Considering Uber Driving Temporary

DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 03:51
Last edited 22/05/2019 - 05:27

Lately I have been unemployed for sometime and since I am with Newstart allowance which which doesn’t help that much I was considering doing a Uber driving, also I have been approved for ubereats.

I think doing both of some sort would be better but the problem is that my vehicle is almost 20 years of its age so that is something Uber has against so i am restricted to Uber Eats. Now that you have got a glimpse of my situation I was having some plans of having a lease/rent from one of the ride sharing companies.

At first I was not aware with the costs and fees like the KM with the cars, GST, Tax, Petrol and wear & tear, but I think I got basic idea. What I’m thriving to know is what is the best solution from rental options am I open to? Yes there’s main ones like hertz, birds, budget, eurocar which costs $180-$500 pw, but I think there’s ones which would fit situations. I’m still having some trouble finding what an average driving distance “Km” you would do for a person driving full time let’s say 40-60 hours a week, will I have much excess if the vehicle had 1000Km Pw? Is it more reliable to have unlimited mileage or limited?

thanks for ur feed back and try to be nice as I normally don’t like posting personal or sensitive things on forums.

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Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 22/05/2019 - 04:00

    Good luck. I hope you get some good information and back on your feet soon.

    How will uber work change your newstart allowance?

  • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 04:11

    Cheers as any income is better than Centrelink, I think it may effect what Centrelink provides untill you have a steady income. Uber is prob the fastest option and resolution that can get me by, no interviews or what so ever, as mentioned it’s just temporary. in fact if I like it I could perhaps use it also as a secondary job for later.

  • newreg1 on 22/05/2019 - 05:35

    Honestly I think you would struggle to do 1000 km.. it's arduous with plenty of time sitting stationary outside of peak periods.

    Plus there are plenty of cost effective options for unlimited km rental if you're really that worried about going over.

    • MrHyde on 22/05/2019 - 06:36
      +1

      I would have thought 1000Kms in a week would be easy. That is only about 140 Kms in a day. Just a single round trip from the SE suburbs of Melbourne to the Airport would achieve that.

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 11:16

      I hope so adding more for mileage is concerning, especially unless you make early prep, and be organised with no suprises.

  • whooah1979 on 22/05/2019 - 05:50
    +2

    How much NET income per week are you hoping to make?

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 11:19

      Well considering least the norm average threshold minimum amount from what heard $750 Pw, after all charges,expenses and any other hidden fees, presuming nothing is missing? Used to be making over $1000 per week at my previous job in hospitality. I hear after expenses if can be quite lot higher guessing that depends on hours you are committed, heard that alone peak times Friday’s and Saturday you should rack up $600-800 in total easily, but what would I know I’m just a newbie haha.

  • Master Bates on 22/05/2019 - 06:13

    Been in a few Ubers’ who are leasing/renting vehicles from Maven who seem to specialise in the gig economy. Might be worth checking out.

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 11:23

      Just remembered there is always a choice for choosing a rental lease with someone private, would you consider this? That’s the only thing I would be concerned with insurance and wouldn’t know how I would amend if something Unexpectedly happened.

  • Hardlyworkin on 22/05/2019 - 06:14
    +3

    Spending a bunch of money hiring a car and on the insurance needed to use it for that purpose…. Only for the peanuts that Uber pays. Risk versus reward isn't great.

    Can you upskill to find better work opportunities? Are cheap Tafe courses available where you are?

    • Wystri Warrick on 22/05/2019 - 09:27

      Yes, this is my thoughts exactly, even more so with having to rent a car.

      OP think your best bet would be to do a TAFE courses, check out some of the short courses.
      Maybe check it some hospitality courses at TAFE.
      If you can do good latte art you can definitely get a job in hospitality quite easy, employers usually like about 2 years experience, however if you are confident and pretty good at making latte art you can get a job quite easy, employers really are after people that can do latte art.
      Providing a picture of your latte art with your resume can help.

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 11:20

      But doesn’t car rental platform company partners offer insurance? They state it’s fully offered and is part of you lease? Correct me if I’m wrong.

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 11:26

      Well I’m working on that, anything I can get money right now is essential, I call this a quick fix.

      • brad1-8tsi on 22/05/2019 - 14:06

        Anything through a big corp like Uber will require you to report your earnings to Centrelink which may affect other payments.

        If you need money and have time on your hands then collect Return & Earns or scrap metal.

        You'll collect $20-$40 on R&Es, especially if you can get a few people to put them aside for you rather than ratting through bins. It's dirty, smelly work but it's legitimate tax-free pocket money with no outlay.

        Scrap metal ideally needs a scrap yard not too far away (and that pays for small lots of shred steel) and somewhere to sort / break up material and somewhere to bin or recycle the plastic (it is a dirty, mess producing hobby).
        Eg: an aluminium radiator is 50c a kilo with plastic end tanks or $1.00/kg without.
        High grade insulated copper wire is $2.50kg or $7.50/kg if all the insulation is stripped (not burnt) off it. Again, the hourly rate is crap and you have a "hobby limit" of $87.50/day but when times are tough…

        You won't get rich but it's a little extra until you can get something better.

        Good luck.

        • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 16:07

          Cheers, nice to know but I consider it.

  • mskeggs on 22/05/2019 - 08:32
    +2

    My only suggestion is to be cautious, as there have been many examples of drivers committing to a long term lease or loan who have been restricted from driving due to poor star rating - but still have to make the car payments.

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 11:21

      Thanks for the heads up, I wouldn’t want to be wanting to have that, since I’m almost paying premium for a limb!

  • oscargamer on 22/05/2019 - 09:05
    +1

    Insurance……..

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 11:24

      Had a simple search and this came up.
      ——————-
      Hertz now offers Uber Driver Partners Free Unlimited Kilometres at selected locations in Australia. … Our rental rates include rego, comprehensive insurance, 24 –Hour roadside assistance, a short term rate plan which include 200 kilometres per day, a long term rate plan which includes unlimited kilometres.

  • brad1-8tsi on 22/05/2019 - 14:08

    If you do decide to Uber learn to work with the surge pricing. That's where you will make money.

    • DEvok on 22/05/2019 - 16:06

      Thanks, just called Uber support after being transfered from Uber Eats, and I am disgusted with their customer support, I honesty just asked them to explain in little more detail regarding documents and that woman or guy obviously from some part of Asia not being racist said to me do I have to repeat everything again.. and said you can read everything in the email, talking about customer service there’s was none.

      Well I have to wait from 7-10 days now after submitting some more documents and checks being be cleared for Uber X.

      • brad1-8tsi on 23/05/2019 - 07:31

        You aren't a customer. You're an employee.

        I think it's really sensible that you are doing it with a casually leased vehicle. It gives you a chance to try before making a bigger financial commitment.

        Don't forget to keep detailed financial records of all your expenditures for tax purposes.

        My Uber to the airport the other day says she does 2 hours most days and that pays for her car. She had other jobs too.

  • DEvok on 17/06/2019 - 21:01
    Merged from Uber Vehicle Rent Days Wasted

    firstly I did have previous thread regarding applying for Uber renting out a vehicle but this is what happened yesterday, I wanted to only give Uber X a try and if it went ok got 2nd job I would continue, but even before getting started feels like waste time, money and being rorted. I rented out a vehicle from thriffty“Toyota Yaris Ascent” for 10 days, ok Uber pink slip inspection didn’t open on Sunday’s, ok half a day gone. This morning literally” paid my $38 AUD for pink slip inspection considering it weird it’s as it is a rip off as the inspections already done by rental companies and they could just pass it onto Uber, rta maritime government could as well, have it no idea why pay for it again.

    Now with the inspection done, I was told I have to wait up to a day for the inspection documents to be verified, I was like what? One more day? Then called up the operator as said the same thing, then to top it if they said for the registration takes another up to 3 more days to have my account active??? I mean are u seriously kidding? I’m on a rental vehicle so that could potentially mean I would waste 3 days on my rental???? Sorry you have to hear my rant but I don’t think this is acceptable.

    Also last thing luckly I asked one of the inspection staff, do I need a Uber sticker on the back of hr car, and I was told oh yes, you do or the cops can fine you! Great they don’t even tell you anything an I have been really running around figuring out almost everything myself and reading the forums, bloody useless.

    • DogGunn on 17/06/2019 - 21:03
      +27

      Why would you rent a car to do Uber though?

      • DEvok on 17/06/2019 - 21:05

        My own car is bit to old, can’t pass the “quality controll” I wanted to see how much can probably make, knowing most of the expenses and talking to few many people who work for Uber X, spent sometime chatting to a guy at the Uber inspection day who has worked for awhile, I guess I have general understanding of the average pay.

    • cauilfield on 17/06/2019 - 21:07
      +9

      TLDR, what was your question?

      • JimmyF on 17/06/2019 - 22:27
        +5

        just a rant about having to wait to be a Uber driver, expected it to be instant……

        • DEvok on 18/06/2019 - 00:43
          -2

          Actuallly all my documents for background checks etc has been finalised, just never knew having a vehicle takes way longer than expected. You upload them and wait, shouldn’t expect this for a multimillionaire company.

          • MrBear on 18/06/2019 - 08:58
            +5

            @DEvok:

            multimillionaire company

            They're not. They are a negative multi billion dollar company.

    • epkh on 17/06/2019 - 21:07
      +1

      Hey I know how you feel.

      I wanted to do Uber with my car cos I have a 2 week break from work coming up but I still haven't heard from them.

      I'm not even up to the pink slip yet and I've already paid around 40 for some crime check and Visa check thing.

      My status has been on hold for 2 weeks now and I've contacted them but I kinda just give up now…

      But yes you are right, they're not really overly transparent with all the checks and pre reqs you need before being able to drive.

    • DEvok on 17/06/2019 - 21:09
      +1

      I had previous signed up for Uber Eats, but never ended up even doing it, way worse than Uber X in my opinion.

      • thatonethere on 17/06/2019 - 21:11

        U never see repeat Uber Eats drivers

      • djkelly69 on 17/06/2019 - 23:21
        +15

        Just to confirm, one thing you haven't done is way worse than another thing you haven't done?

    • pingualien on 17/06/2019 - 21:11

      maybe do ola and didi at the same time as well

      • DEvok on 17/06/2019 - 21:14

        Unortunately with rental you cant do this, you risk deactivation lol.

    • adam on 17/06/2019 - 21:11
      +11

      I think it is appropriate that Uber take appropriate efforts to ensure the car is safe etc. Things taking several days sounds completely reasonable to me. If that makes using a rental vehicle impossible for Uber'ing then so be it (would have thought it economically wouldn't add up anyway).

      • Diji1 on 17/06/2019 - 21:34
        -5

        I think it is appropriate that Uber take appropriate efforts to ensure the car is safe etc.

        This is the company that killed a woman crossing the road using their pathetically bad robot car.

        The crash occurred because the human driver was watching a talent show on their phone while operating the vehicle without the robotic emergency braking system enabled.

        It wasn't enabled because it was too inconvenient to deal with the emergency braking events that happened repeatedly when there was no emergency.

        • p1 ama on 18/06/2019 - 01:23
          +8

          This is the company that killed a woman crossing the road using their pathetically bad robot car.

          Let's not forget that the woman wasn't looking where she was going. Why you would walk right into the path of an oncoming car is beyond me.

          • MeesusEff on 18/06/2019 - 12:19
            +1

            @p1 ama: Maybe with a mix of entitlement. So many people in Australia have the 'pedestrians have the right of way' and just step out anytime assuming cars will stop for them. But no way am I taking my chances against a 1 ton metal machine

            • p1 ama on 18/06/2019 - 15:14

              @MeesusEff:

              So many people in Australia have the 'pedestrians have the right of way' and just step out anytime assuming cars will stop for them.

              Idiots don't realise that "right of way" is for legal liability. You may well have "right of way", but if you step in front of a truck and you get run over, you're still dead. Exactly right - don't take your chances against 1 tonne of metal.

              I once heard someone say "the gates of heaven don't care who had right of way" - truly accurate.

      • sghetti on 18/06/2019 - 11:04
        +2

        It's such a shame that they need to comply with Federal and State regulations. Why can't they just skip that and let people make money. What's the worst that could happen?

    • DEvok on 17/06/2019 - 21:13

      All the guys mentioned Uber X if you break it down you probably make $25-30 an hour after all expenses, many shown me their payment, average 24-28hours/60 pick ups, $800-$1300 before tax+gst+Petrol+wear and tear.

      • Presence on 17/06/2019 - 21:56
        +8

        You seriously think you can make $30 an hour with uber?!

      • xuqi on 17/06/2019 - 23:51

        24-28 hours logged over how many days though?

      • Cyphar on 18/06/2019 - 10:09

        Jeez dude that's a lot of trips. Most Uber trips are short trips so you'd need a stack of jobs ready to go one after the other to make $30 an hour.

    • timthetoolman on 17/06/2019 - 21:30
      +7

      Perhaps you shoiuld have asked how long it would take before you rented out a car?
      Surely once you factor that rental cost in its not worth it?

    • Jetstream on 17/06/2019 - 21:33
      +9

      You wanted to start a business. There are start up costs.

      Think of it as money you paid for an education

    • ronnknee on 17/06/2019 - 22:17
      +3

      Sounds like you should've done some research before starting to do this.

    • sahh on 17/06/2019 - 23:25
      +1

      There are companies out there that lease cars out to Uber drivers, don’t need to go through one of the mainstream ones

    • bayc0n on 17/06/2019 - 23:30
      +3

      what is the point of this post

      • xuqi on 17/06/2019 - 23:51
        +2

        Guidance / education of others on what 'Not' to do.

    • spackbace on 18/06/2019 - 01:04
      +11

      Toyota Yaris 1.3L?!

      God I'd be cancelling the trip if you rocked up in that and there was more than me jumping in the car.

      Oh and I doubt you would've been covered under Thrifty's insurance if they knew you were effectively running a business. That should be something you should care about…

      • brad1-8tsi on 18/06/2019 - 09:57
        +3

        Thrifty rents out vehicles specifically for Uber use.
        https://www.thrifty.com.au/uber-marketplace

        • spackbace on 18/06/2019 - 10:01
          +2

          Wow ok learn a new thing every day :)

          Point still stands about the size of the car tho!

          • brad1-8tsi on 18/06/2019 - 10:08

            @spackbace: I agree.
            I use Ubers or Taxis quite a bit. Given that Uber in Sydney has almost no price advantage (due to passenger service levy and CTP levy) for the routes I use, taxis are my preferred option these days as you know you'll get a Camry with some legroom.

    • whooah1979 on 18/06/2019 - 05:58
      +1

      Being self-employed isn't for everyone.

    • nemesis on 18/06/2019 - 09:24
      -1

      Utterly sick of always getting another Toyota Yaris when you order an UberX. I hope you don't pass the quality control check.

    • brad1-8tsi on 18/06/2019 - 10:03

      My dumb question is:
      Do you have to get another $38 Uber Safety Inspection every time you get a different vehicle from Thrifty?
      How do you ensure you get the same vehicle or do you have to rent continuously?

      One of my mates had an old crap-box and looked at Ubering. He decided it was cheaper to pay for taxi training and a taxi licence and lease a cab on the 2 shifts a week he wanted to do. For a 12 hour shift his after expenses income was $150-$250 plus $50-$150 in tips (He's chatty, friendly, educated and WASP).

    • SlickMick on 18/06/2019 - 10:49

      I found Uber in Brisbane pretty good - the vehicle inspection was free and took a few minutes. I walked from the inspection station to the Uber office, they uploaded doc for me and I was good.

      However, Qld government is putting so many restrictions of drivers, I'm getting out. Just hope I can get a refund on my taxi license.

    • TimOfEastBNE on 18/06/2019 - 11:09
      +1

      Worth reading this article.

      TLDR summary:

      If you’re in the 21% tax bracket then for every $100 of gross fares you’ll take home $19

      If you are driving as a 2nd job, it is likely you will be at least slightly over the tax free threshold..

      Dividing the amount paid by Uber by the number of hours you work isn't a realistic or sensible way to compare your income under Uber to a regular PAYG employer. If you don't understand why, then you probably need to get some advice. In the example payment summary provided, in the 28.5 hours, the amount paid is after Uber's commission of 27.5%, so the gross fares would have been about $1676. That means the "profit" (which would be roughly equivalent to the take home pay though a PAYG employer) is just $318, or $11.17 per hour. Of course you're not getting an superannuation contribution from Uber either.

      This is supported by many media articles, such as this and contrasted by Uber's research which says drivers earn about $21/hour after expenses (but before tax so fractionally above the minimum wage, and there is no super contribution by Uber).

      Exclusive of super, the minimum wage in Australia, for a full time employee works out to about $16.38 per hour after tax (assuming no special deductions - like dependent children) and excluding the provision of $1.55 superannuation contribution. If you are a PAYG worker who works outside standard business hours you are likely to be paid some kind of penalty rates meaning you get paid more than the minimum wage - I know Uni students working retail jobs earning >$40/hour on a Sunday.

      Given the protests by Uber drivers around the world about the low amount they are being paid, I find that it is unlikely that Uber driving is as profitable as some (such as the OP's friend) would like you to think. Please have a go for yourself, I need plenty of Ubers out there to keep the surge frequency (and the fare I have to pay) down!

      Uber can be a great short term supplemental/bridging income with a minimal barrier to entry and offers amazing flexibility.

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