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Do you charge pax to return a cell phone they left in the car?

5K views 109 replies 50 participants last post by  DollarFree 
#1 ·
Lately I've been finding about a cell phone a week and I always return it but it's been getting on my nerves that almost all of them want me to deliver it to them and I have to somehow have hint for gas money without out right asking for it. Yesterday I drove all the way from Norwalk 2 North Hollywood and the guy only gave me 15 bucks and of course I collected the 15 bucks return fee from Uber. Most of the time people give me like 40 bucks. But now I almost feel like I need to ask for at least 40 or I'm not moving a finger. Most of the time you can't even order an Uber 4 less than what they give me. How do you guys handle this situations? I feel a certain kind of way outright asking for money but i need to be compensated for my time and gas.
 
#3 ·
As soon as I find it it’s an automatic “I found an item” report in the app. Then I usually get a call from the owner in seconds anyway on the pax’s phone and take it back to them. I always get a couple of dollars with an “if I had more I’d give you more” spiel and I tell them not to worry because Uber is about to charge them a $14 returned item fee. :rolleyes:
 
#8 ·
Sad that’s it comes down to deciding between those two options, but some pax are ridiculous with their demands, even when you’re trying to help them. They want you to drop what you are doing (most likely on another ride), and bring their phone right back to them. Sorry, I’ll get your phone back to you safely, but it’ll be when I have a free moment within a reasonable time frame. Unfortunately, now crazy pax will show up at your house if they don’t get their way.
 
#10 ·
I drove 30 miles to Santa Monica to return a phone. Didn't even get a thank you. Funny thing is I knew this guy wasnt going to tip. He was a drunk p. o. s the night before. I have received 20 to 100 bucks per returned phone in the past. Oh well lesson learned. 15 bucks is better than nothing. Sometimes it sucks having a conscience.
 
#37 · (Edited)
I drove 30 miles to Santa Monica to return a phone. Didn't even get a thank you. Funny thing is I knew this guy wasnt going to tip. He was a drunk p. o. s the night before. I have received 20 to 100 bucks per returned phone in the past. Oh well lesson learned. 15 bucks is better than nothing. Sometimes it sucks having a conscious.
That's what greenlight locations are for. You tell them "Yeah, I got it, UBER will mail it to you."
 
#23 ·
It's a hassle and a safety issue. You also never get fully compensated for the invested time returning the lost item. We've had some threads where pax show up banging on the door demanding the phone. Dumb paxholes are drunk and think you might be stealing. You can also be a female driver and some creep can pull a stunt just to show up at your front door. Throw it out as soon as possible.
 
#34 ·
6000 rides, and I've only had about 5 phones left in my car. One, the girl called me and I was only a few blocks away. Returned it for a $20 tip. Another one I was about 10 miles down the freeway on the way home. Returned it to the guy. He said he'd give me $20, plus to charge the $15 returned item fee. Another one didn't contact me until the next day. She came by my work and picked it up. Another guy, I reported it immediately, and I never heard from him. It was a rather beat up, cheap, Android phone. I have "found" probably another 10 phones by taking a quick look in the backseat as the pax is exiting my car. These all saved me the hassle of having to deal with a lost phone.
 
#40 ·
Once over a year ago i had a guy leave his iphone in my car. Unfortunately for me he called it as i was pulling up at home. so he has my add. now. But he was on the plane and didnt want to miss it. he sounded like a great guy, he said just hold on to it for me ill send you a prepaid fedex next day service letter when i get home. sure enough like 2 days later i get one for me to send it back to him.

Sounds great and simple enough. but when i opened the Box with the prepaid slip. No thank you letter and more importantly No tip.i couldnt believe it. i texted him and told him the nerve he had not to include anything else, and i said i aint wasting my time /driving to fedex to deliver this. You have 4 options.
1. Miss work, buy a roundtrip ticket back here, and uber roundtrip from the airport. and then back to your house if you want it.
2. ask a loved one of yours to do step one for you.
3. go submit a claim and pay whatever fees and have a person of authority and make them use there resources to retrieve it for you "lawyer,police etc."
4.or.........you can send another box with a prepaid slip and put a 50$ in there. could of been a 20 if you werent a cheap a** your lucky i dont ask for 100+ and you can save the headache and more money then the options above.

this will be the last time i have communication with you. ill give you 1 month to figure it out then ill txt you an police station address where in your owntime can figure it out with them. goodbye

he sent numerous txt saying i stole and breaking the law. but my options clearly show im willing to hand it to him or anyone he trust on his behalf. or ill doit but not for free. 3 weeks go by and a few days almost the month and i got my 2nd Box with a 50$ and i didnt expect a ty card. i laughed but i sent it as i promised. i assume he probaly was in those 3 weeks trying to serve me or something but probaly whoever he showed my options to all said to him, hes not doing anything wrong and you just have to swallow your ego and choose the better option 4 lol. who knows...
 
#49 ·
Have passenger request an Uber to wherever you don't mind sitting for a few minutes wait and that Uber can take phone back to passenger. Request Uber's Item Return Fee for hassle if you must.

Passenger says no, leave at closest police station and passenger can go pick it up there.

I glance back as passenger gets out and catch 1 phone a month that way. Easier they take it as they exit at my prompting then any other way ;)
 
#59 ·
I think my new line is going to ve 40 bucks to deliver it to you or meet at a location or I leave it at mt local police station . And as long as you don't keep it its not stealing so if i throw it in the trash it might be immoral but not illegal. and if i make an honest attempt to return it it's on you to deal with the logistics of receiving it i.e. cash, meet up etc....
 
#60 ·
Greetings,
As a semi-retired touring musician for over 30 years, I've been an Independent Contractor most of my adult life--with few exceptions. I've used the same accountant and business manager for 20 years, so I'm very familiar with the "grey area" that both Uber and Lyft operate under.

As an IC, I have certain guidelines (including service fees) that I follow, independent from the companies (or legal entities) I choose to work with.This means that as an IC, I can set my own return fees, damage fees, puke fees--whatever-- that both Uber and Lyft have nothing to do with--and technically, they are not legally obligated to offer such fees to us --AT ALL.

You bookies want to charge a $15 return item fee to deliver a lost item? Fantastic! Personally, I think you're selling yourselves a bit short - but hey, whatever. You must have some top-secret strategy that a dumb-dumb like me would never understand. You guys are so damn genius!

Oh, you want ME to do it? Outstanding.

I charge $50 within LA County,$100 to Ventura and Orange Counties and $200-$250 beyond that. And it's non-negotiable. Just like your 40% commissions! You know, I think you're really starting to rub one out - I MEAN- rub off on me.

Sorry.

First off, I ALWAYS do backseat spot checks when riders exit my vehicle. This eliminates most issues. Occasionally, I've had riders leave valuables in my car. When I get the call, I NEVER respond until at least 24 hours have passed. My first step upon item retrieval? I put on my LEATHER DRIVING GLOVES, power off the device and remove the SIM card (if applicable) and put the item safely into a plastic sandwich bag, labeling the owner's name for reference.

I contact the pax, (NEVER ADMITTING I HAVE THE ITEM) tell them I need to double-check the car for the property in question, informing them I'll confirm within 2 hrs. When I do, I state my service fees, endure the verbal abuse that usually follows, and then explain that the $15 Uber/Lyft has nothing to do with me or my business and if my fees aren't acceptable, I let them know that they're welcome to pick up their property at my local police station. They usually sigh in relief, call me a crook and then ask me where I live.

Barstow.

Remember guys, all these shady "Tech Companies" did was create an app for the smart phone. The hard part for them was done a long time ago. 90% of their business operations rely on us to make it work. They don't pay our car payments, insurance, gas, maintenance costs, phone bills, cleaning fees, medical insurance -WE DO! And with that, we can charge whatever we want when it comes to services we provide WITHOUT USE OF THEIR APPLICATION. NEVER ACCEPT their ridiculous $15 "compensation" fees!

UBER and LYFT did not "revolutionize" the transportation industry - we did. They're booking agents! That's all they are.

Make no mistake, these ego-inflated jokers are NOT our friends! And the next time Uber sends you to the Palasades only to cancel on a group of self-entitled, drunken teenagers who think YouTube and Porn careers are the fast-track to fame and fortune--send them an invoice.
 
#61 ·
It absolutely does, but if you wait and you get to your house it's too late.
Ever wonder why you cant remove the battery on new Phones? They can be pinged when they are "off" even when your phone shuts it self off from low battery, phone is still on internally. Dont beleive me? Get a Rf sniffer and set your "DEAD" phone next to it and listen to it chirp every hour.
 
#62 ·
The proper law was cited and explained. No one is making the case that you are bound to the item. You were soundly refuted on this yesterday, there's still nothing you can say that will change the fact that a driver has to make a reasonable attempt to get it back to the owner. Sorry.
Buzzzzz, wrooooong. There was no explanation. You just posted a link with 12000 words and left it at that. I then used your own citation to prove you wrong and you never refuted it with any type of proof, explanation, nor reasoning.

Have a nice day. :cool:
 
#66 ·
There was an explanation. Which is why you're cutting and running from the conversation.

Greetings,
As a semi-retired touring musician for over 30 years, I've been an Independent Contractor most of my adult life--with few exceptions. I've used the same accountant and business manager for 20 years, so I'm very familiar with the "grey area" that both Uber and Lyft operate under.

As an IC, I have certain guidelines (including service fees) that I follow, independent from the companies (or legal entities) I choose to work with.This means that as an IC, I can set my own return fees, damage fees, puke fees--whatever-- that both Uber and Lyft have nothing to do with--and technically, they are not legally obligated to offer such fees to us --AT ALL.

You bookies want to charge a $15 return item fee to deliver a lost item? Fantastic! Personally, I think you're selling yourselves a bit short - but hey, whatever. You must have some top-secret strategy that a dumb-dumb like me would never understand. You guys are so damn genius!

Oh, you want ME to do it? Outstanding.

I charge $50 within LA County,$100 to Ventura and Orange Counties and $200-$250 beyond that. And it's non-negotiable. Just like your 40% commissions! You know, I think you're really starting to rub one out - I MEAN- rub off on me.

Sorry.

First off, I ALWAYS do backseat spot checks when riders exit my vehicle. This eliminates most issues. Occasionally, I've had riders leave valuables in my car. When I get the call, I NEVER respond until at least 24 hours have passed. My first step upon item retrieval? I put on my LEATHER DRIVING GLOVES, power off the device and remove the SIM card (if applicable) and put the item safely into a plastic sandwich bag, labeling the owner's name for reference.

I contact the pax, (NEVER ADMITTING I HAVE THE ITEM) tell them I need to double-check the car for the property in question, informing them I'll confirm within 2 hrs. When I do, I state my service fees, endure the verbal abuse that usually follows, and then explain that the $15 Uber/Lyft has nothing to do with me or my business and if my fees aren't acceptable, I let them know that they're welcome to pick up their property at my local police station. They usually sigh in relief, call me a crook and then ask me where I live.

Barstow.

Remember guys, all these shady "Tech Companies" did was create an app for the smart phone. The hard part for them was done a long time ago. 90% of their business operations rely on us to make it work. They don't pay our car payments, insurance, gas, maintenance costs, phone bills, cleaning fees, medical insurance -WE DO! And with that, we can charge whatever we want when it comes to services we provide WITHOUT USE OF THEIR APPLICATION. NEVER ACCEPT their ridiculous $15 "compensation" fees!

UBER and LYFT did not "revolutionize" the transportation industry - we did. They're booking agents! That's all they are.

Make no mistake, these ego-inflated jokers are NOT our friends! And the next time Uber sends you to the Palasades only to cancel on a group of self-entitled, drunken teenagers who think YouTube and Porn careers are the fast-track to fame and fortune--send them an invoice.
Another common thief.
 
#71 ·
Do you even read your own links before you reference them? Below is an excerpt from your citation:



Emphasis "and who appropriates such property to his own use, or to the use of another person not entitled thereto".

And now I'll provide my own citation:

https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ca-lost-property-lost-and-unclaimed-property



Emphasis "Any person who finds a thing lost is not bound to take charge of it".

Finding an item does not automatically make you take charge of it, as evidenced by the wording of the citation. As such finding an item does not mean we MUST return it. Your citation is agreeable that we may neither use nor sell the item found, but what is not precluded is discarding the item found.

It is entirely legal to dispose of a found item if you do not desire to locate its owner, even if you can identify the owner.
There's also the "make restitution without compensation,EXCEPT A REASONABLE CHARGE FOR SAVING AND TAKING CARE OF THE PROPERTY."

What's reasonable? For a $1000 phone? Who knows? But nowhere in the previous citation did I see anything other than that you should make an attempt to "restore the property to the owner." That means there is no reason not to expect the owner should come to YOU, not that you have to drop everything and go to them.
 
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