Last time I encountered a 4x surge pricing, I downloaded Lyft ... the minute I ordered it, surge pricing ended (really annoyed me and I went with Lyft anyways). If it wasn't for surge pricing, I'd be cheerleading for Uber. Surge pricing adds a level of uncertainty ... and 4x on a 50 dollar ride is insane if it ends in a few minutes.
In my experience, surge pricing on a nice day doesn't last long. When the weather is nuts, you're gonna pay. Too bad I'm not a researcher.
just like I refuse to pay covers at bars, I refuse to pay surge pricing. Uber is my go to app, but if they are doing surge pricing than I switch to ihail (an Uber clone run by a taxi company). if they ate busy, than I use lyft as a last resort. I hate using lyft because they don't offer a fare estimate.
using this process I have saved myself 100s of dollars in ride fares.
How does customer need to counteract if he needs a time sensitive ride? Lets say, I need to go to Airport at time x. Neither I can book earlier to guarantee a ride nor can I wait out the surge.
I always just try the request again a minute later and surge pricing is usually gone.
Or use a new company like https://fasten.com/ who doesnt do surge pricing.
The simplest way is to move the pickup point ever so slightly until you reach a spot without surge pricing, then simply walk there as it arrives.
Nope.
This doesn't work.
I've walked more than a couple of miles, and waited more than an hour.. the surge stays between 4X to 5X.
Or use this app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/surgeprotector/id925613132?m...