Toronto woman charged $207 by Uber for alleged mess after dispute over open window
A Toronto woman says she was charged more than $200 by Uber for water that allegedly came through a window after arguing with a driver about keeping them open due to COVID-19.
Alyssa Schwartz said as soon as she entered the Uber vehicle on Monday she tried to open the windows but noticed they were locked.
She said when she asked the driver to unlock them, he said no because it was cold outside.
“I said, ‘Sorry, I prefer that they're open because of COVID. That's Ubers policy, can you please unlock them?’ So he said no, again,” Schwartz told NEWSTALK1010’s Moore in the Morning on Thursday. “I actually just at that point offered to get out of the car.”
Schwartz said she told the driver she would order another Uber if he didn’t comply, so he allowed her to open the windows. But, according to Schwartz, the driver also told her he was going to give her a bad rating because of it.
“He said something to me about how he was going to give me a bad rating and say that I made a mess,” she said. “The bad ratings seemed obvious to me. I was going to give him a bad rating too for the exchange. But I didn't realize what a claim of making a mess in an Uber involved.”
She said she woke up on Tuesday morning with a $207 bill in her inbox.
When Schwartz appealed the claim, she was sent a photograph of the damage. The photograph, which she posted on social media, shows a small amount of water on the back seat.
She said she isn’t even sure the water came through the window as there wasn’t a lot of snow falling at the time. She also said she closed the window before leaving the vehicle.
In a text message exchange with Uber, which was also posted to social media, Schwartz argues that a $200 fee is an “outrageous” amount of money to be charged for such a small amount of water on the back seat.
She also said the company needs to be clearer with its policies so that customers know they could be charged for weather-related damages if they choose to keep a window open amid the pandemic.
Uber has since refunded Schwartz for the ride and the cleaning bill. They have also given her a $50 credit, although she says it’s unlikely she will use the service again.
Back in May 2020, Uber put a number of policies in place to protect its drivers and customers as COVID-19 spread through the community. That policy included mandatory mask wearing, encouraging customers to sanitize their hands prior to entering the vehicle, and keeping windows open to increase ventilation.
As it stands, Uber’s website instructs both drivers and customers to roll down the windows when possible.
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, a spokesperson for Uber confirmed the policies on its website and said “the rider’s experience did not meet our expectations."
"Uber’s committed to the safety of riders and drivers and is constantly educating users on the best COVID-related safety practices while on a trip," the said. "We are reaching out to the rider and are working to resolve the issue.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.