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The whiff of MLM around the ride-share industry grows stronger by the day. I've talked to Uber/Lyft drivers who basically consider driving itself close to unsus

The whiff of MLM around the ride-share industry grows stronger by the day. I've talked to Uber/Lyft drivers who basically consider driving itself close to unsustainable (the pay just isn't very good) if they aren't also getting bonuses for others signing up with their code, which explains the mass of sites and YouTube channels that talk about Uber/Lyft and pitch signing up as a driver. Cargo seems kind of like an MLM scheme in the style of Amway or Mary Kay, and with a captive audience. So, pretty brilliant, but also pretty shady. That's not to say it's a terrible thing; drivers deserve to make a living, too, and I guess it'll add a few bucks to their monthly revenue. But, at some point it's kinda ridiculous. And, I don't want to take a ride where I'm being pitched on snacks and "essentials". Every human interaction really shouldn't be viewed as a marketing opportunity. But, I guess we get the world we deserve and are willing to pay for (I don't know what the better alternatives would look like in terms of transit).

andrei_says_ 9y ago
Unfortunately this will not help drivers make a living. It will make them work more and squeeze another level of profit through another level of exploitation. Also, I’d be curious about user testing this first. How many people enter a ride in a dire need for something? Thirdly, why can’t drivers sell things themselves and take 100% of the profit?
- SwellJoe 9y ago
  I suspect it's to allow easy payment, just like Lyft/Uber take away the payment problem. But, also maybe to give it some legitimacy, and make it seem like a "real" business rather than a flea market in a car...we Americans do like our big box stores and don't always love our mom and pop shops. I'm surprised it's not against the Uber/Lyft terms of service for drivers, and probably will be soon, if it makes money for Cargo. An obvious optimization of this model is making it so the price of any snacks or "essentials" you buy on your ride is just added to the cost of your ride. So, if I were an investor in Cargo, I'd be asking, "What are you going to do when (not if, again if this is profitable) Uber/Lyft start selling products during rides?" I've seen some drivers pitching their own businesses (i.e. mentions they're a DJ, or house painter, or handyman, or whatever, in casual conversation and has their card handy), but I've never seen one selling stuff directly in the car. I've heard some drivers give away stuff like water and what not, but I've never been in one of those cars. Maybe because I never take the fancy luxury Uber/Lyft services.

andrei_says_ 9y ago

Unfortunately this will not help drivers make a living. It will make them work more and squeeze another level of profit through another level of exploitation. Also, I’d be curious about user testing this first. How many people enter a ride in a dire need for something? Thirdly, why can’t drivers sell things themselves and take 100% of the profit?

SwellJoe 9y ago
I suspect it's to allow easy payment, just like Lyft/Uber take away the payment problem. But, also maybe to give it some legitimacy, and make it seem like a "real" business rather than a flea market in a car...we Americans do like our big box stores and don't always love our mom and pop shops. I'm surprised it's not against the Uber/Lyft terms of service for drivers, and probably will be soon, if it makes money for Cargo. An obvious optimization of this model is making it so the price of any snacks or "essentials" you buy on your ride is just added to the cost of your ride. So, if I were an investor in Cargo, I'd be asking, "What are you going to do when (not if, again if this is profitable) Uber/Lyft start selling products during rides?" I've seen some drivers pitching their own businesses (i.e. mentions they're a DJ, or house painter, or handyman, or whatever, in casual conversation and has their card handy), but I've never seen one selling stuff directly in the car. I've heard some drivers give away stuff like water and what not, but I've never been in one of those cars. Maybe because I never take the fancy luxury Uber/Lyft services.