₦airaland Forum

TheCar:
You are absolutely correct sir.

Both side of the business chain is important but the Money (Customer) side is far more important.

But for a platform like Uber, just like any other platforms you need to strike a balance between the two side.

New entrants into the business are luring car owners and drivers with 0% because you need the cars, drivers before you get the customers to come on board.

You pamper them, make them comfortable on your platform, them you start chasing the money side - Customers.

Now you make your money (As a platform) from the vendors, in this case car owners or drivers by charging a fee (Commission) to use your platform.

Every platform protect its customers. Without them or the money, you can't make profit or your vendors happy.

This simple business model is applicable to most businesses done on this thread.

If you get it right, you smile to the bank.

So your role as a platform owner is to strike a balance between your vendors and customers.

Gbam

TheCar:
This is one of the major challenge every business building a platform face.

Facebook, Instagram, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Nairaland, LindaIkejiBlog, WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, Jumia, Konga, Uber, Taxify etc.

Who come first?

The Chicken or The Egg?

The Vendor or The Customer?

I do agree they are both important. To be fair, it is not easy to get either vendors or customers.
But the customer is king, not because he can't be wrong, but because, Dearly beloved, he is the reason we are all gathered here today.
In my own business, the revenue source is most important and must be carefully protected.
The vendor comes a very close second.

ameristu:
It is now clear that partners are the most important piece in this business than the drivers because a partner owner can decide not to give his car to any driver and drive himself on his free time, whereas a driver without a car can never drive himself if the partner doesn't give him a car.

It is now a normal thing for drivers to act sober when collecting the car and change afterwards collecting the car by talking to you the way they never did before collecting the car.

I think the riders are the most important. That is where the money is coming from. If you could canvas for one of these three stakeholders, who would you want more of; partners (more cars), drivers (more workers) or riders (more revenue)?

kneo:
Thanks for this prayer. God is indeed blessing the work of my hands.
I now partially own a Toyota Camry 2005
How?

Picked a rider from Ikeja GRA to Surulere.
I commented on how I thought he was a female from his soft voice over the phone. We got talking: e hailing, business etc. He saw a Toyota corolla 2000 model on the other lane and started gushing about how he loves that car. He intends selling one of his cars to get that. How it is portable and very economical and fits into his daily waka. I quickly chipped in 'what car do you intend selling'? Big daddy, he replied. I am interested
To cut the story short, the car is parked in my house now. My car.
There are angels moving around to bless you. Try to recognize them when you meet them.
The man is a barrister. I still owe him 100k and he has given me up to September to pay him at my convenience. Gotten on a platter of gold

This is great, well done.

chucsmoore:
Good Advice. Offline has always been my Major cash cow. The secret of getting it consistently is exceptional customer service. Before the year runs out ehailing will be over saturated. You need to go to Uber and Taxify inspection center and see d way cars are trooping in for registration. It’s really very very competitive now. Those who will survive d heat will survive, that’s only if they know their way. And the ratio of riders to drivers another big issue affecting the business now. Imagine 20 drivers on a spot waiting to get request from 3 riders who are going to use d app for d day. And also d introduction of Taxify and Lite is seriously another problem. Lite get more trips than Regular Taxify. Cos majority of riders would prefer cheaper price. I think Taxify should combine Lite and Regular one at a good price suitable for drivers and riders, And also advertise more to bringing more riders on d platform. This will definitely improve the d situation on ground.

Rideshare platforms don't have to perform any big magic to increase their customer base.
Imagine that you could request for a ride with a USSD code.
Dial *8237# to get an Uber.
Imagine how many new customers that would capture. That should more than double user base immediately.
Of course there will be bugs, but none more than what we have now.
They need to INNOVATE.

Requests are thinning out, this is no longer a matter of survival of the fittest, it is now survival of the fittest AND smartest. Even fit drivers are feeling the pinch, and are shouting it loud.
So is it that the smart + hardworking ones are quiet because they are making money?

We have heard of drivers getting 2 trips after being online all day, that right there is a hardworking driver . He stayed online for 12 hours, he was willing to work. But only 2 "jobs" came his way.


There are many cars on the platform now, it is apparent. Competition is now very stiff. The ever-growing pot of drivers are all struggling for this same tepid, stagnant pool of riders. (I even believe Taxify is currently doing more to get new passengers on board than Taxify).

My people have a saying about how it is easier for the whole village to cook for one person, than for one person to cook for the whole village.

Drivers need to begin differentiating themselves by the service they offer.
I believe to survive, drivers need to begin thinking out of the box on how to attract offline trips.
Take that stagnant pool of riders and turn it into an active group of off line passengers.

Offlines trips usually pay better than online ones even minus the percentage fee of the rideshare platforms.
Tap from Uber and Taxify's large customer base. Let the village cook for you.
That way, you only log onto the apps when you are trying to convert new offline customers to your service. You only need about 5-10 sure customers to start raking in serious cash. If you pick 300 people a month, you should at least be able to convert 2 of those every month.

At 2,000 per hour, booking 5-10 hours a day will net you way more than online trips, way less overhead costs, a much better and personalised experience with your riders. Even, more time for yourself.

The choice is finally finally with you, not the market.
INNOVATE.

Available resources for protecting your Uber business:

1.Guide to Uber 2.03 : The 2nd edition book for Partners and Drivers who want to learn how to register and make money with Uber. The book contains all you need to know.

2.Partner-Driver rental agreement template : A rental agreement template that lays out relationship between car owner and renter.
This document protects both parties.

3. Partner-Driver hire purchase agreement template : A hire purchase agreement template that lays out relationship between Car Owner and hirer.
This document protects both parties.

4.Guarantor form : A guarantor form to provide your driver with for verifying his/her guarantor.


We can also write a feasibility study particularly tailored to your investment needs.


To buy the Guide to Uber 2.03 book, or any documents you may need for protecting your ride share investments.
Go to our store www.taxiappguy.com
or get it on Whatsapp 08186473185

For Partners only: Do you want to register your car on Uber? Register your Uber account here.
Or chat us up on whatsapp and we will register your Uber account and upload your documents absolutely free of charge (This option is for Lagos Partners only).

Cheers
Taxi App Guy

deedee44:
Taxify will not see this now and support the driver, if it was the other way round they will be the first to carry it on their head and start shouting we have blocked the driver, we will investigate, we will hand him over to blah blah blah..... Stewpeed people

Their lawyers have taken up the case from what I hear.

princemillla:
You should go for biometric capture then wait for it to be approved.

Correct

dru23:
I have some oil coming this week all USA spec. I have castrol full synethic and mobil oil full synethic.. For high end cars like your BMW.. I plan on bringing USA spec Castrol edge 5w30 and 5w20.. Keep in mind all these are USA spec ..made in the USA.. Do your research .. Read the oil cab it should tell you .. I also Google it .. Castrol edge 5w30.. For the safety of your car bro use what the manufacture advice.. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish ..those cars are very sensitive, once the engine start messing up , u are in trouble.. I will have the edge soon nxt month ending usa spec 5quarts for 22500k .. Be on the look out

Um, sounds good enough to drink.

Nicely done

If you are a driver and you would like to work with us, send us a whatsapp if you fit the criteria below.

Here are our driver requirements;

No Security Deposit required.
2 guarantors who work in a reputable and verifiable organization.
35,000 weekly remittance.
Driving experience required with proof.
Must live in a safe, easily accessible environment.

There is a ZERO defaulting - ZERO damage policy attached to this agreement. Only drivers who know they can deliver are advised to contact.

Here is what we offer;

Driver Roadside Assistance.
Weekly Incentive Program.
Detailed Fuel-Economy reports (including MPG ratio and much more).
Full Maintenance and Servicing.

Whatsapp, don't call.

It's becoming more obvious that we need a rideshare stakeholders Union. For partners and drivers.

0ubenji:
u can modify your post to add that detail for clarity sakes.

Done, thanks.

ifyeez:
Am not blaming the woman, if ur property is missing from the whole incident, the driver is the first suspect coz he stopped. I blame the Sarz I'd!ots that torture somebody as a form of investigation.

It has happened to me before, I took a rider from Maryland going to gbagada ifeko, when I started the trip he asked if I knew gbagada very well, I said No coz I hardly go to that place because of the constant traffic at that deeper life church side, we got to deeper life,
the google map was misbehaving we had to ask somebody the road to ifeko, the guy directed us, buh am not sure the guy knew what he was saying so I ignored his direction and continued with my misbehaving map, suddenly the rider started shouting that am going the wrong way from what the guy said, I said bros I knw, that guy doesn't know what his saying, so I stopped and asked another person, so we got to a place I became confused, I had to use my map, the rider started shouting that I shouldn't worry that when we get to our destination he will rate me poorly
We couldn't say anything again since he already made up his mind.
So I got there and ended the trip, he said I should wait so he will request me again to take him and his pal to Eco Hotel, I heard Eco Hotel I couldn't say no, so I waited.
He and his pal came with lots of luggage, bads and laptop printer etc.
We got to Eco Hotel I ended trip helped them offload there stuffs and left, becos of the stress and headache that dude gave me on the first trip and it was raining, so I decided to go home.
On my way home close to my house, this dude called me that I should check my car for his laptop and printer, I stopped and check n saw nothing, I called him to tell him there was no laptop n printer in my car, he started shouting again that is in my car, that I should bring it back or he report me to Taxify for theft, I told him bros am very sure I offloaded ur laptop and printer at Eco Hotel my self with ur luggage, he was still shouting and saying I should come back to Eco Hotel, I told him I can't that am done for the day plus the heavy rain too.
He just said don't worry I will hear from Taxify, I said okay am waiting on taxify.
I called him that he should request for Eco Hotel CCTV, he will see when I brought out his laptop for him, he said he has seen the video that I did not bring it out that am lying
because am so sure I brought it out, I told him bros you're lying watch that video again. He cut the call on my ear n said I should wait on Taxify. Me Okay

After 1 hour later he called to say that it was Eco Hotel security that was with it, that he doesn't know the guy intention, I wanted to tell him thunder will fire him for accusing me, buh he cut the call before I could talk back.

I just said you're lucky I'd!ot

To be honest, I don't agree with your first line. Why? Her property wasn't missing, it was misplaced. So, nobody to suspect but herself.

afroxyz:
Nigerians like to blame everyone but themselves

Human beings

Drivers and Car owners should begin to invest in dash cams. If you can't afford one, download SEAM from play store, it functions as a dash/ road cam. So you can see inside and outside, you can also capture voice. Drivers please stay safe.
Driving on rideshare is not a happy-go-lucky business.
I heard the Taxify lawyers have taken up the case.

jendordino:
I also have solution to the identified problems on the platform

Please share

MoonlightDrive:
Hope u plan to proffer some solutions to the various problems you have identified.

It's not my solution to find.
If it is, I will find it.

I personally believe Uber and Taxify are not doing enough to get customers in Nigeria.
And this is the beginning of all stakeholder's woes.
Granted, everyday; new riders are starting to use ride share as their preferred means of transportation. But also, a lot of drivers and owners have heard you can make some money on ride share, and they are signing up by the thousands monthly.
I don't know what revenue figures these companies are posting (although I have a feeling profits are increasing), but what I do know is that ever since the inception of ride share in Nigeria, earnings have been on a steady decline.

Initially it was that you could make 100,000 per week. Of course a good percentage of this was some sort of incentive or the other.
Requests were easier to find for drivers, this was not because there were so many riders but because the ratio of riders to vehicles was much lower than it is now.

When Uber came to Nigeria, there was a loud bang. Even though everybody heard of Uber at the same time; obviously riders got a head start on Partner-drivers. Think about this, for a rider to begin to use the app, all he had to do was download it and start using the service. A Partner-Driver on the other hand had to buy/own a duly registered vehicle, do an inspection, go through a training session and a test before they could start to use the app. Riders had a 1000 Naira entrance threshold into using the app, that same threshold was about 2,000,000 Naira for Partner-Drivers.

So very quickly, rider numbers swelled, and when partner-drivers began using the app the riders were waiting.
At that time Uber was all over the blogs, it was new so it was on everybody's social media timeline. People wanted to be the first to tell their friends about rideshare. The cool new way to get around.
But the novelty has long since worn off now, in fact in some cases, rideshare is beginning to get a bad rap among riders. You can go on social media to see how many negative reviews are starting to creep up on Uber and Taxify, despite their usually excellent service.

and, it's almost beginning to feel like demand is starting to out weigh supply.
When Uber first came, they had great programs for getting new users on board. There was the Uber brand ambassador program, there was their partner referral program, there were all sorts of incentives. He'll, everybody was talking about it. "Make 400,000 Naira per month with your car, signup on Uber!"
I still remember those days with a warm smile.
Uber stopped almost all of these except for partner referrals and one or two scattered incentives here and there that seem more like plastic gimmicks than true incentives.

No customer acquisition programs, no ads. Just a boring "Get 500 Naira discount upon registration" that nobody knows about.

Thankfully, I have begun seeing and hearing Uber adverts in Nigeria now. I still think they are missing that human, word-of-mouth feel that their old programs gave them, where your friends and family wanted you to use an Uber. But what do I know.
Please Uber especially (because you take 25% and hence should have a bigger marketing budget) a lot of us are depending on you getting your act right.

We are waaaaay more heavily invested in this than you are, we need the the realities to reflect this. You need to reinvest more of that money into customer acquisition. We need to see you actively trying to get us more customers.

You all need to pay extra focus on getting new riders especially if you insist on taking 25%(and 15%). There are too many vehicles on the platform and too little riders. If you do not work on getting new riders for your investors to feed on. It's your 25% they will start looking at next, and if they can't get a part of it, they will go to a platform that offers them more riders/earnings, Taxify, please take note.

If you all don't invest in more programs that will get us stakeholders more riders, someone else will.
This is not a shade or a sub, it's a piece of advice.

crossfire47:
Thanks a lot bro. I didn't even reason things this way in the first place. She called to negotiate a trip worth minimum of 5k yesterday (I was driving home then), agreed on fare, later she demanded I called her when I got home n was settled (this was like 11.50pm) got home n called back as agreed, that was when her intentions were made known. Babe Is a sex starved nympho n a 3some'ist, but as she cant afford a 3some, a one on one would fulfill her fantasies. One of my rules of thumb is to thoroughly scrutinize things that presents itself easily. Proverbs 7 6-27 reminded me of d consequences.,May God help us all.

Please invest in Protection, AND comprehensive insurance.

Gentlelife50:
Very correct, they were even busy advertising how female riders can hook up with their drivers.

Lol. Nigeria is a different kind of market. People do Uber for business and employment here. People don't drive their own cars, according to Uber's lofty dream of driving in your free time, almost like fun.
In other places, because you drive your car yourself, you are collecting all the profits and you are happy.
Here, Uber na work. The majority of vehicles are given to drivers. The pot has essentially been halved. Which means that here in Nigeria no party makes enough money except, the rideshare companies.
All I ask is do at least twice of the marketing what they do in other places. For companies their size, advertising is affordable in Nigeria. But of course it's more expensive than if you don't (want to) do it, obviously.
As long as they are not using autonomous cars, they absolutely need us, and in needing us they need to treat us better.
That or reduce the 25.

I personally believe Uber and Taxify are not doing enough to get customers in Nigeria.
And this is the beginning of all stakeholder's woes.
Granted, everyday; new riders are starting to use ride share as their preferred means of transportation. But also, a lot of drivers and owners have heard you can make some money on ride share, and they are signing up by the thousands monthly.
I don't know what revenue figures these companies are posting (although I have a feeling profits are increasing), but what I do know is that ever since the inception of ride share in Nigeria, earnings have been on a steady decline.

Initially it was that you could make 100,000 per week. Of course a good percentage of this was some sort of incentive or the other.
Requests were easier to find for drivers, this was not because there were so many riders but because the ratio of riders to vehicles was much lower than it is now.

When Uber came to Nigeria, there was a loud bang. Even though everybody heard of Uber at the same time; obviously riders got a head start on Partner-drivers. Think about this, for a rider to begin to use the app, all he had to do was download it and start using the service. A Partner-Driver on the other hand had to buy/own a duly registered vehicle, do an inspection, go through a training session and a test before they could start to use the app. Riders had a 1000 Naira entrance threshold into using the app, that same threshold was about 2,000,000 Naira for Partner-Drivers.

So very quickly, rider numbers swelled, and when partner-drivers began using the app the riders were waiting.
At that time Uber was all over the blogs, it was new so it was on everybody's social media timeline. People wanted to be the first to tell their friends about rideshare. The cool new way to get around.
But the novelty has long since worn off now, in fact in some cases, rideshare is beginning to get a bad rap among riders. You can go on social media to see how many negative reviews are starting to creep up on Uber and Taxify, despite their usually excellent service.

and, it's almost beginning to feel like demand is starting to out weigh supply.
When Uber first came, they had great programs for getting new users on board. There was the Uber brand ambassador program, there was their partner referral program, there were all sorts of incentives. He'll, everybody was talking about it. "Make 400,000 Naira per month with your car, signup on Uber!"
I still remember those days with a warm smile.
Uber stopped almost all of these except for partner referrals and one or two scattered incentives here and there that seem more like plastic gimmicks than true incentives.

No customer acquisition programs, no ads. Just a boring "Get 500 Naira discount upon registration" that nobody knows about.

Thankfully, I have begun seeing and hearing Uber adverts in Nigeria now. I still think they are missing that human, word-of-mouth feel that their old programs gave them, where your friends and family wanted you to use an Uber. But what do I know.
Please Uber especially (because you take 25% and hence should have a bigger marketing budget) a lot of us are depending on you getting your act right.

We are waaaaay more heavily invested in this than you are, we need the the realities to reflect this. You need to reinvest more of that money into customer acquisition. We need to see you actively trying to get us more customers.

You all need to pay extra focus on getting new riders especially if you insist on taking 25%(and 15%). There are too many vehicles on the platform and too little riders. If you do not work on getting new riders for your investors to feed on. It's your 25% they will start looking at next, and if they can't get a part of it, they will go to a platform that offers them more riders/earnings, Taxify, take note with your 15%.

If you all don't invest in more programs that will get us stakeholders more riders, someone else will.
This is not a shade or a sub, it's a piece of advice.

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Taxi App Guy,

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