Most Rideshare drivers who stick with the “opportunity” to drive will probably do so for more than one App company. It might help to know a little of what you may find in the variations of the Apps and company approach by DiDi and UBER.
As both, at the time of writing do not have Offices in many spots to interface directly with drivers, you may find the following information of great benefit.
Without an office or phone line where you can speak directly to a human to help you, the next option is the various App “help” sections.
And aren’t they terrific?! No they’re crap!
If you drive for DiDi you may experience;
- Frustration, in simply reading the App – the text in the App is in a very small font. It’s not possible, at the time of writing to alter this without reconfiguring the entire screen, meaning you won’t see the full screen when enlarging the text. They have been told about this, but apathy rules – they don’t care!
- You’d think, as a driver DiDi would let you see the current star rating of the passenger when offering the trip, so you can ascertain if you’d like to accept the trip or decline! You won’t see the rating of the passenger! Why because they don’t give a fuck. And should you decline, be assured you’ll be penalised. They are arseholes and their app is shit.
- Again, some frustration with the App. When you start a journey to pick up, you should anticipate the GPS interface will usually send you 180 degrees in the opposite direction for around 6-7 seconds, whilst it resets itself. Wait before doing a U turn if this happens, and anticipate the error factor
- DiDi does not put forward the name of the person you are picking up. Therefore if you are going to a crowded area for pick up you won’t know if you’re picking up a male or female rider. At the time of writing this glaring weakness has been pointed out to them. No result or change at this time. Unresponsive.
- DiDi does not present a tipping option for riders. They think you’re earning enough and this is not necessary. Your view?
- The keypad on the DiDi App is very clunky, with the keys not registering or responding to touch at times. Whilst you will gain better skill in using this keyboard over time, it is inferior to that of UBER. Expect to make keystroke mistakes early while getting used to it. Yes, they know, but it doesn’t affect them, so it is unchanged after many months or poor performance.
- At the conclusion of DiDi trips there is no option to present/record if a rider was not wearing a mask. As with UBER at this time there is also a limited set of options (THESE ARE OFTEN, NARROW AND UNSUITABLE IN CHOICE) to describe your experience with the trip/rider and no option to include specific comments of your own. Deplorable!
- With DiDi if you are underway with a trip and there is a problem, and you wish to cancel/stop the trip, you simply cannot. This should be rectified. At the time of writing it’s an issue they know about but have not dealt with. Are we repeating ourselves?
- If you have a safety issue with DiDi be warned, they do not present a reasonable duty of care. Again, at the time of writing they only have a time limited call centre for help and they may in fact, not even answer calls during their restricted hours. We have one particularly alarming example that may be shared on this site in future. In September 2022 in Melbourne both their “help” and “emergency” phone lines were out of order for over three weeks, with a message expressing they were having issues with “upgrading” their system. Of course this is stated alongside how Seriously they take your safety and its vital importance – BULLSHIT!
- As with UBER, the call centre for DiDi, if you hit the jackpot and get through, will often be staffed by a Customer Service Provider who has English as a second language, does not answer your questions directly, has to transfer your call or has to speak to a supervisor. These types of delays are specifically engineered points, designed to delay and frustrate, so you won’t call again.
- DiDi also has poor practices when it comes to cancellations by riders – they are loathe to compensate drivers with cancellation payments. Try and find their cancellation policy and guidelines. Good Luck!
- DiDi drivers can also expect a higher rate of quick cancellations by riders, directly impacting on you, the DiDi driver. These disturbances and interruptions whilst you’re driving on a trip can be very frustrating and distracting. The profile of DiDi riders is that they’re often younger riders, perhaps less patient and more likely to chop and change between Rideshare Apps as they travel.
- For more information on DiDi and their clunky App research google and you-tube. People share their experiences and you can learn more. Essentially the DiDi App is inferior according to many reviews, not just our opinion.