[Michael - Cleveland]

Both the partner agreement and the user agreement specifically say the fares are 'default fares' to be used if a fare is not negotiated between the driver and the rider.

...you and the Company shall always have the right to negotiate a Service Fee different from the pre-arranged fee.
The purpose of the pre-arranged Service Fee is only to act as the default fee in the event neither party negotiates a different amount.​

So, go ahead -
Tell your next rider that you charge a $5 pick-up fee in addition to whatever Uber charges.
Get them to send 'I AGREE TO A $5 Fee' to you by txt ...
and then request a fare adjustment from Uber at the end of the trip.

Document the email exchange you have with the CSR that refuses to increase the fare...
and then send it all to Lis-Riordin if Uber either refuses to charge the fee and pay it to you - or deactivates you.

THAT's the lawsuit I want to see.
@chi1cabby and @Another Uber Driver ... what do you think?

 

[SECOTIME]

Sounds great in theory but good luck trying that with continual success.

I can understand if you tried this on the longer trips and circumstances with multiple people but sadly you can't see the destination before sliding the button to begin the trip. Once you slide that button over you won't be able to cancel the trip without ending the ride and taking a huge hit in your rating.

Then if you keep doing it without success eventually your rating will drop low enough to be deactivated.

Game over.


Rip.

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

It's not about doing it repeatedly, it's about getting a lot of driver's to do it once, or twice - or occasionally - to see if Uber will live up to the terms of their agreement... and having documented evidence one way or the other.

 

[SECOTIME]

Have you had success?

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

Have you had success?

I haven't had the guts (or the right circumstance) yet to try it.

 

[SECOTIME]

I appreciate the honesty.

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

I appreciate the honesty.

?? huh... nothing to hide here!

 

[SECOTIME]

This is the internet bro. People often exaggerate or make shit up.

 

[SCdave]

Emailing Uber Support to ask them how a driver can charge more than the "default rate" would also be interesting to see what the response would be.

An "example" like, " I had a PAX who had been cancelled on by a few drivers before I was requested. He wanted to go 80 miles at 2am which meant I would have driven 160 miles round trip. He was cancelled on three times before I got there since the fare for driving 160 miles was not enough. I wanted to take him because it was late and he had been cancelled on so many times, but I just couldn't drive that many miles for such a low fare. He wanted to pay me more to take him but he had no cash for a tip and I obviously couldn't take his credit card."

You could end it any way you are comfortable. " Is there any way the passenger could have paid me more to take him?". Or whatever makes sense?

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

This is the internet bro. People often exaggerate or make shit up.

yeah... of course.
but I'm an old guy with no agenda here.
(which is why you'll see me trying to explain to new drivers the reasoning behind a lot of Uber's practices almost as much as I ***** about those same practices)

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

Emailing Uber Support to ask them how a drive can charge more than the "default rate" would also be interesting to see what the response would be.

An "example" like, " I had a PAX who had been cancelled on by a few drivers before I was requested. He wanted to go 80 miles at 2am which meant I would have driven 160 miles round trip. He was cancelled on three times before I got there since the fare for driving 160 miles was not enough. I wanted to take him because it was late and he had been cancelled on so many times, but I just couldn't drive that many miles for such a low fare. He wanted to pay me more to take him but he had no cash for a tip and I obviously couldn't take his credit card."

You could end it any way you are comfortable. " Is there any way the passenger could have paid me more to take him?". Or whatever makes sense?

That's all good... but it's dealing with a hypothetical (not an actual request to change the fare based on an agreement negotiated with the driver) and the answer would only be the 'opinion' of the CSR - who would likely refer you to the partner agreement.
Still, it would be a good exercise. Nice suggestion!

 

[TwoFiddyMile]

If you could get drivers to do this in numbers it would have a definite effect.
The customer of course will not agree and cancel.
Even the spike in cancelation will have an effect.
It's passive resistance towards corporate policy, and it also takes advantage of their policy.
It absolutely won't work at the customer to sales level tho.

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

If you could get drivers to do this in numbers it would have a definite effect.
The customer of course will not agree and cancel.
Even the spike in cancelation will have an effect.
It's passive resistance towards corporate policy, and it also takes advantage of their policy.
It absolutely won't work at the customer to sales level tho.

It's something we should consider, I think, maybe.
If someone with more time and energy than me could organize an 'event' -
pick just one day, and get just a few drivers in every US market to ask a pax to participate...
even offering them $5 cash to to agree to a $5 upcharge in a fare...
THAT would be a statement to Uber and raise a few eyebrows, don't ya think?
(I think it would be far more effective - and relevant, legally - than trying to organize a work stoppage/strike)

 

[SCdave]

That's all good... but it's dealing with a hypothetical (not an actual request to change the fare based on an agreement negotiated with the driver) and the answer would only be the 'opinion' of the CSR - who would likely refer you to the partner agreement.
Still, it would be a good exercise. Nice suggestion!

Yes, you are right. But it would be interesting and again, something in writing from an Uber Representative. I don't believe a CSR would respond with an opinion but most likely a script copy and paste.

 

[SCdave]

It's something we should consider, I think, maybe.
If someone with more time and energy than me could organize an 'event' -
pick just one day, and get just a few drivers in every US market to ask a pax to participate...
even offering them $5 cash to to agree to a $5 upcharge in a fare...
THAT would be a statement to Uber and raise a few eyebrows, don't ya think?
(I think it would be far more effective - and relevant, legally - than trying to organize a work stoppage/strike)

Or.... when the next PAX says, "Hey, I want to tip you $5 but don't have cash". Maybe we can respond, " While it is not required, I really appreciate it". Then suggest PAX text you " I authorize Uber adding $5 to my Trip Fare".

???

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

Or.... when the next PAX says, "Hey, I want to tip you $5 but don't have cash". Maybe we can respond, " While it is not required, I really appreciate it". Then suggest PAX text you " I authorize Uber adding $5 to my Trip Fare".
???

Again... very smart suggestion.

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

Then suggest PAX text you " I authorize Uber adding $5 to my Trip Fare".

Maybe easier:

>>> No problem! Just send me a txt before we end the trip saying "please add this tip to my fare: $_____ <<<​

This gets interesting... because if you do it as a 'tip',
by law, Uber must pass on the entire amount to the driver,
and is not allowed to charge/deduct a commission or fee %.

 

[SCdave]

Maybe easier:

>>> No problem! Just send me a txt before we end the trip saying "please add this tip to my fare: $_____ <<<​

This gets interesting... because if you do it as a 'tip',
by law, Uber must pass on the entire amount to the driver,
and is not allowed to charge/deduct a commission or fee %.

Hmmmmm..... Could just say that PAX made you do it and said to send his/her text to Uber?

Both scenarios of Tip being added and/or Fare Amount being increased "as per PAX written request" are interesting.

Maybe we can just skip all of this and ask the Uber Intern reading this to pass it on to management for a response.

Naw...we need a written response from Uber CSR.

 

[Michael - Cleveland]

Well, I guess it is time to invite our resident CSR to comment... what say you, thehappytypist ?

 

[thehappytypist]

Long story short, everything people suggest in this thread will get you kicked off. (Street hail/soliciting trips outside Uber, cash exchange). But I wonder if by Service Fee, they mean Uber's commission. I'm bad at reading legal stuff so I may be wrong.