Greetings,
As a semi-retired touring musician for over 30 years, I've been an Independent Contractor most of my adult life--with few exceptions. I've used the same accountant and business manager for 20 years, so I'm very familiar with the "grey area" that both Uber and Lyft operate under.
As an IC, I have certain guidelines (including service fees) that I follow, independent from the companies (or legal entities) I choose to work with.This means that as an IC, I can set my own return fees, damage fees, puke fees--whatever-- that both Uber and Lyft have nothing to do with--and technically, they are not legally obligated to offer such fees to us --AT ALL.
You bookies want to charge a $15 return item fee to deliver a lost item? Fantastic! Personally, I think you're selling yourselves a bit short - but hey, whatever. You must have some top-secret strategy that a dumb-dumb like me would never understand. You guys are so damn genius!
Oh, you want ME to do it? Outstanding.
I charge $50 within LA County,$100 to Ventura and Orange Counties and $200-$250 beyond that. And it's non-negotiable. Just like your 40% commissions! You know, I think you're really starting to rub one out - I MEAN- rub off on me.
Sorry.
First off, I ALWAYS do backseat spot checks when riders exit my vehicle. This eliminates most issues. Occasionally, I've had riders leave valuables in my car. When I get the call, I NEVER respond until at least 24 hours have passed. My first step upon item retrieval? I put on my LEATHER DRIVING GLOVES, power off the device and remove the SIM card (if applicable) and put the item safely into a plastic sandwich bag, labeling the owner's name for reference.
I contact the pax, (NEVER ADMITTING I HAVE THE ITEM) tell them I need to double-check the car for the property in question, informing them I'll confirm within 2 hrs. When I do, I state my service fees, endure the verbal abuse that usually follows, and then explain that the $15 Uber/Lyft has nothing to do with me or my business and if my fees aren't acceptable, I let them know that they're welcome to pick up their property at my local police station. They usually sigh in relief, call me a crook and then ask me where I live.
Barstow.
Remember guys, all these shady "Tech Companies" did was create an app for the smart phone. The hard part for them was done a long time ago. 90% of their business operations rely on us to make it work. They don't pay our car payments, insurance, gas, maintenance costs, phone bills, cleaning fees, medical insurance -WE DO! And with that, we can charge whatever we want when it comes to services we provide WITHOUT USE OF THEIR APPLICATION. NEVER ACCEPT their ridiculous $15 "compensation" fees!
UBER and LYFT did not "revolutionize" the transportation industry - we did. They're booking agents! That's all they are.
Make no mistake, these ego-inflated jokers are NOT our friends! And the next time Uber sends you to the Palasades only to cancel on a group of self-entitled, drunken teenagers who think YouTube and Porn careers are the fast-track to fame and fortune--send them an invoice.