Save money! Great options!
I’ve used Uber and Lyft for many years. However, when Empower came on the scene four years ago in North Carolina, it changed the game in favor of not only the drivers, but the riders as well! Their options of having favorite drivers and gender match, are features that had long been requested of Uber and Lyft, yet never provided! In addition, after being tired of being burned with the incredibly high surges for both Uber and Lyft, it’s refreshing to get a ride on an app that while there may be a surge, it won’t be anything like what you see with Uber and Lyft at the same time! Additionally, new riders that sign up earn ride credits and can keep earning ride credits by using the refer a friend and refer a driver tabs in the app. Also, it’s great to see a software that lets drivers earn 100% of the fare. Drivers pay for a subscription and after that’s paid, they get to keep the remainder of their fares. You should give it a try!
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Understand
So the reason why I gave it a four I enjoy using Empire, but it’s not without its problems. I live in DC the rides are cheaper than Uber and Lyft. I’ve had occasional drivers that were driving too fast. I’ve had issues with empire, overcharging, and taking out unauthorized extra money which I’ve had to get refunded that right there is probably my biggest issue with Empire but the drivers, been not been bad for me. The ones that were driving fast I was able to report so yes people reporting is key. At least I’m speaking for me because I have reported anyone and everyone that has been a safety issue. Reported drivers who canceled on me five times. And I was assisted with no issues. The only issue for me is taking out extra money out of my account without my permission and I can say the money has thus far always been returned.
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Response from developer
We are sorry that you had a poor experience. If you could please reach out to Customer Support in-app and provide details of this ride, we will do everything we possible to assist you.
Bait and switch prices
This app is overall cheaper than uber/lyft, but way less reliable. The drivers drive rashly and speed through red lights, and apparently there is no background check for them. What’s more frustrating, though, is the bait and switch with prices. The last two rides I got had shown a fixed price when I got the car and then throughout the entire ride, but then after the fact it would show a higher charge than what I initially owed. Both times I brought this to app support and the second time I asked for the difference to be refunded directly to my credit card, but they still added the amount to my app balance instead. The money in your balance can only be used for max $3 discounts per ride until it runs out which just feels scammy and like a way to trap the user into continuing to use the app.
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You get what you pay for!
Yes its better pricing than Lyft and Uber but for a reason. Drivers are pulling up in cars that reek of body odor (armpits) I understand that not wearing deodorant is part of your culture but if you’re offering your car as a business for the public, I shouldn’t have to be trapped in that foul unpleasant odor. Also the app will say “driver 1 minute away” or “Driver arriving soon” when in actuality they’re still 5 minutes away and I’m standing outside looking lost. Another thing that has happened more than a handful of times is the car and tag description not matching the car that arrives to pick me up. And when I confront the driver about it they’ll say “my car is in the shop or Empower hasn’t updated it on the app”…. For SAFETY reasons this is something that no Uber type company should have. If it’s not updated on the app they shouldn’t be allowed to drive and pick up customers. God forbid something happens and we can’t locate the passenger or driver because we’re looking for the wrong car.
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Slow connections
I’ve used this app three times and my first time, it was great! I got a driver instantly and he was nice, with minimal talking. I will admit, the ride was cheap too! However, the second and third time i tried to use this app, it took me forever to connect me with a driver. I was almost late for work and figured I’d order a ride really quick to to get me there in under ten minutes. WRONG! It took me ten minutes to even find a driver and after the eleventh minute, I canceled the ride all together. Then, just now i had to get to an appointment and i wanted a cheap ride. I order the car ride and it takes over 11 minutes AGAIN to find me a driver. It kept showing me cars near my location but none of them were apparently available to accept my ride request. It’s ridiculous! It should not take twenty minutes to find a driver when i requested the ride an hour ago :/ …would not recommend to other people. Maybe if they plan their rides 3 hours ahead, yes, but not if they’re looking for something quick.
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Hit Or Miss
I’ve had about 50% success rate with this app. When it works well, it’s great (even though one of my drivers once lamented to me that most of the fare wasn’t going him). When it doesn’t work well, you end up wasting time or spending a lot more money.
On one occasion, the Empower app sent me to a totally different address then I requested. I only figured it out bc I got out of the cab and couldn’t find the spot, so had to order another Empower to the destination I was going. The same driver picked me up and showed me his map, asking why I ordered again when we’re right here. Fortunately for me, I knew the area, but one could find themselves in a precarious situation if this software issue sends them to a totally different location at random like it did me.
On another occasion, at midnight, I found a driver who was 13 minutes away from for a $10 fare. After waiting 20 minutes, and the driver a couple of minutes away, he canceled the ride. I had to find a new fare, this time at $25. Not only did I waste 30 minutes, I had to spend an extra $15. This would never happen with another rideshare app (their other problems aside). Empower was not that helpful when I complained.
Empower could be great, but they have too many issues. And more importantly, debatable whether they’re actually giving their drivers as much as they claim they are
On one occasion, the Empower app sent me to a totally different address then I requested. I only figured it out bc I got out of the cab and couldn’t find the spot, so had to order another Empower to the destination I was going. The same driver picked me up and showed me his map, asking why I ordered again when we’re right here. Fortunately for me, I knew the area, but one could find themselves in a precarious situation if this software issue sends them to a totally different location at random like it did me.
On another occasion, at midnight, I found a driver who was 13 minutes away from for a $10 fare. After waiting 20 minutes, and the driver a couple of minutes away, he canceled the ride. I had to find a new fare, this time at $25. Not only did I waste 30 minutes, I had to spend an extra $15. This would never happen with another rideshare app (their other problems aside). Empower was not that helpful when I complained.
Empower could be great, but they have too many issues. And more importantly, debatable whether they’re actually giving their drivers as much as they claim they are
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If you are a woman DO NOT USE
At first I loved empower. The prices were good and it was simple enough to book. Then I had one driver who was completely unprofessional keep me in his car for 20+ minutes in my drive way rambling. Eventually I just got out in the middle of whatever he was saying. (For context I am a woman in my mid twenties) The next day at work I am finishing my closing duties and then I hear my name. I turn around and it was my driver from the previous night. I asked him if he wanted to order a drink or food but he declined. He stated he just came to see me. Very freaked out I get my manager to stay at my station with me. He gets up to leave and then says how “he is going to wait around to see if I need a ride home”. Which I obviously declined. I tried to report him on the app which it did not give me an option for. I’m did give him a thumbs down though. I also tried to get into contact with empower’s customer service and I was sent to voicemail and never heard back. The other night I tried to get a ride somewhere thinking since I at least gave him a thumbs down I wouldn’t be matched with him but with in thirty seconds I do. I obviously canceled the ride. I am still freaked out. I have had some great drives but for my own safety I can no longer use this app.
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Cheaper but Not Worth It
I used this app a few times and liked it a lot. The price was cheaper and I could get a ride easily when other apps had very high demand and high prices like when we leave a concert. However, they have severe safety issues. They don’t seem to background check their drivers and there were several instances where the car did not match what it said on the app. I’ve had several unhinged drivers who have insane stories and erratic driving. They also will charge you more money than they initially say. The drivers never know how to get places and you end up waiting forever. I like the idea of this app but they need to get their act together. I might give them another chance later but I can’t wait 30 minutes everytime I need to go to work.
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Decent service with many issues
I like the concept but the app and service continues to have many glitches.
1. Arrival times are almost never what is estimated. They might estimate 5 minutes, but once a ride is confirmed it says 9 minutes, and the drive arrives at 12 minutes. This is frustrating when you’re in a time crunch.
2. Frequently, though not always, the charges turn out to be higher than estimated once a driver is assigned. For example, $16 instead of $13. Though it never goes lower than the estimate. Once it quoted $12 but it was changed to $35 once a driver was assigned and I did not catch the difference until I was already in the car.
3. Little enforcement over the car or drivers. I’ve had many situations where a driver with a completely different car and license plate shows up. Also, Empower cars tend to be in worse shape than Lyft or Uber. It’s not unusual to see a selection of yellow and red dashboard lights permanently on, or a suspension begging for some maintenance.
4. The gps function of the app has unresolved glitches. The driver’s location doesn’t always update in real time. For example, the app sometimes freezes and says the driver is 4 minutes away when the driver has already arrived.
1. Arrival times are almost never what is estimated. They might estimate 5 minutes, but once a ride is confirmed it says 9 minutes, and the drive arrives at 12 minutes. This is frustrating when you’re in a time crunch.
2. Frequently, though not always, the charges turn out to be higher than estimated once a driver is assigned. For example, $16 instead of $13. Though it never goes lower than the estimate. Once it quoted $12 but it was changed to $35 once a driver was assigned and I did not catch the difference until I was already in the car.
3. Little enforcement over the car or drivers. I’ve had many situations where a driver with a completely different car and license plate shows up. Also, Empower cars tend to be in worse shape than Lyft or Uber. It’s not unusual to see a selection of yellow and red dashboard lights permanently on, or a suspension begging for some maintenance.
4. The gps function of the app has unresolved glitches. The driver’s location doesn’t always update in real time. For example, the app sometimes freezes and says the driver is 4 minutes away when the driver has already arrived.
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Drivers are unreliable
Last night I requested a cab and the guy was 11 mins away 11 mins later cab was 17 mins away driving in circles. I call the cab and he tell me has another job and he doesn’t want to take this one that I should cancel and I told him to cancel which he finally did after arguing. I had to request another one which two more drivers canceled back to back. Finally I got one driver to pick me up. 40 mins wasted
I reported all this to the agency all I got was sorry we will not pair with this driver anymore. I requested some type of discount or anything and they stoped replying . This is the 2nd time they have done this. I’ll give them one more chance. Three strikes and will no longer use them and will be letting everyone know about this taxi service
I reported all this to the agency all I got was sorry we will not pair with this driver anymore. I requested some type of discount or anything and they stoped replying . This is the 2nd time they have done this. I’ll give them one more chance. Three strikes and will no longer use them and will be letting everyone know about this taxi service
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