Woman starts online fundraising campaign for expensive Halloween Uber ride

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Monday, November 3, 2014
A Baltimore woman reached out to the Internet to crowdfund her pricy Uber ride on Halloween night.
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One Baltimore woman is turning to the Internet for help after receiving an Uber charge she describes as "outrageous."

Gabby Wathen, 26, of Baltimore took an Uber ride home on Halloween night after celebrating her birthday . When Wathen woke up the next day, she had found her Uber trip had cost over $360. Wathen's rent of $450 was also due that day, and she claims the costly Uber trip made her unable to pay her housing costs.

Wathen, seen above, then asked for help on GoFundMe, a website that allows people to request and receive donations for a variety of causes. The description from her page is below.

"I worked incredibly hard this week to be able to enjoy my birthday this weekend. This misunderstanding has cost me 80% of the funds I have to my name (embarrassingly so) and I spent a good two hours of my birthday crying over it. I feel taken advantage of and cheated by the Uber name. $367 for a 20 minute ride should never be justified, even on Halloween. Please donate even just $1 if you think this is utter and complete b*****it and also hilarious and very, very depressing at the same time," BuzzFeed captured from the GoFundMe page before it was removed.

Uber implements price surging policies, which raise the standard rates of fare during periods of high demand, like on Halloween night. Uber also notifies customers ahead of time if surge pricing will be taking place. As of Sunday afternoon, BuzzFeed reported the campaign raised a little short of $600, almost double Wathen's original Uber fare. Uber also provided the website with the following statement.

"Uber ensures a safe, reliable ride, wherever and whenever, and dynamic pricing allows us to remain the reliable choice, even on the busiest nights of the year. Our in-app features ensure dynamic pricing is repeatedly communicated and approved before any trip is confirmed."