My issue with Uber is that their customer service is apparently non-existent. I filed a complaint on their website after a two-week trip to Costa Rica. It shows that it was submitted and went through, and they will get back to me. They never did. So I tried a second time closer to two weeks. This time they responded but they said that I should have filed my complaint within 30 days. Just filing the first complaint was taxing as I had to jump through an impedance course of questions that might fit my complaint. If find it strange that they never acknowledge that I said I filed a first complaint. They keep mentioning that I need to file within 30 days. So we go around in circles.
This was my first time using Uber. My trip started with Uber in NYC to JFK Airport. That went well. Then when I arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica that is where my troubles began. I bought my SIM card then went out in front of the airport. I had read up on taxis at the San Jose Airport. I read on Tripadvisor that there is a restaurant and a bus stop where Uber picks up customers when you make a right exiting the airport. I summoned an Uber car service. The driver responded. I wrote back I am at the bus stop in front of the airport. He wrote back for me to meet him at the bus depot. I had no idea where the bus depot is located. Besides I had two pieces of luggage and a carry-on. I was not about to go searching for an Uber car. I wrote back that I don't know where the bus station is, and that I'm standing at the bus stop with other passengers. Needless to say I called on the voice but the driver never responded, and never came to meet me. There was a lady waiting at the bus stop for a taxi she reserved. She asked me who am I waiting for? I told her for Uber but he never showed up. She agreed to let me use her taxi so we both got in. I paid the driver what was on the meter, and thanked her.
The driver charged me for a trip I never took. While it was not a lot it's the principle that counts. This was my first time in Costa Rica. I don't know anyone there. And the last thing I wanted was to file a complaint against one of their citizens while still in the country. I figure I would wait until I got home. I arrived July 8. 2021 then returned home July 21, 2021. I filed my complaint soon after I arrived. Uber never acknowledged my complaint. Only after I filed the 2nd complaint they claim I filed outside of the 30 days. It's impossible to reach a live human being at Uber. Apparently there is a phone number but for emergencies only. Every contact or complaint has to be done by going through an obstacle course. Unlike other companies where a paper trail is left on their website this is not the case with Uber. For example I had to contact Verizon, I have choices to call them by phone, write them or contact them using their messenger. Not only that they send me the transcript of our chat to my email. Uber gives the impression it's high tech but truly it's technology is up there with the cave man. The other day they contacted me to say they notice I have not used their service lately. So I wrote back why and explained again that i filed a complaint that they never responded to. Then my 2nd complaint they did respond telling me I need to file within 30 days. A human actually got back to me. He totally ignored what I said about not hearing from Uber on my 1st complaint.
I received a reply from Uber Support that I will post here:
"Hi Wayne.
We are sorry to hear that the Driver partner was unprofessional. This type of attitude is not accepted by us, because it is not the appropriate one.
We analyze the details of your trip. However, we cannot make adjustments when your request was made after 30 days from the date of travel.
If you have any problems with another trip in the future, we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible.
We appreciate that you report this type of situation to us to maintain professionalism and provide a great experience when using the application.
It has been a pleasure to meet your request on this occasion.
Sent by edwin silva barrios on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 5:20:28 PM"
As you see Mr. Edwin Silva repeated the same lie that my request was made after 30 days from the date of travel. By this time I should be screaming like a banshee. For the record, Uber I contacted you two weeks after my trip but you never responded. You created an opaque, labyrinth system to frustrate anyone who dares to complain. Then you keep repeating the same lie. And expect that I will contact you in the future in the event I have another complaint. The driver who pulled that stunt is no better than the crooked taxi drivers who came up to me trying to get me into their taxi outside San Jose Airport. Maybe you should hire some real humans for a change who can staff your customer service so you won't have an excuse to hide behind not responding to complaints in a timely manner. read more