Uber to Resume in Calgary December 6 2016

[BigNumbers]

Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll

I found the fastest way to fix a “broken” card machine in a cab is to offer to call the office and have them process the payment. Even with no outside manipulation, the reader works right away.

Then you call dispatch and tip them off since they probably don't get their cut when the driver pockets the cash.

This is the biggest problem with the current system and it's barely touched upon as-to why.

So many of the complaints are "the guy said his card machine was broken and would only take cash" and it pisses people off and then the entire experience from there-on-out is colored negatively.

This is because many of the drivers are not driving their own cab and/or own plate. They pay a 'rental fee' to the cab/plate owner, who is typically taking 20-30% of the fare. So these 'bottom of the rung' (ie: don't own the plate and/or the cab) are taking home a small fraction of the fare and are thus trying to pocket as many cash fares as they can, so as to take those home 100%.

On one hand I feel bad for these drivers, as it's likely the only way they can make a decent living - by recording a significant percentage of their trips in cash and thus not paying the high owner cut. But on the other hand, it's really forced on these drivers by the archaic taxi/plate system.

So in summary; the current broken-ass system is the cause, and maybe the illegal actions of uber as a market disrupter will help accelerate change.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by heep223

Your post is a bit odd, are you saying that since taxis are clearly the inferior method of transport, that anybody with a story about a taxi ride may or may not be lying and/or exaggerating?

I for one still take taxis when work pays for it, because my work visa isn't tied to my Uber account. Also have taken a cab a few times just by flagging down.

I use Uber when I am planning to go somewhere. For example going to the flames game I Ubered as I was at home ready to go and I know they will actually show up. When I was going home at 2:30 am I walked outside and saw cabs waiting on the curb so I just hopped in one rather than waiting 5 mins for the Uber to find me. It cost me 5-10 bucks more but it was mighty convenient to just hop in and go.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by adc

How about instead of trying to do BS like this Uber actually addresses the issues and follows the rules like normal companies do?

Oh that's right because doing so will cost them much more than $100,000 and this way they can continue their BS marketing scam of being the "good guys" while breaking laws, exploiting drivers and users.

How are the exploiting users?

Drivers I agree but for users its all win

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

I use Uber when I am planning to go somewhere. For example going to the flames game I Ubered as I was at home ready to go and I know they will actually show up. When I was going home at 2:30 am I walked outside and saw cabs waiting on the curb so I just hopped in one rather than waiting 5 mins for the Uber to find me. It cost me 5-10 bucks more but it was mighty convenient to just hop in and go.

This is like me, I've used a combination of Uber and Taxis in the last few weeks. I'm not about to swear allegiance to either, its just better to have more options. I'm not paying additional surge pricing for Uber just because its not a cab in order to make some kind of point. When cabs are lined up on Stephen Ave and I've been in the area having a few drinks, I'm grabbing a cab. If I have a more planned out trip, I'll probably go for Uber. Availability and pricing are the biggest factor for me, period.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by adc

How about instead of trying to do BS like this Uber actually addresses the issues and follows the rules like normal companies do?

Oh that's right because doing so will cost them much more than $100,000 and this way they can continue their BS marketing scam of being the "good guys" while breaking laws, exploiting drivers and users.

If this is Uber exploiting its customers, I'm 100% fine with it. I wonder how you would describe the Calgary Cab Cartel?

[adc]

Originally Posted by GGG

How are the exploiting users?

Drivers I agree but for users its all win

Exploiting their ignorance about the company I guess is more what I meant.

Just reading this thread how many people are painting Uber as a great saviour and even willing (whether they actually do it or not) to pay more to use the service.

But is it for sure that if you are a passenger in an Uber car you are covered by insurance?

You obviously won't be covered by the drivers insurance unless he has commercial insurance which is almost 0% chance they do but is there other insurance that would cover you?

And no I trust the Uber "promise" to cover costs if that's the case.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

If this is Uber exploiting its customers, I'm 100% fine with it. I wonder how you would describe the Calgary Cab Cartel?

I haven't had issue with them in the past but based on stories here they seem pretty awful for many people.

[Locke]

Honestly it is not my personal prerogative to fix the 'transportation for hire' industry in this city.

My personal prerogative is to get a ride home and generally I dont give a rat's ass how I get it or who gives it to me so long as its available and within whatever budget I've set.

If that means a taxi, Uber or a flying Unicorn I literally couldnt care less.

And to be honest with you over the last few years the goddamned flying unicorn has been more available than taxis.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by adc

I haven't had issue with them in the past but based on stories here they seem pretty awful for many people.

Care to share? I won't take the position that Uber is infallible, but I've only had and heard great experiences.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Locke

If that means a taxi, Uber or a flying Unicorn I literally couldnt care less.

Come on now, let's be honest, for the flying unicorn you would pay extra. I know I would.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Care to share? I won't take the position that Uber is infallible, but I've only had and heard great experiences.

You asked about the Cab Cartel in Calgary so that was my response to the cab companies in Calgary.

As for Uber I have heard the typical rainbow and lollipop reviews that many have stated here from passengers but some pretty bad stories from drivers about the company after they get established in the market and are no longer in full on propaganda mode any more.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Come on now, let's be honest, for the flying unicorn you would pay extra. I know I would.

Last time I got ripped off, it was just a flying dog wearing a party hat.

I'm not buying that crap again Falkor! If I'm paying extra I expect genuine flying Unicorn!

[BigNumbers]

Originally Posted by adc

You asked about the Cab Cartel in Calgary so that was my response to the cab companies in Calgary.

As for Uber I have heard the typical rainbow and lollipop reviews that many have stated here from passengers but some pretty bad stories from drivers about the company after they get established in the market and are no longer in full on propaganda mode any more.

New join member who loves cabs.... Welcome to CP, Roger Richard!

[adc]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

New join member who loves cabs.... Welcome to CP, Roger Richard!

Loves cabs?

Originally Posted by adc

I haven't had issue with them in the past but based on stories here they seem pretty awful for many people.

[PsYcNeT]

adc are you some kind of communist? I would think that in a true, capitalistic libertarian society, a private business giving a better, easier, and cheaper service than established business would be ideal.

[username]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

adc are you some kind of communist? I would think that in a true, capitalistic libertarian society, a private business giving a better, easier, and cheaper service than established business would be ideal.

But, but the insurance....and the poor cabbies......oh the humanity!

[adc]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

adc are you some kind of communist? I would think that in a true, capitalistic libertarian society, a private business giving a better, easier, and cheaper service than established business would be ideal.

If they followed the laws then yes I think that would be awesome.

But their tactic of going into jurisdictions, ignoring the laws and using marketing to convince users that them ignoring laws is a good thing seems a little scummy to me.

But as I have mentioned I don't use cabs or Uber so easy for me be against their practices when I am not affected by the supposed atrocities committed by Calgary cabbies.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by adc

If they followed the laws then yes I think that would be awesome.

But their tactic of going into jurisdictions, ignoring the laws and using marketing to convince users that them ignoring laws is a good thing seems a little scummy to me.

But as I have mentioned I don't use cabs or Uber so easy for me be against their practices when I am not affected by the supposed atrocities committed by Calgary cabbies.

Do you consider bylaws that are skewed to a specific business model on the same scale as proper laws? That's pretty authoritarian of you.

That said, do you have evidence to support that the propped-up taxi industry in Calgary is completely above-the-board?

[adc]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Do you consider bylaws that are skewed to a specific business model on the same scale as proper laws? That's pretty authoritarian of you.

That said, do you have evidence to support that the propped-up taxi industry in Calgary is completely above-the-board?

I think that they should be changed rather than just ignored. I am not sure that just because you or I don't hold them up to the same level as a "proper law" that they don't matter at all.

I also wouldn't say that is very authoritarian of me, it seems to be the way that most Western Countries operate.

I don't support or care about the taxi industry so why would I have any evidence to support that? Based on stories posted here it wouldn't surprise me to find out they are not above board either.

But just because the taxi companies are crap doesn't mean Uber should have carte blanche to do whatever they want.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Do you consider bylaws that are skewed to a specific business model on the same scale as proper laws? That's pretty authoritarian of you.

That said, do you have evidence to support that the propped-up taxi industry in Calgary is completely above-the-board?

From his brief posting history it seems like he just likes being contrarian and argumentative. adc before you post a scathing reply, I'm not saying that style doesn't add value. But it kind of proves my point that you're posting a pretty opinionated view, when you don't use either of the services being debated.