4 ms·

Uber CEO investigated over allegations of fraud in price-fixing case

• Gabriel-Lewis 10y ago
  Unsavory business practices at Uber? No way...
• gmarx 10y ago
  How is it price fixing? Wouldn't he need to conspire with Lyft and the local taxi companies?
  • zaroth 10y ago
    The lawsuit alleges the price fixing is between Uber and Uber drivers. Of course it is obviously true that Uber sets the price for its drivers. I agree it's a bit odd. I think it's just an alternate play on the contractor vs. employee argument. Since Uber drivers are not employees I guess it's possible that anti-price-fixing statues might somehow apply. I would imagine that if drivers were employees then this line of attack would be bunk. It's ironic that, if anything, prices are being fixed below market rate, not above it.
    • gmarx 10y ago
      They also vary the pricing based on current supply and demand. So this implies that they automatically fix the price at a point in time for the small set of drivers who are registered with uber and 5-10 minutes away. They notify (I assume) "off duty" drivers nearby that the price has gone up and as more drivers get on the road they then re-fix the price for the small set of drivers who are 5-10 minutes away?
    • sharemywin 10y ago
      even with surge pricing.
    • sharemywin 10y ago
      Should independent drivers be able to set their own price? General contractors charge a fixed price then subcontract out so it seems like the same model to me.