Answer: a crappy one. It probably should have raised a red flag for me last night when the Super Shuttle (apparently a nationwide conglomerate of local airport shuttle services) tricked me into including the tip when, online, I reserved (and pre-paid for) a shuttle to the airport. They even had a button that said “15% tip” that was the same size and shape as a “Done” button. Like a putz, I pressed it. There was no “undo” button.
I had a 6 AM flight. The magic Shuttle Express algorithm online told me that they’d be here between 3:30 and 3:45 AM. Sucks, but I guess they know best. After all, they’re a nationwide conglomerate with a fancy online reservation system.
At 3:35 AM (yes, in the morning) this morning, I got a phone call from a nice woman telling me that the driver was rejiggering the order of pickups and he’d be at my place towards the end of my window or, at worst, maybe 3:50 AM. Not a huge deal, still in the window.
Now I have no idea what on earth their fancy algorithm missed that led the human driver to reroute his plans. But I’m annoyed because the guy didn’t get to me until 4:15. That means that I was awake a good 45 minutes before I needed to be and, at 3 AM, that matters! Does the fancy algorithm not actually do anything “smart”? Or does it just not account for the fact that there is NO traffic at 3 AM? Most importantly, can I get my tip back??
And I haven’t quite gone to sleep yet, so I’m tired now and feel fully justified in complaining.
Morale of the story: beware services that collect tips before rendering service. It screws with incentives and you’re more likely to get screwed.
Good night, I’m going to sleep and not setting the alarm,
joel
