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A Conversation With a Chicago Uber Employee About Tipping

Tipping on Uber has gotten a lot of media attention lately and it seems as if the momentum for a tip option is building.  There have been companies like Vugo that have come out and added a tip option to their app and although it isn’t as smooth as an in app tip function, it does raise awareness of the issue with passengers.  I have actually spoken to drivers who have seen an increase in their cash tips just from using the tablet in their car and having passengers ask about tipping.

Today though, I wanted to share a guest post with you from an RSG reader in Chicago who recently had a conversation with an Uber employee about tipping.  In my mind, the Uber employee’s responses were pretty typical of Uber and really speak to the large disconnect between Uber and its drivers.  I also included a fun (sort of) poll at the bottom that I’m curious to see the results from.

I recently had the rare opportunity to ask an Uber employee a candid question that has been burning inside me: Why won’t Uber allow tipping?

A Conversation With a Chicago Uber Employee About Tipping

A Conversation With a Chicago Uber Employee About Tipping

[Read more…]

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Uber Drivers Now Have A Tipping Option With Vugo!

A few weeks ago I got an interesting e-mail from the company Vugo.  For those who don’t know, Vugo (formerly known as Viewswagen) is a new rideshare start-up that is looking to put geo-targeted video ads in the back of Uber cars.  Just imagine how valuable it would be for a company like Budweiser to show your 20 something passenger a beer ad right before dropping them off at a bar.  That’s exactly what Vugo is trying to do.

I covered Vugo’s launch a couple months ago and have been keeping an eye on them since they’ve promised drivers$3/hr once things get up and running.  Now that might not sound like a ton but when you think about it on a weekly or even monthly basis, if you’re driving 40 hrs/week, that’s over $500/month!

As you guys know, I’m always looking for ways to diversify my income and think outside the box when it comes to working smarter, not harder.  And in my mind, Vugo could be a real opportunity for drivers who are looking to bump up their earnings without much, if any, additional work.

Some of you have been e-mailing me about this company and I will be doing a full review of them in a few weeks but today I wanted to let you know about a new feature they’re launching that could be a game-changer for Uber drivers. [Read more…]

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Should Uber Passengers Tip Their Drivers?

As drivers, there will always be things like rates, passenger requests and pay that will be beyond our control.  Obviously, lower rates are at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now but there’s not a whole lot we can do about it.  I understand the desire to vent though, since it’s human nature to not want to do the same exact job for 30% less pay.

But personally, I’m not going to waste my breath.  Complaining won’t get you anywhere in life and there will always be people willing to work for less.  It’s up to you to do something about your situation if you’re not happy with the way things are.

My Number One Issue Right Now

As you guys know, my site is all about finding solutions to problems.  I don’t think rates are headed up in the near future so for me, the biggest issue right now is what to do about Uber’s tipping policy.  Uber’s official policy states:

Being Uber means there is no need to tip drivers with any of our services.

First of all, I have no idea what ‘Being Uber’ means but the rest of the message is clear: riders are not supposed to tip their drivers.  This has been Uber’s policy since the beginning, but it comes with one large caveat.

Uber’s rationalization for not having to tip drivers has always gone something like this: since Uber pays an above average wage, there is no need for passengers to tip drivers.  Drivers aren’t ‘supposed to’ work for tips like waiters or bell hops do in other service industries so there is no need to tip them.  That was Uber talking there, not me 🙂

Now that policy was fine when Uber was paying above average rates but since their fares have come down significantly in the past six months, that line of thinking no longer sits well with me. [Read more…]

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Why Being Creative Can Help You Get More Tips

In case you guys didn’t know, I don’t pay any of the people that write for me, they just do it out of the kindness of their heart and for their love of all things rideshare!  For that I am very appreciative and I hope that you are too.  Despite a crazy week at home, RSG contributor Scott Van Maldegiam still managed to put together a great article on how he uses his mental prowess to steer the conversation towards tips, and in turn has seen great results.  I think we could all learn a thing or two from this article because I know that as a passenger I would never give a driver a tip who straight up asked for one.

It has been a heck of a week personally, but I wanted to get a quick message out to help you all get some more tips… especially if you are driving for Lyft.

We all have our conversation starters.  You have conversation starter questions right?  Well, if you don’t, this article will give you some ideas.  This also ties in with the most common question I get:  How long have you been driving for Lyft (or Uber or Sidecar)?  Or do you like driving for Lyft (or Uber or Sidecar)?

If/when the rider asks a question like this, it’s pretty easy to move the conversation where I want it to go.  I will use Lyft as this strategy is generally focused on Lyft, but it could definitely be applied to other companies.  If you drive for UberX, it may be a little trickier, but it’s all about being creative.  Here is my strategy for moving the conversation to the topic of tips. [Read more…]