Uber caves on tips (taxis, live, restaurant)

[arjay57]

I am more than happy to tip service workers but I thought a major element of the Uber plan was that they simplified basic transportation and were a new model over traditional taxis.

Too bad they don't simply pay their employees what they are worth.

Uber apparently wants to do right by its drivers and be a real pal to them.

Which it plans to do by putting pressure on customers. Once a gloriously guilt-free, no-tip-expected zone, Uber now wants us to give its drivers tips.

***

Uber famously wanted to make getting from one point to another as frictionless as possible for customers. It was the anti-taxi. It let us believe early on that the equivalent of tips were already included in its rates.

No need to worry about having enough cash in the right denominations to show your appreciation. No uncomfortable pauses trying to figure out what gratuity makes sense. Are they like a waiter or a valet? Or like one of those folks with an annoying tip jar beside the to-go counter?

On an Uber ride you never have to carry a wallet or purse. Oh, sweet freedom!

More....Kempner: Once a tip-free zone, Uber caves on gratuities. Now what?

[primaltech]

I hate this country's expected-to-tip culture. It's ridiculous. My friend from England says it's not like that there.

The way it should be is that everyone in the service industry gets paid the correct amount, and if they just do their job, you don't give a tip, and one is not expected. Tips should be reserved for special requests, or they're doing something extra or going beyond the norm. Or just if the service was absolutely fantastic, and you feel like tipping. But not as a normal thing.

With that said, since our country is dumb and our culture is that a 15% tip is always expected when anyone just simply does their job, I'm glad I will now be able to tip my Uber driver and especially my Uber Eats deliverer, via the app. Because unfortunately service industry in this country is not paid fairly by their employers.

[AUGnative]

The major appeal of Uber is that the price is the price. It is simple. So now drivers will guilt shame you into tipping? Will you get a bad review and not get picked up if you dont leave a large enough tip? They go this route and they are no better than a taxi. You are already paying for the service.. just make it a fair price.

[CMMom]

I'm confused. Are they getting tipped when I pay via the app or not? Or I am expected to tip twice? Nothing annoys me more than when you go to a restaurant with a large party and the server is already being tipped but they don't mention that (it's in small print on the receipt and that's it). Please someone, explain.

[Harpaint]

I've been tipping them in cash, but I'll have to switch to online I guess. I don't want to get on a "bad" list because I basically love Uber!!

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by AUGnative

So now drivers will guilt shame you into tipping?

That's the thing. You already have drivers kind of expecting to get tipped, but there was no way to do that within the app, so you couldn't tip if you didn't have cash (which most people usually don't carry these days.)

And even if you do have cash for a tip, that then contradicts the whole point of Uber where money is not supposed to be exchanged.

Thus this change of policy. I agree with the change but I hate that it's needed.

[Bitey]

Originally Posted by Harpaint

I've been tipping them in cash, but I'll have to switch to online I guess. I don't want to get on a "bad" list because I basically love Uber!!

Why would you get on a "bad" list because you tip in cash instead of through the app? If anything the driver will know you tipped him right away instead of not knowing until his total clears at the end of their day or whenever.

[Harpaint]

Originally Posted by Bitey

Why would you get on a "bad" list because you tip in cash instead of through the app? If anything the driver will know you tipped him right away instead of not knowing until his total clears at the end of their day or whenever.

I guess you're right, if they just go by the driver's rating of you. I was thinking that other drivers might need to see on the app that you tipped though, now that they have it on there.

[Bitey]

Originally Posted by Harpaint

I guess you're right, if they just go by the driver's rating of you. I was thinking that other drivers might need to see on the app that you tipped though, now that they have it on there.

There's not going to be a running tally of your tips for all the other drivers to see.

[jencam]

I've never used Uber but my understanding is that is is far cheaper than a cab. And cab drivers expected tips. So, I don't think this will bother me when I do take one. I'll still come out ahead.