Uber refusing to refund after a taxi drivers dangerous driving and negligence - help!

Octavarium

Hi all, sorry for what will be a lengthy post, but feel it's important to get the facts established.

An incredibly rude taxi driver started the trip off by refusing to help me put my shopping in the boot. I had four bags and he sat there watching me struggle. I couldn't even get them in properly because of the parcel shelf, which he was instructing me how to remove.

Great start to the journey. Then, the driver made a pit stop to go and buy coffee en-route. He asked my permission, and while I wanted to say no I was already upset and didn't want to be uncomfortable for 20 minutes with a guy who could be rude.

He got out the car but didn't put the handbrake on properly (if at all), so I was sat in a vehicle that was moving and veering towards the middle of the road. I kept knocking the shop window to grab the drivers attention and while waiting I had to try and push against the car to slow it down as to prevent an accident. He didn't even apologise or seem to panic. He didn't care.

I was in shock and so trying to distract myself as much as possible. Then while driving on the A6, he missed the junction turnoff. Instead of driving to the next junction, he stopped, and then proceeded to reverse, almost hitting another car in the process. All he had to say is "I hope you won't report me". 

I reported the whole thing to Uber, Leicestershire Police and Wolverhampton City Council (the driver's licence provider). As far as I'm concerned, I never got the minimum service expected of a Private Hire driver, which is to get the passenger safely to their destination. I got there alive, but not safely!! 

I have attached the whole conversation for those who want full context. Uber are a bunch of thieves, it's as simple as that.

Do I have any recourse at all? I think it's disgusting and they cannot be allowed to operate in this way. It's criminal! I tried phoning and speaking to two people, and they are both just as bad, towing the company line which is to steal from people and not do anything about dangerous driving. It's disgusting.

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Ayr_Rage

You got home with a bit of annoyance regarding your bags and a couple of instances of bad driving but no accident.

You made your complaints to Uber, the council and police.

Uber have given you their answer.

Time to put it behind you and move on.

powerful_Rogue

I can't see what Uber (not the driver) have done wrong here. They are asking follow up questions to get as much information about the situation as possible.

Clearly due to GDPR they can't give you further information as to what action was taken against the driver.

Aylesbury_Duck

Drop all the emotional hyperbole and baseless allegations of theft and stealing, and you might get somewhere.

How much are you after?

mr_stripey

ok so you had a less than helpful Uber driver. But you got home. So leave him a bad review and move on.

Life is full of inconveniences and disruptions.

I've had no problem with Uber anywhere in the world I've used them.

Did get a very grumpy taxi driver at Gatwick when my flight was fog bound so had to get to a nearby hotel; driver was very disgruntled that after queing for a fare for "hours" he only got my 1.5 mile ride rather than something more lucrative I guess. He was rude, drove a bit "angry" but guess he was just having a bad day. Did my best not to go all "Roy Keane" and point out that it's his job. A slighly unpleasant experience but not the end of the world

flaneurs_lobster

The Uber got you to your destination for the fare agreed. They've fulfilled the contract, why do you think they should refund you?

All the other stuff is just extras, and you've done all the things you think you need to do as a concerned citizen reporting a dangerous driver.

Try and move on.

pinkshoes

@Octavarium what do you want from this?

They don't have to help put the bags in. Did you specify that you needed assistance when you ordered?

Not putting a handbrake on was a mistake but absolutely a reportable one as he was probably too tired to drive. You didn't have to try and stop the car - that was actually rather dangerous and you put yourself at harm rather than the driver putting you at harm. (and also quite impressive for someone who struggled to put 4 bags in the boot but managed to stop a car! People have been run over trying to do this!).

As for reversing down the carriage way because he missed a turning, then the police can deal with this.

Uber were polite, they apologised that you had a bad experience, and they were just asking further questions to clarify points. You come across rather rude in your messages, especially the accusation of stealing. I'm not sure what they stole?

It was a bad Uber experience, you've left your poor review, the police are dealing with the bad driving (although unless there is camera evidence, don't be surprised that it amounts to nothing) and Uber said they were sorry you had a poor experience. It's best to move on.

Pollycat

The original post is far too long to read with all the to-and-froing with Uber.

Do Uber say their drivers will help with bags?
I think you have unreasonable expectations about this.

You had the option to tell the driver you didn't want to stop so he could get a coffee - but you didn't.

No problems there.

The journey was completed, albeit with some concern about the ability of the driver.
Why do you think you shouldn't pay?
There is no 'stealing' here.

Uber seem to have asked you for more information and you replied rudely (imho).

Uber seem to have dealt with your complaint.
You have no right to know what action they have taken.

Have you heard from the police?
  

Skiddaw1

OP, I'm with the others. I really think it's time to put it behind you. It was a bad experience but certainly based on my own Uber experience it's most unusual.

I understand Uber drivers can blacklist you if they believe you to be a serial complainer so leaving all else aside, if you need to use Uber regularly you might want to draw a line under it on that basis too.

photome

I agree with others …post is to long, but it’s time to move on

he didnt have to help with bags , and there is no way you should have tried to stop the car moving when the hand brake wasn’t applied 

hopefully you will return to this thread 

brightfuture20

I was under the impression drivers are not meant to help with bags due to risk of car theft. I know lots do but I don't think it's required. Too much flowery info to Uber you should have raised 2 bullet points - getting out without handbrake and the reversing down A6. Without cctv there isn't much they can do it's your word against his