Uber partners/riders weigh in

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Read reviews on Uber forums.

Of course, I've done some of this but I want to see the input from this community of "picky" consumers. OK?

It sounds like riders love it and the drivers are making HQ rich. I went back and re-read the pricing document and see that they've raised their take on the standard ride by 5% which makes it even tougher for drivers to break even.

I went ahead and got approved and did my first two rides yesterday late morning to noonish. I got travelers with 13 mile fares to the bus depot then from a nearby hotel to the airport. So, I grossed about $27 in 90 minutes. But I realize the net is pretty ugly driving my Tahoe. Riders are thrilled when I pull up in a big SUV instead of Prius. Pretty sure I got a couple of 5*.

I will say that the Uber software is very impressive. The taxi business is doomed.

 

[Cujet]

Our Uber driver got lost, for 15 minutes. Then, reversing direction, we sat in the traffic jam we had just passed, for about an hour. Came darn close to missing our meeting. Not exactly a disaster, but not good either.

To make matters worse, his car was an Audi A4. Too small for me in the back seat.

 

[whip]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Read reviews on Uber forums.

Of course, I've done some of this but I want to see the input from this community of "picky" consumers. OK?

It sounds like riders love it and the drivers are making HQ rich. I went back and re-read the pricing document and see that they've raised their take on the standard ride by 5% which makes it even tougher for drivers to break even.

I went ahead and got approved and did my first two rides yesterday late morning to noonish. I got travelers with 13 mile fares to the bus depot then from a nearby hotel to the airport. So, I grossed about $27 in 90 minutes. But I realize the net is pretty ugly driving my Tahoe. Riders are thrilled when I pull up in a big SUV instead of Prius. Pretty sure I got a couple of 5*.

Uber was meant to be a ride sharing program, not a taxi service. The only way it makes sense is if you're already driving there, and can pick up a rider. If you're jut driving around picking people up, you'll lose money. Even in a Prius.

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
I will say that the Uber software is very impressive. The taxi business is doomed.

Regulation and the fact that drivers can't make money will keep taxis around.

 

[JustinH]

We used it a couple times it was fine. One uber driver says she drives 60 hours per week. She had a hybrid honda civic.

Sounds like a [censored] job to me but whatever.

Uber ticked me off once, they took me to the F1 event in Austin.

When it was time to go home, they put up surge pricing and wanted to charge me 7x the usual fare to go home. The 20 dollar ride was $140 or something.

I went with LYFT and paid 25 bucks.

I think it is a good service to avoid getting a DWI. I don't even drive my car to downtown Austin anymore, too many cops too much chance of nonsense happening.

 

[Mr Nice]

Uber had good rates for drivers when they first started, but they have been cutting the rates as more and more people signed up to drive.

Basically you are driving some strangers you never met before for peanuts and putting all the risks on yourself if you have a car accident.

 

[blupupher]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Uber had good rates for drivers when they first started, but they have been cutting the rates as more and more people signed up to drive.

Basically you are driving some strangers you never met before for peanuts and putting all the risks on yourself if you have a car accident.

I think that is a big issue. If your driving for profit, will your personal auto insurance cover the passengers, or will you be liable?

 

[Jetronic]

Uber isillegal here. It's deemed a taxi service, but doesn't uphold the law regarding taxi service.

Uber drivers run the risk of forfeiting their car, a hefty fine and even jail time.

 

[Mr Nice]

Even if the accident is not your fault, your car is wrecked and you were only making a few bucks (after) gas, tolls, wear on tire/brake...

 

[Y_K]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Better get in before the govt shuts them down.... Good luck to them to keep their business model going.

They are in bed with Gov. They are safe. Good for them. They are killing the feudal taxi business model, and this is positive. they may become victims of their success though: chasing numbers, squeezing drivers, although not to the extent cab companies do.

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Is it true everywhere that you can't just hail-an-uber (although u can hock-a-loogie, ironically) from the curb? Only real taxis can do that. One small advantage for taxis anyway.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
Is it true everywhere that you can't just hail-an-uber (although u can hock-a-loogie, ironically) from the curb? Only real taxis can do that. One small advantage for taxis anyway.


That's really the only advantage of a taxi. And all Uber riders are using an app to get a ride so none of them are hailing cars from the street. Before Uber, there were "black cars" which were basically limos or Lincoln Town cars that were typically black in color and you just called them for a ride instead of a taxi. A nicer ride and also cheaper than a taxi.

 

[Indydriver]

I guess the real question is, do you really net any profits after taxes (and tax deductions)? Surely it would suck as a full time job. But, I'm a retiree. I can jump in and out as I please--which I really like. I intend to use it as a buffer for any fringe financial stress. In all honesty, that stress would threaten my golf club membership first. So, to me, it is a defense against my favorite retirement activity. That means if I can net $5-10K on a very part time basis, it will serve a purpose.

I will keep very good data to determine how it works out. But so far, I love the flexibility of the hours and working "day shift" haven't run into any creeps yet.

 

[qwerty1234]

In Chicago, at least, they will never replace Uber. Taxis drivers lease their cars and can easily make $250 profit in a 12 hour lease. Plus, the few times I took an Uber the drivers were completely lost. And no, GPS does not help 100%.

 

[oil_abuser]

call your auto insurance carrier and see what they cover (if any)if you're at fault in a collision loss with uber passengers. Most wont cover it.

 

[Nick1994]

Uber insures your car for you on top of your insurance, $1,000,000 in coverage.

 

[Palut]

I've been Uber driving for about 6 weeks now. Some on the weekends, or weeknights after traffic clears out. I do it just for fun. Since I'd be out going on drives anyway, this way somebody else is paying for it!

I do it in a 2015 WRX. I accrue a per mile amount for depreciation, maintenance/repair, and fuel. It's also easy to calculate income taxes using the standard mileage deduction.

I make between $6/hr-$12/hr of after tax net income. It basically depends on how busy the night is and the mix of rides I get. My profit margin is approximately 40%-45% of the net fares. I do a lot of deadhead miles though since I'm picky about where I'll pick up riders. It's not the most profitable strategy, but I'm in it for enjoyment more than I am for profit. Others may generate more profit with different strategies.

 

[Mr Nice]

No way I would put all those miles on your WRX.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Read reviews on Uber forums.

Of course, I've done some of this but I want to see the input from this community of "picky" consumers. OK?

It sounds like riders love it and the drivers are making HQ rich. I went back and re-read the pricing document and see that they've raised their take on the standard ride by 5% which makes it even tougher for drivers to break even.

I went ahead and got approved and did my first two rides yesterday late morning to noonish. I got travelers with 13 mile fares to the bus depot then from a nearby hotel to the airport. So, I grossed about $27 in 90 minutes. But I realize the net is pretty ugly driving my Tahoe. Riders are thrilled when I pull up in a big SUV instead of Prius. Pretty sure I got a couple of 5*.

I will say that the Uber software is very impressive. The taxi business is doomed.

When I was in LA in Sept. 2014, one of my fellow celebration attendees introduced me to Uber. He called, and seemed like 5 minutes later here was a big black SUV ready to take four of us back to the hotel. We all split the cost. Much better than a taxi. I hadn't heard of it before.

 

[Palut]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
No way I would put all those miles on your WRX.


I drive around for fun anyway, so I'd be doing a lot of miles whether I uber or not. This way they're free to me. Yes I'm putting on miles, but the fares turn that depreciation into cash.