Isn’t that true of any profession?
“See, I Told You So” = “SITYS”
In the Obama economy, too many people are looking for a job, any job. At least they are making a minimum wage in the cities that are being mentioned. What is that, $15 an hour now?
NPR will eventually do a story on uber and how much drivers make. They have asked drivers to send in their “timecard & pay stub” which apparently is on their smartphone.
And I should care because...?
Quit moaning and find something else to do.
But, but, if you are a “world class speed skater”, you can use Uber as a source of income because of the freedom it gives you - I’ve seen the commercials.....
It could be that Uber is laden with “amateurs” who don’t know how to price their service correctly.
Even if you do, you are in competition with those who don’t, so those who don’t always get the fares.
A taxi company can stay in business if its price is right. If too low, it’s out of business. Business overhead like accounting, garage work, etc., can be amortized over multiple vehicles full time. I doubt an individual, doing their own time for their own accounting etc, can get a better “overhead rate” for that part of the business.
So if Uber is cheaper than taxis, it tells you they are probably not priced right. The company Uber is probably doing fine.
So good for a bit of extra cash in your pocket once and awhile (especially if you don’t pay tax on it) but probably not worth it as a full time gig.
Sort of like how a time share is not a good real estate investment, though it does work spectacularly well for the builder and property managers.
Most have been driving for Uber for a few months or a year. No more than that but it's a relatively new service so that makes sense. Most also say they love doing it. None have said they don't like it though there are some things they will sometimes say they don't care for. Some like shorter rides and they don't like when they take a long one, for example. But overall they love it. Are they fibbing? Who can say. But that's what they tell me.
Uber is an attempt to turn individuals into small businessmen with a minimum of overhead and expenses.
Can’t work. Using the car for business purposes, will invite higher premiums from the insurance company. The increased mileage means wear and tear on the car. Some localities will consider the car as belonging to the business, and tax it as business property. You pay for your own gas and repairs. Uber doesn’t.
This business model will have to be changed. Uber is not going away.
So I’m supposed to put my trust in an amateur hack, do I know he’s properly insured? Does his insurance company know he’s carrying passengers for hire? Does he have a chauffer’s license? how’s his car maintained? Good luck with that. A least a legit taxi service is likely to have deep pockets insurance. Uber driver, not so much.
Did a return for an Uber driver and showed the client s/he was losing 25 cents for each mile she drove. No pay for the return leg was a contributing factor. Either you luck out and get another fare taking you back towards home after you do the drop off or you eat it. And good luck if that fare takes you even further away.
Three years of losses and you have a hobby, not a business.
I will also note that not many Uber drivers seem to be carrying the proper insurance. Good luck if your insurance company finds out you are driving for hire. Supposedly Uber is supposed to be working out some sort of hybrid coverage.
I also wonder what happens if you live close to a state border and your trips cross the line (npi).
I decided not to do it after crunching the numbers and realizing that I would be making $10 per hour.
I would agree from knowing a couple of Uber drivers and LYFT drivers. I don’t see how they can make any kind of money.
So... look for another job. It’s kind of how it works folks.
It ain’t just uber drivers “Barely Making Ends Meet.”