Uber

[ladonnarosso]

Has anyone ever driven for Uber as a way to make extra money? I did a quick online search and it seems like a viable option, but I just wanted to hear the pros and cons from someone who has actually done it. Also, how much can you actually make depending on how much time you put into it? It is worth the wear and tear on your car?

[CashUp Sammy]

I'd also love to hear this.

Let's get this thread pumping along, someone out there must be doing this! Googling "how much does an Uber driver make" brings up a figure of 90K.

That would be max earnings surely of a record breaking, work like a dog - uber driver?

[ladonnarosso]

My husband is a teacher and has summers off, so we're looking for a part time job for him to pick up, but his availability is limited and he can't do it during the school year. Which brought us to this idea... the completely open ability to set your own hours is really what is so intriguing about the whole idea.

[herdjohnson]

I signed up for Uber several months ago, and as usual, the devil is in the details.

Assuming things are the same, Uber sends you an iPhone, and then charges you for the data plan (you don't have the option of using your own phone, and the Uber phone is good for nothing else other than the Uber app). The rates are not great and you spend much of your time waiting for your phone to ding. If you have an open schedule and nothing else to do, it's not horrible, but be prepared to have your vehicle disrespected. I did the math and between the rate plan, gas, wear and tear and miles on my car... it wasn't worth it. I sent the phone back quickly.

[riverwed070707]

I'd think unless you live in a city where this is already booming and competitive, its not worth your time, especially as it undergoes increased scrutiny for being basically an unregulated taxi service -- there's a reason things like transportation and hotels have regulation and Uber has just temporarily found a grey area.

[Vendor155]

The taxi unions dont like uber, they will probably find a way to take it down soon. But i hope it can reach over the world, free taxi job is the best.

[surijohn92]

Uber is truly doing very well. I haven't done so yet, but your idea sounds good, especially for those having free schedule.

[Jessicaemmy25]

I haven't tried it personally but I have a friend who has tried it, he says he makes about $15 an hour and that it's a really laid back easy gig, he would like to go full time with it but he's not sure if it's very secure or stable as in 1 day you could be really busy and the next is completely dead, I think it's worth a shot though

[daledale]

I used the service as a customer, but not sure I would want to do it as a way to make money. How does car insurance work out with it?

[FrankFacts]

Cities or college towns during the evening are probably the best opportunity to make money with Uber. Lots of demand.

[clatoden99]

I have often wondered if this would be a worthwhile side job on an empty block of time and after speaking to many drivers in US and EU markets, here is what I've gathered.

It depends on a handful of variables. These include but aren't limited to:

The city

The areas of the city you operate

The number of active Uber and other ride-share drivers on the road

The time of day you operate

The type of car you drive (maintenance, repairs, and fuel)

The type of Uber service you provide (uber POOL, uberX, uberXL, UberSELECT, UberBLACK, UberSUV, UberWAV)

How effective you are as a driver

How hospitable you are to the passenger(s)

One such Uber driver switched from Black Car to uberX because the cost of gas and maintenance on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class negated his earnings. He went with a Prius on uberX and saw his margins increase dramatically. The Prius takes regular gasoline and does 50 mpg. The S-Class takes premium gasoline and is rated at 19 mpg.

Business Insider wrote a piece called "Here's How Much Money You Can Really Earn As An Uber Driver". ( http://www.businessinsider.com/how-m...-driver-2014-6) Uber claims $15/hour. The article states that after "tolls, Uber's 20% cut, gas, car insurance, vehicle financing, and self employment taxes, the driver really only made $54.50 for 12 hours of driving. So that's just $4.54 an hour."
When you ask Uber drivers, many will say they earn $200-300 a shift and then call it a day.

[97guns]

A buddy of mine drives for Uber and he uses his own phone, didn't have to buy theirs or use their data plan. We live 50 miles south of San Francisco and he can get rides pretty easily. He usually drives a few times a week for a couple hours after his 40 a week job

I just went to SF with him yesterday and we ubered around town, there are a ton of drivers there, I saw multiple drop offs as we waited for our arriving car. Small chat with the drivers revealed that they were commuting into SF to drive, one guy made a 120 mile one way commute to drive in SF and they all were very busy picking up one fare after another with no wait time in between with real taxi drivers sitting around in their cabs all over the place, uber is really putting a hurt on traditional taxi's. SF seems to be a great city for Uber driving and I would guess any large city would be very good.

[Spiffster]

I just started with Uber and have a handful of rides under my belt. You can use your own phone for Uber (Android or iOS)... Its pretty awesome as a side-gig / hustle or whatever you want to call it. If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me or post here and I would be happy to answer your questions.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Spiffster what did you make?

[bjl584]

An ex coworker of mine did this on the side.
In the end he got burned out on it, since most people around here were looking for late night rides home from the bars.
Plus he went out and bought a newer car, since it was required by Uber that his car was only X number of years old. The high car payment cut into his profits too much.