Post: #51

I was torn on starting a new thread, but I’m against starting needless threads, so here ya go...

TLDR - If you have extra time you can make some extra money with little effort driving for UberX. I make about $0.50 per dollar fare after gas and taxes. Living in a centrally located area of your city where you can sit at home and be online helps.

Why I drove:
UberX was introduced in my city during this past summer. I started using them for rides when I was drunk on weekends instead of taxis. After talking to a couple drivers who said they made $100-150, I signed up to drive the beginning of October. My reasons: 1) make extra money, 2) cut down on partying/drinking, 3) save money on weekend bar tab.

Signing up to drive:
I upgraded my car to a 2007 mid-sized sedan, which cost me a net of roughly $4800 with registration. I’ve never been a car guy, but like anyone, I enjoy a better vehicle, so this “investment” was also a nice gift to myself.

Steps to become a driver:
There’s really no cost to being a driver besides having a nice car (2004 or newer in excellent condition). After purchasing the car, I uploaded my registration and insurance to my UberX driver account and waited for them to activate me. They do two background checks (different types I guess?) which takes a week or two to go through.
Their driver app works on the iphone, so you can use your personal phone to drive. If you don’t have an iphone (I’m an Android guy), they’ll send you an iphone 4 with the driver app on it to use for driving. Also, in my city UberX reps do occasional visits (once a month?) where you can go get activated, pick up a phone, and ask questions.

Driving:
You decide when to go online and when to accept the ride (though generally you should accept nearly all of them). When a rider requests a ride, your phone beeps and shows your distance from the rider as well as the location of the ride request. You have 15 seconds to accept the ride. You should be headed to the pickup location as soon as you accept the ride. I can be off my couch and in my car quickly, so I go online when I’m just doing stuff around my apartment (cleaning or more realistically watching tv).
You pick the rider up, they usually enter a destination but sometimes just tell you where to go. Push a button on the phone starting the ride, then push a button again when you drop them off. As you can imagine, the app is incredibly simple to use. Occasionally you get cash tips though they are not necessary. Tax free is always nice.

Here are my takeaways (after about a month and a half):
1 Make Money - You can make it as some supplemental income. Also, they pay $250 for referring a driver, paid when the driver completes 20 trips. I’ve referred 3 people and expect probably 1 of them to come through. Ask me if you're interested in driving.
2 Health - I’ve never taken an entire Friday or Saturday to drive, but taking chunks out of my partying still helps. Halloween weekend I did cut way back on my drinking and at 11p go online for their $30 guarantee. Instead of predrink I drive a few UberX trips: I generate bar money before heading out, and am fresh and sober when I hit the club. Plus, if on a Tuesday night I decide I want to be online and catch some rides, I won’t sit there and cash beers. The point is, I do drink, even if only marginally so, since driving for UberX.
3 Clean car - A side benefit since you want a spotless car inside and out. Now I never have clutter in my back seat. When I leave the gym I throw my bag in the trunk. When it’s not raining my umbrella is in the trunk. My car is always spotless.
4 Cleaner house? - Not sure how long this will last, but I tend to be more productive at home when I’m online. It’s weird but true. When I go online on, say, a Tuesday evening, rather than kick back on the couch and cash 3 beers while watching Ray Donovan, I’m more inclined to be productive around my apartment cleaning and picking up the place.
5 Check your invoices - I signed up for the $30/hour guarantee for Halloween, was online during the time period, but my invoice to them showed “didn’t sign up for guarantee”. After I emailed them, they deposited it the following week...so you gotta watch em. Perhaps this was a one-time oversight, but I had to really get on them to get my payment.
6 More drivers sucks - You’re best off hitting times when demand will be decent and supply (# drivers) won’t be there. Saturday and Sunday mornings to early afternoon has been surprisingly consistent for ride requests, I think because demand isn’t enough for drivers don’t go downtown and sit and wait for riders, but it’s enough to keep me busy sitting at home.
7 Bumped up rates - Besides the 2am post-bar rush and right before events (sports event, concert, etc), I wouldn’t depend on bumped up rates. They’re very hit or miss. We had a sports event at 7p last Friday, and I had two 5 minute rides that made me about $30 in fare. So yeah, I made bank but it was only two rides.
8 Taxes - Don’t forget to plan on 25% for taxes. You’re a self-employed contractor.

If I assume the average trip is 15 minutes, I average about $18 per driving hour (does not include waiting for trips). Below is a summary from last weekend (Fri - Sun):
    (lemme know if I'm off on tax estimate)

Conversation:
I have a quick 30 second convo qualifying myself as a normal dude with a normal day job so they know I’m not totally being dependent on UberX driving. A common convo:
Rider: “UberX busy tonight?” or “So how long have you been driving?”
Me: “About a month and a half. I actually just do it in my spare time...I was actually just watching the football game and you beeped. I live and work downtown so it’s easy for me to fill some down time and make some extra cash.” (or “I actually work right there in the Acme Building”)

Gaming:
I don’t foresee a taxi porn video coming from UberX driving, but ya never know. I have given rides to a few attractive chics, but it’s a tough pickup. I did drive an attractive server/bartender home from work. We had a few mutual friends, and I work right next door to her restaurant, so I plan on stopping in some evening or for lunch and saying hi. The point is, it’s a way to meet people, and if you remember them and see them when you’re out and about, you already “know” them. Plus, seems like a girl who sees you working to move up in the world $$ AND out and about having fun, it would build attraction.

A few lines are “I’m just driving for extra travel money” then talk about going to Costa Rica or something. Or “I’m saving up for a condo downtown” or “I’m saving up so I can start flipping houses as a side business.” Talking to chic riders is just like talking to any of your riders. You want them to understand you have a life and you’re moving up in life.

Post: #52

I've been doing this since early June and your experience mirrors mine. Friday afternoons from 1-5 also tend to be good times to cash in as a driver. They pulled that same shit on me for Halloween saying I didn't "qualify" for the guaranteed rate when I definitely did. Uber definitely has some shady business practices with their "partners" but drivers are easy to replace, so no big deal in their eyes. Watch your earnings reports like a hawk. I just got a new gig and will probably be done with it after new years, but for guys looking to stop blowing all their money on weekend partying, this is a good option to make an extra $500-$1k per month.

Also, if you're thinking about upgrading your ride so you meet their car standards, DO NOT take them up on their deal to finance a new car through their partnerships. It will take you forever to pay back.

Regarding gaming passengers: I occasionally get hit on but not yet by anyone I'd like to fuck--mostly cougars and a couple gay guys. Be conversational, as I have met some cool guys from doing it.

Post: #53

Quote:Regarding gaming passengers: I occasionally get hit on but not yet by anyone I'd like to fuck--mostly cougars

Post: #54

I was wondering if anyone has any experience to share here in Toronto (GTA)?

I'm seriously considering to become an UberX driver during my On-Call weeks where I don't go out due to work.

Post: #55

I was looking into signing up as a driver because I just moved cross-country to Phoenix and figured I'd work a few nights a month to help replenish my savings after moving and buying a car. But seems like there's all kinds of drama in AZ right now with Uber and Lyft being essentially declared illegal by the state and drivers being given $1,800 citations. The governor vetoed a bill last year would have legalized them. The commercial insurance the state wants drivers to have is like $5-$7K a year, which would make it a lot less appealing as a part-time gig.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/bus.../14904731/

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Uber-Lyft-I...99701.html

I know some guys locally that are drivers, but none of them have been fined yet or heard of anyone that has. So I'm thinking the enforcement is pretty lax, even though all they would have to do is request rides on the app to find drivers to ticket as they seem to be doing in other parts of the country where the local government is cracking down.

Also I don't get the "insurance gap" that the articles keep referencing. I read Uber changed early last year to cover "between" trips. Because that is where the issue was before, when the guy hit the 6 year old girl on his way to pick someone up and Uber said he wasn't covered. But Uber added coverage to when the driver is on call/going to pick someone up as well. I'm suspecting that is a anti-Uber campaign being driven from the Arizona state government/media. But I'm in over my head at this point. If there's anybody who is in the know about this, especially pertaining to the insurance coverage issues, I'd love to get your take.

Post: #56

UberX just went live in Harrisburg, PA.

Coincidentally I signed up to start driving yesterday, already thinking that it was available in the city.

One question, I received a text message today about going to their office hours to get started. They wanted me to bring, driver's license, insurance, registration, exactly the same stuff I uploaded during the registration process. So that got me thinking, do I need to go to their office hours to be officially activated, or do I need to wait it out and I will be activated without talking to anyone face to face?

I'll throw an update or two up once I am up and running.

Post: #57

(01-30-2015 05:53 PM)Chunnel Wrote:  UberX just went live in Harrisburg, PA.

Coincidentally I signed up to start driving yesterday, already thinking that it was available in the city.

One question, I received a text message today about going to their office hours to get started. They wanted me to bring, driver's license, insurance, registration, exactly the same stuff I uploaded during the registration process. So that got me thinking, do I need to go to their office hours to be officially activated, or do I need to wait it out and I will be activated without talking to anyone face to face?

I'll throw an update or two up once I am up and running.

You don't have to talk to anyone face to face everything can be done online..

Post: #58

Any Chicago guys thinking of doing it PM me with any questions..I started about two months ago..

Post: #59

My question is for MikeCF:

In your original post you said to set up an LLC and buy a new car through it to use for Uber. I don't need to buy a new car and am trying to decide if setting up an LLC still makes sense.

As an independent contractor I can write off my mileage, gas, insurance, etc. If I structure it as an LLC can I get more creative?
IE can I write off my cell phone, gym membership, dry cleaning, etc?
I remember Victor Pride had a post about making $30K from a job versus $30K as a contractor and writing stuff off an coming out significantly ahead. I'm not sure that is the case here.

I recently signed up with Uber and was told my background check should be done next week. If I am going to do it as an LLC I will need to set up the paperwork with the secretary of State's office and get a new bank account.

I plan on doing this on the nights that I don't have my daughter. I need to make more money because of the financial rape I suffered at the hands of the Family Court system.

Post: #60

Has anyone tried being an Uber driver in NYC? I'm seriously thinking about it as a part-time gig (some week-nights and week-ends)

I live and work in Manhattan already so I'm centrally located which is good. Would probably do the Uber Black or Uber SUV.

Can you see where the people want to go before deciding to pick them up?

Post: #61

Yeah, when you get in the car the driver already knows where to go.

I wanted to change my destination when I got in the car so the Uber driver had me change my destination before hitting the gas.

Post: #62

Follow up to my post back in November. Uber slashed rates in my city by 30% back in January, meaning a ride is flat rate $4 + even less per mile.

It's great for using Uber, which I do a lot to avoid drunk driving (prob 3-4x per week). For being a driver though, it's not worth it unless you're going to put in time when it's busy on Friday and Saturday nights.

I still get texts from Uber saying riders averaged income of $16 / hour on Fridays 7p-3a. If I take home half that $8/hour, it's not worth it for me to work 6 hours for $48.

Better off just working your way into bartending. Same hours, better money, more fun, more pooos.

Post: #63

Do they pay weekly or biweekly?
How's the on boarding process?

Post: #64

http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/17/technolo...index.html

Quote:The ruling, brought to light Tuesday by an Uber appeal, was in response to a complaint filed by one of its San Francisco drivers over unreimbursed expenses.

The commission awarded over $4,000 to the driver -- Barbara Ann Berwick. It said she was entitled to mileage and toll expenses for employees who use their personal cars for work, according to court documents filed at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco.

The ruling, if upheld, could pave the way for Uber to have to pay Social Security, healthcare and other expensive benefits. Nationwide, the company has 160,000 drivers, and if a precedent is set, it could eat into Uber's profits.
"Uber has made a killing by deferring all its expenses to its employees," said Shannon Liss-Riordan, a labor lawyer who's representing Uber drivers in a separate class action lawsuit. "This ruling could be significant to our case."
Uber argued that it is merely a platform that facilitates a transaction and that Berwick was an independent contractor, and therefore entitled to no such compensation.

The Labor Commission sided with Berwick, noting that Uber vets the drivers, dictates what types of cars they can use and controls the payments, among other things.
"[The] defendants are involved in every aspect of the operation," the Labor Commission said in its decision, made in March. "Aside from the car, Plaintiff had no investment in the business. Plaintiff was Defendants' employee."
Related: It's time for disruptive tech firms to grow up

In a statement, Uber said this ruling is contrary to a previous ruling from the same commission, which said its drivers are independent contractors. It added that five other states have made similar determinations.
"Drivers ... have complete flexibility and control," said the statement. "The majority of them can and do choose to earn their living from multiple sources, including other ride-sharing companies."

If upheld, the ruling could also call into question the business model of other companies that facilitate transactions in the so-called sharing economy, including other ride-sharing apps like Lyft and cleaning services like Homejoy.
Uber, a privately held company, has seen explosive growth over the last few years.

It was recently valued at $50 billion dollars.

Suprise at what sex ruins a good thing?

Post: #65

So Uber is legal in Nevada again (though who knows for how long).

I'm going for it. I wouldn't consider doing it in any other city besides Las Vegas. There are simply too many hustles here. A buddy of mine that just started is making about $25/hour out of the gates, but that's not including strip club dropoffs (one of which is paying $70 per head right now)

I'll keep this updated when I start, should be in 5 days or so.

Post: #66

^^ Call me a skeptic, but I always wonder when somebody says they're making XX per hour driving with uber. Per my calc, after gas and tax, not to mention mileage wear on your car, I was making about $18 while driving (not waiting time).

I was taking home about 50% of revenue...only factoring gas and tax (no oil, brake, normal wear and tear, or insurance on the car).

Most people aren't as nerdy as me to have run the hard #s on the actual take-home rate.

That said Veloce, I'd be interested in what you find.

Post: #67

Hire a Filipino to make and run a bunch of fake Tinder accounts and spam everyone with your Uber link/number/or however it works.

"Hey, do you guys need a ride? Here's my Uber number, I can come pick you up and take you to any club, strip club, hotel you need. Blah blah blah"

Might not convert, but with so much volume in Vegas it's worth a try.

Actually, on second thought, that could lead to a lot of bad reviews if you show up and they're expecting a girl. I'm not sure how Uber works exactly, so take my idea as just food for thought. Gotta be some sort of online hustle to drum up more business, especially to strip clubs and get that commission.

Post: #68

I still haven't gotten my car registration so haven't started yet, but my buddy is killing it here.

Keep in mind he's been hustling in Vegas for 8 years. He doesn't play by the rules. He drives a black Navigator so he can blend in in the Limo line. A regular Uber driver will get yelled at. He stages in high traffic areas where other Uber drives can't/won't so he gets a lot of fares that other drivers don't.

And he has connections at every strip club. Texted me this morning saying he got $180 cash for dropping off 4 guys at one of them. He's got a regular that pays him $150 per day cash for driving her around, and when her "dates" come into town they pay him extra. He'll drop her off and then run a few Uber rides before he has to drive her again. All told he's making about $200-$800 per day on his driving hustle. I probably won't be able to match that but I'm gonna do everything I can.

Post: #69

I started as an Uber driver. First person I pick up gets in the car. She is a giant whale.

I ask, "Prefer any music?"

She says, "Whatever you want"

I turn up the volume, the song starting is "Fat bottom girls" by Queen.

Observations so far,

1. The Surge Pricing seems made up. I don't think its actually to get drivers on road. It is a way for Uber is charge more during high traffic, or high volume times. I sat in a 2.5x zone for about 10 minutes without a passenger.

2. No tips so far 25 rides. All during the day. I used to tip the Uber drivers myself sometimes, so this was surprising, even though its policy not too.

3. You have to keep a minimum rating. Don't think this an issue for an Uber driver who goes the right way but this makes you an employee and not an independent contractor in my opinion.

Post: #70

My 19-20 y/o cousin tried it and had big plans to finish paying his car, and then buy another 4 cars to have a small fleet and become super rich.

The first week he realised that Uber is in fact a great deal (Cost/Benefit) for its users, compared to taxis. But not so much for owners/drivers, unless you work the car 18 hrs/day. He tells me he was driving a customer during high traffic for a short ride and taking everything into account (gas, maintenance, etc.) he made nothing after Uber got its cut.

I only know about two jewish brothers that own almost 20 cars that are making some money out of it.

Post: #71

Unless your driving during surge pricing, its basically a minimum wage job.

No person should buy a car to drive for Uber. If you use an existing car that you have no plans of selling and have to keep it for other purposes, then you can technically not include the loan and insurance costs in your costs, which makes "worth it" a bit.

Otherwise, I wouldnt be driving for Uber X.

Post: #72

Renember to that mileage costs money, as minimum 10 cents a mile, up to 50 cents, depending on the vehicle

Post: #73

(12-24-2015 09:00 AM)godzilla Wrote:  Unless your driving during surge pricing, its basically a minimum wage job.

No person should buy a car to drive for Uber. If you use an existing car that you have no plans of selling and have to keep it for other purposes, then you can technically not include the loan and insurance costs in your costs, which makes "worth it" a bit.

Otherwise, I wouldnt be driving for Uber X.

Truth. I just got a new gig so thankfully I won't be driving Uber anymore. It was solid when the rates were higher but in Vegas they just cut them to $1.10 per mile. When you factor in depreciation, maintenance, gas, and everything else it comes out to about minimum wage or just under.

Uber might have been good for a hustle at one point, but that time is long gone.

Post: #74

(12-26-2015 06:13 PM)Veloce Wrote:  

(12-24-2015 09:00 AM)godzilla Wrote:  Unless your driving during surge pricing, its basically a minimum wage job.

No person should buy a car to drive for Uber. If you use an existing car that you have no plans of selling and have to keep it for other purposes, then you can technically not include the loan and insurance costs in your costs, which makes "worth it" a bit.

Otherwise, I wouldnt be driving for Uber X.

Truth. I just got a new gig so thankfully I won't be driving Uber anymore. It was solid when the rates were higher but in Vegas they just cut them to $1.10 per mile. When you factor in depreciation, maintenance, gas, and everything else it comes out to about minimum wage or just under.

Uber might have been good for a hustle at one point, but that time is long gone.

Yea man they're at 1.10 here too. The thing is though, there are a lot of Ubers on the road, don't think that price is changing. They could at least give me some of that safe rider fee where they're also making money.

Post: #75

(12-26-2015 06:13 PM)Veloce Wrote:  [quote='godzilla' pid='1177204' dateline='1450965617']
Unless your driving during surge pricing, its basically a minimum wage job.

No person should buy a car to drive for Uber. If you use an existing car that you have no plans of selling and have to keep it for other purposes, then you can technically not include the loan and insurance costs in your costs, which makes "worth it" a bit.

Otherwise, I wouldnt be driving for Uber X.

Dup. Delete.