General Discussion

AtomicKitten

(46,585 posts)

22. I'm with you.

Sat May 9, 2015, 01:50 PM

May 2015

I used it for this first time this week to go to a doctor's appointment here in SF. I haven't used my car in a couple years. My son takes MUNI to work and I work at home. I had a hip injury that makes taking the bus impossible because I can't walk for any distance to meet the bus at various stops. We called Uber and in 2 minutes (no kidding) a car arrived. Two people can ride without a price increase. On the way back, same thing - a 2 minute wait. They delivered us door to door for a total of $14, $7 each way. In comparison, when I had surgery at a local hospital, a cab cost $15 each way. Uber also uses debit, no cash exchange, which is really convenient. All in all, I used Uber out of necessity and was pleased with the prompt service.

So, sue me.

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Philadelphia journalist went undercover as an Uber driver � here's how much she made [View all] FreakinDJ May 2015 OP

I am disgusted by people who use Uber and the like. Luminous Animal May 2015 #1

Why? Is that a fair reaction? Agschmid May 2015 #4

Its like "Shopping at Walmart" - your Screwing ALL Working Class Americans FreakinDJ May 2015 #6

So these people shouldn't be able to get to work on time? Agschmid May 2015 #11

If they instead made $1 per hour Trajan May 2015 #15

People couldn't get to their jobs on time bvf May 2015 #16

In cities without adequate mass transit, no nxylas May 2015 #29

Maybe cities should focus more bvf May 2015 #36

You'll get no argument from me there nxylas May 2015 #45

Yes they should. Agschmid May 2015 #46

There shouldn't be any need for Uber. bvf May 2015 #47

That's just rediculous. Agschmid May 2015 #48

OK. Sure. Uh huh. bvf May 2015 #49

What decade were you born in? Agschmid May 2015 #50

Late 50s. Cleveland. bvf May 2015 #51

It answers my question. Agschmid May 2015 #52

Again, what the hell? bvf May 2015 #53

At the expense for those who work for them. Luminous Animal May 2015 #67

My mother and I don't have a car lunamagica May 2015 #18

I'm with you. AtomicKitten May 2015 #22

Tell her to ask the cabbie if they have a business card. JVS May 2015 #27

I drive for Uber, and so does my husband... CoffeeCat May 2015 #77

This happened all the time when I lived in S.F. and the bus was never on time mackerel May 2015 #78

How so? RedCappedBandit May 2015 #42

I am a working-class American... CoffeeCat May 2015 #76

Wish you could see what Capitalism looks like in other countries FreakinDJ May 2015 #88

Using your logic... CoffeeCat May 2015 #89

Because Corp America is Screwing us - you in turn screw some thing else FreakinDJ May 2015 #90

A popular myth, but false, at least in South Asia Recursion May 2015 #100

obviously you have Never been to the Philippines FreakinDJ May 2015 #106

I live in Mumbai, which is poorer Recursion May 2015 #107

So you don't live in America FreakinDJ May 2015 #110

I'm an American overseas on orders Recursion May 2015 #111

Why? underpants May 2015 #5

Shifting risk to labor, few or no labor protections, predatory pricing, Luminous Animal May 2015 #43

Understood underpants May 2015 #75

Most of what you have written NOT AT ALL what I have experienced as an an Uber driver... CoffeeCat May 2015 #79

Thanks for that post Egnever May 2015 #80

Curious of what you think of this OP by me... stevenleser May 2015 #94

Use it...love it. trumad May 2015 #14

I won't use Uber Skittles May 2015 #117

There is no free ride wyldwolf May 2015 #2

People who tout those companies are chumps. Starry Messenger May 2015 #3

Why does the article show a pic of Birdcage Walk in London? malthaussen May 2015 #7

good catch Liberal_in_LA May 2015 #10

Right? truebrit71 May 2015 #13

How One Woman Could Destroy Uber�s Business Model Fla Dem May 2015 #8

So her actual pay of 9.34 an hour does not even count her taxes as a contractor.? dixiegrrrrl May 2015 #12

Yep, she has to pay about 15.3% in self employment taxes AZ Progressive May 2015 #65

You'd also need a commercial insurance policy Major Nikon May 2015 #69

From what I understand 1939 May 2015 #87

Good article- I'm glad to know there are people like this out there. NBachers May 2015 #23

I've only done Uber when other people ordered it for us. onehandle May 2015 #9

It is when you make a cash deal with your local drivers who use the app to make a living. Sunlei May 2015 #20

Eventually, we're going to see this... Spitfire of ATJ May 2015 #17

Change that figure to a screen with "Robert" or "Cynthia" from South Asia. NBachers May 2015 #24

Ah yes,...the six year old urchins that have been on the posters for twenty years. Spitfire of ATJ May 2015 #31

Uber takes a 28% cut? to allow car drivers to use their fare finder app? nice gig for Uber. Sunlei May 2015 #19

Here's a tip: TIP. mainer May 2015 #21

My husband worked for 16 hours last weekend... CoffeeCat May 2015 #81

That 28% cut is pretty big and I'd be very surprised if drivers don't find work-arounds. JVS May 2015 #25

Uber takes 20 percent... CoffeeCat May 2015 #82

The Goober Taxi Playinghardball May 2015 #26

LOL. Cute story. nt okaawhatever May 2015 #34

I am an Uber driver uwep May 2015 #28

Good for you! classof56 May 2015 #40

Travis Kalanick, the founder of Uber, is a billionaire. guillaumeb May 2015 #30

The $9.37 was after the Uber fees and vehicle fees were taken out, but before taxes. nt okaawhatever May 2015 #35

thanks. I updated. guillaumeb May 2015 #37

If you are trying to be fair, you compare apples to apples. Ms. Toad May 2015 #96

Actually a subcontractor is considered an independent businessperson. guillaumeb May 2015 #97

You completely missed the point. Neither does an employee. Ms. Toad May 2015 #99

My original Post was about Uber being a poor substitute for a real job. guillaumeb May 2015 #109

My concern (which you are still completely ignoring) Ms. Toad May 2015 #113

My concern pre-dated your concern. guillaumeb May 2015 #115

I responded to a specific statement you made. Ms. Toad May 2015 #116

Is my statement more or less accurate than the Uber propaganda about guillaumeb May 2015 #118

Uber, so far as I know, is not posting on this board trying to convince people of those claims. Ms. Toad May 2015 #122

Uber has no need to post on DU. guillaumeb May 2015 #125

Here is a link to the article from the journalist herself from a local Philly paper BumRushDaShow May 2015 #32

Are they "intensely regulated" or "a corrupt politically powerful cartel"? Recursion May 2015 #101

Here in PA the type of practice that you describe BumRushDaShow May 2015 #102

The liquor license issue sounds like Boston Recursion May 2015 #103

It's worse here BumRushDaShow May 2015 #104

I've been using Uber a lot and I always ask my drivers how they like it and if the pay is good. stevenleser May 2015 #33

read post number 30 and tell me what you think. guillaumeb May 2015 #38

Don't expect a cogent response, bvf May 2015 #54

As opposed to your response when you have zero first hand connection or knowledge at all? stevenleser May 2015 #57

Thank you for making my point. bvf May 2015 #59

It's sad that you actually think that. Nt stevenleser May 2015 #73

Cheer up, will you? bvf May 2015 #85

I don't get the sense these folks were giving me the party line but... stevenleser May 2015 #56

My point is that the "economy of the future" guillaumeb May 2015 #62

i don't think railing at Uber makes your point. Nt stevenleser May 2015 #74

What's wrong with you? bvf May 2015 #64

You really seem to get upset when facts and reality contradict you stevenleser May 2015 #72

"Scream"? bvf May 2015 #86

I love driving for Uber and so does my husband... CoffeeCat May 2015 #84

Yes, you can count on tipped workers to tell you "all my customers are assholes". (nt) jeff47 May 2015 #60

You don't tip Uber drivers. Obviously you've never used the service why are you arguing with stevenleser May 2015 #91

Yeah, that's why there's multiple posts in this thread about tipping uber drivers. jeff47 May 2015 #119

And if they so 'no' they are at risk for being downrated and losing their job. Luminous Animal May 2015 #68

Get off your high horse. It doesn't suit you. There is an actual Uber driver trying to talk to you stevenleser May 2015 #95

The L.A. Uber PasadenaTrudy May 2015 #39

There's a class action lawsuit against �ber for Ilsa May 2015 #41

Systematically destroying a car, which is basically what you do driving from A to B, and expecting Lars39 May 2015 #121

so what % of uberistas tell their personal auto insurance company they are driving for money? msongs May 2015 #44

^this^ mike_c May 2015 #58

Love Uber Snow Leopard May 2015 #55

And living in NYC on 9.17/hr minus taxes Doctor_J May 2015 #61

no Snow Leopard May 2015 #120

this old geezer would rather walk olddots May 2015 #63

I'm an Uber driver. I think it's great. Prism May 2015 #66

Great post.nt LittleBlue May 2015 #70

What kind of insurance do you have? MattBaggins May 2015 #83

Comprehensive plus Uber's n/t Prism May 2015 #98

I think a lot of people don't understand this is a part-time gig MosheFeingold May 2015 #108

Uber plays up that $90,000 figure. It's disingenuous of them. randome May 2015 #124

one of my sons is an uber driver too shanti May 2015 #114

Care to tell us how much a Philadelphia Taxi Driver makes? brooklynite May 2015 #71

And it turns out that's the rub. It looks like you make more at Uber than at least... stevenleser May 2015 #93

Followup here stevenleser May 2015 #92

I got side swiped by a... meaculpa2011 May 2015 #105

Eke out a living KamaAina May 2015 #112

Reminds me of some other very exciting opportunities! randome May 2015 #123