My First Uber Experience This Morning

L

Lon

Well-known Member
Location
Central California
As I have previously posted, I gave up driving and sold my car because of no feeling in my right foot due to Peripheral Neuropathy making going back and forth from brake to accelerator difficult and dangerous.

This morning I used UBER for the first time to go to my 11AM doctors appointment. I went to the entrance of my apartment and got out my I Phone, hit the app for UBER & put in the address of where I wanted to go. My phone showed that there were eight drivers available that were close to me. The first responder was DWIGHT. The phone showed his face and car including license number of the car and that he could pick me up in four minutes, which he did I found out that Uber drivers and their vehicles are thoroughly vetted before being able to represent UBER. The car and driver were just fine as was the 15 minute ride. Uber does not charge for the length of time like a taxi, but on distance traveled. I saw my doctor for my appointment and using my cell once again got a different driver and car going back to my apartment. I saw his picture and car as well and this guys name was Frank. The cost to go was $7.00 USD and the same on my returning home. TOTAL COST for this UBER experiment was $14.00 USD. Public Transportation for all the different places that I frequent and want to go is not practical or convenient. Not having to fight traffic, find a parking place or feed a parking meter is really nice. I plan to use Uber again tomorrow to take me to a movie that I want to see. Needless to say, the local Yellow Cab operation is not happy about Uber but that's their problem. Hooray for the Free Enterprise System & thank you Uber. The cost was immediately charged to my Visa Credit Card as soon as I arrived at my destination. Ain't Hi Tech wonderful?
 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I am guessing you have to have a smartie phone to do that but I applaud you for taking the giant step! May have to check this out too, once we get to Portland - might be cheaper than paying for a parking lot.
 
Glad it works for you. Yes cabs are quite pricy--I inquired the cost to pick me up at the car dealers (shop) five-10 mins away and they quoted $35. Heck, I would drive people back and forth for that amount of money. It's not city driving either, easy access.
 

I live in Hastings, MN. Our "public transportation" options are extremely limited. We have Transit Link, where you can reserve a ride. We also have Smart Ride, a ride share service. They have only one driver and one vehicle. We pay $7 for anywhere around within the boundaries of Hastings. That compares well with your Uber fare. Uber isn't available here.
 
Sounds like a good thing to me.

Now if you could just get the driver to come into the Dr's office with you and pretend to be a friend when you have surgery. The only time I had to bother a friend recently was when I had cataract surgery. They said even a taxi wouldn't work. Thought briefly of hiring an escort service.;)
 
NancyNGA said:
Sounds like a good thing to me.

Now if you could just get the driver to come into the Dr's office with you and pretend to be a friend when you have surgery. The only time I had to bother a friend recently was when I had cataract surgery. They said even a taxi wouldn't work. Thought briefly of hiring an escort service.;)
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I'm facing a similar situation, not sure how it will resolve itself. I've done some checking on the internet and found that in some cities they have surgery buddies, some are volunteer and some are paid. Nothing like that in my area, I may end up going to a staff agency and hire a CNA for a day.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I'm facing a similar situation, not sure how it will resolve itself. I've done some checking on the internet and found that in some cities they have surgery buddies, some are volunteer and some are paid. Nothing like that in my area, I may end up going to a staff agency and hire a CNA for a day.
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And the annoying thing was I would have been perfectly able to drive back home. It was a big inconvenience for the person accompanying me, because they had to wait. You didn't know exactly when you would be released. A liability issue for the surgeon's office, probably.:rolleyes:
 
Oh wow, you folks brought up another couple issues of concern for me. I've avoided getting a colonoscopy for years because life is harder for me since I've been single again. I had no one who could bring me into the office, and sit with me, pick me up, etc. Also, a few months ago, I was told I have cataracts. I might need surgery in a few years. I've avoided having a followup appointment with a specialist, mainly because of anxiety attacks.
 
I agree with Lon. It's a really simple procedure now. No need to wait once they start forming because they will only get worse. Just as long as you get clearance from the surgeon, so you can get insurance coverage.
 
Lon & NancyNGA, I think I should. I'm already seeing "floaties." I read online that it's a warning to see the doctor ASAP. I probably couldn't depend on my family for transportation or support. But then my parents are kept pretty busy with their own needs. Dad is 89, and has been experiencing some chronic problems with his good eye.

I have a regular doctor appointment with my MD on the 13th, to follow up on my blood pressure concerns. I should also go ahead and make an appointment with the proper eye doctor!
 
As a former insurance salesman (that was during a dark part of my life), I was wondering about auto insurance. Say you started picking up people, and something happened, could you be denied an auto insurance claim, because you were operating a business, and didn't have car "business" insurance?
 
I've been thinking about not owning a car. For a long time I didn't have one and my son did my shopping for me. I considered trying uber, but never quite got around to it. Now my other son has bought me an older car that's in perfect shape, but insurance is due each month, not to mention yrly taxes and tags and inspection. I don't leave the house but maybe 3 or 4 times a month and the stores are only 2-3 miles away. Uber wouldn't cost me the appx $85 a month. I can't decide if it'd be prudent to ditch the car and go with uber entirely or not. It would be even better to just get liability on the car instead of full coverage. Hmmm. Something to think about. And I'm also up for cataracts operation.
 
I don't see how Uber can make any money at the very low fee that you paid for a fifteen minute ride. Anyway, just wondering how one would tip a driver. Could you have had the driver wait for you while at the Dr? Probably not as they charge by distance, not time.
 
zogburr said:
I don't see how Uber can make any money at the very low fee that you paid for a fifteen minute ride. Anyway, just wondering how one would tip a driver. Could you have had the driver wait for you while at the Dr? Probably not as they charge by distance, not time.
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when I was through at my doctors I summoned UBER agin and had another driver and vehicle within 5 minutes.

Uber is doing quite well financially:
 

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