New York-based on-demand cab service Uber is playing underhand to keep competition from rival Gett, a new black car service, at bay.
Uber's move to disrupt the services of Gett and poach drivers from them has floundered, making the former come across as a bully trying to arm-twist the latter.
Gett, which previously operated in European and Israeli cities, ventured into New York in August 2013. On Friday, January 24 the on-demand cab service accused Uber of waging a "denial-of-service" attack last week and making "nearly two hundred Gett" requests to drivers. Gett said people hired by Uber called its cabs only to cancel them at the last moment.
Apparently, more than a dozen Uber staff members, who were working together, ordered fake black car rides from Gett and canceled them as the purpose of the move was to waste drivers' time, making it difficult for genuine customers to get a car. As if that was not enough, Uber employees contacted the drivers and also offered them jobs with the company.
"These individuals ordered cars and then canceled each order after the Gett driver was dispatched or had arrived," said Gett in a statement. "Subsequently, these drivers received a SMS message from Uber to leave Gett and join Uber."
Gett's claims have been confirmed by Uber, which revealed that its local teams can sometimes be "pretty determined" in its marketing and recruitment tactics.
"Members of our New York team made requests to generate leads of independent contractors but then immediately canceled seconds later. The sales tactics were too aggressive and we apologize for our outreach approach to these drivers. But to be clear there was no time spent by the providers, as the requests were canceled immediately and Uber did pay cancellation fees for these requests. We have messaged city teams to curtail activities that seek lead generation by requesting transportation services," Uber acknowledged in a statement on its website.
Uber also let on that its employees paid the necessary cancelation fees post the request. The company said it has also told its employees not to conduct similar recruitment drives going forward.
Gett on its part has blocked the phone numbers of the users who made the phony requests. It is also assessing future course of action, which may include legal action against Uber.
