Uber or Lyft? anyone?

[usmccharles]

thinking about taking this on as a second job for some extra cash.  anyone have experience with it? i have read a lot of reviews, seems very interesting. 

[1/28/01]

thinking about taking this on as a second job for some extra cash. anyone have experience with it? i have read a lot of reviews, seems very interesting.

Mostly gonna destroy your car and make a couple bucks a day. Better off selling stuff on eBay and Craigslist that you have laying around the house.

[PuRock]

Also, the problem with working for Uber is that they wan't to flood the market with drivers.  They treat drivers as contractors (no extra costs i.e. payroll taxes, benefits).  Which is great for them because they can get better exposure, less wait times for customers.  But this adds competition and hurts the little guy, the drivers.  

 

I only say this because the more drivers enter the picture, the harder it'll get to find fares.  It's going to become increasingly more of a headache while you try to earn a few extra bucks.  Supply > Demand.

[usmccharles]

Yea I agree. Same thing with lyft I assume?

[PuRock]

Yea I agree. Same thing with lyft I assume?

From my limited knowledge, Lyft isn't as bad as Uber in terms of a flooded market. But I've heard that a lot of Uber drivers are moving to Lyft because of this issue.

Lyft also doesn't have the same level of demand as Uber either.

The only reason why I have given this much thought is because Uber's business model is very interesting and I enjoy watching it play out.

[usmccharles]

It was a brilliant idea to come up with.  Uber seems more popular, but like mentioned, the stuff i read was basically saying what you did, flooding the employment pool so its harder for everyone to make money.  My buddy just got on with lift, did it saturday night and made about 150 in 5 hours, thats not that bad, id prolly spend that going out drinking on a saturday night anyways.  I may look into it, havent decided yet. 

[Nightman]

I have the Uber app because DC's  Metro system is unreliable especially on  weekends, where they single track and you could wait 20 minutes or more for a train.   There are other alternatives like Capital Bikeshare on a nice day.

[theblackdog]

I have a friend who drives for Lyft in Phoenix and he enjoys it, he has had nothing but good things to say about the company itself.

 

As for the passengers?  Well, about 95% of them have been good, but it's the other 5% that can suck.  He's had to have his car detailed due to drunk and puking passengers, though Lyft does make them pay a fee.  There are some who have just been jerks, but that's the risk you take driving for either service.

 

The other reason I wouldn't use Uber is they've been busted for encouraging their employees to call for one of their competitors and then cancel the rides at the last minute since it keeps that driver busy without actually making money, then they start poaching customers

 

http://consumerist.com/2014/08/12/lyft-claims-uber-employees-requested-then-canceled-5600-rides/

 

http://consumerist.com/2014/01/24/gettaxi-claims-uber-employees-played-dirty-by-ordering-then-canceling-a-bunch-of-cars/

[Inqui]

Uber sounds really depressing.

[usmccharles]

Yea i can attest to poaching Lyft drivers.  My buddy started with Lyft and he picked up a woman and she was an Uber driver.  Now he does Uber, but he says he likes it better, way more business, they advertise better for sure.  Its just extra money to me....something to keep me from going to the bars and spending money. 

[Winchester]

You can have fun and make good extra cash with Uber. Especially with lower gas prices. Just have to pick your spots. Then be open to working those hours. Just like a cab driver, be friendly and you will find some regulars. I know a dude who is a millionaire that does Uber. He has fun with it and meets new people. Have some fun!!