Hi guys,

After trying full time uber for more than 1 month, more than 300 trips , i have concluded that it is not profitable for a car which has 1500cc and above. For smaller car such as axia, viva etc2, i am not sure but i think would be profitable. Reasons are as below:

- The rates are just to cheap and not worth it (only worth it during surge) with also minusing 25% uber fee compared to the cost you have to bear (i.e. car loan repayment, fuel, maintenance etc.). Malaysia road is full of potholes and are not friendly to heavy car users who wants to maintained their car in a good condition.I made a simple example as below:

a) I have calculated that daily (my average kilometer is 150-250km depending on location of the trips), hence my monthly mileage is more than 5,000km which comes the normal routine service each month.

b) My average weekly gross payout is approximately RM 1,000 including minimal incentives. (You do not get much if you meet the incentives quota).

Assuming in a month we have 4 weeks = RM 4,000. My estimated necessary cost in a month is as below:

1) Cost of Fuel RM 230 weekly x 4 = RM 920
2) Monthly loan repayment for car = RM 800
3) House rental and utilities = RM 500
4) Average car service cost = RM 300 (not includes any equipment or spare part changes due to wear and tear. i.e. tyre cost, suspension, brake pad, gearbox etc.)
5) Breakfast and or lunch RM 12 x 30 = RM 360
6) Touch and go RM50 weekly x 4 = RM 200
7) Monthly groceries = RM 250
8) Handphone plan = RM 100

TOTAL = RM 3,430

Please note that this cost does not include any wear and tear which eats up a lot. If your suspension is broken cost is estimate (RM500 - 1,000) depending on brand and type). Changing all tyres due to wear and tear (RM600 - 1000). Insurance and Road Tax yearly (RM 600 - 1,000)Also when more trips you made, you can see that the cushion of your sits are getting dirtier and the stiches are coming out hence you have to fork our for cleaning or clean your self.

Once you drive more and make it as a heavy duty you will see that it is less worth it to drive Uber as the rates are to cheap and not worth it. This is based on a 1,500cc cars only hence if you have lower CC car you can adjust accordingly.

My estimates at the top i try to put it at the average level which are not to high and not to low.

I have decided to do less Uber after i have seen this disadvantages. I would say that Uber makes a lot of money buy sucking it out from the Partners with the 25% fee which is ridiculously high when they do not carry the overheads:

- Own the asset. (All maintenance will be beared by Partner). Once a Partner realise this, they will not continue but new bloods will join in, hence they profit it.
- Minimum overheads. they dont even have a call centre. Only respond by email, which sometime took 1 day to respond. I have made a lot of complaints but none action was taken. They only care about the riders who rides it.

As a conclusion for me, they are abusing the partner with all this lucrative BS for us to work hard when they are gaining from all the work we do.

I would like to put more evidence but i have to continue my office work.

Unless Uber increases the fare, i dont think i will do it in a long run.

If you have any comments which you like to improve this writing is appreciated.

Thank you.

Good comment. I was just trying as everyone was saying it was good money but after trying i dont think its worth it. If you are like taxi driver, (runs on NGV, low cost spare part and equipment) then you can make a living out of it.

Wanted to but even with "civilized" uber rider trashing my car (throwing rubishes, mineral water, coming in the car sweating and wet, bringing pets, bringing huge flower pots which spoils the cushion, toxicated, reeks of alcohol and many more good experience) i dont think i want to take my chances with Grab. If it was a company car than it is a different story. I took very good care of my car but some of the rider just dont care. Most do care.

Thank you for the thoughts though.

PS:I wish new partners realise that if you drive a big car, than doing uber full time is just not worth it. Most of my friend has stop driving due to this issue only after calculating the cost in details. You need to remember if something happen to your car, engine kaput, gearbox kong, suspension, distorted rims etc2 which cost THOUSANDS. YOU WILL BEAR THAT ON YOUR OWN AND NONE OF UBERS CONCERN. THIS IS THE FALLBACK FOR MORE EXPENSIVE SPARE PARTS AND EQUIPMENT.

This post has been edited by ~hunter~: Apr 14 2016, 04:15 PM

Thank you for the respond as well. I have incorporated both of those to have a feel that if you want to make it full time, you need to remember that balance money needs to pay your rent and food.

IMHO, Im just putting an example as many partners (my friends) forgot this. If you earn in an office RM 4,000 , you will earn much more comparing to earning 4,000 driving. Also wear and tear is definitely not RM 200 for bigger cc car after seeing the current condition of my car.

Anyway my average hours of driving weekly is 50 hours a week which is around 200 hours monthly.

My 2 cents.

This post has been edited by ~hunter~: Apr 14 2016, 04:38 PM

Yup, that is after 25% Uber fee. i wouldnt say RM 20 an hour as have to minus fuel and touch and go.

We had the same idea..its just not worth it anymore. The rates and incentives are to low for drivers.

I guess only new blood who will realize in the long run will be driving and the quality of drivers will drop badly.

Those days were more worth it to drive and take the risk but not anymore.

Uber Delhi ban surge pricing

They might do it here.

110% agree with you. I had the experience with uber support and they dont care shit about partners. Responds are standard SOP (e.g:Uber Support:I am also glad to say that the customers had given many wonderful lines of feedback for you. I really appreciate your professionalism that you want to give better service to the customer. Uber take pride in having valuable partner-driver like you.

In the meanwhile, Uber highly values the feedback of its partners and we take what you're saying very seriously. As a growing company, we are constantly seeking ways to better enhance the Uber experience from driver's perspectives.

We appreciate your thoughtfulness and taking the time to write to us. We will evaluate your feedback internally.) Recieved this type of respond 3 times where they just copy and paste.What they care is the rider satisfaction. Partners are just like garbage, they come and go.

We are just like a contractor and they will say they only manage the app and any shit is the Contractors fault!

This post has been edited by ~hunter~: Apr 28 2016, 07:59 PM

They dont have any contacts, you can only complaint in Uber support. Their first respond is fast but aftr you replied, the next respond will be 1-2 days.

Only by email as i think to much complaint and they dont want to listen to ppl shouting.

Just send to Uber support say thank you we will be joining your competitor grabcar together with our friends. done deal.

If you have no life, then yes you cn do 3k a week but you will vomit blood if you want to consistently make 3k a week.

In the old days yes,bt newcomer pls do nt beleive u cn make 3k a week. Its all BS.