Uber just settled a claim filed by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) forcing them to pay $20 million and alter various business practices including misleading their own drivers on how much they would make driving for Uber.
Uber apparently had inflated its hourly drivers' earnings in its ads in order to attract drivers to its company. But once Drivers started to receive their paychecks, they discovered that their actual earnings were substantially less than Uber claimed. Additionally, Uber's vehicle solutions program, which helped drivers find vehicles to lease or own, advertised the "best financing options available." Yet, drivers who leased through the platform received worse rates than customers with the same credit score would typically obtain.
According to the FTC, many consumers sign up to drive for Uber, but they shouldn’t be taken for a ride about their earnings potential or the cost of financing a car through Uber. The company is now barred from misrepresenting drivers' earnings and financing and lease terms for its vehicle leasing terms.
While this settlement may put millions of dollars back in Uber drivers’ pockets, the real issue is how long are the Uber drivers going to allow themselves to be taken advantage of. Uber claims to be the best option for anyone looking to earn money on their own schedule, but the reality is that they control your every move and in the long run, that are going to seal your own fate. It is public knowledge that Uber wants and is in the process of creating a driverless vehicle….and they will eventually get it. When that happens, a large part of the competition will be eliminated and you will be left with no job because they will not need you any longer. All you will have been left with is the forms to fill out to get unemployment….and I am sure Uber will fight you on that too. Don’t be fooled. Uber is not the company you should be driving for. Go and stay with a car service that has been around for decades, knows how to treat its customers and respects its drivers. To accept anything less, is not fair to you. The drivers of New York City deserve better.