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What I don't understand is why the free market doesn't correct for this. If Uber drivers make less than what they need, they'd stop driving for Uber, causing so

What I don't understand is why the free market doesn't correct for this. If Uber drivers make less than what they need, they'd stop driving for Uber, causing some kind of price correction, no? (BTW, I'm no fan of Uber, but I don't understand how Uber is to blame here.)

dkonofalski 9y ago
Uber isn't the one to blame here. The whole story is ridiculous.
frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago
Why do you think the "free market" would correct for "what they need"? The free market doesn't care about what anyone needs.
- sharemywin 9y ago
  the market isn't free. Uber and Lyft are basically the only game in town for below minimum wage.
bmh_ca 9y ago
Uber is clearly the best option these people believe they have. Knowledge is not perfect, and efficiency is not instant.
- sharemywin 9y ago
  because there is very little wage competition below minimum wage.
- zeroxfe 9y ago
  Yes, I agree, and I see that these cases are clearly outliers -- nevertheless, it doesn't seem reasonable to blame Uber for this.
  - sharemywin 9y ago
    They're exploiting loopholes(and that's a generous stretch) in employment laws.
  - bmh_ca 9y ago
    I agree that this is not Uber's fault. I was only tackling the "why the free market doesn't correct" aspect. On that point: The free market is not obligated to correct for the lack of demand for humans.
buckbova 9y ago
The argument they're making is at one point the drivers were making more money and could afford to buy a new vehicle or whatever. Then because of fare reductions and therefore reductions in pay they're now saddled with debt and can't afford housing.
- jcslzr 9y ago
  that sounds like 80% of the population, not only Uber drivers
sharemywin 9y ago
Uber doesn't offer a job, they are considered a contactors. As a contractor you can't collect unemployment, you don't get minimum wage and you're responsible for collecting your own taxes. It's not much different than MLM schemes they offer the world, but in the end most false promises.

dkonofalski 9y ago

Uber isn't the one to blame here. The whole story is ridiculous.

frgtpsswrdlame 9y ago

Why do you think the "free market" would correct for "what they need"? The free market doesn't care about what anyone needs.

sharemywin 9y ago
the market isn't free. Uber and Lyft are basically the only game in town for below minimum wage.

bmh_ca 9y ago

Uber is clearly the best option these people believe they have. Knowledge is not perfect, and efficiency is not instant.

sharemywin 9y ago
because there is very little wage competition below minimum wage.
zeroxfe 9y ago
Yes, I agree, and I see that these cases are clearly outliers -- nevertheless, it doesn't seem reasonable to blame Uber for this.
- sharemywin 9y ago
  They're exploiting loopholes(and that's a generous stretch) in employment laws.
- bmh_ca 9y ago
  I agree that this is not Uber's fault. I was only tackling the "why the free market doesn't correct" aspect. On that point: The free market is not obligated to correct for the lack of demand for humans.

buckbova 9y ago

The argument they're making is at one point the drivers were making more money and could afford to buy a new vehicle or whatever. Then because of fare reductions and therefore reductions in pay they're now saddled with debt and can't afford housing.

jcslzr 9y ago
that sounds like 80% of the population, not only Uber drivers

sharemywin 9y ago

Uber doesn't offer a job, they are considered a contactors. As a contractor you can't collect unemployment, you don't get minimum wage and you're responsible for collecting your own taxes. It's not much different than MLM schemes they offer the world, but in the end most false promises.