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Why do Uber and Lyft drivers become so angry when riders don't tip?

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CWalcutt75
259 Driver
 Posted 6 years ago

I am actually a driver myself.  I agreed to all the rates and how much I get paid when I signed up, so why are other drivers so upset for not getting tips?  Is this a matter of expectation?

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    DmianBlair
    98
     5 years ago  (edited 5 years ago)

    I don't get angry about it but it is sometimes annoying.

    I think it is mostly because people do usually tip taxi drivers but Uber has trained riders not to tip rideshare drivers, first by telling them "the tip is included" then by telling them "there's no need to tip" after they were sued. People didn't just decide overnight to stop tipping drivers. Uber intentionally discouraged tipping to keep riders spending more of their travel budget on fares & less on tips.

    I also find it annoying when riders promise a tip then don't follow through. But in this case I am more annoyed by the dishonesty than the not tipping itself.

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      johnblotter
      97 Rider Driver
       5 years ago

      I actually find this happens fairly frequently, riders will promise a tip on the app and then never do. Some will apologize and say "sorry I don't have any cash on me, I'll get you on the app". or I have seen passengers talk loudly between the two like "make sure to tip" or "do you have cash? no? we can tip on the app". But they never do.

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        Norm22
        53 Rider Driver
         5 years ago  (edited 5 years ago)

        It is their way of saving face. I never understood it otherwise. I don't expect or suggest tips. If you ask I will answer, but to say "I am out of cash / I will take care of you on the app" is code for, I won't tip you because I am cheap and will never see you again. If you don't want to tip then don't. No need to pretend you are going to. 1 out of 10 say this out loud and actually do. Usually other drivers taking a ride, or someone who honestly wants to tip. Better not to say anything except thanks or have a good day. That is better than the former.

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          RainbowRash
          102 Rider
           5 years ago

          We have to admit as a society that we tip out of guilty than a kind heart.  Bleh.  It's like how you want to be seen when stuffing a dollar into the tip jar at Starbucks.  You'd hate it if the workers didn't see it, you know?

          That's why they say, "I will tip".  To save safe.

          Sad, I know.

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          johnblotter
          97 Rider Driver
           5 years ago

          Yes, this "code" is so true - "I won't tip you because I am cheap and will never see you again"

          I guess people have no moral compass when they can get away with it.

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      BrianTheScrewDriver
      457 Driver Driver
       5 years ago

      I wonder if the lack of tipping has to do with the perception of Uber drivers being "casual" drivers who are "just like and me."  "Making a few bucks on the side" (and enjoying a fancy dinner per Uber TV commercials)

       I think this perception is very different than looking at a professional taxi drivers who do it for a living and perhaps struggling to make ends meet.  I think consumers think Uber drivers have real gigs on the side and basically only doing this to a) meet people, b) kill time, c) make more money than we are already making, etc..

      ...basically they assume we don't need the money.

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      Bigfrank
      447 Rider Driver Driver
       5 years ago

      People do not tip because they are tightwads and would trade their mother for a tic tac especially the millennials.

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    MilanoMinis
    168 Rider
     6 years ago

    Uber made a variant attempt to make it a cashless and tipless experience, but they miserably failed.  They had pressure from Lyft and drivers and they finally gave in.  There should be something to be learned from there.  Such a large and powerful entity like Uber attempted to eliminate tips but they couldn't.  That means that this tipping is not unnatural.  It was demanded by the market.  by the people.  It wasn't some weird concept generated or outlined by someone or some entity.

    So, natural selection do its work.  This is the right direction, and we should all accept it.  Drivers are services personnel and they should get paid tips along aside hairdresser, bellboy, housekeeping, waitresses, etc.

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      DDominico69
      189 Driver
       5 years ago

      so Uber tried to make it tip-ess and they "failed?"   

      good.

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        T-RabitDriven
        224 Driver
         5 years ago

        They succeeded in screwing over milions of drivers.

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    RacRay79
    142 Driver
     6 years ago

    Riders routinely tip taxi drivers, even though the taxi rates are often 2x–3x as much as an Uber ride.

    Riders routinely tip the pizza delivery who drove a mile and a half to deliver. They’re paid an hourly plus tips.

    Riders routinely tip the barista that makes their latte, even though the he is paid a salary and it’s part of their job.

    Riders routinely tip waitresses who carry your food 30 feet from the restaurant kitchen to your table. They, too receive a salary plus tip.

    An Uber drivers drives 10 minutes out of their way to pick you up, waits 5 minutes while you fool around inside, then drives you to your destination in a car that they pay for, in a car they pay to insure, using the gas that’s paid for out of their own pockets, and they get you to your destination safely, and all you can ask is why should you tip them? Really?

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      breakingbread
      275 Rider Driver
       6 years ago

      THIS. Right here. Why wouldn't you tip?

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    HuhnHuhn
    127 Rider
     6 years ago

    I know there are people who are against tips in general or just the concept of it. I can see their argument on how the rates should be set to cover all costs and it shouldn't be pushed down to the passengers, etc.  Then the drivers argue they aren't getting paid.  Then people say that's not their problem, maybe it's Uber's.

    However, I think everyone is forgetting one important thing about tipping.  It's meant to be there to reward the person for a job well done.  This is why you see it most often in the service industry.

    Uber and Lyft driving is a service and some drivers can do a good job and some won't.  The amount of tip should reflect that.   Am I the only person who thinks people are blowing this discussion to unnecessary levels?

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      franciash
      28
       6 years ago

      Exactly tipping should be for a job well done IMO, I am not tipping some sub standard driver who is just whiny about not making enough money. You want my tip, go above and beyond.

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    SmittenKitten
    2098 Rider
     6 years ago

    This whole thing is flawed. Drivers aren't happy because they aren't getting paid enough per rates set by Uber.  Now the riders and passengers are arguing as to how much needs to be paid.  It's all messed up.

    Drivers demand they get pad tips because Uber doesn't listen.  Passengers can be shamed into it, so that's where they turn.

    In a P2P on-demand service, one entity shouldn't be setting a price.   A better business model would allow all parties (riders and drivers) to bid and agree on a price.  Uber can be more like eBay, where as the facilitator, they can take a cut of that and be happy.

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    TomHarding
    11
     5 years ago  (edited 5 years ago)

    As a driver I've seen pasengers tip the baggage boy, the hotel guy that opens the car door and cab drivers. I tip the server at restuarants. I'm providing a personal service the same as other do, yet tips are not done very often. So drivers get a little angry when they provide personal service, help with luggage and groceries and not get tipped.

    A tip is a gesture of thanks for the service.

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      RPaulson
      560 Driver
       5 years ago

      The bellboy, the doormen, and taxi driver.  That's three tips in one short swoop.  Amazing people don't see Uber drivers as providing services.  Not sure where things went wrong.

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    chipsavoy
    140
     6 years ago

    The whole premise of tipping is absurd IMO. It seems demeaning and rude. Why can't the US just get on board with the rest of the world and actually pay service personnel what they deserve! I would gladly pay a few extra bucks in a taxi or for my burger if I knew I didnt have to tip.

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    Bigfrank
    447 Rider Driver Driver
     2 years ago

    There is a high turnover rate because drivers realize that their return on investment is not worth it especially in NYC . I run a small private cab service and all my customers tip well because I can develop relationships with them and they appreciate this kind of service . App companies cannot and are  not interested to do so which is why the star system is in place  Most people do not have clue of what customer service is and are satisfied with the star system .

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    WWBlueStuff
    269 Driver
     5 years ago

    How do you even know they become so angry?  Honestly, I am way over that.  I think many drivers believe on tip and demand it, but the expectation is totally a different thing.  I get tip on 1/3 of my rides, if that.  and they are enough to round off to the next five.  So a few bucks.

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    Bigfrank
    447 Rider Driver Driver
     5 years ago

    Are you brain dead ? The rates are so cheap that it is better to deliver pizza and get a tip than it is to drive tightwads .

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      LCarpenter
      221 Rider Driver
       5 years ago

      You should try UberEats.  It's even worse.

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    RPaulson
    560 Driver
     6 years ago

    It's the perception.  The non-surge fares are way too low to sustain a successful career, to the point that they are losing money unless they get tips.  That's how slim the margins are.

    I am a driver, and I can say that this depends on where you drive as a driver.  If you work in the city and taking many short trips, the per mile rate really doesn't add up and I hear you don't really get paid.  (People are less likely to tip on a $5 ride, especially due to a large portion of that being a booking fee that goes entirely to Uber.)  Then you are often stuck in traffic which diminishes your per minute rate.  It's tough.

    I drive in the suburbs, but in populated and busy areas such as the mall, where the trips are much longer.  My trips are more like 5 to 10 miles, and those definitely do work out much better.  and ironically, I get paid more tips in the 20~30% range.

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      TravTravTravis
      170
       6 years ago

      You can't blame the passengers for not tippping on those shorter trips.  Due to Uber's booking fee and minimum fare, they paid a very high per mile/minute fee.  

      Uber really should be lowering their booking fees for those shorter rides.  It's killing the drivers and passengers are already paying the premium.

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        Norm22
        53 Rider Driver
         5 years ago  (edited 5 years ago)

        Uber should ease their take and actually pay a per ride bonus to the drivers if they are gonna stick with the tip-included nonsense. If they gave half of their booking fee to the driver things would be much sunnier. Never gonna hsappen though so it is what it has become. Not to mention the claims from Uber that you can make bonuses every week or series of rides. Not in my town, promotions tab always says "there are currently no promotions offered or upcoming".

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    DonutDrivers
    246 Driver Driver
     6 years ago

    Because you tip everyone else.  We get very low wages below minimum wage and get our car trashed by rude pompous passengers.

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    KWalkins
    88
     6 years ago

    I blame Uber for this, but yeah, it's because the drivers are getting the bummed part of the deal.  The prices are set way too low, 1/2 as much as taxis, in order for Uber to sign up more users and to spread their dominance.  Drivers are paying the cost as the riders completely benefit.  

    Uber must know that drivers weren't going to make enough money when they did the math and set the prices.  So they must be counting on how people will tip.  Have our "salary" be subsidized by the riders.  So, please, riders.  You have to tip for this business model to work.  It was designed that way by Uber.

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    AsStibelDude
    669 Driver
     6 years ago

    Yes, it's the expectation.  That's where you are wrong.  At the time of sign up, we did our research and assumed we would be getting a certain amount of tips to rides.  Currently, the rates set by Uber are just too low for us to meet a decent wage.  We hear about all these promises on how much we would make (usually backed by amazing success stories that remind me of those pyramid scheme sales people), but the truth is that we won't be making $90K a year.

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    EjiEzeEze
    324 Rider Driver
     6 years ago

    Ooohhhh, boy.  You just threw a firecracker in the snake pit.

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    Jmh1189
    Driver
     4 years ago

    You tip your bartender right? They get u drunk. Servers bring you food. You wouldn't dare forget to tip them right?  Oh the guy taking your drunk ass home safely or getting you to work on time? Catch an important flight on time? Fuck that guy. 

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    Bigfrank
    447 Rider Driver Driver
     5 years ago

    To all app drivers :  Understand that most app riders will not piss on a loved one if they were on fire.

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      tekknokat
       2 years ago

      As a new rider who supported the taxi drivers, and will do so no longer because they are lazy and ungrateful . . .

      I just rode Uber twice this week.  I applied tip to my Uber driver equal to amount of the trip because they were pretty short local trips, so for a 7.00 trip I added a 7.00 tip, and the app is very straightforward when adding a tip.  After I did so Uber applied the tip to the driver, then refunded the price of the trip, so all the driver will receive is the tip instead of the original fare.  It may be that Uber is telling passengers this:

      If you insist on tipping then we are forcing you to choose, pay the original ride fare or the tip, you can't give the driver both, because we control what is charged to your credit card.  Period.  Don't blame passengers, your Uber overlords have commanded it.  I tip way too generously to be stranded everywhere I tip to pick up a prescription that was called in and filled days in advance, and I go in of…

      Read more...

      As a new rider who supported the taxi drivers, and will do so no longer because they are lazy and ungrateful . . .

      I just rode Uber twice this week.  I applied tip to my Uber driver equal to amount of the trip because they were pretty short local trips, so for a 7.00 trip I added a 7.00 tip, and the app is very straightforward when adding a tip.  After I did so Uber applied the tip to the driver, then refunded the price of the trip, so all the driver will receive is the tip instead of the original fare.  It may be that Uber is telling passengers this:

      If you insist on tipping then we are forcing you to choose, pay the original ride fare or the tip, you can't give the driver both, because we control what is charged to your credit card.  Period.  Don't blame passengers, your Uber overlords have commanded it.  I tip way too generously to be stranded everywhere I tip to pick up a prescription that was called in and filled days in advance, and I go in off hours when this pharmacy was not busy.  I have to stop making short trips because I have heart failure and severe back pain and I tip generously not to be abandoned when I am not shopping and call to pick up orders in advance, and the driver just leaves me there to be in pain for hours and hours to wait to be picked up again, sometimes 9 hours at a time.

      Read less...

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    CWalcutt75
    259 Driver
     6 years ago

    s

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    Bigfrank
    447 Rider Driver Driver
     5 years ago

    Let's be real here and I can only speak for NYC when Communist Uber rolled in and the rates were premium for that particular kind of service. The drivers were earning a high rates with bonuses with non slavery hours. The conduct of app companies and their riders is ungodly and disgraceful to say the least . Lyft went public so they could avoid all the labor lawsuits against them and as of this comment the stock is sinking and hopefully goes into the bowels of hell where it belongs. 

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      tekknokat
       2 years ago

      Last week I tipped an Uber driver 15.00 for a 7.00 trip, to take me home from a grocery store.  I have severe back injury and heart failure.  This lazy teenager refused to help me take my beverages out of the car, and then stands there and asks me, "did you buy all that to start a business or something?"  I gave the kid the large tip anyway for the 5 minute ride, hoping it would make him realize there are nice people out there that deserve to be helped.  2 days later I noticed that Uber applied the 15.00 tip, and subtracted the 7.00 ride from my credit card, so you guys have to face the fact that you aren't getting paid because Uber is subtracting the agreed upon price if the passenger decides to give you a decent tip, it's Uber's decision not ours.