# What are the odds? \[math probability related to uber ratings\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-math-probability-related-to-uber-ratings/760281 "2016-07-19T03:38:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-math-probability-related-to-uber-ratings/760281/21 "2016-07-19T15:28:04Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > This illustrates the problem with “surveys” done by businesses for customer satisfaction. In the car dealership industry, it is well-known that any score less than 10/10 or “perfect” is a failing score. So, when you get a survey about your car purchasing experience or your most recent repair, anything less than all top scores is considered a failure on the part of the sales or service department. It’s utterly ridiculous that a 4/5 or 8/10 is considered to be a bad rating. So, if I waited a little longer than I thought I should have when I got my oil changed, and gave one 8 within a litter of 10s, the service department might not get bonuses. Or if my Uber driver takes a different route than I would have and I give a 4 instead of a 5, that means failure? Stupid systems where honest appraisals are viewed as negative. My own car dealer has told me this in an attempt to influence me to give them all perfect scores. Perhaps I should do the same thing with my riders but it seems like … pandering and undignified. But maybe that’s just me. :rolleyes: And besides about a third of my passengers don’t rate me at all, which is fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-math-probability-related-to-uber-ratings/760281/22 "2016-07-19T15:50:08Z")
**Moderator Note** Thread title edited to more clearly indicate the topic. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-math-probability-related-to-uber-ratings/760281/23 "2016-07-19T16:16:53Z")
Perhaps a carefully worded sign in the back of the cab explaining that anything less than a 5 means penalties for the driver? Averages are strange - my car shows how many miles to empty based on average fuel consumption. If I go on a motorway, I usually see the miles to empty going up rather than down. It also tells me my average fuel consumption - this naturally goes up on a long drive, but, since I rarely reset it, it takes a long time for my driving style to have any effect at all. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-math-probability-related-to-uber-ratings/760281/24 "2016-07-19T20:23:07Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Really, I have no idea what point you’re trying to make with this comment. What I was attempting to say is … Sorry for any confusion. _ **I was agreeing with your point,** _ and providing additional example. The final sentence you quoted was intended to be slightly humorous. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-math-probability-related-to-uber-ratings/760281/25 "2016-07-25T20:28:58Z")
Since the 18th, my average rating has moved up from 4.78 to 4.81, so I’m doing something right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-math-probability-related-to-uber-ratings/760281.md?page=1)