they were hungry. I also took them to cook out, as it was al most on the way back to campus. It was one in the am and virtually nothing else was open. We did the drive thru. No cars in front of us. Took five minutes for 4 separate orders. They were super quick. The girls were really nice and very appreciative. I had a nice conversation with the young woman in the front seat. It was only a five minute extra stop which I would def do again. It was my last ride of the night so the extra drive thru stop was no big deal at all.

Reactions: 2

Jacquie

· #7 · Feb 27, 2015

MarieDriver said:
Not to mention the extremely offensive music they played the whole way.

You let them play their music? I just play my own stuff, but have a selection of different genres. No one has had a problem with it.

Reactions: 2

uber genesis

· #8 · Feb 27, 2015 (Edited)

i've done it..not often..I got burned like you did with the hr wait at the taco bell on broad and libble..even since that night i took a case by case basis..i've dropped off from UR to stony point for these 6 girls could eat chipotle..did a 10 min drive thru run @ mcd's on a 3.5X.. I would have known from the map location exactly where they wanted to go and would have cancelled or let it lapse

in all my cases i was asked if i could go..just add the experience to your now you know bag and go from there..

hell quick story...I did a pick up on a sunday in the 9000 block of West broad at a church on a 2.3x..after waiting 10 mins the guy comes out gets in, he mumbles something about the woman in the car right in front and then the next thing i know he is one the phone with henrico PD reporting said car stolen. Turns out the woman is his ex-wife or soon to be..

We spent the 38 mins waiting @ sheetz for patrol to come take a report, another 20 for them to do their thing.. then another 19 mins for the drive as he was going to southside janke rd area..

in total about 79 dollars, all for getting my car washed

man i miss the stories..

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CardinalFanSPI

· #9 · Mar 5, 2015

I'll usually allow a drive-thru stop, but I make it clear to the rider that I have no way of pausing the clock on the ride and that they'll be charged for any time that we're waiting in the drive-thru. That has changed the mind of a couple of people that have asked, but most of the time, the passenger responds with something like, "Yeah, I know, it's cool" and we do it. I also make it clear that they are not to eat anything that they get while still in my car and the bag(s) must remain closed. So far, I've not had any problems with that request.

waker81

· #10 · Mar 5, 2015

i do not allow food in my car - period

redrover

· #11 · Mar 5, 2015

It sucks Ive had a few instances I have been asked to hit a drive through then I ask them how long they use uber and stuff they ask if I like driving for uber I tell them its great but theres no tip feature on the app. Especially for instances like this.

Id stop if I knew I was def getting a tip for straying from the final destination for 5-10 mins

Dutchman

· #12 · Mar 5, 2015

Had TWO fares today who had me "wait" -- one at a VCU building and another with two guys who wanted to run in and grab something at 7-11.

Part of the job, I guess.....and all you can hope for is a good rating from someone. Sure, the Uber meter keeps running, but probably not enough to make your time worthwhile.

Be careful out there this afternoon (Thursday), as it is getting slick in the Richmond area!

Jeft

· #13 · Mar 9, 2015

I did that once.... Once. Went from the Fan to Short Pump and stopped at Taco Bell on the way. I told the 3 people don't eat till you get home, and I'm not doing the ordering.
Took 20 minutes to figure out what they wanted and another 20 to get the ridiculous amount of food these 3 drunk idiots ordered.
They immediately tore into there food and said they would give me a " good tip" if I let them. Nothing I said mattered, they just kept on eating and throwing their trash out the window as I was driving.
Overall terrible experience and I don't suggest anyone agree to do it. It was a bad idea for me to agree. Thought I was being nice and got burned.

Go3Team

· #14 · Mar 9, 2015

Jeft said:
I did that once.... Once. Went from the Fan to Short Pump and stopped at Taco Bell on the way. I told the 3 people don't eat till you get home, and I'm not doing the ordering.
Took 20 minutes to figure out what they wanted and another 20 to get the ridiculous amount of food these 3 drunk idiots ordered.
They immediately tore into there food and said they would give me a " good tip" if I let them. Nothing I said mattered, they just kept on eating and throwing their trash out the window as I was driving.
Overall terrible experience and I don't suggest anyone agree to do it. It was a bad idea for me to agree. Thought I was being nice and got burned.

I hope you 1 starred them.

Fuzzyelvis

· #15 · Mar 9, 2015

William_RVA said:
I agree with UberHammer's position. As a contractor, you can decide how you operate within the guidelines of Uber's policy. However, riders can rate you poorly if you refuse. Also, if they complained to Uber support, you would have some level of headache from them.

One thing to consider is that you are paid $10/hr when you are sitting still ($0.20/min*60min*80% cut). If there is a surge, you're making more. If you were to take a rider directly to their destination, you would then have to potentially deadhead (drive with no passenger and with no compensation) back to a busy area, wait on a new ride, and then drive to the new pax position.

If you're sitting still in a drive through, you're making money, you'll end up with more compensation by driving a greater total distance than straight to the pax home, and your cost of operating is lower.

At the end of the day, it's your decision.

I don't leave the house to make $10/hour BEFORE expenses. Plus food in the car etc. If it's a BIG surge and its probably going to be gone soon then I'd consider a drive through. But it has to be a nice pax and a decent payoff. I did take a very nice lady through a drive through at the end of the night not on a surge but she was very polite about asking and offered to buy me something. She gave me a $7 tip on a $12 fare as well as breakfast at a time when I was going to go home anyway. But the ones who are the biggest pains are usually the ones who don't tip and its not even a surge. Plus I don't want food in my car (except for me.) This particular lady was only going a few more blocks and said she would eat at home. I actually told her it was fine. But those pax are the rare exception.

AlpacaKiller

· #16 · Mar 9, 2015

This was a $50 mess..... If they treat my vehicle live a trash can, they get charged for it!

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William_RVA

· #17 · Mar 9, 2015

UberJay said:
This was a $50 mess..... If they treat my vehicle live a trash can, they get charged for it!

Uber added that to the fare? Flowed through to paycheck?

AlpacaKiller

· #18 · Mar 9, 2015

William_RVA said:
Uber added that to the fare? Flowed through to paycheck?

Absolutely..... All you need to do is request it through the app. They are very good at taking care of the driver's request for cleaning fees ..... Someone spilled a beer on my floor and I got $50.... That is fair because I had to go out of service for awhile to clean it because my vehicle smelled like stale beer. I had no idea the guy had a beer with him until I dropped them off.

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Reactions: 2

AlpacaKiller

· #19 · Mar 9, 2015

The thing is, the riders need to remember we are not cabs. We will not tolerate disrespect of our vehicles. They mess it up, they pay to clean it. Period.

Reactions: 2

Super G

· #20 · Mar 9, 2015

UberHammer said:
I've never had a drive thru experience because I've always said "no".

When they ask why, I don't tell them. I respond with nothing more than "would you like me to take you somewhere else?"

Don't tell passengers why you're saying "no", not just for drive thru requests, but other requests you don't want to do. Any reason you give, they will argue back at you with. Don't give them that ammo. The hardest person to argue with is the person who says the least. So say nothing more than "no" and "would you like me to take you somewhere else" and eventually they will realize they are getting no where with you.

Of course, if you WANT to do what they are asking, then by all means do it. But I have a strict "no food" policy in my car. Although I've never told that to a pax. Why? Because they would argue with me about it!!!

I agree Hammer; I'm glad I'm not the only one with a no food policy & I had to learn the hard way. Several times I said no to food and they ask why and I explained what the last idiot did of making a mess and each time the present idiot would promise to not make a mess, spill, waste, etc. then they do it anyway! Now it's absolutely no food in my car and like Hammer said they get mad, argue, & rate you low. My question, Hammer & others, although you can refuse the trip in the beginning if you notice potential food, but what do you do or say when you notice them eating after the trip has begun? How do you say it?

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