Back on Uber this weekend

Discussion in 'Starting & Running a Business' started by Taku Ekanayake, 24th Jun, 2016.

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  1. Taku Ekanayake

    Taku Ekanayake Well-Known Member

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    I'm getting back behind the wheel on Uber after a one year hiatus. Just need to get my car inspection done tomorrow morning.

    My funds have dried up and I need more capital to support my habits lol.

    Last time I did it, I was making on average $400-$500/week, working on Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday.

    Anyone else on this forum currently Uberring?
    If so, how many hours do you work and how much are you making on average?

    I ask because, I'm keen to hear if the money is still as decent because when I used to do it there was no where near as many drivers on the road and the going rate was more...

    I hope I'm your next driver :)


    Cheers,
    Taku
     
    Last edited: 24th Jun, 2016
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  2. datto

    datto Well-Known Member

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    No . I'm ex taxi.

    Fella I know drove uber 6 months ago but got suspended due to bad feedback.

    But he is a dik hed so probably deserved it. He worked the city and reckoned the money was good but kept getting lost. He ended up arguing with the passengers.
     
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  3. hash_investor

    hash_investor Well-Known Member

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    I would expect a lot more drivers on the road because of legalisation and all ... but would hope for more customers too as uber is prefered taxi for most customers now since it has gone mainstream
     
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  4. Gockie

    Gockie Life is good ☺️ Premium Member

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    Not bad Taku. Doing only high demand periods sounds like a good strategy. Over how many hours was this income earned per week?
     
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  5. Gockie

    Gockie Life is good ☺️ Premium Member

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    Ps. I believe my car is basically considered "too old" to be an Uber. So if I did it, I would have to upgrade the car.
     
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  6. Taku Ekanayake

    Taku Ekanayake Well-Known Member

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    @datto this is one of the reasons why uber is great. They will suspend you if your rating gets below 4.5 out of 5 from memory. good quality control
    yes, this is true. there would have to be more riders due to the growth
     
  7. hash_investor

    hash_investor Well-Known Member

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    A year ago I had rarely heard anyone talking riding an uber home. These days they prefer it because its cheaper than taxi
     
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  8. Taku Ekanayake

    Taku Ekanayake Well-Known Member

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    I remember I was doing around 15-20 hours a week. most i made one week was close to a $1,000 but that was driving 8hrs friday night/early sat morning, and then all saturday and sunday
    a year ago, the rules were your car couldn't be older than 10 yrs, and had to be four door. also need clean driving record and no criminal background.
     
  9. ellejay

    ellejay Well-Known Member

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    I take my hat off to you, I love your determination. Finding a way to increase my salary was the single biggest factor in helping me to keep accumulating and paying off debt over a shortish period of time. I'm too tight to pay for taxis (doesn't fit my strategy) but if I wasn't I'd love to meet you and swap stories :)
     
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  10. hash_investor

    hash_investor Well-Known Member

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    What about a few speed demerits?
     
  11. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    You are an inspiration Taku. Love your attitude.

    No uber for me.
     
  12. Taku Ekanayake

    Taku Ekanayake Well-Known Member

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    Thanks @ellejay :)
    paying a small sacrifice now in hope for future returns 10X
    not too sure on the nuances there.. would have to check
     
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  13. Taku Ekanayake

    Taku Ekanayake Well-Known Member

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    Appreciate it @Bran!
     
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  14. wombat777

    wombat777 Well-Known Member

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    Uber is not practical for me. Nor are taxis. Generally well over $180 to get from my place to or from the airport.

    There is a gap in the market for trips beyond about 30-45 minutes. Admittedly not really worth it for drivers to do longer distance trips without a return fare.
     
  15. C-mac

    C-mac Well-Known Member

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    Taku mate you are a hard worker, love your style.

    I've not driven Uber myself but take a lot of them M-F in my dayjob.

    Though you'd be driving the rougher trade crowd (fri/sat nights), it is probably still worth including the mints/waters/phone chargers etc. to keep your 5 star ratings up.

    This is critical to the corporate crowd (we reall value that stuff especially when running late for meetings!!).

    Good luck mate!
     
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  16. Blueskies

    Blueskies Well-Known Member

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    The thought of doing this has crossed my mind once or twice too. I have a 7 seater family car which could be charged under a premium rate through Uber XL.

    The only thing that holds me back is I am not sure how the extra income is assessed by the banks? I am not sure if it would be better to look for a part time weekend/night shift job perhaps via a labour hire firm to have a more traditional income for serviceability calcs? Maybe I am out of touch and it makes no difference one way or the other?

    Good on you regardless, putting in the hard yards today for a payoff down the track!
     
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  17. C-mac

    C-mac Well-Known Member

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    @Blueskies I also had that thought.

    Uber revenue would be deemed as 'self-employed' by banks, no? Meaning, you would need an ABN and then submit a quarterly BAS statement to the ATO?

    Or am I wrong, and instead is Uber like your 'employer' meaning that their payment statement is effectively like a payslip from an employer??

    Does this mean Uber automatically deduct PAYG tax or no?
     
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  18. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    Even if it wasn't assessed as serviceability, it's still handy having some extra income (from whatever source) to help save for deposit or pay down a loan.
     
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  19. Gockie

    Gockie Life is good ☺️ Premium Member

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    Absolutely agree. Extra money coming in also helps covers any unexpected bills or simply helps your capital status in any case. Always nice to have a bit of an extra stash in an offset. Problem is though, if you get used to the extra money and then stop doing it you lose the extra bonus income in future!
    I like the extra money Airbnb gives me, but it also means if I stop doing it and go back to a normal rental then the additional 80%+ rent I get on it will be sacrificed. I dont want to lose that... its been great, got this extra money just sitting in my accounts... it does require my attention on about a weekly basis.
     
    Last edited: 25th Jun, 2016
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  20. virgo

    virgo Well-Known Member

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    I love the concept of a sharing economy as i think taxis are a rip off in this country.....

    My question is does the car have to be registered in the name of the driver? ........
     
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