Comment by uptownfunk | Hacker News Reader

Comment by uptownfunk | Hacker News Reader

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You know what, I may get downvoted for this, but my take is you just can't stop these guys. They'll do whatever it takes to win. I probably spend around $2,000 USD on uber trips per month. And frankly, as much disturbing stuff I hear about these guys, Uber beats the heck out of renting a car in a snowy area (especially after having taken a red-eye to a client site). It also beats the crap out of taking a cab in most places, I usually have to navigate to where I want to go and the taxis aren't as clean or the drivers as friendly. They could double the price, and as long as my company reimbursed it, I'd still take it, because they've just got it down so well. Lyft and the other competitors suffer from availability issues, and the average time it takes for a driver to get to me on Uber is much less than the other ride shares. They've got their product down pat, it's so well designed. What I don't support however is their workplace attitude towards women (whom I applaud for coming out about it, takes guts.) It's made me rethink using the service a few times, but when you've got a product that good and such a demanding schedule, the (sad?) truth is that you'll take whatever little comforts you can that make your life that much easier.

I too was very reluctant to let go of uber for the same reasons. It's difficult to let go of what is clearly an outstanding product. I also have mixed feelings about Kalanick. I love how bold and aggressive he has been in going to war with ossified privilege and wish that more entrepreneurs had his balls. But when I read Susan’s blog, I thought to myself “this cannot go unpunished.” The toxic culture has to be corrected, not just at uber but everywhere it exists. Creating a world in which our daughters will not have to experience what Susan experienced is far more important than the convenience of a great app. Unfortunately, people do not genuinely change their deeply ingrained habits unless and until they reach a pain threshold which compels them to change their core values. Uber needs to feel that pain right now for the greater good of everyone including uber. So I deleted uber and switched to using Lyft and, so far, the experience has been surprisingly good. It seems that the engineers at Lyft have done a really great job as well. I have found that, as a general rule, making the decision to do what is right even when it is uncomfortable is always the decision that leads to greater happiness.

An outstanding product that seems unsustainable (I dont know, just reusing the average theory about Uber bubble) seems a lot like a drug. It accelerates everything, but it dries up it's own soil in the process.

"They could double the price, and as long as my company reimbursed it, I'd still take it"

Mmmkay

Right?

"As long as I don't have to pay, I don't care what the cost is! Wait, why is everyone looking at me all funny?"

I'm curious how one would spend $2000 on uber per month? For what group of people would that be typical?

I believe they mentioned business use. They are getting reimbursed by their employer.

At a guess: cross country sales travel. You could easily rack up 2 or 3 fairly long distance Uber trips / day doing that (Airport -> Hotel -> Client -> Airport to travel to the next client)

Consulting

I hear ya, but your assumptions are predicate on the quality and availability of Uber service remaining static if they increase their price, and I'm not sure if they can do that. (The current seemingly endless spigot of cost free tech investment capital is leading to some interesting unintended consequences).

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