AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
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May 9th, 2019 at 9:46:08 AM permalink
Quote: terapined

Maybe
but
Consider this scenario which is common
You have a regular job with say a 40 mile commute
You are looking for some extra income, Uber is perfect
Start an hour or 2 before you normally commute, only accept uber rides to a destination close to work or at least in the right direction. Can pick up another ride to get closer to work.
On the way home, turn on uber and only accept rides going close to home or in the direction home. May take a ride or 2 or 3
One of my uber drivers was doing exactly that

Its not a taxi, its a ride share, Hey, you going in my direction, let me share my ride :-)


Quote: AZDuffman

Other is when you are going somewhere anyways. If you work in a downtown and live near the airport you can probably make a few rides a week.


On this point, I have read in some articles (a couple years old) that Uber makes it very difficult to operate in this manner. If you turn down X number of rides, they warn you or suspend your account. If you don't sign on very often, you get very low priority. Other similar schemes. So basically, they make it very hard to make money on their platform unless you work a lot, and accept the bad fares along with the good ones.

Quote: billryan

That's exactly what my neighbor does. He tries to pick up a fare to the airport, then one headed north from the airport. After his shift he takes someone to the airport, then a fare to Henderson. Wife does a couple of weekend shifts and they are paying down their debt.


On the other hand, there's this. It maybe that I have old info and they have changed their policies. Or it may also depend on the area in which you are driving. In an area with more drivers than riders, they can afford to penalize drivers. In the opposite scenario, not so much.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
AZDuffman
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May 9th, 2019 at 11:50:39 AM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights

On this point, I have read in some articles (a couple years old) that Uber makes it very difficult to operate in this manner. If you turn down X number of rides, they warn you or suspend your account. If you don't sign on very often, you get very low priority. Other similar schemes. So basically, they make it very hard to make money on their platform unless you work a lot, and accept the bad fares along with the good ones.


On the other hand, there's this. It maybe that I have old info and they have changed their policies. Or it may also depend on the area in which you are driving. In an area with more drivers than riders, they can afford to penalize drivers. In the opposite scenario, not so much.



I tried on Lyft but never got it to work where you put in a destination. It was limited how many rides you could do this way, but it was made for the "going to the airport anyhow" crowd. I was trying Wheeling, to PIT. Didn't work well as I do not imagine many people leave that up to Lyft. I later just worked my way into a sweet courier side hustle that lasted a few months.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
billryan
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May 9th, 2019 at 11:54:55 AM permalink
I'd imagine geography has a lot to do with it. There may be more demand for rides from where we live to the airport then drivers, especially in the morning. What works in Henderson and North Las Vegas May not work near the strip. The money seems to be in three row SUVs. They are in constant demand.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
rxwine
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May 9th, 2019 at 1:30:19 PM permalink
So Uber is only paying the driver 60% now? So if I offer to pay the driver 80% for future rides and cut UBER out, we both do better.
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AcesAndEights
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May 9th, 2019 at 1:31:44 PM permalink
Quote: rxwine

So Uber is only paying the driver 60% now? So if I offer to pay the driver 80% for future rides and cut UBER out, we both do better.


But you have to find them. Uber makes the connection. That's the whole value add.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
michael99000
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May 9th, 2019 at 1:44:02 PM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights

But you have to find them. Uber makes the connection. That's the whole value add.



If the driver and passenger agree to this , and exchange numbers, then it’s probably very easy to arrange.
lilredrooster
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May 11th, 2019 at 1:23:10 AM permalink
Uber's stock dropped 7.6% from the IPO set price on its first day of trading

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/technology/uber-stock-price-ipo.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
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billryan
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May 11th, 2019 at 4:14:30 AM permalink
Quote: michael99000

If the driver and passenger agree to this , and exchange numbers, then it’s probably very easy to arrange.



Outside of the inconvenience of waiting g for one driver vs thousands, chances are you may not be covered in the event of an accident.

Regular car insurance does not cover ride sharing and obviously Ubers insurance won't be of use.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
AxelWolf
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May 11th, 2019 at 4:28:41 AM permalink
What percent of a rider's fee goes to the driver and what percentage goes to Uber/lyft? It seemed to me that it was a fairly low amount that went to Uber/lyft.

I don't know how or why Uber and Lyft drivers expect to make a living wage doing this side GIG(and that's what it is) since basiccly everyone but DarkOZ can do it. People here in Vegas even rent cars so they can drive for Uber and Lyft with some kind of car rental discount via the ride share. I'm not sure how that's working out for those people, but whatever, they do it. That kind of sounds like an oversold scam to me where everyone but the driver makes out.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
AZDuffman
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May 11th, 2019 at 5:08:02 AM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

What percent of a rider's fee goes to the driver and what percentage goes to Uber/lyft? It seemed to me that it was a fairly low amount that went to Uber/lyft.

I don't know how or why Uber and Lyft drivers expect to make a living wage doing this side GIG(and that's what it is) since basiccly everyone but DarkOZ can do it. People here in Vegas even rent cars so they can drive for Uber and Lyft with some kind of car rental discount via the ride share. I'm not sure how that's working out for those people, but whatever, they do it. That kind of sounds like an oversold scam to me where everyone but the driver makes out.



I think it depends on how you do it as well as understanding how to work a side hustle. My biggest suggestion is to find hustles that pay a high rate in a compressed period of time even if on an infrequent basis. So the UBER driver should hit the roads in Vegas the week the Rodeo Championship in in town, the week of the electronics show, etc. Only hit the road during surge pricing. Other times, go to the good suburbs and run DoorDash, again only during surge times.

I make $50-60 an hour dealing craps. But it is perhaps 30-40 hours per year only. To me that is better than working the counter at a mall store moonlighting. The hard part is finding several like this and making them all work.
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Mission146
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May 11th, 2019 at 5:31:51 AM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

What percent of a rider's fee goes to the driver and what percentage goes to Uber/lyft? It seemed to me that it was a fairly low amount that went to Uber/lyft.



(Quote Clipped)

According to this, it's variable starting at around 25% to Uber and going up from there:

https://www.ridester.com/uber-fees/

It alludes to two different flat fees, so the less that a ride costs, the greater the percentage that these flat fees represent.

They basically do the same thing that third-party travel websites do, I'm actually shocked that Uber finds a way to lose money. I don't know how you could.

I look at them as only slightly better than the third-party travel websites in that there's no real way to contact individual drivers directly to pay them for rides.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
onenickelmiracle
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May 12th, 2019 at 6:06:48 AM permalink
Quote: RS

If they want to make more $$$ then they should find another job.

Not a job. They're independent contractors, which is my beef with the system, drivers should be able to make their own prices.
I am a robot.
billryan
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May 12th, 2019 at 6:26:45 AM permalink
Quote: onenickelmiracle

Not a job. They're independent contractors, which is my beef with the system, drivers should be able to make their own prices.



A race to the bottom?
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
rxwine
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May 12th, 2019 at 10:24:15 AM permalink
Are they still striking, or did it fizzle?
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
IndyJeffrey
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May 12th, 2019 at 10:38:10 AM permalink
Quote: onenickelmiracle

Not a job. They're independent contractors, which is my beef with the system, drivers should be able to make their own prices.



This is interesting. I agree to an extent. I'd also argue, if they're allowed to set their own prices, then they should be allowed to bid against one another for a ride. And, riders should be able to decline until they get a price they want to pay.

Of course, then drivers should be able to decline rides if they don't feel like going to a place or they don't like the color of the persons skin. And riders should be able to decline based on skin color as well.

While of course opens up lots of problems. So...I guess the system has matured to where it is today for a variety of (very legitimate) reasons.
petroglyph
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May 12th, 2019 at 10:49:57 AM permalink
This is what happens when you play by the rules : https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/02/nyregion/taxi-drivers-suicide-nyc.html
AxelWolf
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May 13th, 2019 at 3:38:18 AM permalink
If the drivers are getting 75% already I don't know that an extra 15% will suddenly give them a living wage. How much do the drivers expect to get from Uber? Uber has to make something.

Perhaps the drivers wan't Uber to raise the prices for rides? If so, FK them drivers.

Someone should figure out a way to cut out Uber and Lyft all together and just sell an app to connect drivers and riders. I'm sure they could figure out a way to do background checks and make sure drivers have a licence and are insured.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
AZDuffman
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May 13th, 2019 at 3:57:09 AM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf



Someone should figure out a way to cut out Uber and Lyft all together and just sell an app to connect drivers and riders. I'm sure they could figure out a way to do background checks and make sure drivers have a licence and are insured.



Uber and Lyft figured out how to do this. Connect the drivers and riders plus do the background checks. They also have to do the payroll for the drivers. None of this is free.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
AxelWolf
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May 13th, 2019 at 4:08:53 AM permalink
Quote: AZDuffman

Uber and Lyft figured out how to do this. Connect the drivers and riders plus do the background checks. They also have to do the payroll for the drivers. None of this is free.

I know they did. Someone needs to figure out how to do it without taking a cut of the action. Just a one time flat fee for the app and perhaps a small monthly fee.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
IndyJeffrey
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May 13th, 2019 at 5:37:36 AM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

I know they did. Someone needs to figure out how to do it without taking a cut of the action. Just a one time flat fee for the app and perhaps a small monthly fee.



Isn't a one time flat fee and/or a small monthly fee a "cut of the action"?

If a third (or more) party wanted to join in, there is (relatively) little barrier of entry to stop them.

Ride share figured out a different method than the traditional taxi cab; maybe someone will figure out a better way than ride share.

I am puzzled by the number of folks who on the forum who shout down the drivers for wanting more. Isn't it their privilege to not drive unless they get a bigger cut? Just like it's the rideshare corporate overlords' privilege to say, 'if you want to use our app, this is your cut'? At some point the parties will meet in-between.
AZDuffman
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May 13th, 2019 at 5:38:07 AM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

I know they did. Someone needs to figure out how to do it without taking a cut of the action. Just a one time flat fee for the app and perhaps a small monthly fee.



That's the thing though, it cannot be done. One way or another, flat fee or cut of the action, it all must be paid for. Right now, Uber and Lyft are unprofitable in the current system. A flat-fee system might end up being $500-1,000 per month or more. Few will pay that.

Just listened to Motley Fool podcast. They predicted Lyft goes to $0 within 2 years.

It reminds me of a company I used to work for. Someone found out what car washes were being charged to clean their traps. And they found out that the same machine we used to clean grease traps would do the job. So they undercut the hell out of the market. Well, car washes got charged more because they had aggregates in the traps, which destroyed the pumps, which is why they were charged so much more.

Lyft and Uber seem to have underestimated just what it cost to run this business. They want to keep the pricing low. Drivers are barely making a living and they are losing money at the same time. Something will survive, but the $10 fare home from the bar will not.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
SOOPOO
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May 13th, 2019 at 8:31:29 AM permalink
Quote: AZDuffman



Lyft and Uber seem to have underestimated just what it cost to run this business. They want to keep the pricing low. Drivers are barely making a living and they are losing money at the same time. Something will survive, but the $10 fare home from the bar will not.



It does not matter if drivers are "barely making a living". What matters is if drivers are willing to work for UBER. I drive by the "cell phone waiting lot" at my airport every day. FILLED with UBER cars waiting for the next trip. So the amount UBER pays its wokers is enough to get enough of them to drive, If that changes (maybe a 'strike' will cause it to), then UBER will either have to offer the drivers more money or benefits or something.

I can push a button on my phone at 4am and someone will be at my door by 4:10am and for $13 (so $10 plus tip for the driver) drive me to the airport. Seems like UBER has the correct price point in my neck of the woods.
AZDuffman
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May 13th, 2019 at 9:45:16 AM permalink
Quote: SOOPOO

It does not matter if drivers are "barely making a living". What matters is if drivers are willing to work for UBER. I drive by the "cell phone waiting lot" at my airport every day. FILLED with UBER cars waiting for the next trip. So the amount UBER pays its wokers is enough to get enough of them to drive, If that changes (maybe a 'strike' will cause it to), then UBER will either have to offer the drivers more money or benefits or something.

I can push a button on my phone at 4am and someone will be at my door by 4:10am and for $13 (so $10 plus tip for the driver) drive me to the airport. Seems like UBER has the correct price point in my neck of the woods.



It is working for now in a booming economy. Will the supply of good drivers never end? Who knows. I have never tried them in off hours like that.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
AcesAndEights
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May 13th, 2019 at 10:44:31 AM permalink
Quote: AZDuffman

It is working for now in a booming economy. Will the supply of good drivers never end? Who knows. I have never tried them in off hours like that.


LOL at "good drivers." I've had 2 really bad experiences here in Greater Boston. I'll relate the most recent one.

The guy didn't have a mount for his phone/GPS unit. So he was constantly looking down at his lap for the next turn. Every time he did this, he jerked the wheel juuuust a bit. He must have had some damage to his car, because he would slow down to almost a DEAD STOP for any slight bump or pothole in the road. If you've ever driven in Boston, you realize this meant he was slowing down a lot. I almost asked him WTF was going on, but I could barely understand him to begin with.

I really should have just told him thanks, stop, this is good let me out here. But I was very tired, and for whatever reason didn't make that call.

I left him a 1-star review. I didn't feel bad at all because he was a terrible driver, and needs to either learn how to drive, or get a different job.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
AZDuffman
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May 13th, 2019 at 11:05:24 AM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights



I left him a 1-star review. I didn't feel bad at all because he was a terrible driver, and needs to either learn how to drive, or get a different job.



Best way to do it. Too bad we do not have something at least approaching the London Black Cabs.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
michael99000
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May 13th, 2019 at 12:05:46 PM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights

LOL at "good drivers." I've had 2 really bad experiences here in Greater Boston. I'll relate the most recent one.

The guy didn't have a mount for his phone/GPS unit. So he was constantly looking down at his lap for the next turn. Every time he did this, he jerked the wheel juuuust a bit. He must have had some damage to his car, because he would slow down to almost a DEAD STOP for any slight bump or pothole in the road. If you've ever driven in Boston, you realize this meant he was slowing down a lot. I almost asked him WTF was going on, but I could barely understand him to begin with.

I really should have just told him thanks, stop, this is good let me out here. But I was very tired, and for whatever reason didn't make that call.

I left him a 1-star review. I didn't feel bad at all because he was a terrible driver, and needs to either learn how to drive, or get a different job.



And giving him 1 star means Uber will never pair you with him again when you request a ride.
Boz
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May 13th, 2019 at 12:15:47 PM permalink
https://www.nolandalla.com/my-28-days-as-a-lyft-driver-in-las-vegas/

I know he’s not the most popular person with...well just about anyone but it’s a good read.

Nolan spent 4 weeks driving for Lyft with one of their program rentals and wrote about it. 3 of 4 parts of the story are available on his site.
Boz
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May 13th, 2019 at 1:09:13 PM permalink
Quote: terapined

Wow
Pretty cold heartless post
I deeply care that my Father is gone. His suicide devastated my family. He was no idiot. PHD from Yale. Depression can be a deadly mental illness. :-(
I suffer from depression. Does that make me an idiot and loser?



Just saw this as I was off for a few days heading to Florida and working.

Heartless? Not my intent though I’m sure it could appear that way.
Your father? Sorry for your loss.
Depression? I hope you are getting help for it. I’m sure it’s horrible and hopefully help is available.
Respect you for saying what you believe all the time, as do I.

Suicide to me is still a weakness that only hurts those you say you love and care for and it’s selfish. Sorry but I don’t see it any other way. I am glad I can’t imagine anything that bad that can’t be fixed or addressed compared to the alternative.

And I certainly hope it’s not something you or anyone ever feels is an option. In ANY situation. There is always someone to talk to a simple phone call away. People you have met or someone you never have are there for you or anyone who needs it.

It’s what makes us humans, in spite of any differences in beliefs.

Have a Great Day Terps, and there is sunshine under all these storms today.
TomG
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May 14th, 2019 at 5:32:54 PM permalink
Quote: Boz

https://www.nolandalla.com/my-28-days-as-a-lyft-driver-in-las-vegas/

I know he’s not the most popular person with...well just about anyone but it’s a good read.

Nolan spent 4 weeks driving for Lyft with one of their program rentals and wrote about it. 3 of 4 parts of the story are available on his site.



Read the first one. Loved it. Renting the car from Lyft might be make it a great deal. Make it a hybrid to cut gas costs in half. Put in an 80 hour week on a rental, then take at least a couple weeks off for less demanding income. Could possibly get 10 to 15 weeks like that per year at about $20 per hour after expenses ($16 - $24k annual), with no wear and tear on your own vehicle. Maybe even more for someone who can really figure out how to maximize the job.
billryan
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May 14th, 2019 at 5:56:47 PM permalink
A few years back, Uber drivers with SUVs invaded the Hamptons when they realized the money they could make. Trouble is most of them lived in NYC and rather than drive the 200 miles round trip, they started crashing in their cars. You'd pull up to go to the beach and the lots would be filled with Uber drivers sleeping in their cars. So Suffolk County made in an offense to sleep in a For Hire vehicle but that made it worse. Drivers were driving out and putting in marathon work sessions. Southampton finally just banned them for the rest of the season and told Uber to get its act together for next year. Whatever they did, the problem disappeared and Uber is now an integral part of Hampton life, where taxis were rare, badly maintained and expensive as hell.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
Joeman
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May 15th, 2019 at 5:45:36 AM permalink
Quote: Boz

https://www.nolandalla.com/my-28-days-as-a-lyft-driver-in-las-vegas/

I know he’s not the most popular person with...well just about anyone but it’s a good read.

Nolan spent 4 weeks driving for Lyft with one of their program rentals and wrote about it. 3 of 4 parts of the story are available on his site.

Interesting read -- thanks for the link, Boz! I wonder where Part 4 is. Parts 1-3 were published back in March.
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
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