Uber to Resume in Calgary December 6 2016

[flamefan74]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Well surge pricing exists to curtail demand at times when there is too much demand. If this guy did not take the Uber, another few fares would have, at the same surge pricing.

The surge pricing is what make Uber at all viable economically for drivers, without it, you would have no Uber, and thus, a large amount of people who can't get a cab (see:Calgary) and thus, a few more DUIs on the road.

There are a host of arguments against Uber for a lot of other reasons, but I don't think this guy's case is much of one against Uber as a whole.

Surge pricing probably put a few more DUI's on the road as well. Most people probably understood that there would be surge pricing. Uber could have maybe explained it better than to say expect higher than normal rates. People would probably assume rates in the 3-4x range, not 8.9-9.9x. In Miami, a 4 mile trip cost $205. You know there are people out there that would say "screw it, it's only 4 miles".

That being said, this guy knew what he was paying before agreeing to it. At those rates, it would have been cheaper just to get a hotel room. Which will probably happen next year.

[rayne008]

Originally Posted by Kavvy

I don't know how Uber works, but I am guessing this didn't quite happen.

I think what happen every time he stopped a new trip was started and he kept getting estimated costs with the surge for each trip.

It was the addition of multiple trips and multiplication of the surge rates this drunk couldn't handle.

Actually, his fare would have been much lower if he did 3 separate trips like this. The 8.9 surge pricing was only in effect for a small amount of time with in a localized area. He could have ended the trip at location one, requested a new one, and get the adjusted (& very likely much lower surge price) to continue his trip.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

It would have said the estimate of cost is $125 and then alerted him of the 8.9 surge pricing.

I thought you knew how Uber worked?

It was a multi-leg trip and he was not given an estimate of the cost beyond the first leg, only the multiplier. This is in the very article you did not read.

Now, answer the question for me: why should one taxi company be allowed to price gouge in high demand when the rest cant?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by heep223

You're looking at this the wrong way. It's the regulations that are ####ing all this up in the first place. The taxi industry should loosen the regulations they've demanded because it's hurting them now that there's competition.

The "regulations that protect the consumer" is an intervention on the market which results in a horrible lack of service, complacency and oligopolies. Just like anything else it started with good intentions but turned into something that actually hurts consumers.

The existence of regulations is not what is hurting the taxi industry in this case, but the lack of enforcement of said regulations for Uber. And in this case, the lack of enforcement is also harming consumers.

I agree entirely that there are several aspects of the taxi laws and regulations that need changing. But I find it fascinating that so many people seem to support price gouging when their "ally" does it. Even though we all know they would be up in arms if their "enemy" did the exact same thing.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I know very well how Uber works.

And one of the reasons why Uber works so hard to ignore and sidestep taxi regulations is so that they can take advantage of people when need, desperation and in this case, intoxication arises.

You mean like supply and demand?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Now, answer the question for me: why should one taxi company be allowed to price gouge in high demand when the rest cant?

Maybe the answer is they should.


Are taxi's an essential service?

Why can't they boast rates at high volume times? Gas stations bump prices on high demand weekends.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

It would have said the estimate of cost is $125 and then alerted him of the 8.9 surge pricing.

I thought you knew how Uber worked?

I think by reading Resolute's posts on the subject that it is very clear that he doesn't or he does and simply doesn't care and is just here to argue.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The existence of regulations is not what is hurting the taxi industry in this case, but the lack of enforcement of said regulations for Uber. And in this case, the lack of enforcement is also harming consumers.

I agree entirely that there are several aspects of the taxi laws and regulations that need changing. But I find it fascinating that so many people seem to support price gouging when their "ally" does it. Even though we all know they would be up in arms if their "enemy" did the exact same thing.

If taxi companies charged more at peak hours, and the result was that I could reliably get a taxi quickly and easily wherever I was, I would have no problem paying higher fares if it was disclosed openly. Or at least having the option to, in order to get home right away.

The result of the regulations that are intending to protect consumers is actually harming consumers because taxi drivers have no incentive to work hard for fares at peak times. It's a perfect example of how regulation, even though it's well intended, actually ends up distorting the market and harming the consumer. It really breeds complacency. They just pick and choose whatever they want to do, often illegally denying fares that they don't want. The result is that at peak times people are either stranded or are paying random dudes $100 to drive them home.

As for the guy in the story - he's an idiot. There's no other way to put it. No empathy coming from me.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I think by reading Resolute's posts on the subject that it is very clear that he doesn't or he does and simply doesn't care and is just here to argue.

Given your post history, you are perhaps the blackest pot to ever complain about the kettle in CP's history.

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It was a multi-leg trip and he was not given an estimate of the cost beyond the first leg, only the multiplier. This is in the very article you did not read.

Now, answer the question for me: why should one taxi company be allowed to price gouge in high demand when the rest cant?

If I take a taxi on a multi-leg trip, do they give me an end of trip estimate?

Because freedom, capitalism, 'Murica, etc.

You're taking a hilarious position on this.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Given your post history, you are perhaps the blackest pot to ever complain about the kettle in CP's history.

You keep doing this, you drown in your own arguments then attack people personally.

[Resolute 14]

Zamler - I give what I get. If AlpineOracle hadn't personalized it, I would not have.

Also, I wouldn't consider dealing with a bunch of people seeking to make excuses for Uber simply because they like it better than regular taxis as "drowning". Rather, I am amused by the demonstration of hypocrisy arrayed against me.

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

If I take a taxi on a multi-leg trip, do they give me an end of trip estimate?

Because freedom, capitalism, 'Murica, etc.

You're taking a hilarious position on this.

Heh. Your "he was given the cost" argument got blown up, time to move the goalposts.

Once again. Why should one taxi company be allowed to price gouge where others can't?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Why should one taxi company be allowed to price gouge where others can't?

R14,

If the field was level, ie: taxi's could charge higher prices in times of high demand, would you be ok with that?

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It was a multi-leg trip and he was not given an estimate of the cost beyond the first leg, only the multiplier. This is in the very article you did not read.

Now, answer the question for me: why should one taxi company be allowed to price gouge in high demand when the rest cant?

If your going to argue, you should at least figure out how Uber works. Don't tell someone to to read an article that you mis-read. Fares don't stop and start because you drop someone off. The guy agreed to a trip that had an 8.9x multiplier on what he knew to be ~$120, he took an UberXL and did not fare split.

Stop throwing around the term price gouging. Uber is not an essential service critical to ones survival in an emergency. The guy was drunk and couldn't be bothered to math.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

R14,

If the field was level, ie: taxi's could charge higher prices in times of high demand, would you be ok with that?

That has been the crux of my argument all along, yes. The preference is that Uber be held to the same taxi rates as the other companies - and if they all think the rates are too low, petition for increases. But if the field was leveled the other way, then that would at least put everyone on equal footing.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

R14,

If the field was level, ie: taxi's could charge higher prices in times of high demand, would you be ok with that?

Taxi companies will never go for that though because to get the ability to that, they would need to tear down the monopoly that currently keeps them in business.

That's the part of Resolute argument that makes no sense. He keeps asking why is it fair for one company to charge surge pricing and not another, but completely ignores the fact that the current system is not fair to any potential companies wanting to enter the market or to the current customers. The Uber model is the fairest of them all. Pure open-market economics. Not to mention if the monopoly didn't exist and there could be more cars/cabs on the road, surge pricing would be less of a problem as the amount of cars on the road dictates supply and demand which dictates surge pricing.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Zamler - I give what I get. If AlpineOracle hadn't personalized it, I would not have.

That is not a valid reason. I've done the same but should not have.

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

R14,

If the field was level, ie: taxi's could charge higher prices in times of high demand, would you be ok with that?

I personally have no issues with this, obviously Uber needs to think about tweaking their price/demand structure. But guess what if you don't like it take a regular cab, if enough people do that and the traditional taxi biz can provide rides in a timely fashion Uber will adjust. That's what competition is all about, but instead the taxi industry is hell bent on keeping out competition instead of evolving to match it.

[Jason14h]

What is the safe rides fee!! $1.50! I'd rather have an unsafe ride!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by zamler

That is not a valid reason. I've done the same but should not have.

I personally have no issues with this, obviously Uber needs to think about tweaking their price/demand structure. But guess what if you don't like it take a regular cab, if enough people do that and the traditional taxi biz can provide rides in a timely fashion Uber will adjust. That's what competition is all about, but instead the taxi industry is hell bent on keeping out competition instead of evolving to match it.

The Taxi industry and their city propelled monopoly is the problem. They've had since the 80's to fix it, but instead the problem keeps getting worse. Zero sympathy for these guys. Their response to Uber shows how unwilling they are to actually take a single step towards solving it, and just want to keep the status quo which is not working for anyone.

Insurance is definitely an issue with Uber, but people are so frustrated with the taxi industry in this city they are saying to hell with it. I think people would be more willing to discuss the insurance issue if the taxi industry wasn't simply using it as yet another means to impede new competition.

[Fuzz]

I thought I'd check what a normal taxi would cost for that trip at 64km, it is $94 +$3.60+$3.00(surcharge for special days and times,didn't realize cabs charged extra for New Years!). I left off time charges, as taxi's work differently though I suspect the taxi time charge would be more. I was surprised to see the fair would be similar to the non-surge price. I thought Uber was a lot cheaper. I then also noticed this was UberXL that charges more.