Uber Eats Terrible Customer Service

Over the years I have experienced below average customer service from Uber and this experience just tops it off.

We hardly ever order Uber Eats but as we had all had a few drinks we placed an order for our favourite restaurant, in our suburb. I noticed that the delivery fee was quite high at $6.99 especially as it is about a 5 minute drive at the most. Their response was "The delivery fee you pay will vary depending on the restaurant's distance from your delivery address and the restaurant's average cost of orders." So as I mentioned our house is very close to the restaurant so it must be due to the average cost of orders which sounds dodgy to me. It should always be based off location and maybe time of order like they do on Uber.

The conversation went back and forth for a while but still didn't make sense. Their final response was "We understand that you noticed this change on delivery fee within your area. While this means that the delivery fee you pay to order from certain restaurants has increased, it may be cheaper to order from some restaurants that are more closer to you". There aren't any closer to me but there is one further away (2 suburbs over) that is $3.99 for delivery fee. So I asked them how does that work? But they refused to answer me and literally closed the ticket every time I re-opened it and made a comment.

It's not the actual cost that annoys me but their responses that don't make sense and then just ignoring me altogether.

So now Uber is my last option for drives or food delivery.

Who else has experienced a similar issue with their support?

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Comments

                      • @lunchbox99: It's fine that OP asked. They received a response, several times it seems. Now OP keeps harrassing them and came here to complain about how they wouldn't leave customer service alone and CS have now stopped responding. There's not an answer that will satisfy OP, especially because it would just be speculation, which would be bad customer service, or repeating the same thing they have told OP already.

                        Communications would have gone out when they changed the pricing structure. They have used those to answer OP. The managers would have received the same communications. If anyone was given additional information it would have been made clear that it's not for the public. There's nothing they can do to help OP, there's nothing to compensate. It is pointless to keep harrassing them. It's up to OP to find a way to move past this.

                        Companies usually don't disclose exactly how they come up with prices. It doesn't always make sense. As long as it's legal they can charge what they want and they don't have to tell anyone why. If OP doesn't like it they will need to work towards getting the law changed so that companies have to provide information about how they decided on a price, because most companies don't provide that information. If OP wants it from Uber Eats for a $7 delivery charge, why wouldn't they want that information for absolutely everything they pay for? Why is it just this one thing OP can't let go of?

                        I'm glad you've found a solution for yourself and I hope OP can do the same and move on.

    • Yep especially if you split it across a group too. I've never used uber eats so not sure if they charge more for bigger deliveries though.

      I know some people who complain that pool entry fees aren't $1 or $2 anymore like when they were in primary school. They just can't be satisfied with anything

  • +5

    take an uber to pick it up

  • +2

    Just be happy you have options that are under $5. All of my delivery places are a flat $7.99 .

  • +3

    Uber has probably worked out - 1> It can get an extra $3 from you, and 2> Your complaint isn't of any great concern to them.

  • +7

    Strange. You knew the cost upfront, decided to pay it, then decided later it was too high and are now holding on and complaining.

    All over $7 at end of day. The amount of stress and time you save not caring about that amount would easily outweigh any delivery fee you paid.

  • +8

    Wtf is this drivel.

    It should always be based off…

    nothing. They can set their prices however they like, you can decide to use their services or not.

    Seriously, haggling prices with a delivery service and then calling it bad customer service when they refuse to haggle with you?

    All. My. Lols.

    • -3

      Really??? I was never haggling the prices just trying to understand how the fee could be more for a place further away. The bad customer service is about the ignoring that fact and just closing the ticket.

      • what was the resolution you were looking for? They replied to you and closed the ticket. What else did you want?

        • +1

          All he wants is to hear people say he is right. People obviously give little to no sh1ts about what he has to say, so he is compelled to convince them otherwise.

          • @phocus: I should learn not to care like most of the Ozbargin community but that goes against all my morales.

  • +3

    Don't think that anyone commenting here actually understands the question posed.

    He is NOT complaining about the $6.99.

    He is asking why the closest shop costs $6.99 to deliver, and the further ones charges 3.99 or whatever amount, when Uber says delivery cost is based on distance.

    • +10

      He's demanding that uber explain to him their pricing algorithm. They're under no obligation to do that - if he's not happy, his options are to not use ubereats.

      • but i gots to know

    • +3

      Stab in the dark, but mine keeps showing share a delivery driver type situations for a cheaper delivery fee. So my guess is that the cheaper delivery fee might mean you are more likely to have a shared driver who drops someone else's order off on the way first, which pretty much always results in cold food.

      • Completely agree with the cold food part, but I never get the offer. Paid $12 for delivery once and waited half an hour from pick up to delivery because they went to my place last. Other person probably got lucky with a hot meal and cheap delivery 🤔

    • Finally someone gets it. I don’t want to know their “pricing strategy” or a detailed explanation. The majority are just jumping down my throat reading into it way too much.

      • You're wasting your breath with all the Uber Eats delivery drivers being all defensive.

        • +1

          I think OP's post is a troll and I've never ordered Uber eats, let alone driven for them.

      • +1

        People just need to realise that Uber is out to line their own pockets. Believing they are fair is like Google something and thinking the ads are done for charity.

    • Except now his making a post on ozbargain about Uber having terrible customer service when he didn't get his answer.

      Uber doesn't have to tell him their delivery algorithm. Also the customer support person in india doesn't know.

      If I asked you your address and you didn't tell me can I make a post calling you out as a dick?

      • using OP's logic. You can.

  • +4

    Good on you OP for opting not to drive - we need more people like you (just on that front).

    You are effectively questioning a service and trying to understand their pricing model - no business will ever share that and every business has a different pricing model (even in the same industry) - e.g. doctors, psychologists, coaching centres etc etc…

    Price is like an offer - you like it, you take it. You don't like it - politely see if there is room to bargain, if not, move on. There is no room to rant..

  • +2

    Did you know maccas menu prices on uber are higher than actual price in-store and maccas apps.

    • It's normal. You'll find that for most small busineses around Australia.

      • Small Business? Mc Donald's? Lol…

        You'll find the opposite, it's the small businesses that keep their prices the same, and the franchises that load on extra costs.

        • I need to move to your area. Around me all the small shops bump up their prices

  • +3

    I live in Noosa with the “Noosa Tax”. The BP servo on UberEats charges $11.25 for a 180g block of chocolate, and then UberEats charge $7.99 to deliver it 5 minutes away. You don’t know what price gouging outrage truly is.

    • +1

      Maybe people should email UberEats and see if they want chocolate!

    • +2

      Ring their CS team and demand an explanation!

  • +1

    You said it yourself, part of the pricing model is based on the average cost of orders from the restaurant.
    That means the distance is not the whole basis for the fee so you can’t argue on that point.
    You said you think the average order cost is a dodgy reason but Uber is a virus, worse than corona and it’s here to f@@k us all over.

    It could be that the average cost of orders at that restaurant is high and the pricing model considers that customers spending more can afford to pay more for delivery. It could also bring the higher delivery fee, as a % of the total order in line with lower average order cost restaurants with lower delivery fees.
    Or it could be the opposite, the average order cost is low therefore the commission Ubereats makes on the order is low and it needs to increase its revenue by charging more for delivery.

    I’m just guessing and trying to give you possible rationale. I wanted to do that because those muppets in all those customer service centres drive me mad and they trigger me too.

    I also found it pretty funny that you got all the usual conservative judgemental crowd on here all upset

  • +1

    Does the restaurant have their own delivery drivers (not via UberEats)?

  • So you have decided to rip off your favourite restaurant by siphoning off their profit to Uber eats. Order direct and get off your backside to pick up the food or get your posse to walk over to the restaurant, I never use Uber eats, I go to the restaurant or pick up takeaway directly from them. A bit of forward planning would’ve had the food on the table before the drinking got started and your restaurant would be more likely to stay open because they are making a profit.

    • +3

      People don't know better. They think delivery fee is all they pay. When they were suppose to be reading the articles in the news about how Uber vampires 30% of the bill off the restaurants they were busy watching entertaining cat videos on youtube.

      Facts and logic are boring but people don't mind throwing money they can't afford at celebrities.

      • You've got to understand though, that the restaurant are making more money than they would have without uber eats, regardless of the cut they take.

        • You mix up revenue with profits

          If you watch Ramsay's kitchen nightmares it is 33% cost, 33% profit and 33% wages/rent etc. If UberEats takes 30% off your order price you are working for small change.

          It is even worse when your existing customers decide to order through UberEats.

          The only reason why Uber doesn't make money is because they are spending so much money into autonomous driving cars.

    • -1

      Did you not read my post or did you not understand it? We weren’t planning on having takeaway and it’s not a 5 minute walk. Plus we had guests over, I wouldn’t leave by foot to pickup dinner. Have you never had impromptu drinks and then dinner?

      Furthermore as a few comments have mentioned the food prices are actually slightly higher so the restaurant does not miss out at all.

      • -1

        Read the articles in the paper, the prices might be slightly higher but Uber is not just taking the delivery fee. You are the one who said it was a 5 minute drive, at the most. When I have impromptu drinks and meals I make sure I’m not too plastered to pick up the meal. My guests understand.

        • Like I said in my post we rarely use Uber Eats, I would much rather pick it up I agree with you there! If you can walk to and from a place that is a 5 minute drive within the hour and not break a sweat during summer, well anytime really, then go for it. From that perspective $7 is definitely worth it.

          I’ve heard that they take a big cut but the restaurant manager didn’t imply that when I spoke to him. Uber takes the small markup and delivery fee was his understanding.

          It’s called being responsible on the roads you should try it one day, I was borderline being over the limit so wasn’t going to risk it, I far from being “plastered”. The Aussie mentality of “it’s just around the corner you’ll be fine” was okay in the Bob Hawke days but times have drastically changed since then.

          • -1

            @bobwokeup: The man doesn’t drive anywhere near the limit and nothing I wrote indicated that. This is why I said we would be organised before drinking. I would’ve walked, or got public transport, if it is only 5 minutes away by car.

            https://www.uber.com/legal/en/document/?name=uber-eats-merch…

            This is the Uber eats terms and conditions. If Ubereats deliver they charge the restaurant 30% of the total if they don’t deliver it is 15%.

          • @bobwokeup: We had a bunch of people around on the weekend and I made up 4 salads and sent the man out for some meat from the local Souklaki place. Our guests weren't put out that he wasn't present the whole time.

      • +2

        Yes they do miss out. As a retailer we are asked to charge the same price+lose a % to uber. Uber eats IS a business killer.

    • If shops want to sell to people who want delivery, they can offer a delivery service. Or they can use ubereats. Or they can miss out on the business.

      • It's actually cheaper for some resreaunts to operate via ubereats compare to having their own delivery driver.

        Ubereats does bring in alot of new customers from within the area.

        And you're right some businesses will lose out on sales if they are not on any food delivery platform. People will just buy from somewhere else.

  • +3

    i feel like it sometimes has something to do with popularity of the restaurant. i.e if the restaurant is popular and has great reviews and is more expensive the delivery is usually higher. I use uber eats on a weekly basis and it's usually the 'dodgier' and not as popular places that has super cheap delivery. that's just my own conclusion anyway.

  • +2

    Hey billybob1978.

    You said you had been drinking. If your friends had been drinking I hope they stayed overnight.

    • They would’ve yes but they are friends who live around the corner.

  • +1

    I never use food delivery service, it is like inviting the money wolf to your wallet and they won't leave when you are empty. They will put you into debt. Get mad, get even by cooking at home.

  • Given how much the drivers get paid (bugger all), you can imagine the customer service guys are on even less than that. Might've been a newbie too.

    A quick Google search would've answered your question: https://help.uber.com/ubereats/article/why-is-the-delivery-f…

    When there are more Uber Eats orders in a certain area than delivery partners who are able to deliver them, we charge an extra fee to ensure you can still get the food you want, when you want it.

  • Im looking at pivoting into uberEats, they pay $9 per delivery but charge 35% fee or 30% if you use a car/motorbike

    so 5.85 or 6.30 respectively, the app often has 1.1x multiplier 5pm-8pm which brings it to 6.93 at best.

    I have seen higher multipliers over new years, I think 1.3 but cant remember.

    I wouldnt call the pay 'bugger all', certainly not a 6 figure salary, but a hell of a lot more than software development.

    edit: actually if you do 43 deliveries per day everyday for the rest of your life, you could crack 6 figures.

  • +3

    Fat tax.

  • +2

    I only ever use uber eats if i get free delivery :D

  • +1

    Possible business model
    Restaurant further away = cheaper delivery to compensate for delay and possibly not as hot food? or to encourage orders from a wider area.
    Restaurant closer = dearer delivery as a premium for quicker delivery, hotter food? or more accurate costing of delivery

    • That is a good theory didn’t think of that one. Although to add more complexity another restaurant we like is a 15-20 minute drive away, depending on traffic and that one is the same price. I even placed the order in off peak so it wasn’t like it was due to high demand.

  • You had friends over and you couldn't get the food because you were all drinking. So instead of you know actually getting food. You as a good host decided to whinge at a customer support person while your guests are going hungry. You sound fun to be around.

    Let's just say it's 3 people that's like $2.33 each. This is just sad.

    • No it wasn’t that at all but hey you’re welcome to think that.

  • I've noticed a restaurant called marina chicken and seafood in North haven, SA is on there twice. Once with a 2 or 3.99 fee and slightly higher food prices then another with a 5.99 fee and lower food prices. It's the same store(my regular). Not sure how this works if the Uber guy was telling OP the truth.
    Also you were a bit of a d**k OP. The chat guy can't do anything, probably not even authorized to give you a $5 shut up coupon because your complaint was so miniscule.

    • If you think I was after a refund and that support can’t give you a refund if it WAS appropriate then you keep thinking that!

      • I never said refund, you did. Weirdly defensive to someone who kind of agreed with you and offered tangible proof you were right…

        • -2

          Coupon or refund what is the difference it’s still money being returned. Sorry was I the one to call you a d**k or was that you?

          • +1

            @bobwokeup: I call a spade a spade, and your still acting like said spade mate. Maybe self reflect a little.
            Not sure why your picking a fight instead of going "hey she's right those two places are the same but have different prices. Gee now I can let this rest knowing I was right and life can go on."

            • @lette: While we’re calling a spade a spade why don’t you use the correct you’re next time. Don’t they teach you that in primary school. I’ve already moved on but you wouldn’t believe it anyway…You could take some of your own advice and not call anyone a d**k in future.

              • +1

                @bobwokeup: Oh go clean your nails you big baby.

                • @lette: Yeah fair point it was a bit of a low blow that wasn’t needed but seriously if I was rude to the customer support and called them a d**k then I would expect everyone here to abuse me.

  • +2

    I would contact ACA
    cant contact today tonight cause they gone bust

    dead set u get paid for bring cases like this to them

  • I’ve had an increase in the delivery cost, then they drop another order along the way… which really gets me going

    • I had a delivery guy on a bike, who also delivered to another house on the way! His rating was ridiculously low, how he got to keep delivering I don't know! Food was cold (pizza), money was refunded

  • +1

    Most of what you said is fair enough. There must be a fair few Uber Eats fanboys on OzB.

    So now Uber is my last option for drives or food delivery.

    This is the comment I don't get. Did someone say "Menulog"? Other competing services are available too, and have better reputations than Uber Eats anyway…

    • Yeah agreed I’m genuinely surprised there are so many Uber Eats lovers. I guess as you can’t see people’s profile pics they are fat and lazy haha bring on the negs and assumptions that I’m fat and lazy!!

      I’m sure you’re right but I’ve never used any other food delivery company as I do pick up majority of the time!

  • The sad part of this thread is the OP still doesn't realise he is in the wrong for complaining to a CS rep. Thinking they can answer the question of 'why is it x amount' is the dumbest mindset ever. They didn't answer because they don't know because they don't make the prices.

  • Where I work some things are marked up 10% some things 50%. When a customer ask what our markups or why we have different markups I am under no obligation to disclose that information. Business decisions are confidential to the business.

  • +1

    So you're the idiot who clogs up the support with stupid questions. I get why it takes so long .

    • Must just be you! I should have mentioned for people like you that assume, as they always responded within a day.

  • @billybob1978 how far based on Kms are you from resturaunt? Just curious

    • 3.6kms

      • 3.6 km isn't that close…

      • Ok so as a driver they pay me
        5.50 pick up
        3.50 drop off
        2.20 per KM

        Total cost - $16.92.

        So your delivery fee does not even pay for the driver.

        • Dont they charge you 30% - 35% fee on your earnings.

          • @t_c: So, i still get paid $11.84 after there 30%.

  • +2

    Mr whinge a lot, if you're ordering uber eats the delivery fee should be the least of your concern. Either suck it up or go get the food yourself.

  • urghhhh

  • +1

    $6.99 isn’t bad joints in my area on Menulog charge close to $10 even if spending like over $50

  • Assuming this is current, there is an explanation here:
    https://www.ubereats.com/blog/en-AU/new-delivery-fee-structu…

    It's not just based on distance.

    • On this, it's what happens when you let your business be partially controlled by a marketplace or third party, e.g. ebay amazon. Literally the success of your business is at the will of these 3rd parties who have no control over you.

    • From above- New Delivery Fee Structure

      Q: I can see a nearby restaurant with a different delivery fee. Why?

      The delivery fee charged on an order depends on the distance between the eater’s delivery address and your restaurant and the average cost of orders for your restaurant. As each restaurant offers different menu items and has a different average cost of orders, sometimes the delivery fees will differ between restaurants.]

      Uber also seems aware of the possibility of cannibalisation of sales. That is restaurants making sales to locals that could be able to pick up the food them self.

      Q: Won’t this mean my customers who live nearby are less likely to visit by restaurant in person?

      We know eaters choose to order meals via online food delivery apps for a number of reasons, and we’ve seen that generally they have already committed to staying in – not eating out in person. By making food delivery more affordable for people ordering from nearby restaurants, we hope you might ultimately see an increase in the number of orders for your restaurant.

  • +1

    Obviously uber hates op and doesn't offer him the free delivery promos.

    Would think restaurants choose to subsidise the delivery or participate at a lower delivery cost.

    I've seen some orders with just one bowl of soup for $5 and free delivery. Literally. This is why we have climate change and obesity. Person doesn't want to walk to get their own soup, gets fat and get some overseas students working for ubereats to go burn some fossil fuels to pickup a damn soup.

    Besides definitely troll post.

  • +2

    I feel for you. I don't know why most people replied seem care less to what you posted and just focused on the amount delivery charges, but thats not what your post is about.

    I too don't like CS, most of the time they just fail to offer any level of customer service: You ask a genuine question, hoping for a simple, direct, to the point, honest answer, they throw at you a copy and paste paragraph you read it again and again looking for the answer you hope for but end up finding it a complete irrelevant answer!

    • -3

      If you can’t be bothered walking 5 minutes, then pay someone to do it

      Or if you can’t afford to pay someone to do it, then walk 5 minutes

      It is really that simple

    • Thanks for your comment, that was EXACTLY what it was about but clearly people quickly read it and then jump to conclusions as it’s clear from their comments they don’t understand why I posted. Don’t comment if you didn’t read the post and don’t understand it.

      Good to know people can actually read haha even the reply to your comment is like just walk the 5 minutes. That just cracks me up as I clearly said 5 minute drive, I would happily walk 5 minutes.

      Mod: Removed inflammatory sentence.

    • Have you considered that it could be because you're trying to tell them how to run their business, or asking sensitive questions that the Cs has no right to tell?

      • But as people have posted in this thread, Uber Eats DO explain how it's calculated in their info, so this is actually just an example of poor customer service training. They clearly haven't been trained to answer a fairly basic question that underpins the entire service ie "what factors determine the delivery fee?"

  • +1

    Answer: Do not look for a 'logical' reason. At best they'll give you some gibberish corporate script. Real reason is that the algorithm is designed to charge as much as a customer will pay to maximise profit taking into account a large number of factors which they won't divulge.

    As for OP. You framed your question wrong and exposed yourself to the wrath of the triggered Ozbers. The question should have been why shorter distances attract a higher fee. Not some misguided customer service rant.

    • Very true haha you have to be very careful when posting to a bunch of tight asses. I’m on here as I love a bargain but I’ll always pay my way.

  • +2
    1. Don’t get too drunk so u can’t get food.
    2. Don’t use Uber.
  • Oh goodness if you don't like the price, then don't use the service. Customer service doesn't care. They'll just think you're another entitled POS who has an opinion and cries a lot because things don't go their way.

    Next you'll be arguing why the food is so expensive as Restaurant A charges lower for item A and Restaurant B charges the same named item for a higher price. Dear Uber Eats, can I get a price match?

  • +2

    You all had a few drinks… So I'm guessing more than 2 of you…. And you were ordering food…. Considering you were probably spending $100-200 that night on alcohol and food, I'm amazed you could be so annoyed at spending a dollar each on a delivery charge, that even after probably complaining all night to each other about it, and complaining endlessly to uber customer service, you still felt the need to come on here and complain to the world about it….is there really nothing else you could be doing to contribute to the world?

  • Simple answer. The restaurant you ordered from has many more customers than other ones even a little bit further from you so they charge the higher fee because they are busier and know they can whereas a quieter restaurant will have ubereats charge less to entice you to buy from them.

  • If Uber Eats are reading this; This negative publicity would have been avoided if you offered more free delivery codes :D

  • You're (profanity) when you get old enough or out enough to get real world problems lol

  • So you have a bunch of mates around for drinks, and your sitting on your phone arguing over $3?

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