Uber
- Thread starter EnhancedFujita
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Another thing I'm putting together is using a Go-Pro in my car. Kind of like a Taxi Cab Confessions type thing. With customers agreeing to be on camera I'm going to start a YouTube Channel. Some of the things people do and say after being at a bar for 5 hours. It would also work for a safety net as well.
One thing about UBER is that there's zero cash transfer whatsoever so I'm not carrying around $300-$400 like a taxi driver is. I get like $20-$25 in tips some nights but I put that in for fuel almost immediately after I get it.
Last thing I want to mention is that having grown up in a small town in Eastern Iowa drinking and driving was socially accepted. We'd party on a farm in a neighboring town and driver home, party in Cedar Rapids drive back to Benton County it was never a big deal and I never once worried about the ramifications of my actions nor did I worry about getting caught.
Driving from 10pm-3am it is SOOOO easy to see drunk drivers. Since I started 3 weekends ago I have seen a guy wrap his car around a concrete barrier in WDM and a couple other accidents. The other thing I've noticed is the overwhelming smell of alcohol and how easy it is for cops to smell it on you. For those of you that risk it by drinking and driving I highly caution you to make better choices and use something like UBER or wait in line for a taxi.
One thing about UBER is that there's zero cash transfer whatsoever so I'm not carrying around $300-$400 like a taxi driver is. I get like $20-$25 in tips some nights but I put that in for fuel almost immediately after I get it.
Last thing I want to mention is that having grown up in a small town in Eastern Iowa drinking and driving was socially accepted. We'd party on a farm in a neighboring town and driver home, party in Cedar Rapids drive back to Benton County it was never a big deal and I never once worried about the ramifications of my actions nor did I worry about getting caught.
Driving from 10pm-3am it is SOOOO easy to see drunk drivers. Since I started 3 weekends ago I have seen a guy wrap his car around a concrete barrier in WDM and a couple other accidents. The other thing I've noticed is the overwhelming smell of alcohol and how easy it is for cops to smell it on you. For those of you that risk it by drinking and driving I highly caution you to make better choices and use something like UBER or wait in line for a taxi.
This is interesting and I'd probably be more likely to use it in Des Moines than Uber.
The DM City Council and UBER just agreed on this last week at the council meeting. It costs drivers $8 to get at the DOT and requires very little testing. It's called a chauffeurs license.
And that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for all of your information.
Does Uber send out 1099s? how do you report the income?
I would imagine they do yes, similar to what I got for my Food Delivery Business a 1099-MISC
If a driver keeps track of mileage and cell phone usage associated with working time that's all deductible on your taxes.
My guess would be $30-$40 one way. Which in a taxi with numerous passengers is a $50 trip minimum. Depending on where the concert is at take an UBER to a bar that won't be in a surging area when it comes time to go home and the trip home will be roughly the same.
I sometimes use this site but can say from previous experience that it's high in most cases.
http://uberestimate.com/
Single app for everywhere. Once you download the app and sign up you can get an estimate for any place.
You are an independent contractor and they send you a 1099.
Single app for all cities. It's just called Uber on the app store or google play.
I feel like the people here who claim that Uber and a taxi cost about the same have never used Uber. The only time I've seen prices anywhere near taxi prices was when we were in KC for the Big 12 tourney, and the surge was 3.4x. We use it in Des Moines a good amount. You always get someone who knows the area and knows what's going on. Also, I feel 100x safer riding in someone's personal car with them than with a taxi driver who seems like he could give two ***** if he gets in an accident.
When you order an Uber car, it's reserved for you. They give you the make, model, and license plate number, so you can find it quickly and nobody can take it from you. With cabs, often you're either waiting in a long line or fighting other groups of people for a cab. And if you do call and order a cab during a busy time, you can expect to wait an hour.
I just don't understand the reluctance to use Uber when it's cheaper, safer, faster, and more convenient.
When you order an Uber car, it's reserved for you. They give you the make, model, and license plate number, so you can find it quickly and nobody can take it from you. With cabs, often you're either waiting in a long line or fighting other groups of people for a cab. And if you do call and order a cab during a busy time, you can expect to wait an hour.
I just don't understand the reluctance to use Uber when it's cheaper, safer, faster, and more convenient.
I haven't used it in Des Moines but I have used it. I've also compared rates in Des Moines and it is sometimes cheaper and sometime more expensive. If you watch the video I posted they did a test and you can see for yourself that Uber is not always the cheapest option. Nothing against UBer and even if it was more expensive I'd probably still go that route.
Just as an example. If I want to go from my house in Johnston to El Bait Shop it's $34.40 on GoTaxi. On Uber the estimate is $31-$42. Both are stupid expensive for a 20 minute drive.
Just for comparison, I took Uber in Munich and the ride took 23 minutes and cost me 8 euro. I took a 22 minute ride in Brussels and it cost me 4 euro. Keep in mind that gas runs about $8/gallon in these locations. I guess it's all about distance and not time.
Just for comparison, I took Uber in Munich and the ride took 23 minutes and cost me 8 euro. I took a 22 minute ride in Brussels and it cost me 4 euro. Keep in mind that gas runs about $8/gallon in these locations. I guess it's all about distance and not time.
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I think you need to also realize Des Moines is a smaller market for Uber. In larger cities, it's almost always cheaper to use Uber over a taxi. I live in Chicago and use Uber all the time. Even with surge pricing a few times, Uber is usually 4-8 dollars cheaper for the longest trips I've taken. I'm sure it's relative to the market how comparable it is to the price of taxis, but everyone I know would prefer Uber over a taxi or any other services such as Sidecar or Lyft.
You also can't beat the free rides Uber gives for new users. I had 3 friends visit a few weekends ago that didn't have Uber. With providing them the free code since they are new users, I'd also get $20 back for my next ride. We only had to actually pay for a ride once that weekend.
If you haven't used Uber yet, I'd recommend at least trying it out!
I guess I haven't seen prices anywhere near that when I've used it. I've gone downtown from WDM for something in the $20s. Also of note: you don't tip Uber drivers, but you're pretty much expected to for cab drivers.
Download the UBER app, link it to a debit card or your paypal and when you order your first ride input L4UUR That will get you $20 off your first trip courtesy of me. If others want to try UBER you can PM me and I'll give you my cell phone number. If its a Friday or Saturday night and you know your going to need a ride and want to use uber, shoot me a text and I'll head your way and have you ping for a driver when I'm the closest one. More than one person can use my referral code that I just posted so if you and your wife both download the app one of you use it on the way into town for the concert and the other use it on the way home. $40 in free rides