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eBay doesn't require any mandatory training, nor are eBay sellers compelled to make a minimum amount of listings. However, the biggest difference is this: eBay

eBay doesn't require any mandatory training, nor are eBay sellers compelled to make a minimum amount of listings. However, the biggest difference is this: eBay doesn't set prices. It charges fees to sellers for the use of its service, but doesn't dictate the price of the items you sell.

greggyb 11y ago
I agree on the pricing issue and I am still thinking about that (see reply to sibling for more thoughts there). >nor are eBay sellers compelled to make a minimum amount of listings. It is my understanding that an Uber driver can choose when and how often to drive for Uber. Looking through the other comments on this article, that seems to be a common understanding. If this is incorrect I'd love to know and see a source for it.
- amateurpolymath 11y ago
  From the article (EDIT: emphasis mine): "Uber screened and trained its drivers, and drivers could get deactivated by Uber for having their rating dip below what local managers set as a cut-off, for not accepting a certain percentage of trip requests, or for customer complaints.
  - subway 11y ago
    Trip requests only come in when the driver has marked themselves as available. Uber will often offer a guaranteed minimum for a given night if you mark yourself as available. The cut-off is to remove folks from the pool who sit at home declining rides while claiming to be available.
    - greggyb 11y ago
      This was my understanding (not to mention how the article reads). Thank you for clarifying. Not to be pedantic, but do you have a source handy that indicates this? I would just like to have one for reference.
      - subway 11y ago
        Unfortunately I'm not able to find a public source to confirm that. My information comes purely from knowing and hanging out with drivers.
  - greggyb 11y ago
    See sibling. The highlighted section would be equivalent (using my analogy from above), to eBay banning a seller who repeatedly offers items, but does not deliver them upon sale. You don't defraud eBay/customers by saying you have a good when you don't actually have it, and you don't defraud Uber/customers by saying you are available to drive when you actually aren't. You can choose when to offer an item for sale, and when you choose to be available to give rides for Uber.
ahallock 11y ago
eBay has other restrictions, though. For example, there are caps to how much you can sell when you start out. I think these companies should be allowed to set these types of restrictions to protect consumers. eBay doesn't set prices because it would be too onerous with the variation of items. It's more economical for them to have the market dictate pricing. Also, when I was a contractor using an agency to find work, I wasn't able to set my price for their clients. I'm fine with that because I traded my ability to set pricing for someone to find work for me.

greggyb 11y ago

I agree on the pricing issue and I am still thinking about that (see reply to sibling for more thoughts there). >nor are eBay sellers compelled to make a minimum amount of listings. It is my understanding that an Uber driver can choose when and how often to drive for Uber. Looking through the other comments on this article, that seems to be a common understanding. If this is incorrect I'd love to know and see a source for it.

amateurpolymath 11y ago
From the article (EDIT: emphasis mine): "Uber screened and trained its drivers, and drivers could get deactivated by Uber for having their rating dip below what local managers set as a cut-off, for not accepting a certain percentage of trip requests, or for customer complaints.
- subway 11y ago
  Trip requests only come in when the driver has marked themselves as available. Uber will often offer a guaranteed minimum for a given night if you mark yourself as available. The cut-off is to remove folks from the pool who sit at home declining rides while claiming to be available.
  - greggyb 11y ago
    This was my understanding (not to mention how the article reads). Thank you for clarifying. Not to be pedantic, but do you have a source handy that indicates this? I would just like to have one for reference.
    - subway 11y ago
      Unfortunately I'm not able to find a public source to confirm that. My information comes purely from knowing and hanging out with drivers.
- greggyb 11y ago
  See sibling. The highlighted section would be equivalent (using my analogy from above), to eBay banning a seller who repeatedly offers items, but does not deliver them upon sale. You don't defraud eBay/customers by saying you have a good when you don't actually have it, and you don't defraud Uber/customers by saying you are available to drive when you actually aren't. You can choose when to offer an item for sale, and when you choose to be available to give rides for Uber.

ahallock 11y ago

eBay has other restrictions, though. For example, there are caps to how much you can sell when you start out. I think these companies should be allowed to set these types of restrictions to protect consumers. eBay doesn't set prices because it would be too onerous with the variation of items. It's more economical for them to have the market dictate pricing. Also, when I was a contractor using an agency to find work, I wasn't able to set my price for their clients. I'm fine with that because I traded my ability to set pricing for someone to find work for me.