How can companies get away with saying things like 'the most affordable premium option' without providing any pricing information whatsoever? Why do they even think that it is acceptable to do so?
Maybe it's vaporware. With Lean Startup glasses on, this could be someone(s) trying to validate an idea. Although, I do admit, I thought the page was an April Fools leftover joke.
Marketing critique aside if the idea has legs, people may be interested (perhaps with a better message). That's my takeaway. Practically, at the right price, I might use a service like that.
1. Don't have to drive
2. I can be somewhat assured of quality (and not have to rent a limo & driver for myself).
It's not just Lean Theory/MVP blah blah. Microsoft has done this for years. Splashy PR announcement of a hot-shit new thing they cooked up in R&D. Then a year later, closed down.
How can they get away with "a custom grille displays our signature 'stache in brushed steel"... And that's after the diamond stitching mention. Come on! It's six seats and snacks so just say that.
It now says "Lyft Plus promises the most affordable premium option"; is this different than it was before?
Generally, I look at language like this as how they want to position the product in the marketplace; I think there is still some value in knowing this, although you cannot trust it until they offer something more tangible.
Some businesses say, "If you find a competitor with a lower price for the same item, we'll sell it to you for N% less." I suppose that's one way to get away with such language.
Also, "affordable" is a weasel word. "Most affordable" may not mean "lowest price."
Considering how few players there are in this market, shouldn't it be pretty easy to guess? Usually I'd agree with you, but in this case I'm not sure if it's really that vague. Just assume somewhere around an Uber black car.
Launch your product, or don't. But I'm not clamoring for an "invite".
When it's actually for-real, then it's easy to compare the price/service ratio.