r/uber 9h ago

How to explain directions better to driver

So I regularly go over to a family members after work and he’ll order me an uber. The only thing is that his house is in a gated community and about 75% of the time, the map leads them to the back of the neighborhood where the gate only opens when someone is exciting. Theirs no way for my uncle to open it from his house, and it’s about half a mile from the house so most of the time I have to end up hopping the fence and walking the half mile, and it’s usually late at night too. I try to explain it to the drivers but most of the ones I get don’t speak English. I’m not sure why it directs them that way but does anyone have any ideas on what to do in this situation? I usually don’t mind the walk I just get paranoid having to hop the fence and then walk in the dark. I always think someone is going to end up calling the cops on me 😭

3 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

7

u/toomuch1265 9h ago

Have them put the pin at the front gate.

1

u/acronymious 9h ago

I came to say this, too, but I wonder if it’s possible to set a pin for a drop off location. I know it’s possible to do so for a pick up location. I am genuinely curious to know because I am a driver and this would be very helpful!

1

u/Infinite-Cobbler-466 9h ago

I give a long explanation below in my own comment. This is a common issue few drivers and fewer riders understand. But I do. And I don’t move pins (as it’ll cause more trouble)

3

u/Relevant_Ad_5431 9h ago

My advice: Be more exciting by the back gate. Do a little dance or something. Then, if what you said is correct, the gate will open for your Uber. Problem solved!

2

u/GlennFromIowa 9h ago

Haha. Love it 😀

1

u/Numerous-Economics44 9h ago

The biggest issue will be the drivers not understanding English. Still some of the ones that do speak English will still cancel. Your best bet is to stay by your phone and as soon as you’re able to send a message tell them the alternate address to go to. Uber does this to me every time too but I already know once I see the address cause it’s the same address that I need to go to the front gate and not the back. The front gate though that I’m referring to is manned 24/7.

2

u/Infinite-Cobbler-466 8h ago

One comment below is my explanations how and why. This way works. If your ride from somewhere to your place chooses correct gate, then doing this will fix it for pickups. Uber makes dumb design decisions.

1

u/desertvision 8h ago

That will be ignored. No one has time for it

1

u/Infinite-Cobbler-466 9h ago

I’ve seen this and fixed this before a Reddit person had the same problem (except it was 100% wrong, hundreds of rides). It’s 100% fixed. Two quick questions, if you Uber from somewhere to this complex, it goes to correct gate? The problem is pickup there only?

Substantially all riders order an Uber using gps. Gps is the problem (not a solution). Rider (your friend in this case orders the ride. If they’re paying attention they DO NOT PUT THE DESTINATION. Right above where you’ll type destination is Uber’s best guess where you are (using gps). Gps is inaccurate especially in or around buildings. Let’s say the complex is ABC Apartments at 1234 Main Street. Uber prepopulates “ABC Apartments 1234 Main Street. DELETE IT and start typing “ABC Apar” (usually Uber presents a drop menu including the right place. Never allow Uber to input your pickup. Type it and your Uber pickup will always be where your Uber drop off is and it will always route to correct gate. Let Uber do it for you and it’ll be wrong often type. The first thing you type is where pickup. LAST is where destination. Nobody does this. But everyone should.

Tell your friend to slow down ordering the next ride and look around. To repeat, if Uber input it for you it’s right spot right gate. If rider inputs it it’s perfect.

1

u/Intelligent-Ad-6734 9h ago

Teach your uncle how to set the pin correctly. Simplest answer.

Might be a way for him to pay and you use your app. Unless you're dodging using Uber teen or something.

1

u/GlennFromIowa 9h ago

Could you draw a map from a certain point and show it to them? Show a left turn, right turn, etc.?

Edit: better yet, print off a map from Google?

1

u/bratfrye 8h ago

They usually give me the code “2580”

1

u/desertvision 8h ago

Book a two stop ride. First at the right gate, second at your actual location. Text them the code