If you're a smart Uber driver you already know that if there is one thing you hold over your riders it's the rating and acceptance system. Unlike riders drivers are allowed to a large degree to select who to transact with. No, they can't see the where you're going at the onset but there are 3 pieces of information they do see that can aid them in accepting or decline a trip.
1. Rating- is it worth accepting a rider with a rating below 4.5? From experience anything below this increases the possibility of a) being taken to the outskirts of town, b) visiting an unpleasant destination such a rough neighborhoods or tight streets your car can barely fit into c) riders with character issues.
2. Pick-up ETA- is it worth picking up a rider that's 10 mins. away? When you could just as easily receive another request from a closer location simply by passing on the longer pick-up time.
3. Surge Pricing- supposing you have a distant pick-up request of 10 mins., the rating is 4.8, and the surge is 2X, will price be enough to compensate for the time and fuel considering this is probably a good passenger with a chance of getting a tip based on the rating?
These items can be used as a check-list with 2/3 being the acceptable standard but in the end it's really about striking a balance between customer satisfaction and profitability. Considering the 3 items above can help in avoiding potential nuisance which may lead to property damage, safety issues, and inconvenience for both parties. Being smart doesn't just mean maximizing but it also means you are aware that a win-win environment is invaluable to great customer service.
