[Halfmybrain]

THE MESS
I had a gravy spill from a rider's tin foil catering bin in my hatchback Tuesday night. At dropoff, her family took the cargo and helped clean up with clorox sheets. It looked very minor, just getting the edges of the fabric on the floor of the hatchback. There was some in the weather stripping, which I said I'd take care of later.

After a few more trips, I called it a short night. While using a soapy toothbrush, I saw that some gravy had streamed down into the spare tire compartment. I dismantled and discovered that more than a cupful of gravy had pooled onto the tire, rim, and below. I took lots of pics. Many rags, brushes, and 1 hour, 20 minutes later, everything was good as new.

Uber charged the passenger, and gave me, $80 for cleanup.

THE TAKEAWAY
I had a discussion with a rideshare guy and have some thoughts about clarity and caution and honor. It's a lesson for me, which I'll invoke much like the principle of "never admit you were at fault" after an accident.

The family cleaned what we saw. This kind of circumstance COULD HAVE ended with a "handshake" agreement like:
They: "Sorry for your troubles. Will $X cover your inconvenience?"
or
Me: "Since you cleaned this, I won't have Uber charge you for leaving a mess."

What if we HAD come to an understanding like this? Based on my buddy's reaction I agree that a reasonable interpretation is, since they cleaned what they saw, the got a message that they were off the hook....even though closer inspection revealed a bigger mess. Yes, they could conclude that I manipulated their cleanup/time. I HOPE Uber passes along the photos I took.

So, I will be conscious to never completely absolve a rider for a mess.

 

[80sDude]

Assume the worst in pax. Pax didn't want to get charged a cleaning fee so they help clean up. Was the cook onsite ? I guarantee they were wondering where THE REST OF THE GRAVY WENT but didn't want to bring it attention.

 

[Halfmybrain]

The cook's family removed the trays so no, she didn't see. I reject the notion of assuming the worst in people, by default. I'm sure she eventually saw.

 

[80sDude]

The worst in City riders that use Uber.

I rephrased it for you

 

[Halfmybrain]

The worst in City riders that use Uber.

I rephrased it for you

I still believe the best in people, ESPECIALLY the worst people. There, but for the grace of God, go I--sometimes literally "go" since just because I think the best of them, doesn't mean I'm going to drive them somewhere.

= == =

Anyway doesn't happen to apply. I picked her up from Marcus Theater in Orland Park and I think she said she lived in Midlothian (if I were to be in the neighborhood of her dropoff for a while).

By the way, Marcus in Orland begins movies as late as (approx.) 1 am. That is pretty impressive for the suburbs. Their huge parking lot has cars to the edge after midnight. On Tuesdays Marcus (as well as AMC and eMagine theaters) show movies for $5. 1 am Wednesday is considered Tuesday for this purpose. There's a whole plaza of connected stuff along with the movie, I suppose a bar, eatery....

 

[EddieG]

She may question it, but as long as you have photos and documentation, the pax should be ok with that. Thank God it didn't happen with a Lyft. You would have to send in a cleaning receipt within 48 hours of the incident in order to get reimbursed.