Source
r/uberdrivers•
angerymonkey

How to foil the liquor/convenience store tip ruse

Most pax who offer a "big tip" in exchange for stopping at a liquor or convenience store have no intention of tipping. If they were serious, they'd hand you cash upfront or ask if you wanted them to grab anything for you while inside.

Here's how to foil those cunts:

Pax: Can we make a quick stop at the liquor store? I'll give you a nice tip.

Driver: Sure.

Pax: I'll be back in a couple minutes.

Driver: (As pax opens door to exit car) Hey, can you grab me some (insert item) while you're in there instead of that tip?

You've now put them in a tough spot. Either they buy you something, or they're exposed as a piece of shit. If they don't bring anything back for you, you can 1 star them with confidence.

Posted Mar 23, 2021, 11:04 PM UTC

1214
chezmanny•

I've had a passenge hand me $10 for stopping at the store, AND brought me a Red Bull.

7
angerymonkeyOP•

I've had a pax hand me a $20 tip. But that doesn't happen often. In the situation in the post, there's no reason the pax could not hand you a cash tip, too. However, you're guaranteeing either something for you or a 1-star rating for them.

2
DFW_Panda•

​

Had this happen once. Guy puts in first address. Says he wants to change it and since we are close to the 2nd stop he doesn't want to update the APP and says he'll give me 50 tip, cash, but he only has $100 bill. I tell him I only have $20 cash on me. He says OK, no biggie. Those of you who have been around awhile, may know where this is going.

Whoa I think, I just made an $80 tip as I drop the guy off. Then I start thinking, what if the $100 is fake? Being an old fart, I don't have good eyes and I'd have trouble sensing a fake bill even if the green ink was smudging off on my hands.

Lucky for me, I brought the bill to a convenience store where they have a safe that rejects counterfeits. My friend ran the bill and it was real. So while I was lucky, be aware of the cash-tip-for-change scam & keep on Ubering.

7
Log1991•

I’d be careful with that if you care about your rating. If you don’t then who cares. When people ask me to stop somewhere I always say yes and make sure they carry their belongings with them when they leave. If the “quick” stop turns into a “well while I’m here” stop I edit the address of the trip destination to where we are, complete the ride and get paid. Yes they’ll leave a 1 star but I d g a f

4
angerymonkeyOP•

I never ask for money upfront, so I don't think it's a problem. I think it's a polite way of making pax stick to their promises.

2
Log1991•

I agree, but asking them to get something for me instead of the tip is too confrontational for me, I’m weak.

1
onlysane1•

Admittedly I'm new, but are we not supposed to make stops during a route? Or does it just slow us down without a reasonable increase in the fare to compensate?

2
angerymonkeyOP•

You make more money when moving than standing still. Hence, the disdain for stops.

3
5050Clown•

You aren't covered by insurance if you make stops unless they are in the app. You should not make stops unless pax puts it in the app,

1
Nate_Higgers_Jr•

I get paid $0.60 per mile and $0.20 per minute. So in 5 minute, I can drive 2 miles and make $2.20, or I can sit and make $1. Secondly, on these convenience store round trips, they’re typically minimum fare rides. You’re only going to make $3-$4 on the trip, yet it’s going to eat up 15-25 minutes of your time.

So to put it in perspective, I’ll pass on a little bit of wisdom:

The level of service rendered is directly related to the amount of the fare.

Short trips don’t pay enough to bend over backwards for riders. That means the quicker you can turn and burn, the more money you make. On the other hand, if it’s a big fare, it’s more worthwhile to make a quick 5 minute stop because you’re getting paid more for the trip. In my experience, those who are taking longer trips and request a stop are more apt to tip. I’ve had riders give me cash, buy me food, and keep me well stocked on Red Bulls.

2
Mark81369•

Grrrreat idea.

2
One-eyed-snake•

Or just hold your hand out and say “cash up front”

1
ghoul_burger•

"pickup not worth it"

1
angerymonkeyOP•

These shitweasels usually spring the stop on you after you start the ride, so that wouldn't work in most cases.

1