Recent: Uber Failure in Sto. Dom.

Lucas61

Lucas61

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Jun 13, 2014
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retired English teacher (30 years)
Hello All,
Probably for seven years I've been using Uber in Sto. Dom. with no major issues. Until now. In the past month or so it has become so bad that it's a deal-breaker: 1. If drivers don't like the fee and or distance they cancel and collect cancellation fees which are a major pain for the client to dispute and get a credit, 2. Often I get three or four cancellations in a row, 3. Frequently, a driver who does not cancel, I can see the vehicle stuck on the map for 15+ minutes without moving one block, then I have to cancel and pay a cancellation fee and request another driver who may cancel to collect another fee, 4. If everything works, I may have to wait fifteen minutes or half an hour. I mean, I live in the capital, and sometimes there is only one driver far away.

I have now switched over to taxis and cash. I found a trustworthy driver with a van (in case I have to buy stuff) who does not overcharge, does rouind trips and waits, and I have him on WhatsApp and he always responds and is on time. This seems a much better way to go.

For me, UBER IS BROKEN. How about you? I've heard that many people use In Drive but I haven't vetted it yet.
 
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keepcoming

keepcoming

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Here is another perspective from a different thread:

Props & much respect given towards Uber drivers in DR .It’s not an easy occupation

Respect given to how calm & friendly the majority of Uber driver conduct themselves considering they’re literally stuck in traffic majority of the day (referencing DR vicinity). Traffic could be brutal at times & based on my experiences drivers always been friendly & don’t have a single bone of...
dr1.com dr1.com
 
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Father Guido

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Jul 24, 2022
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SDQ
before I bought a car, I used Uber a lot; if I was going into Santo Domingo, it was usually no problem and back then Uber was very reasonable; if I was traveling to San Pedro, at least 50% of the time they would show up and say they needed more money, so I would cancel the trip and give them the quoted fare in cash (which actually turned out to be slightly cheaper because with cash there was no propina); then one day I got a driver to admit why they did this, it depended upon whether they had a good chance of getting a return fare, and there was not a lot of traffic between San Pedro and my area
 
F

Father Guido

Well-known member
Jul 24, 2022
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keepcoming said:
Here is another perspective from a different thread:

Props & much respect given towards Uber drivers in DR .It’s not an easy occupation

Respect given to how calm & friendly the majority of Uber driver conduct themselves considering they’re literally stuck in traffic majority of the day (referencing DR vicinity). Traffic could be brutal at times & based on my experiences drivers always been friendly & don’t have a single bone of...
dr1.com dr1.com
Click to expand...
if they're Dominican, they're one of the reasons for the brutal traffic
 
Lucas61

Lucas61

Well-known member
Jun 13, 2014
1,092
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retired English teacher (30 years)
O.P. -- I agree with your perspective (and others) that the problems I am experiencing could be due to external factors such as traffic and low wages. However, what I am noting is that, previously, Uber was an effective service (for me) for many years and that now it is not. Essentially, it went from effective to useless in the past two months. My post is really asking the question: Has anyone else noticed a recent change in quality of service in Sto. Dom. ?
 
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Joseph NY2STI

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Mar 22, 2020
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Mostly good experiences with dozens of rides, but I've learned to cancel immediately if:
- The driver asks where I'm going (look at your phone)
- He asks how I'm paying
- He tries to make small talk before he arrives.
- Doesn't move within 1 minute

Also, I use the security code feature. No code, no phantom trip which happened once. Yes, I got credited, but what a hassle.
 
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RG84

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May 21, 2010
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Only problem I've had is late night. They will cancel. Other than that I haven't had problem. Most of the time I give a tip because the fare is low. One time it was only 98 pesos.
 
J

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
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Joseph NY2STI said:
Mostly good experiences with dozens of rides, but I've learned to cancel immediately if:
- The driver asks where I'm going (look at your phone)
- He asks how I'm paying
- He tries to make small talk before he arrives.
- Doesn't move within 1 minute

Also, I use the security code feature. No code, no phantom trip which happened once. Yes, I got credited, but what a hassle.
Click to expand...
Almost every driver has messaged me to ask where I'm going. I've asked a few once I'm in the car about that, and they say the Uber app on their end does not show them that destination, only a general area. I assume once they pick me up, they then see the destination. So, that doesn't bother me any longer. I don't have any money in my Uber account, so I always choose cash payment, no reason for the to ask. I do like the security code feature.
 
Liberator

Liberator

Luck is for the unprepared
Jan 23, 2021
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Lucas61 said:
O.P. -- I agree with your perspective (and others) that the problems I am experiencing could be due to external factors such as traffic and low wages. However, what I am noting is that, previously, Uber was an effective service (for me) for many years and that now it is not. Essentially, it went from effective to useless in the past two months. My post is really asking the question: Has anyone else noticed a recent change in quality of service in Sto. Dom. ?
Click to expand...
I share this experience. However; I don't have to worry about it anymore, I've bought my own 'jeepeta' since the beginning of this year.
 
M

Manuel01

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2009
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Lucas61 said:
Hello All,
Probably for seven years I've been using Uber in Sto. Dom. with no major issues. Until now. In the past month or so it has become so bad that it's a deal-breaker: 1. If drivers don't like the fee and or distance they cancel and collect cancellation fees which are a major pain for the client to dispute and get a credit, 2. Often I get three or four cancellations in a row, 3. Frequently, a driver who does not cancel, I can see the vehicle stuck on the map for 15+ minutes without moving one block, then I have to cancel and pay a cancellation fee and request another driver who may cancel to collect another fee, 4. If everything works, I may have to wait fifteen minutes or half an hour. I mean, I live in the capital, and sometimes there is only one driver far away.

I have now switched over to taxis and cash. I found a trustworthy driver with a van (in case I have to buy stuff) who does not overcharge, does rouind trips and waits, and I have him on WhatsApp and he always responds and is on time. This seems a much better way to go.

For me, UBER IS BROKEN. How about you? I've heard that many people use In Drive but I haven't vetted it yet.
Click to expand...
Uber works flawless for short distances <200 RD$. For medium and Long Distances > 200, there are a lot of cancelations from the Drivers, often only second before they are about to arrive. Sometimes you get 4-5 cancelations before the actual car finally arrives. Very annoying in deed. On the other hand, Uber is extremely cheap in the DR. We do have two cars but use Uber at least 20x a week just because of the comfort of avoiding the hazzle to find a place to park. Uber brings me to the Gym for 110RD$. After Uber takes it "Share" the Driver gets maybe 70RD$. That's a Joke. In the US for example; Gas and Car Prices are about the same and Uber is 5-10x more expensive.
 
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JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
885
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Manuel01 said:
Uber works flawless for short distances <200 RD$. For medium and Long Distances > 200, there are a lot of cancelations from the Drivers, often only second before they are about to arrive. Sometimes you get 4-5 cancelations before the actual car finally arrives. Very annoying in deed. On the other hand, Uber is extremely cheap in the DR. We do have two cars but use Uber at least 20x a week just because of the comfort of avoiding the hazzle to find a place to park. Uber brings me to the Gym for 110RD$. After Uber takes it "Share" the Driver gets maybe 70RD$. That's a Joke. In the US for example; Gas and Car Prices are about the same and Uber is 5-10x more expensive.
Click to expand...
Exactly! Here in POP, the Uber app quotes a ridiculously low price. A motoconcho from my house to Jumbo is 100 pesos...Uber quotes 90. I hand the driver 150 and say Gracias, both sides are happy. I have a couple trusted taxis too...I pay them 200 for the same trip and am happy with that too.
 
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M4kintosh

M4kintosh

Well-known member
May 23, 2023
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Santiago De Los Caballeros
Lucas61 said:
Hello All,
Probably for seven years I've been using Uber in Sto. Dom. with no major issues. Until now. In the past month or so it has become so bad that it's a deal-breaker: 1. If drivers don't like the fee and or distance they cancel and collect cancellation fees which are a major pain for the client to dispute and get a credit, 2. Often I get three or four cancellations in a row, 3. Frequently, a driver who does not cancel, I can see the vehicle stuck on the map for 15+ minutes without moving one block, then I have to cancel and pay a cancellation fee and request another driver who may cancel to collect another fee, 4. If everything works, I may have to wait fifteen minutes or half an hour. I mean, I live in the capital, and sometimes there is only one driver far away.

I have now switched over to taxis and cash. I found a trustworthy driver with a van (in case I have to buy stuff) who does not overcharge, does rouind trips and waits, and I have him on WhatsApp and he always responds and is on time. This seems a much better way to go.

For me, UBER IS BROKEN. How about you? I've heard that many people use In Drive but I haven't vetted it yet.
Click to expand...
I stopped using them since Dec 2023. A "chipero"/Uber rider scammed me with a good amount of money.
Uber didn't solve my case. Instead, the bank solved faster.
 
M

Manuel01

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2009
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CristoRey said:
12+ years in the DR.
I've never used an Uber.
Click to expand...
Like i mentioned before, we do use uber a lot. Started using uber because of the following; "The Enemy of your Enemy becomes your Friend".
Before Uber, Taxi Services were completely arrogant. When you complained about a Driver, they literally laughed at you, Every Car that has 4 wheels can become a Taxi. The most "Brutos" drive a Cab. The annoying Radio Conversacions on full volume during the entire Ride caused me to get green dots all over my body. Uber at least trys to have some standard.
 
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M4kintosh

M4kintosh

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May 23, 2023
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Santiago De Los Caballeros
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