Can't accept Uber terms and conditions

By PaulMartz, 15 November, 2023

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Is anyone still using the Uber app? If so, how?

It had been a while since I used it, but I needed a ride yesterday and had some old Uber cash. So, I launched the app, specified destination and pick up, and selected the type of ride. Everything good so far. But before I could select the confirm button, the app told me the terms and conditions had changed, and I needed to check a checkbox to confirm that I agreed. But I could not find the checkbox with VoiceOver, and as a result, I could not book my ride.

So if anyone is still using Uber, I'd love to know how I get past this screen.

With the Uber app not an option, I considered getting Lyft, but I've never used that before and imagined it would take some time to create an account and enter my credit card. Plus I really wanted to use that Uber cash. So I got online and did a web search for how to book an Uber without a smartphone. Much to my glee, I discovered there's a phone number I could use to book an Uber. I did that, and the ride went flawlessly, and I only arrived a minute or two late. The only downside is that they added a $5 phone booking surcharge.

Options

Comments

By Troy on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

Vo will not recognize these as checkboxes but you should be able to double tap on each element and the confirm button should be available. It's been a while since I had to do this so I'm sure someone who recently did it can explain it better.

By Siobhan on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

Hi. i think if you turned off voice over, tapped then turned on again you might be in the right spot. again, it's been years since I did that. I'd also ask for the five bucks back. I use lyft and other then being expensive it's not bad. I'd request the five bucks back on account o f disability or some such, but you don't seem the type to do that. Neither am I but again, it is discrimination and kick in the balls wherever ya can. Not sorry for that.

By Brian on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

Screw Uber cash. Save money and your sanity. Use Lyft. It is pretty much about the same as setting up Uber, but it is a lot more affordable.

By PaulMartz on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

I recall in the past that both the NFB and ACB (US blind organizations) have worked with Uber to raise awareness of accessibility issues, as the blind community relies on their service. That something as boilerplate as agreeing to terms has been so utterly obfuscated is simply beyond comprehension.

I'm a Lyft customer now. Uber can take the $5 booking fee they pickpocketed off me, add the $6 Uber cash in my remaining balance, and buy the CEO a nice pizza. I hope he's happy.

By Brian on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

I've mentioned before, in another thread, that I used to be the owner of a yellow Lab Seeing Eye Dog. I used to use Uber all the time. Then I earned the right to own a Guide Dog, and things changed.

I had several instances where an Uber driver would be on their way to pick me up. I would usually send them a text, describing to them where I was in relation to where I was being picked up, what I was wearing, etc. I would also inform them that I had a Seeing Eye Dog.

By this point, the driver, and there were a lot of them, would cancel my ride leaving me to start the process all over again.

Eventually I stopped telling drivers I had a service animal, but mentioned I was blind, what I was wearing, etc. Now I would sometimes get a driver who had no problem with the Guide Dog, but other times some jerkface would pull up and see my dog, then cancel the ride and mark me as a "no call, no show". This would leave me with a fine to pay in accordance with Uber's TOS.

So long story short, I use Lyft now, and have been for the past 6 years, give or take.

Keane is retired now, and living his best life with a family that has 3 teenage girls whom spoil him rotten.

The take away from this is that I have had, and continue to have, better experiences using Lyft over Uber. Costs less too... 🙂

By Bruce Harrell on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

Wow. Being charged for being blind. How cool is that!

Rubbing hands together in eager anticipation.

I am imagining a nationwide class action lawsuit against them for discrimination in public transportation (meaning transportation being made available to the public). Millions upon millions of ddollars! big happy smile.

I am SO glad I'm retired.

Fear not, howeever. You do have the option of filing complainsts with your state attorney general and with the federal FTC and FCC.

Being blind sure is annoying sometimes.

Bruce

By PaulMartz on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

Well, if my response is any indication, Uber's new blindness surcharge is not a viable business model. LOL.

By Wayne A on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

Sometimes, when I encounter an app that presents a button or other form control that I can't access, I turn on screen recognition for the app. This usually allows me to select a checkbox or activate another otherwise inaccessible button. Then, I turn off screen recognition if the app is working OK after clearing the hurdle.
Note that I turn on Screen Recognition by quadruple tapping with two fingers to bring up Voiceover Quick Actions and swiping to Screen Recognition.
Hope this helps

By PaulMartz on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

It's possible that any one of the many unlabeled buttons could have been the checkbox the text was telling me to check, and screen recognition would have identified it for me. But I swear I selected each of the unlabeled buttons, and none of them undimmed the confirm and continue button.

While I'm done with Uber after this experience, screen recognition is a good trick to know about. Thanks.

By neosonic2 on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

This of course doesn't apply in all cities, but at least where I live Uber is consistently cheaper than Lyft and has much better service. They also recently paid me $8,314 as part of a class action settlement wherein the United States sued Uber because they were charging wait time fees to riders with disabilities. Lyft has also always seem to have a problem determining exactly where I am when a driver comes to pick me up at the town house in which I live, even though I've submitted feedback to try to correct the issues multiple times.

So, until Lyft's prices in this area decrease and my satisfaction for their services increase, I'll continue to be an Uber customer. Once again, I realize in some cities Lyft may be cheaper than Uber or offer better service, and that's great; I suppose having multiple ride sharing platforms breeds competition, which is also a good thing.

By Siobhan on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

Lyft? 14.70 for a 10 mile trip. Same drop off and pick up? Uber? 18.99 if not more. Only reason Lyft is cheaper? They been pissed when I don't use one over the other, so I get promos. seriously, just get Uber set to have something. Lyft isn't great, neither is Uber. I'd settle for English speaking drivers or as sad and disgusting as it is to report, a toggle for them, so I can communicate so as I have done before, have them find me.

By Troy on Thursday, November 23, 2023 - 01:01

One of the features I like about uber is it's optional live location feature. This feature, when it's working allows drivers to see exactly where you are located. I'm surprised lyft doesn't have this as they usually follow in uber's footsteps and uber has had this feature for a while.

By Moopie Curran on Saturday, December 23, 2023 - 01:01

Hi,
I'm trying to accept the stupid terms for uber eats, because I got a rather substancial gift card for Christmas. I know you have to turn on screen recognition, but once you do that, what do you do? And can I get this pain in the butt over with like right now, even though I'm not about to order something yet? Or do I have to wait until I'm roadrageous, hangry, and impatient, wanting to order a meal, then struggle with it?
Thanks

By PaulMartz on Saturday, December 23, 2023 - 01:01

I think you have to actually place or schedule a request.

So that I could try screen recognition, I scheduled a ride for days in advance that I never intended to take. And sure enough, that brought up the terms and conditions screen. At that point, I turned on screen recognition, which allowed me to find and select both checkboxes and confirm the ride. Then I turned screen recognition off again and canceled the ride.

Maybe you can do something similar? Request a meal delivery in advance?