Imagine your home, enjoying the sounds of the crackling fire with your family in companionable silence, when bam, the sudden sound of carolers at the door rips you from your reverie. Uber’s latest same-day delivery update will allow you to order a group of carolers straight to your door, but I can imagine crafty neighbors may be willing to pay to disrupt your family celebrations with a literal caroler ambush.
Uber will start shipping out ”a troupe of talented carolers” for a flat $60 with the purchase of a drink starting Dec. 7. It’s an exclusive service for those living in the cities of NYC, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, and Washington, D.C. Uber said it is partnering with the U.K.-based beverage company Diageo, so the idea is you will order a drink and some carolers at the same time. You can order the amateur singers alongside a draft of Bulleit or upgrade it to Don Julio at a more-premium price. Or perhaps you’ll opt for a non-alcoholic bottle of Ritual whiskey or tequila.
In the fine print, Uber says it requires you to buy the booze (or non-alcoholic drink) to get the carolers. If you’re already too drunk, Uber may return the drinks and whisk the singers away, as they should.
Sure, you can send these carolers to your office Christmas party in an effort to make things even more awkward for those involved, or Uber them to your home to upset your neighbors. I can imagine the angry shouts I’ll get from my Brooklyn apartment neighbors if I try it myself.
There’s a new gingerbread icon on the Uber Eats app featuring a curated list of holiday items you can order with the company’s same-day delivery service. You can grab a Christmas tree as well through this delivery service, as it has during past holiday seasons. Starting Thursday, users will be able to order trees alongside Hanukkah bushes, and other decor to their front door. This is part of the company’s effort to rebrand its delivery service to “Uber Courier.”
Uber has hired professional caroling groups for the job, so at least you know you can expect adequate harmonies at your door. That may limit the number of people who can get a caroler at one time, though it’s unclear if each group is paid rates similar to Uber drivers in the cities it’s conducting this promotion.
While folk living outside these cities may feel they’re missing out, you could always perform you’re own drive-by caroling. Uber didn’t choose the city of Nashville, Tennessee, which makes sense considering Uber drivers have been striking for higher wages and other benefits. This latest labor revolt follows from national rideshare strikes earlier this year centered on how much Lyft and Uber pay their drivers.
