Don't Sass Your Uber Driver - He's Rating You Too

HughPickens.com writes David Streitfeld reports at the NYT that people routinely use the Internet to review services from plumbers to hairdressers, but now the tables are turned as companies like Uber are rating their customers, and shunning those who do not make the grade. "An Uber trip should be a good experience for drivers too," says an Uber blog post. "Drivers shouldn't have to deal with aggressive, violent, or disrespectful riders. If a rider exhibits disrespectful, threatening, or unsafe behavior, they, too, may no longer be able to use the service." It does not seem to take much to annoy some Uber drivers. On one online forum, an anonymous driver said he gave poor reviews to "people who are generally negative and would tend to bring down my mood (or anyone around them)." Another was cavalier about the process: "1 star for passengers does not do them any harm. Sensible drivers won't pick them up, but so what?" In response, some consumers are becoming more polite and prompt. "The knowledge that they may be rated is also encouraging people to submit more upbeat reviews themselves, even if the experience was less than stellar," writes Streitfeld. "When services choose whom to serve, no one wants to be labeled difficult."

Comments

Re:Eating itself?

[tlhIngan]

And there is no feedback mechanism for Taxi companies right now. NONE. This (Uber/Lyft) is a vast improvement to the current system allowing for immediate feedback on QOS. If a customer or driver is an asshole, they won't be around much, making it better for both.

Actually there is. There's a reason why the taxi number and driver name are posted on the back seat. If you have a problem, you take it up with your local transit board about it (or livery commission) and file a complaint. Or even with the taxi company itself (whose name is prominently displayed).

Granted, you actually have to file a complaint, but they do generally listen

Sure it's not as simple as a star rating, but they do want to weed out the janky ones who just are never satisfied or those who file complaints because there was a tear on the underside of the seat.

I wonder if we'll get to the point where a driver won't leave a rating until the customer does and vice-versa, to prevent revenge ratings which were a problem on eBay.