Uber alleges 13CABS created false documents in social media smear campaign
Taxi booking service 13CABS has been accused of doctoring documents in its latest campaign against US ride sharing service, Uber.
On Friday, 13CABS posted on Facebook what it claimed was an Uber driver’s receipt showing a user had been charged $350 for a ride between the Melbourne CBD and Tullamarine Airport that morning – normally a cab fare of $70.
This article reeks!
“….showing a user had been charged $350”
(accompanied by a photo of a $275 bill)
“…..a number of media outlets last week who all declined to cover the story. Fairfax journalist Patrick Hatch tweeted he had received a copy”
(by definition, when Hatch — a Fairfax journalist — sent this tweet, he has covered the story).
Hi Danny,
The user was allegedly charged over $350. The receipt you can see is allegedly the driver’s receipt – as made clear in the article – which shows how much the driver earned ($275.65), and the cut Uber took from the transaction. With these figures combined, should the receipt prove to be real, the rider would be up for over $350.
Thanks,
Vivienne – Mumbrella
…”should the receipt prove to be real…”
Did the lawyers make you include the word ‘should’ because the receipt is actually fake?
“We have no reason to believe the receipt is anything but authentic.”
Except that it is missing something that is on every receipt? No way that Uber didn’t charge a booking fee.
Hi MarcusW,
I am not acting on the advice of a lawyer – however it seems like reasonable wording to me given Uber first alleged it was “an obvious photoshop” and is now saying the dates have been tampered with.
My earlier response to Danny was aiming to show that our maths on the $350 was correct, rather than offer up my opinion as to the validity of the receipt.
Hope that clarifies,
Vivienne – Mumbrella
Several “Nice Guy Serge(s)” illegally refused fares from the CBD to Fitzroy on the weekend.
I’m happy to pay a surcharge for a premium service that taxis don’t provide. Good luck 13CABS…
The same happens in Sydney. Old school taxi’s drive past slowly, wind down their window and when you say you are headed to the Northern Beaches, they drive off. I also use Uber for that reason. I must admit though – I would love Uber to pay more tax, (not that the taxi industry ever did mind…)
A couple of facts about this…
Just because it doesn’t have the booking fee doesn’t mean it’s bogus, per se. Only Uber X fares have a booking fee, not Uber XL or Uber Select (and these two services also charge a higher per km and per min rate).
However… a $91 base fare from Melb CBD to the airport, even assuming on Uber Select rates (the highest), means the trip must have taken 1hr 40min. That’s highly unlikely at that time of the morning, usually takes no more than an hour even in the morning airport rush.
And to the journo who parroted 13CABS’ line about Uber being set to gouge prices during the stormy weekend… Uber imposed a cap on surge of 1.9x from 830am Friday to early this morning. Presumably so they would not be accused of price gouging. All Uber drivers were aware of this surge cap, which had the effect of keeping Uber fares around the same mark as taxi fares.
As proof of a transaction, a receipt is considered a legal document. Surely no-one would contemplate fucking with one for some PR?
Uber can’t even get their story straight
Still covering up with more lies
Sorry uber you’ve lost credibility .
Uber and our politicians on both side of politics have turned the taxi industry into dogs breakfast
A Strong taxi industry is what we need. Uber are sharks and exploitingbeveryone to make profits for the very few
Just saying i am a taxi driver last xmas i picked up a lady from circular quey to maroubra cost $41.40 she advised me uber charged her $321 2 days before taxis are the sam price 365 day a year …the question is why is uber charges so much when ever thay like its just a app who charge there drivers 30% of the fare thay are just lawbraking scum bags….
If you say so. Although I have a neighbour who thinks he’s half alien. Doesn’t make it true.
Also “taxis are the sam price 365 day a year”, isn’t true. They aren’t even the same price all day long. The tariff changes depending on the time of day, and there is an extra charge on Friday and Saturday nights. How is this any different to surge pricing?
And don’t get me started on the credit card fee.