[_Tron_]

1. Preface, I would never do this, but it was super slow today and I brought up the rider app to see if there were simply a lot of Uber cars near me or if it was a lack of demand. Looking at the ant map I realized that a quick way to eliminate one competitor would be to order a ride. You have two minutes to cancel here without having to pay, so there would be one less car for that amount of time to take a fare you deserve.

So question: Have you ever done this?

2. A more practical idea is this one to encourage riders to tip. While on a Lyft ride I looked and noticed I had left the screen on my Uber phone set to display tips. The impulse was to turn the display off, but then I decided to keep it up. Is this not like setting out a tip jar with some seed bills in it?

(not scientific, but I did get a cash tip on the ride)

 

[Nats121]

1. Preface, I would never do this, but it was super slow today and I brought up the rider app to see if there were simply a lot of Uber cars near me or if it was a lack of demand. Looking at the ant map I realized that a quick way to eliminate one competitor would be to order a ride. You have two minutes to cancel here without having to pay, so there would be one less car for that amount of time to take a fare you deserve.

So question: Have you ever done this?

I've heard about it happening at airports.

I've never done it. I don't approve of it. Drivers who do it are cheating other drivers, not Uber. The same applies to GPS spoofing.

I'm not into scams but I won't shed any tears for Uber if a driver scams them.

As far as encouraging pax to tip is concerned if you find a way that works use it.

 

[Tommy2U]

premature deactivation comes to mind

 

[ObeyTheNumbers]

I used to do #1 when I was trying to force a prearranged trip through the app. Or I wanted to know who that driver was camping in my area.

I don't bother with such things anymore.


#2 I haven't done, they ask me or by chance or clever conversation I bring up the fact that my costs are .75 cents a mile and I only get .82 cents a mile from the fare.

They usually get the hint.

 

[Heisenburger]

They usually get the hint.

...that you don't know how to determine actual CPM.

 

[OldBay]

I've heard about it happening at airports.

I've never done it. I don't approve of it. Drivers who do it are cheating other drivers, not Uber. The same applies to GPS spoofing.

I'm not into scams but I won't shed any tears for Uber if a driver scams them.

As far as encouraging pax to tip is concerned if you find a way that works use it.

I believe this is happening in my market. If you accept and the rider cancel, you have to sit and wait your turn. You can lose 20 minutes because of this.

 

[80sDude]

This used to happen alot in the early years when surge was high.
I used to start and end trip immediately.
That put an end to that BS in about a year

 

[painfreepc]

I used to do #1 when I was trying to force a prearranged trip through the app. Or I wanted to know who that driver was camping in my area.

I don't bother with such things anymore.


#2 I haven't done, they ask me or by chance or clever conversation I bring up the fact that my costs are .75 cents a mile and I only get .82 cents a mile from the fare.

They usually get the hint.

You actually talk about your cost of doing business to a Uber passenger, please tell me why should they care, if you ever go into a mall and buy yourself a phone case at one of the kiosks, and it cost 20 bucks, I guess the one selling it to you should tell you how he's only making 25 cents because he pays $2,000 a month to the mall to have that space tell me why would you care.

 

[Ribak]

Looking at the ant map I realized that a quick way to eliminate one competitor would be to order a ride.

The request/cancel may not eliminate the driver as they may get an immediate second request. Here is a more effective idea:

1) Acquire some tire puncturing items (broken glass, sharp metal, large tacks, etc...)
2) Identify the path the driver is likely to take once you make the request. (This is easiest at a airport waiting lot or hotel pickup area)
3) Request the ride and enjoy the madness

The worst case scenario is you eliminate one driver.
The best case scenario is you cause a traffic jam (due to the first driver having a disabled vehicle). This results in multiple drivers being incapacitated. You have a much better chance of receiving a ride request.

 

[sumidaj]

I believe your uber account is associated with your driver account.... so if you request a ride while you are online..... im curious what would happen...

 

[New2This]

I believe your uber account is associated with your driver account.... so if you request a ride while you are online..... im curious what would happen...

On Uber not much. It will let you order a trip while being online. Lyft won't.

I was supposed to pick up my then-girlfriend at work. It was Surging heavily so I was gonna order her a ride.

I tried Lyft (I was driving Lyft because at the time they still had Prime Time) and got a message that I needed to go offline as a driver before I could use it as a rider. I guess the ****tards at Lyft never considered that I'd want to order a ride while I was working.

Ordered it on Uber with zero issues even though I had Uber Driver app open too.

 

[Volvonaut]

On Uber not much. It will let you order a trip while being online. Lyft won't.

I was supposed to pick up my then-girlfriend at work. It was Surging heavily so I was gonna order her a ride.

I tried Lyft (I was driving Lyft because at the time they still had Prime Time) and got a message that I needed to go offline as a driver before I could use it as a rider. I guess the ****tards at Lyft never considered that I'd want to order a ride while I was working.

Ordered it on Uber with zero issues even though I had Uber Driver app open too.

Yeah Lyft accounts are definitely linked considering they shove your driver photo in there and share some data even your rating last time I’d checked.