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From another news source, this has knock on effects for VAT.. > As a supplier of a transport service, Uber may be liable for value-added-tax, or VAT, imposed o

From another news source, this has knock on effects for VAT.. > As a supplier of a transport service, Uber may be liable for value-added-tax, or VAT, imposed on businesses that supply goods and services. I can't imagine the stress, even if alot of it is self induced, that the company is under right now. You have to feel some level of empathy for the company's employees. Most of them probably came from other well paying jobs and were already counting their option payouts int heir heads. It's easily conceivable at this point that Uber could IPO well under its $50+ billion private valuation. Top things I would do even though I'm wildly unqualified to give Travis advice.......... 1) Drop self driving cars completely. YOu aren't getting there first, second, or anywhere close to third, just partner with a car company and call it a day. 2) Settle Google's lawsuit, hopefully 1 will help 3) Hire a new CEO, Sheryl Sandberg is almost certainly not available but someone who can show that change will and is happening internally.

TeMPOraL 9y ago
> You have to feel some level of empathy for the company's employees. Most of them probably came from other well paying jobs and were already counting their option payouts int heir heads. I'm trying to, but as you said, a lot of it is self-inflicted. In fact, it's been extremely clear for many years now that Uber is a morally bankrupt company, so it's hard to say anything but "what goes around, comes around".
Retric 9y ago
I don't use Taxi much, but my actual experience has been better with Taxi than Uber. Granted, I suspect many people feel differently, but other than the giant VC funded subsidy, which goes away at peak times, there does not seem to be much recommending Uber over calling a Cab.
Apocryphon 9y ago
Marissa Mayer isn't doing anything right now... Most of them probably came from other well paying jobs and were already counting their option payouts int heir heads. Uber doesn't skimp on talent, so most of those employees will likely be able to get new, better jobs, elsewhere. Lyft, perhaps. And even before all of these scandals, it sounded like Uber mgmt. forged some bad golden handcuffs that would screw their employees' option payouts: https://www.quora.com/Uber-in-2015-How-do-most-Uber-employees-sell-their-stock-shares https://www.quora.com/Uber-in-2015-How-do-most-Uber-employee...
thesimon 9y ago
>1) Drop self driving cars completely. YOu aren't getting there first, second, or anywhere close to third, just partner with a car company and call it a day. And lose all investors.
qsymmachus 9y ago
> It's easily conceivable at this point that Uber could IPO well under its $50+ billion private valuation. It's almost like stock options are monopoly money 99.9% of the time
zem 9y ago
> . You have to feel some level of empathy for the company's employees. Most of them probably came from other well paying jobs and were already counting their option payouts int heir heads. how many of those employees thought the drivers were getting a good deal under uber?
mbesto 9y ago
> 1) Drop self driving cars completely. YOu aren't getting there first, second, or anywhere close to third, just partner with a car company and call it a day. You realize that it's literally impossible to become profitable if they don't have self driving cars, right?
- chollida1 9y ago
  > You realize that it's literally impossible to become profitable if they don't have self driving cars, right? I think the burden of proof is significantly on your side for this claim. I'm confused as to why you think that partnering with a car company won't work. I mean, if your statement is true then Uber is worth zero if you believe they won't be able to manufacture their own self driving car, and I don't see anyone credible who believes they will. All the analysts I see point to htem partnering with someone, which is what I suggested:)
  - mbesto 9y ago
    > I'm confused as to why you think that partnering with a car company won't work. It would significantly devalue the company if they can't. What value would Uber actually provide then? How hard would it be for Lyft to just do the same thing then?
- vidarh 9y ago
  There are plenty of profitable companies providing taxi services you can order via an app
  - TeMPOraL 9y ago
    Not Uber, however. They seem to be either betting on the self-driving to pull them out of the borrowing hole, or at least they use it to make VCs keep giving them money they use to subsidize their rides.
whazor 9y ago
What?! Are they not paying VAT? That is unheard of in Europe.

TeMPOraL 9y ago

> You have to feel some level of empathy for the company's employees. Most of them probably came from other well paying jobs and were already counting their option payouts int heir heads. I'm trying to, but as you said, a lot of it is self-inflicted. In fact, it's been extremely clear for many years now that Uber is a morally bankrupt company, so it's hard to say anything but "what goes around, comes around".

Retric 9y ago

I don't use Taxi much, but my actual experience has been better with Taxi than Uber. Granted, I suspect many people feel differently, but other than the giant VC funded subsidy, which goes away at peak times, there does not seem to be much recommending Uber over calling a Cab.

Apocryphon 9y ago

Marissa Mayer isn't doing anything right now... Most of them probably came from other well paying jobs and were already counting their option payouts int heir heads. Uber doesn't skimp on talent, so most of those employees will likely be able to get new, better jobs, elsewhere. Lyft, perhaps. And even before all of these scandals, it sounded like Uber mgmt. forged some bad golden handcuffs that would screw their employees' option payouts: https://www.quora.com/Uber-in-2015-How-do-most-Uber-employees-sell-their-stock-shares https://www.quora.com/Uber-in-2015-How-do-most-Uber-employee...

thesimon 9y ago

>1) Drop self driving cars completely. YOu aren't getting there first, second, or anywhere close to third, just partner with a car company and call it a day. And lose all investors.

qsymmachus 9y ago

> It's easily conceivable at this point that Uber could IPO well under its $50+ billion private valuation. It's almost like stock options are monopoly money 99.9% of the time

zem 9y ago

> . You have to feel some level of empathy for the company's employees. Most of them probably came from other well paying jobs and were already counting their option payouts int heir heads. how many of those employees thought the drivers were getting a good deal under uber?

mbesto 9y ago

> 1) Drop self driving cars completely. YOu aren't getting there first, second, or anywhere close to third, just partner with a car company and call it a day. You realize that it's literally impossible to become profitable if they don't have self driving cars, right?

chollida1 9y ago
> You realize that it's literally impossible to become profitable if they don't have self driving cars, right? I think the burden of proof is significantly on your side for this claim. I'm confused as to why you think that partnering with a car company won't work. I mean, if your statement is true then Uber is worth zero if you believe they won't be able to manufacture their own self driving car, and I don't see anyone credible who believes they will. All the analysts I see point to htem partnering with someone, which is what I suggested:)
- mbesto 9y ago
  > I'm confused as to why you think that partnering with a car company won't work. It would significantly devalue the company if they can't. What value would Uber actually provide then? How hard would it be for Lyft to just do the same thing then?
vidarh 9y ago
There are plenty of profitable companies providing taxi services you can order via an app
- TeMPOraL 9y ago
  Not Uber, however. They seem to be either betting on the self-driving to pull them out of the borrowing hole, or at least they use it to make VCs keep giving them money they use to subsidize their rides.

whazor 9y ago

What?! Are they not paying VAT? That is unheard of in Europe.