I think there’s no denying that the public perception of Uber has changed substantially over the past couple of years. When Uber first became popular it was sort of the underdog that everyone loved, as they were taking the taxi mafias to task. Unfortunately that perception has changed, especially over the past few months.
After countless corporate scandals and widespread dissatisfaction among drivers, they just aren’t as beloved as they used to be. Originally people used Uber to boycott taxis, and now people are boycotting Uber.
Personally I continue to use Uber, mainly because I think Uber is still better than taxis. I have started using Lyft a bit more as well, but they’re not available in all markets.
Anyway, one thing I hadn’t realized until Live and Let’s Fly wrote about it is that Uber has evolved on how they approach tipping.
In the past Uber’s website said the following about tipping:
Do I need to tip my driver?
You don’t need cash when you ride with Uber. Once you arrive at your destination, your fare is automatically charged to your credit card on file — there’s no need to tip.
However, nowadays the Uber website says the following:
Can I tip my driver with the app?
The Uber app does not include a tip when billing you for a trip fare.
In most cities, Uber is a cashless experience. Tipping is voluntary. Tips are not included in the fare, nor are they expected or required.
As a rider, you are not obligated to offer your driver a gratuity in cash. If you decide you would like to tip, your driver is welcome to accept.
Uber still isn’t saying you absolutely should tip, but I do think the tone is very different — they’ve gone from saying that there’s no need to tip, to saying that tip isn’t included, and that there’s no way to tip through the app.
I will say that I’ve noticed a lot more drivers actively soliciting tips, whether it comes in the form of them posting a sign in their car, saying something about how little they’re paid, etc.
Personally my approach to tipping with Uber hasn’t changed:
- I don’t tip with UberBLACK, since I think the prices are typically fair
- In markets where I personally think Uber is too cheap, I will tip (for example, in Los Angeles, UberX costs 90 cents per mile nowadays, which is about a third the price of a taxi)
- For markets where I find UberX prices to be “fair” (like New York City, for example) I tip if it’s a great experience, but typically don’t otherwise
Mainly I just wish they’d allow tipping directly through the app. Sometimes I want to tip but don’t have any cash. Part of Uber’s value proposition is that it’s cashless. That’s kind of thrown out the window when drivers start to expect tips, but it can’t be done electronically.
Has your approach to tipping Uber drivers changed over time, as drivers are more actively soliciting tips and Uber’s stance on tipping has softened?
Nice of Paul to mess with his neighbor's life cause he doesn't like him. Wouldn't that be funny if that unemployed neighbor found a gun in the middle of the road, just as Paul was driving by, and it somehow went off and blew your head off?
My neighbor down the street does Uber, I actually never liked the guy. My car broke down and I needed to call an Uber and he showed up. A few hours after the ride I called Uber and lodged a fictitious complaint it was so over the top. I learned a week later that Uber blocked him from ever being a driver again. LOL
can youuse rhe credit catd on file to tip ordpyouhave touse Uber cash?
Tip the driver, you cheap f*s.
I never tip I need to save money not blow it on these creatures
Wow, some of these folks commenting here are really something else.... to those whining about tipping in the service industry, well, those guys make about $2.14 an hour so...... To the ones saying they won’t be tipping their Uber drivers bc they make enough already, you guys are ignorant. They also have to maintain upkeep and gas on a car being driven in excess. Please educate yourselves on these things and know that those of...
Wow, some of these folks commenting here are really something else.... to those whining about tipping in the service industry, well, those guys make about $2.14 an hour so...... To the ones saying they won’t be tipping their Uber drivers bc they make enough already, you guys are ignorant. They also have to maintain upkeep and gas on a car being driven in excess. Please educate yourselves on these things and know that those of you saying “oh just quit” or “ you chose the job so deal with it or quit” it’s certainly not that simple and sometimes tough times call for taking jobs that aren’t great but have hours you can pick yourself and it’s the only job that will work for the time being Bc you’re maybe in the middle of a divorce trying to raise young kids by yourself or whatever tough time scenario it might be! Just remember folks, we are all susceptible to tough times no matter how high on that horse we are! It could happen to you as well! Don't be that awful human being that’s just trying to justify not tipping!!!
Tipping is allowed on the App and should be done. The drivers must cover all expenses including car (high mileage & purchase), insurance, gas and maintenance, all for just above minimum wage. For those who don't want to tip, maybe you should take a more expensive taxi. Yes, the driver has agreed to the terms for various reasons. For many, it is a second job requiring long hours just to get by.
Many, if...
Tipping is allowed on the App and should be done. The drivers must cover all expenses including car (high mileage & purchase), insurance, gas and maintenance, all for just above minimum wage. For those who don't want to tip, maybe you should take a more expensive taxi. Yes, the driver has agreed to the terms for various reasons. For many, it is a second job requiring long hours just to get by.
Many, if not most drivers drive for both Uber and Lyft, so the comparison doesn't make sense because you probably get the same driver/vehicle.
Please understand that what you pay uber does NOT go to the driver. Uber takes about $3 off the top and then anywhere from 25-50% of the rest. A driver is typically about 5 mins away, and for these short distances, we'll assume downtown, so 2 miles. On this trip, I spent 5 miles getting to you, 2.5 mins waiting on you to get to the car, and 4.5 mins driving you to your destination....
Please understand that what you pay uber does NOT go to the driver. Uber takes about $3 off the top and then anywhere from 25-50% of the rest. A driver is typically about 5 mins away, and for these short distances, we'll assume downtown, so 2 miles. On this trip, I spent 5 miles getting to you, 2.5 mins waiting on you to get to the car, and 4.5 mins driving you to your destination. From your perspective, $7 seems reasonable, and I'm making a killing, right? For that 12 mins, providing my own car, insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc, I made $3.32 off that ride. I'm waiting another 5 mins to get the next trip, so let's say I can get 4 of these trips in an hour, that's $13.28/hour. Now, while that's certainly above minimum wage, do you think that not tipping is really the correct move?
Here's an example of a short trip:
You Receive
Base Fare
$0.53
Distance (1.19 mi × $0.645/mi)
$0.77
Time (4.28 min × $0.0825/min)
$0.35
Wait Time (2.37 min × $0.15/min)
$0.35
Min Fare Supplement
$1.32
Total
$3.32
Uber Receives
Service Fee
$1.10
Booking Fee
$2.95
Total
$4.05
Rider Pays
Rider Price
$7.37
Driver speaking: Uber and Luft lose money; Riders get a fantastic deal (compare to cabs!); Drivers make minimum wage or close.
Two general types of riders: those poor, without cars, or those doing well enough to travel or go out for the evening and pay for a ride and leave their car in the driveway.
You can rationalize not tipping however you want but if you're of the second variety you're being cheap.
Do you tip your waiter for bringing you food??? Well tip your driver for bringing your alive body somewhere safely...
I went through a divorce and loosing my career job of thirteen years. Subsequently I started driving for Uber, It was one of the most humbling experiences I’d been through in the last decade. Get off your high horse, time to realize that It could buck you off at anytime...
To all you tippers out there.... all you are doing is allowing more money to go into the pockets of the owners/shareholders of the company and your making them millions. If no one tipped, then less people would take these jobs and the businesses would have to pay more to attract workers. Supply and demand.
Now with that said, I believe in gratuity ONLY when the service is above and beyond what I would expect them to do in any situation.
It's that simple.
Apparently, Uber is adding a tipping facility to the app. I wonder how all this jibes with the CEO being turfed?
Very happy to see the riders perspective on uber tipping. I hope and I wish that after the end of the calendar year you will walk home without Christmas bonus. In the end why should you get a bonus you got paid for your job contributions. I'm sure you will start bitching with your coworkers or at home trying to explain how your boss was unfair this year.
This is insane.
Having the...
Very happy to see the riders perspective on uber tipping. I hope and I wish that after the end of the calendar year you will walk home without Christmas bonus. In the end why should you get a bonus you got paid for your job contributions. I'm sure you will start bitching with your coworkers or at home trying to explain how your boss was unfair this year.
This is insane.
Having the option to tip will bring up the level of service instead of making you feel cheap.
Those tips go to the water you drink, to the gums you ask and to the longer waiting without canceling your ride.
I find that regular people tip everyday because they come from those lines were tip is a necessity for them so they understand.
As a conclusion I think that tipping betters the service in any category especially this days that the world has become so materialist.
I really don't get Uber's continued refusal to include a tipping option in its app like Lyft does. Makes zero sense. I have a 4.58 rating which I understand sucks and I know it is 100% due to my no tipping policy. I have always valued the feature of arriving at my destination and getting out of the car with no delay. When I started using UberX, the driver's take was 90% and fares were...
I really don't get Uber's continued refusal to include a tipping option in its app like Lyft does. Makes zero sense. I have a 4.58 rating which I understand sucks and I know it is 100% due to my no tipping policy. I have always valued the feature of arriving at my destination and getting out of the car with no delay. When I started using UberX, the driver's take was 90% and fares were in line with cab fares. Now the fares are much lower and the driver cut is 75%. So from an economic standpoint I'm willing to tip. In fact I would even add a flat 20% tip to all rides in the app if it were offered. So I'll take Lyft's option, and in fact have started to use Uber less. Having said that, all the Uber drivers whining about their "plight" as if we passengers should be concerned about their issues resulting from their job choices should re-evaluate their decision to drive for Uber. You signed up for their terms so either live with them or quit.
I rarely carry more than $20 cash and have tipped an Uber driver exactly 3 times in over 100 rides that I can remember - all in situations where they did something above and beyond, like help with some really heavy stuff, wait a few extra minutes (I'm usually on the street and waiting for my driver) or something of the sort. My rating is over 4.9. I've also only ever given less than 5...
I rarely carry more than $20 cash and have tipped an Uber driver exactly 3 times in over 100 rides that I can remember - all in situations where they did something above and beyond, like help with some really heavy stuff, wait a few extra minutes (I'm usually on the street and waiting for my driver) or something of the sort. My rating is over 4.9. I've also only ever given less than 5 stars in maybe 5 circumstances, and all were issues that I felt were pretty serious (filthy cars, unsafe driving, poor routing or the one racist guy). I think a big part of ratings is based on the experience someone gives their driver, making their day a little better and making sure they feel like you are treating them like a human being and not some machine. My trips also are almost never minimums and I almost never seek help in carrying bags when I have them.
The entire point of the cashless economy is that you don't have to do things like carry around tip money. I agree that tipping culture in a model like Uber is ridiculous and that Uber simply should increase rates slightly or reduce their pretty staggering commissions.
Now you can only drive if you get tips - If no one tipped I could not afford to drive or buy the gas. In Tampa bay before tips drivers average between 8 to 9 dollars per hour, and that is before gas , insurance, car payment and repairs. Without tips it would not be worth driving at all. Most riders do not understand this, they just assume we make enough money without tips. Its sad really.
People are so misinformed because all Rideshate drivers are not employees and make ZERO DOLLARS PER HOUR. They are responsible for EVERTHING..... CAR PAYMENTS, CAR INSURANCE, Oil changes, tires, breaks, car washes, windshield wipers, cleaning supplies, maintanace and most time damages jerk riders cause (Oh you say Uber or Pyft covers that ..... yeah ok AFTER DRIVER HAS TO COUGH UP 1K deductible lol). I use my tips to make sure I have a safe...
People are so misinformed because all Rideshate drivers are not employees and make ZERO DOLLARS PER HOUR. They are responsible for EVERTHING..... CAR PAYMENTS, CAR INSURANCE, Oil changes, tires, breaks, car washes, windshield wipers, cleaning supplies, maintanace and most time damages jerk riders cause (Oh you say Uber or Pyft covers that ..... yeah ok AFTER DRIVER HAS TO COUGH UP 1K deductible lol). I use my tips to make sure I have a safe vehicle to ride in and transport people but you don't want to tip and mabr riding in an unsafe vehicle. Abuse the driver can't afford to live, pay car basicbusiness expenses, let alone expensive tires, breaks and major maintenance (but you are trusting someone with your life but can't give a few bucks to keep things safe???? The rides are toooooo cheap and that is why Uber and Lyft are bleeding money and drivers hurting but who cares cause you can get around cheap. What happens when millions of drivers need major repaired with making pennies on a head rides will not here be an implosion and the service will fail. Idiots get in your car with coats and suit coats and want a/c blasting(compressor will be broken for excessive use at drivers expense of course) and we are suppose to be mind readers to people you can barley see in rear view mirror (but your eyes are suppose to be on the road but if you don't ENTERTAIN THESE entitled babies and concentrate on driving safely you not friendly). And can't win!!!? Poor rating cause the rider is a bit or a scam artist trying to get free rides and rate driver low for only that reason, on top of that, people over the last op making out, heavy, heavy petting, to falacio action from female on male to male on male, to me exposing their penisis and pleasuring themselves in your back seat, passengers wanting you to load and unload heavy a$$ bags for free, leaving cars, dogs and kids unattended in your vehicle, car jacking, kid napping and killing drivers, tearing seats with cloth and leather, leaving seats soiled with spit, piss, blood, feces, seamen, underage minors, open containers 600 fine, rough neighborhoods, cursed out, berated , physically attacked, robbed, turn by turn directions and clearly hear drivers gps, called The N word, called the bi$ch or fa@g word, asked to wait while Lyt dies not pay you to wait, people who smell like week and crap, rudely expected to wait in long drive thru line while not getting paid so your drunk bit can eat and drivers starving , drugs left behind in you vehicle (good luck explaining to Police) low insanely cheap fares, no tips..... Really??!!!! Priceless! You say get a job. Well a lot have tried and still are not easy to find or some have health issues and a lot are homeless and on food stamps just trying not to be that bum on the corner asking you people for a couple of bucks so you can kick them in the teeth and say "get a job or do something", which is what they are doing , TRYING to support themselves. Here is the ugly math of ride share the first 2 bucks is a booking fee (driver does not get one penny and if pick up at Hartsfield Airport in my Atlanta it's almost another 4 bucks and nothing to driver and then) it's .78/mil and a whole .12 cent/min only while your are moving and the Uber and Lyft come back and take 25% from those numbers.
I just started to drive for Uber in Los Angeles - I've received 17 ratings, all 5-star, and zero tips. I can't say I blame the passengers for not tipping, just from reading this comment section and a few others it's clear to me that many passengers for some reason think that the tip is built into the price....i'm not sure who's fault that is, if it's Uber's or what, but that definitely is not...
I just started to drive for Uber in Los Angeles - I've received 17 ratings, all 5-star, and zero tips. I can't say I blame the passengers for not tipping, just from reading this comment section and a few others it's clear to me that many passengers for some reason think that the tip is built into the price....i'm not sure who's fault that is, if it's Uber's or what, but that definitely is not the case. And I really think it's up to Uber to change that and make tipping available within the app. So many people don't carry cash around and they also might feel weird for giving "only" one dollar (even though as a driver, one dollar would be amazing to me, personally). But Uber as an organization needs to be the element the changes within this situation, we can't expect passengers to now believe tipping for Uber drivers is totally expected and normal when for years Uber has been touted as cash-free, and tip-free.
I also think much of the problem comes down to what passengers believe about Uber's rates and what the driver is actually making. Personally (I'm in LA) Uber keeps about 28% of the total fee a passenger pays. Yesterday I got stuck in heinous Downtown LA, I'm new and kept getting requests when I got stuck downtown and like an idiot, I kept accepting them. I did 5 rides in a row that involved getting on at least 1 freeway, dealt with 1-way streets, one girl asked me to stop at a liquor store (I said yes, idiotically)....each ride was 4.55 for the passenger and I made $3.00 per ride. Some rides I had to get on and off of 3 (THREE!!) freeways within a 3-mile trip, risking life and limb...for THREE EFFING DOLLARS! I Learned a very valuable lesson yesterday, and I will never ever ever drive in downtown LA, especially during a non-surge time. I think I was reading my screen incorrectly and I believed it was a surge time so I was taking these rights assuming I would make at least six dollars even for the short ones ....nope. I was driving around non-stop like a maniac for 3 hours and made $28...I wanted to cry. But hey, it's a learning process and I did learn a very valuable lesson yesterday. 3 of the rides were lazy d-bags going about 1 mile or less.
Anyway, I wanted to chime in also because I saw that someone on this comment board mentioned that it cost $45 to get from LAX to Beverly Hills via Uber, as if that's a high rate. I have done that exact ride about 20 times via taxi before Uber was around and each time I paid $80 - $60 was for the taxi ride and $20 in tip, so $45 is dirt cheap to get from LAX to Beverly Hills and you should appreciate that. It's chump change to get from the airport into the center of the city - The fact that someone is complaining that they paid 45 bucks for that exact ride is laughable to me considering how much it costs with a taxi or even a town car which was sometimes cheaper than a taxi (all before Uber of course).
So, for the passengers who think $20 is an expensive Uber ride to get 15 miles, remember: a) if you were in a taxi you'd be paying $60 minimum to go the same distance, and b) the driver is probably getting about $14 of that $20 you paid, Angeles city like LA the driver will then have to backtrack those 15 miles to get back to where he was if it was a good areas to be driving in, so that's actually 30 miles for $14.
I have to admit before I ever drove with Uber, I just assumed Uber drivers were raking it in or at least making pretty good money. But I'm only on my 35th ride and I can see that it is definitely not a moneymaking job. Yes, it's great to tie up some loose ends part time. I really enjoyed it and so far, knock on wood, almost all of my passengers have been truly terrific . But it can be incredibly frustrating when you feel like you've driven all over creation for 10 hours and then when you check your earnings, you've actually made $86 for those 10 hours of driving nonstop.
I know that's not the passengers fault, Uber should either be adding a tip option or upping the drivers' fees, or not taking 28% of their drivers' earnings, but it's still a frustrating issue.
@Joe, the waiter analogy is flawed because their wages are predicated on having tips make up for the difference from minimum wage. Taxi drivers etc do not have this arrangement.
The custom of tipping is actually historically from wealthy people alleviating their guilt by throwing some money poor people's way. The practice should be eliminated in favor of a fair, transparent wage and prices that reflect them-- many countries do this like Japan and Australia.
@Andrew very well said!
@JJ: "Drivers choice to take a job with agreed upon rates!" by the same token, U.S waiters do the same, and we tip them. Or do you not, because you don't believe in tipping culture?
As a part-time driver, I don't feel entitled to tips. But I personally do not rely on Uber for my income. There are plenty of people who do.
Is why I always tip.
Driving for uber: Drivers choice to take a job with agreed upon rates! If you don't like it, stop driving. If you can't get any other job, then that's your fault. But don't penalize me for "not" paying you more than agreed upon because you are whining about how much you are paid. I work a job, do I ask for tips? Nope. So why should you?
Also-- Uber is cashless. Once cash is...
Driving for uber: Drivers choice to take a job with agreed upon rates! If you don't like it, stop driving. If you can't get any other job, then that's your fault. But don't penalize me for "not" paying you more than agreed upon because you are whining about how much you are paid. I work a job, do I ask for tips? Nope. So why should you?
Also-- Uber is cashless. Once cash is involved, it's pointless. I tip Lyft drivers but I don't Uber drivers. Instead of whining to your customers, why don't you whine to Uber, or better yet, just drive for Lyft???? The stupidity blows my mind. Nobody is forcing you to drive for Uber!!!! "Well, it's just a side job." Then don't expect tips!!! "Well, they don't treat us fairly." Then get another job that does!!! Why do Uber drivers feel so entitled??? Any Uber drivers in this thread, please feel free to prove me wrong.
Don't be fooled - the uber drivers I speak to in the larger cities make really good money without tips. $90k in SF and one driver told me he made $120k in New York. These were full time uber drivers. One of the best things about uber is no tipping. In fact I don't use lyft because of the expectation to tip. Tipping culture in the US is ridiculous
Absolutely not, the no tip element is one of the best bits of the service. Let's get rid of this stupid tipping culture. Also no silly arguments re minimum wage please - as an example, jazz club in Chicago - compère makes big announcement re making sure you tip the waitress, especially to highlight this to foreigners. Suggested $1-2 per bottle of beer. Thing is, they're walking round distributing easily a bottle every 5 min...
Absolutely not, the no tip element is one of the best bits of the service. Let's get rid of this stupid tipping culture. Also no silly arguments re minimum wage please - as an example, jazz club in Chicago - compère makes big announcement re making sure you tip the waitress, especially to highlight this to foreigners. Suggested $1-2 per bottle of beer. Thing is, they're walking round distributing easily a bottle every 5 min (conservatively) - that's $12/h minimum before wage, well above national living wage in countries that have it. Or tipping including a percentage on drinks - what additional work is there for opening a more expensive bottle of wine? Also no logic to why some jobs get tips and others don't, plus within a sector lots of inequality - why does the server get the tip when the kitchen staff get nothing?
I have had more than one driver (in Europe) threaten me with zero stars if I didn't tip.
In Australia, no tipping in either UberBlack or X.
Europe, no thanks!
USA, no thanks!
@Joe,
I do tip when I use Lyft, but not for Uber. And if its was "revenue neutral" (meaning Uber drivers get paid as if tips are included in the fare), I prefer the Uber system. I suppose, at bottom, when I am a customer, I'll pay a fair price, but I do not care to be policing quality with what I pay. I'd even prefer this at restaurants, but I am well enough familiar...
@Joe,
I do tip when I use Lyft, but not for Uber. And if its was "revenue neutral" (meaning Uber drivers get paid as if tips are included in the fare), I prefer the Uber system. I suppose, at bottom, when I am a customer, I'll pay a fair price, but I do not care to be policing quality with what I pay. I'd even prefer this at restaurants, but I am well enough familiar with US social conventions that I tip appropriately. Its an unenforced obligation no greater or less than I honor when I tithe.
Lucky indicates that he tips based in part on whether the Uber rates in any given city are "fair". As for me, I'd prefer to avoid sussing out, when I get to Boston, or Orlando, or Phoenix, or St. Louis, or wherever I might be any given week, whether or not prevailing uber rates are "fair", creating a need for me to fill the gap. Such shifts an inordinate burden to me. Rather, I really, really, really, want a system like my doctor's office, the deli where I grab an occasional sandwich, my grocery store, my dry cleaner, my plumber, my car mechanic, my tax preparer, etc., etc, where the employee's compensation is a metter between the employer and the employee and I need not wonder what I need to do to supplement an employee's compensation to at least living wage. I know, yes, indeed, I know, that does not come free. But the notion that the customer in certain industries is responsible for, at times, the preponderance of the employee's compensation strikes me as terribly perverse.
The madness must end.
jfhscott says
"Were there an expectation for gratuities, I might agree, but uber and most ridesharing services have held themselves out to their customers and employees equally as being tip free. They police quality through their own methods (ratings), which relieves customers of the burden of policing quality through gratuities. It is truly not that I want or want not to tip – rather, I want to follow whatever convention is established. Uber bucked...
jfhscott says
"Were there an expectation for gratuities, I might agree, but uber and most ridesharing services have held themselves out to their customers and employees equally as being tip free. They police quality through their own methods (ratings), which relieves customers of the burden of policing quality through gratuities. It is truly not that I want or want not to tip – rather, I want to follow whatever convention is established. Uber bucked US traditions and established a tip free, cashless system; I will follow that convention."
If that's really how you view it, that's fair enough. I believe the industry as a whole has been a tipping culture, so why are we ending it with Uber? It's dumb that we're cutting back pay and tips at the same time.
Uber has marketed as tip free, Lyft not at all. So do you avoid Lyft to justify not tipping with Uber? If you use Lyft, do you tip?
Z Says: Or you yourself can make a difference. Drive less, and your fellow driver might encounter more surge priced rides or less time when they are idling around waiting. Clearly, you aren’t losing money (or else you wouldn’t drive at all), and your fellow drivers aren’t leaving either, indicating everyone is willing to stomach current pay. You might not be happy, but your action indicates that you are willing. McDonald workers makes close to minimum wage. Should they expect tips?
So your solution is for one driver to make less money (or virtually no money, given that I drive so infrequently anyways) so another can make more. Whereas my suggestion is that customers start tipping everyone so they all make more.
Again, this really isn't about me. I've got a good paying career and I Uber to relax and fund some expensive travel hobbies. You're probably right that personally I should stop driving (as a generalization, your example about cutting back so another driver can benefit is crap). But I'm a selfish prick, so not likely.
Should McDonalds workers expect tips? IMO nobody in any industry should "expect" tips. I once left some cash in the room we had gotten our massage in, and the masseuse hadn't seen it. She asked me about her tip, and it royally irked me.
But it makes sense in some places more than others. I never considered it when I worked at Wendys, or Blockbuster or Wells Fargo (even though it did occasionally happen at Blockbuster), wheras I do consider it as a driver. To me, I've always thought of the cab/limo industry as a tipping industry. So if you'd tip your cabbie or chauffer, why wouldn't you tip your uber driver? Heck, some people utilize Uber drivers as chauffers. You also don't interact with the McDonalds employee the same way you might with your driver.
@Andrew: 100000% agree with you. I don't tip at all. Give me your price and let me decide if I want to pay that. Do not expect me to tip on top of what you charge me. A Uber driver takes me from point A to point B and he charges me for doing that. Don't even start with the debate that Uber does not pay them enough, bla, bla, bla... Nobody is forced to...
@Andrew: 100000% agree with you. I don't tip at all. Give me your price and let me decide if I want to pay that. Do not expect me to tip on top of what you charge me. A Uber driver takes me from point A to point B and he charges me for doing that. Don't even start with the debate that Uber does not pay them enough, bla, bla, bla... Nobody is forced to drive for Uber. If they do, they chose it. Yes, I tip people that go beyond what I would expect from them but was never the case with a Uber driver. Last, Uber is supposed to be a "no touch my wallet" experience. If I have to give cash to the driver the convenience is not there anymore.
Why should I tip when someone is simply doing their job? A tip should be reserved for something above and beyond a normal experience. Would those of you who tip Uber drivers tip the cashier at the grocery store who checks you out? Makes absolutely no sense.
omg I can't stand tipping in America & the whole tipping culture. If you claim people don't get paid enough, then get a better job or take it up with your boss. Sorry but in the real world outside of USA bubble tipping is not a thing & you don't see people complaining. They work hard & earn their salary. Tipping is a disaster.
I absolutely hate tip culture. Would gladly use a more expensive service where I paid the *actual* price over one with an overall lower price, but where I have to view an incomplete price every time I have a transaction.
@Joe:
"It’s an excuse, not a legitimate reason."
Were there an expectation for gratuities, I might agree, but uber and most ridesharing services have held themselves out to their customers and employees equally as being tip free. They police quality through their own methods (ratings), which relieves customers of the burden of policing quality through gratuities. It is truly not that I want or want not to tip - rather, I want to follow whatever...
@Joe:
"It’s an excuse, not a legitimate reason."
Were there an expectation for gratuities, I might agree, but uber and most ridesharing services have held themselves out to their customers and employees equally as being tip free. They police quality through their own methods (ratings), which relieves customers of the burden of policing quality through gratuities. It is truly not that I want or want not to tip - rather, I want to follow whatever convention is established. Uber bucked US traditions and established a tip free, cashless system; I will follow that convention.
I fired Uber over a host of issues, but one of them is that they're now not actively anti-tips. I liked that my in app price was THE PRICE. Now I'd be fearful of getting a bad review from an untipped or undertipped driver. At least with Lyft, the tipping is in-app, which is easier both at the time of the ride and when I'm doing expense accounts later.
To Uber I say, either embrace...
I fired Uber over a host of issues, but one of them is that they're now not actively anti-tips. I liked that my in app price was THE PRICE. Now I'd be fearful of getting a bad review from an untipped or undertipped driver. At least with Lyft, the tipping is in-app, which is easier both at the time of the ride and when I'm doing expense accounts later.
To Uber I say, either embrace tipping fully or prohibit it. This middle ground is lazy and speaks to a larger range of poor business practices.
@Basil: Your only listing one side of the equation- essentially making the 45cpm deduction sound like it has no cost to it. But between gas, maintenance and depreciation, drivers won't come out ahead.
I deleted my Uber account because I was very offended by one of their outrageous behavioral scandals and had to re-establish it when Lyft was not available in one of the European cities I visited. I would have preferred to take a taxi, but I was staying in an Airbnb with no taxi rank nearby and I couldn't find a taxi booking app that worked for an overseas traveler. Needless to say, I take Lyft...
I deleted my Uber account because I was very offended by one of their outrageous behavioral scandals and had to re-establish it when Lyft was not available in one of the European cities I visited. I would have preferred to take a taxi, but I was staying in an Airbnb with no taxi rank nearby and I couldn't find a taxi booking app that worked for an overseas traveler. Needless to say, I take Lyft in the USA whenever possible.
A friend drives for both Uber and Lyft. He strongly prefers to drive for Lyft because they take much better care of their drivers, but he gets more business from Uber.
One unexpected benefit of establishing a new Uber account when I was overseas was that I got a new, healthy first-time booking discount, but the app estimates prices in Euros rather than US$.
Btw I've had only two less-than-five-star experiences with Lyft and dinged both drivers — one car stank of tobacco and the other driver claimed that she didn't have enough gas to make it to the airport and wanted to fill up while the "meter" was running. The rest of my many experiences with them were very pleasant and I tipped accordingly.
I have found the level of Uber service (especially in Houston) inversely proportional to the frequency with which I am being solicited for a tip. Not good. In addition to what they take home, uber drivers have one heck of a tax arbitrage as they get to write off over 50 cents per mile in car related expenses, including depreciation. With gas at $2 and cars averaging over 25 mpg, that means about 45 cents per mile in tax deduction.
Tips are common in industries where the employers don't pay their employees living wages aka republiturds dominated industry.
No tipping. Don't rationalize an evil policy. Prices will fall, drivers will leave, prices will rise.
My approach to Uber tipping has not changed: any driver groveling for one (or sporting a sign) automatically gets 2 stars or less.
Uber is great as it's a no surprises pricing. If a driver wants to be tipped, he or she can become a taxi driver.
@Joe "You could make a difference, but… nah."
Or you yourself can make a difference. Drive less, and your fellow driver might encounter more surge priced rides or less time when they are idling around waiting. Clearly, you aren't losing money (or else you wouldn't drive at all), and your fellow drivers aren't leaving either, indicating everyone is willing to stomach current pay. You might not be happy, but your action indicates that you are...
@Joe "You could make a difference, but… nah."
Or you yourself can make a difference. Drive less, and your fellow driver might encounter more surge priced rides or less time when they are idling around waiting. Clearly, you aren't losing money (or else you wouldn't drive at all), and your fellow drivers aren't leaving either, indicating everyone is willing to stomach current pay. You might not be happy, but your action indicates that you are willing. McDonald workers makes close to minimum wage. Should they expect tips?
"The tips will become permanent, and Uber will never have to raise their reimbursement rates to drivers."
"Just increase the price if needed. No tips please."
"Pay them what their worth and don’t look for me to help beyond paying my bill."
Common sentiments, and a good reason why you don't want to tip. (keyword "want")
Still not a good reason not to tip.
Uber is not going to raise the...
"The tips will become permanent, and Uber will never have to raise their reimbursement rates to drivers."
"Just increase the price if needed. No tips please."
"Pay them what their worth and don’t look for me to help beyond paying my bill."
Common sentiments, and a good reason why you don't want to tip. (keyword "want")
Still not a good reason not to tip.
Uber is not going to raise the price, and you're positive sentiments really don't count for s***. Imagine your employer saying: well, we'd pay you more, but we know you guys get tips. Then your customers say: I'd tip you, but your employer really should be paying you more.
You could make a difference, but... nah.
It's an excuse, not a legitimate reason.
@Joe "I’d like to say why don’t you figure out another means of transportation if you don’t feel like tipping."
Actually, you agreed to drive from point A to B for X dollar. If it's your expectation that there's a tip at the end, that's your problem. I don't need to look for another means of transportation since I'm satisfied with the agreed upon price, you need to look for another job if you find the compensation you agreed to is so unfair.
My personal thoughts on Uber, having used them on 4 continents.
In North America: Surge pricing is common place and it can be outrageous, so no tipping.
Europe: Already expensive, slightly less than cabs and easier in some cities when you have no cash. No tipping.
South America. Its incredibly cheap especially in Brazil, so I give a big tip in cash and pay toll fees. I had a bad driver who decided to drive...
My personal thoughts on Uber, having used them on 4 continents.
In North America: Surge pricing is common place and it can be outrageous, so no tipping.
Europe: Already expensive, slightly less than cabs and easier in some cities when you have no cash. No tipping.
South America. Its incredibly cheap especially in Brazil, so I give a big tip in cash and pay toll fees. I had a bad driver who decided to drive me through a Favela as a short cut to Rio airport last Christmas Eve (didn't know it was a shortcut, thought I was being kidnapped). I was actually scared and then pissed off. He still got a tip.
I really dislike Uber along with Amazon, and like many I am slowly weaning myself off them!!
Asia: Well its just messy, especially in India. I still tip.
I'm starting to dislike tipping altogether. These companies have more money than I do, so why do I have to help them pay their employees. Pay them what their worth and don't look for me to help beyond paying my bill.
Just increase the price if needed. No tips please. Tipping is so super annoying and it's like one of the few escapes you have in the US. The previous policy is SO much better and easier, which is partly why I like using Uber.
I'd rather see the drivers organize and start staging daily and weekly walkouts.
If we as customers cave in and start tipping Uber drivers. It will be just like the restaurant industry. The tips will become permanent, and Uber will never have to raise their reimbursement rates to drivers.
I dont put signs or solicit tips when I drive. I do tip every time I ride (I'll use Lyft instead of Uber if I dont have cash on me). And luckily, Uber is not my primary job.
I don't mind not getting tips and appreciate when I do.
But I am of the belief you should be tipping your driver every time save for when things are actually bad.
People like to say drivers...
I dont put signs or solicit tips when I drive. I do tip every time I ride (I'll use Lyft instead of Uber if I dont have cash on me). And luckily, Uber is not my primary job.
I don't mind not getting tips and appreciate when I do.
But I am of the belief you should be tipping your driver every time save for when things are actually bad.
People like to say drivers should go do something else if they don't like not getting tipped... theyre not forced to drive.
I'd like to say why don't you figure out another means of transportation if you don't feel like tipping.
@Anonymous coward:
Looked up a 10 minute 1.5 mile drive... $8.25 is the cost, of which 1.75 is a booking free. So the drivers fare is 6.50, and uber takes 25% of that. So driver gets less than $5. Now if that were a constant $5 per 10 minutes, wouldnt be terrible. But to get to you is usually another 3-5 minutes. So at $5 for 13 minutes. Average to about $22.50 an hour,...
@Anonymous coward:
Looked up a 10 minute 1.5 mile drive... $8.25 is the cost, of which 1.75 is a booking free. So the drivers fare is 6.50, and uber takes 25% of that. So driver gets less than $5. Now if that were a constant $5 per 10 minutes, wouldnt be terrible. But to get to you is usually another 3-5 minutes. So at $5 for 13 minutes. Average to about $22.50 an hour, except rides don't come constant throughout the day. So more like $20 or less per hour. In a market like SF, not that great for a gig with expenses attached.
Justify it however you want. I won't say anything to anyone about pay or tips during a ride, and have no signs mentioning them. But you still should if you can. Shouldn't need reasons to be generous.
If I ever see that annoyingly ubiquitous sign "gratuity not included" in an Uber car, I'm walking!
@Rodney, you explain: "It’s interesting how people generally tip their waiter. They tip their bartender. They tip their valet. And they tip their porter. All for doing little things (bring you food, drink, open door, etc). But the one service that is more important than all of that, transportation, there is resistance . . . . . "
In that case, how much should I tip my anesthesiologist?
I really don't understand the argument of "Uber drivers don't make enough so you should leave a tip." Really, just as you have a choice in transportation, they have a choice of work. If the driver feels that Uber's remuneration in their city is not sufficient to support themselves, there is an easy alternative: quit driving for Uber and get another job. If large numbers of drivers did this, then Uber would have to raise...
I really don't understand the argument of "Uber drivers don't make enough so you should leave a tip." Really, just as you have a choice in transportation, they have a choice of work. If the driver feels that Uber's remuneration in their city is not sufficient to support themselves, there is an easy alternative: quit driving for Uber and get another job. If large numbers of drivers did this, then Uber would have to raise the price to attract enough back for viable service. Remember, the idea wasn't to have people run out and buy cars to drive Uber full-time. The original premise was that someone with a few hours of free time and a car could make extra money driving it around.
You should actually delete Uber. Problem solved :)
@ATX "You should always tip unless they provide a super bad experience.". This is facile and begs the question, "says who?". Uber created a cashless system and I am glad that they leave the customer out of the determination of how much their employees should be compensated. I would be ecstatic if other serive industries would move away from relying upon customers to provide meaningful portions of their employees' compensation.
It's interesting how people generally tip their waiter. They tip their bartender. They tip their valet. And they tip their porter. All for doing little things (bring you food, drink, open door, etc). But the one service that is more important than all of that, transportation, there is resistance to tip, considering the common knowledge that Uber/Lyft drivers get paid less than minimum wage (after all the math is done). The fact that Uber does...
It's interesting how people generally tip their waiter. They tip their bartender. They tip their valet. And they tip their porter. All for doing little things (bring you food, drink, open door, etc). But the one service that is more important than all of that, transportation, there is resistance to tip, considering the common knowledge that Uber/Lyft drivers get paid less than minimum wage (after all the math is done). The fact that Uber does not have tipping in the app is not a reason to not tip the drivers (who are contractors, not employees of Uber/Lyft). Uber/Lyft drivers take you home, take you to work, take you to your tryst, take you to the airport on time and that's not worth a gratuity?
@David +1
Unless Uber makes a page for in-app tipping, I won't tip. I don't carry cash, and I won't carry cash just to tip an Uber driver. Heck, I think right at this moment, tipping is least of Uber's concern.
@ATX While I am completely aware that is a very low and it is a nice touch to tip (if service is decent) I wouldn't necessarily see it as mandatory. I can tell you that I have some friends where I live (Munich) and they work 30hrs per week at a McDonalds earning roughly 15k€ p.a. ($16.2k) and that's before tax, where afterwards they are only left with only $12.5k. I see nobody tipping the...
@ATX While I am completely aware that is a very low and it is a nice touch to tip (if service is decent) I wouldn't necessarily see it as mandatory. I can tell you that I have some friends where I live (Munich) and they work 30hrs per week at a McDonalds earning roughly 15k€ p.a. ($16.2k) and that's before tax, where afterwards they are only left with only $12.5k. I see nobody tipping the cashier at the McDs or BKs. So why should it be mandatory to tip waiters and drivers?
Again, if I receive a nice service of course I would tip without hesitating, but I just find it ridiculous that you have the obligation to do so.
Cheers
Enough with the tipping, build it into the price unless you are doing something extra the price does not reflect (the other day I tipped my uber driver because I asked him to stop to drop my laundry on my way to the destination which wasn't built into the original price). I live in DC, when I go to restaurants the price of my meal is 30% higher than what I see in the menu...
Enough with the tipping, build it into the price unless you are doing something extra the price does not reflect (the other day I tipped my uber driver because I asked him to stop to drop my laundry on my way to the destination which wasn't built into the original price). I live in DC, when I go to restaurants the price of my meal is 30% higher than what I see in the menu (10% tax and 20% tip). Required tipping does not give you better service, it is a hassle and it allows businesses to underpay workers who should be entitled to fair wages and benefits. Why does a wonderful waiter at a cheap restaurant should get less than an average one at a more expensive one that does not require special training (e.g. fine dining). Some restaurants and other services are trying to go the non-tipping route, I hope it works out. And hey, for those of you who would miss it, you can still tip :-)
My policy has not changed - either Uber provides an option to tip within the app, or I don't give one. If I'm expected to keep cash around to tip Uber drivers, then I see no meaningful advantage to Uber over a taxi or Super Shuttle. Actually, I've taken it a step further and pretty much ditched Uber in favor of Lyft. I'm frankly tired of trying to figure out which Uber drivers will expect...
My policy has not changed - either Uber provides an option to tip within the app, or I don't give one. If I'm expected to keep cash around to tip Uber drivers, then I see no meaningful advantage to Uber over a taxi or Super Shuttle. Actually, I've taken it a step further and pretty much ditched Uber in favor of Lyft. I'm frankly tired of trying to figure out which Uber drivers will expect a tip and which ones won't. At least with Lyft, expectations are clear, and the tip gets charged to my credit card.
@George and @ATX - I agree with your points about the compensation completely, but this is why I am using Uber less and taxis more now. I don't want to be in a position where I use an app that is supposed to be cashless and yet depending on each circumstance, time of day, location and trip length I need to adapt my behavior to make the driver whole in a losing transaction. I don't...
@George and @ATX - I agree with your points about the compensation completely, but this is why I am using Uber less and taxis more now. I don't want to be in a position where I use an app that is supposed to be cashless and yet depending on each circumstance, time of day, location and trip length I need to adapt my behavior to make the driver whole in a losing transaction. I don't want to be resented as a customer because I do not understand the compensation terms between the drivers and Uber and the local cost structure. This is Uber's problem to solve. Based on the conversations I've had with Uber and Lyft drivers and the prices I've gotten on rides lately, I feel guilty calling them because I know that the drivers are getting screwed - so now I call the taxis more. And the competition from Uber and Lyft has caused a dramatic improvement in the taxi services in many markets.
Oh lovely. Just what the world needs...another industry full of more toke-hustlers
Steve Buscemi said it best when it comes to tipping.
Prepare for your comment section to be deluged with Uber drivers forcefully making their pitches and threatening non-tippers with low ratings. Tipping should be part of the transaction - but solely within the app. Many uber drivers will now rate you poorly if you don't tip and may not pick you up once your rating starts to decline (as they'll assume you're not a tipper). Uber is setting up a system that incentivizes rating distortion...
Prepare for your comment section to be deluged with Uber drivers forcefully making their pitches and threatening non-tippers with low ratings. Tipping should be part of the transaction - but solely within the app. Many uber drivers will now rate you poorly if you don't tip and may not pick you up once your rating starts to decline (as they'll assume you're not a tipper). Uber is setting up a system that incentivizes rating distortion when they could just offer it in the app and take it all above board. Lyft has this right, uber is on the wrong side (again).
Yes, UBER has gone down hill BIG-TIME. The HELP service via the app is awful. I'm certain they have customer care centres overseas because the responses are off topic, spelling mistakes are often and they provide false info. Such as, "We no longer offer SPG points after January 2016"
"You should tip always."
I've never been solicited for a tip and rightfully so. Consistently paying $10+ for a 5 minute, 1.5 mile drive in SF doesn't deserve a tip. Paying *$70* for uber pool manhattan to EWR doesn't deserve a tip.
I won't take Lyft to save my life and I only carry cash when traveling overseas so it's not like I could tip even if I wanted to.
@Peter In other countries thay pay livable wages. Each country has different tipping guidelines which should not be judged-- just followed as a visitor.
@henry Don't take it out on the driver during surge. You picked that time. There is always the bus. Choose cheap or fast.
@jfhscott sounds like you like to show the driver who is boss by not tipping. They should be honored to deliver you safely to your destination.
You should always tip unless they provide a super bad experience. Then you need to report them. This is no different than tipping your waiter or bartender. A 40 hr worker will make $28K a year before tips. They have to pay for gas, water, snacks, car washes and repairs.
If you can afford to travel you will not feel giving someone a buck or two. It will make an impact for them.
Keep in mind that Uber drives only take home ~80% of that .90 cents per mile. Sometimes, if a driver has to come from 8+ minutes away, just to take you for a short $6-10 ride, they may actually end up losing money.
This tipping culture in the US is nuts...
Try Lyft--you can tip in-app.
Uber's app is still better than Lyft. I like being able to select a destination first and then see pricing for all options. Lyft doesn't do that. You have to select a mode first.
My approach to tipping uber drivers has not changed, and I do hope the non-tipping culture of uber sticks. I do not want to engage in determining the fairness of an uber fare from city to city, service to service - such is grossly inefficient. Rather, I'd like to presume that the price is one which all participants find acceptable at arms length and that supplemental payments (known as "tips" in far too many industries)...
My approach to tipping uber drivers has not changed, and I do hope the non-tipping culture of uber sticks. I do not want to engage in determining the fairness of an uber fare from city to city, service to service - such is grossly inefficient. Rather, I'd like to presume that the price is one which all participants find acceptable at arms length and that supplemental payments (known as "tips" in far too many industries) are not necessary to transform the transactino from exploitative to fair.
LA isn't cheap at all. just over the weekend a surge at 10am costs me $43 one-way from LAX to Beverly Hills
How is "Ubering" any different than a taxi ride? If anything it's cheaper... 10% at least, as I would with a cab.