[SaucyJim]

I used to think I’d drive for Uber in retirement because I like socializing and driving. I tried it out in Wyoming and the money was decent for the flexibility. And I’m smart enough to figure in the wear and tear, gas costs, etc.

Then I move to Florida. Land of non-tippers and laws that allow you to make less than minimum wage before calculating expenses. You literally burn up your depreciating asset (car) to convert its value to cash today, but will be left penniless and without transportation in the end.

So, what I thought would be a fun thing to do for mad money in retirement turned out to be a dud. But the self-driving cars are coming hard and fast. I cannot wait until it is illegal to drive your own car. That will eliminate the jerk-off drivers issue completely.

My two cents. Which is more than you make driving for Uber in this state full of non-tippers.

[bp243]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Totally agree, my best tip for an Uber driver is to get a real friggin job.

I’ve taken many Ubers where this is their second job. In fact, they do it either because they love to drive or want some extra spending money. Why would you think that this isn’t a real job?

[jimhoward]

Originally Posted by SaucyJim

I used to think I’d drive for Uber in retirement because I like socializing and driving. I tried it out in Wyoming and the money was decent for the flexibility. And I’m smart enough to figure in the wear and tear, gas costs, etc.

Then I move to Florida. Land of non-tippers and laws that allow you to make less than minimum wage before calculating expenses. You literally burn up your depreciating asset (car) to convert its value to cash today, but will be left penniless and without transportation in the end.

So, what I thought would be a fun thing to do for mad money in retirement turned out to be a dud. But the self-driving cars are coming hard and fast. I cannot wait until it is illegal to drive your own car. That will eliminate the jerk-off drivers issue completely.

My two cents. Which is more than you make driving for Uber in this state full of non-tippers.

Interesting, maybe that is why it is sometimes harder to get an UBER in the Villages than in other parts of the world.

[New Englander]

I've never used Uber or Lyft. Someday I may need to use one of them. How do you tip the driver on these ride services? Is 15/20% considered respectable?

[talonip]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

Tipping Uber drivers

Over UBER. Once you have an account it’s great. No looking for cash for tips and fare. Totally seamless. Most have nice vehicles. In STL one time we discussed the job with driver. Her income was excellent.

Had one incident in MIA when driver did not show. I was charged anyway. Immediately I contacted UBER for resolution. 10 minutes the charge was removed. Easy.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I've never used Uber or Lyft. Someday I may need to use one of them. How do you tip the driver on these ride services? Is 15/20% considered respectable?

You tip through the app so no cash is required.

For many of my trips I tip $3 or $5. If the trip is particularly long and expensive I would likely tip 15% to 20%.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

Like a taxi driver? Or a bus driver?

As Saucy essentially pointed out, taxi and bus drivers don't ruin their own personal vehicle while driving.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Nell57

My friend in Columbus is a retired dentist and loves his Uber gig.
Gets him out of the house and meeting people.
He had a “real friggin job”

So you're saying his wife forced him to be an Uber driver under threat of divorce?

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Assume that was a long time ago.

Two months ago, actually. Why, do they have a customer service phone number now? Please post it.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by talonip

Over UBER. Once you have an account it’s great. No looking for cash for tips and fare. Totally seamless. Most have nice vehicles. In STL one time we discussed the job with driver. Her income was excellent.

Had one incident in MIA when driver did not show. I was charged anyway. Immediately I contacted UBER for resolution. 10 minutes the charge was removed. Easy.

How did you contact Uber? Seriously, I tried but the only phone number I got was the one if you wanted to become a driver.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by Velvet

How did you contact Uber? Seriously, I tried but the only phone number I got was the one if you wanted to become a driver.

It sounds like you registered on a site that looked like Uber but was not? If that was the case then you did the right thing by going to your credit card company and getting it resolved (since it was not really Uber). Anyhow, the Uber help menu has multiple sections. You can try the “I think my account has been hacked” and fill out the appropriate sections and submit. Really most companies no longer want to speak to individuals and neither do I, LOL. You can at some point talk to someone but you have to go through the process first. See attached screen shot from their site. Hope this helps?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

It sounds like you registered on a site that looked like Uber but was not? If that was the case then you did the right thing by going to your credit card company and getting it resolved (since it was not really Uber). Anyhow, the Uber help menu has multiple sections. You can try the “I think my account has been hacked” and fill out the appropriate sections and submit. Really most companies no longer want to speak to individuals and neither do I, LOL. You can at some point talk to someone but you have to go through the process first. See attached screen shot from their site. Hope this helps?

That screen is for an Uber driver, not a passenger.

In my app the Help section does not suggest that I will ever be given a phone number. I don't want to experiment with a ride I have already completed. Which of the Help articles for a passenger have you been able to follow and eventually arrive at a phone number?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

Interesting, maybe that is why it is sometimes harder to get an UBER in the Villages than in other parts of the world.

My understanding is once a fare brings you hear can be difficult to get the next fare. Nobody wants to ride around empty

[New Englander]

Uber & Lyft. Is one better than the other and do they charge the same?

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

In my app the Help section does not suggest that I will ever be given a phone number. I don't want to experiment with a ride I have already completed. Which of the Help articles for a passenger have you been able to follow and eventually arrive at a phone number?

There is no phone number. You submit a complaint or concern regarding a specific ride within the app. Usually within an hour, someone responds via DM in the app. You can reply to the DM if necessary. I have had issues resolved this way. It is less than ideal, but it works. If you don't get satisfaction, I would then dispute the charge on your credit card.

To be fair, the last time I had an issue with a taxi ride, the process was similar. The days of talking to a live person are mostly over, and AI will prob make it worse.