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We dive into several hot topics affecting gig workers today, from messaging customers during delays to the heated debate about electric versus gas vehicles for delivery work. A potential tax break on tips up to $25,000 is discussed, though we're still seeking confirmation on this exciting possibility.

• Exploring whether messaging customers during restaurant delays affects tips and ratings
• Debating the most efficient strategy between deliveries: park and wait or drive to busier areas
• Examining the economics of electric vehicles for gig work and why they face resistance
• Sharing common driver pet peeves, including speakerphone calls and last-minute arrivals
• Investigating a new service called Gig Shield that offers a points system for vehicle maintenance

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Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

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The tightrope between platform profits and driver welfare grows more precarious as Uber's CEO suggests tipping should be based on service quality, not necessity.

• Only 20% of Uber riders tip compared to an estimated 90% for food delivery
• Seattle implements groundbreaking 14-day notice requirement before driver deactivation, despite DoorDash's $3 billion quarterly revenue
• Milwaukee driver strike fails when protesters block other drivers from working, resulting in police intervention
• Waymo expands to offer driverless rides to teens 14-17, potentially offering parents peace of mind about driver safety
• Instacart introduces "priority delivery" in as fast as 30 minutes and "no rush delivery" for cost-conscious consumers
• Sleepwalking woman discovers she ordered just a honey mustard sauce from DoorDash at 1 AM
• Fight between Uber driver and Atlanta sports reporter escalates to physical violence after disagreement about air conditioning
• Baltimore driver claims to have driven for rideshare platforms in all 50 states over three years

Join our Telegram group to connect with gig workers around the world. Support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/thegigeconomypodcast to access exclusive content and live sessions following each episode.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Is an opinion platform hosted by Marvin “Truth” Davis. My life and career...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

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Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo

Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast

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The gig economy presents unique challenges for workers navigating safety concerns, rider expectations, and platform transparency across DoorDash, Uber, and specialized rideshare services.

• Taking the DoorDash safety survey which claims 99.99% of deliveries occur without incident
• Exploring the in-app safety tools most dashers never use or don't know about
• Revealing personal lifetime earnings of $5,896 across 739 DoorDash deliveries
• Examining the shift toward more "shop and deliver" orders rather than food delivery
• Discovering "Just Her Ride Share," a women-only rideshare service operating in the Carolinas
• Debating whether Uber drivers are obligated to keep trunk space available for passengers
• Discussing vehicle cleanliness standards and how they impact the rider experience

Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to The Shift Hustle Show where I help you own the hustle and navigate the plot twists.

Support the show

Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related:

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Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo

Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast

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Returning from a Nashville meetup, the team shares wild stories of plastic horse racing, bar games, and questionable Uber experiences, while diving into significant developments in the gig economy.

News Links from Ep 258

• Nashville meetup featured a plastic horse racing game, bar gambling, and friendly socializing
• Jason reaps profits from the weekend games while Faith organizes an entertaining scavenger hunt
• Several Uber drivers encountered during the trip had dirty cars, no AC, or falsely claimed to be deaf
• Jason recounts a $175 Traverse City run that required negotiation with Curri
• New York Taxi Commission now requires rideshare companies to give 72 hours' notice before driver lockouts
• An impostor Uber driver in Florida convinced a passenger to switch seats before being caught by police
• Uber Eats customer service quality has drastically declined since the platform's early days
• Atlanta becomes the fourth city to implement robot deliveries for Uber Eats
• Direct cash deals between riders and drivers pose significant insurance risks despite financial benefits
• A DoorDash driver refuses to deliver Plan B medication, raising questions about gig worker discretion

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Is an opinion platform hosted by Marvin “Truth” Davis. My life and career...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related:

Download the audio podcast

Newsletter

Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo

Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast

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Tesla Robotaxis Launch in Texas 🚗 | DoorDash Driver Tells Customer to ‘Choke on It’ 😱

Links from Ep 257

The future of gig work is transforming with autonomous vehicles gaining momentum and companies seeking new ways to increase profits at drivers' expense. We discuss how these changes will impact drivers across the country and what strategies workers can use to adapt.

• Waymo has applied for a permit to test autonomous vehicles in New York City despite strict regulations
• DoorDash driver likely got deactivated after leaving a note saying "hope you choke on it" when unhappy with order compensation
• Drone delivery for food orders shows impressive stability with minimal spillage despite landing challenges
• Walmart is testing "dark stores" (customer-free warehouses) to speed up delivery preparation and efficiency
• A Columbia Business School study confirms Uber has increased its take rate from 32% to 42% (sometimes over 50%) through algorithmic pricing
• Tesla has launched robotaxis in Austin priced at just $4.20 per ride, raising questions about long-term sustainability
• Uber is launching new ad formats in their app and across other platforms to create additional revenue streams
• Market Wagon offers an alternative gig opportunity with guaranteed pay via paper

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Is an opinion platform hosted by Marvin “Truth” Davis. My life and career...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related:

Download the audio podcast

Newsletter

Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo

Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast

The Gig Economy Podcast Group. Download Telegram 1st, then click on the link to join.

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The Shift Hustle Show breaks down DoorDash safety, Spark updates, and platform perks you probably missed.

The Shift Hustle Show debuts with host Jason breaking down new features and updates across major gig economy platforms to help drivers maximize earnings and improve their experience. Safety kits, rewards programs, and policy changes from DoorDash, Uber, and Spark are explored while revealing hidden perks many drivers don't know about.

• DoorDash is offering $20 off safety kit bundles that include a Birdie alarm and branded merchandise
• Uber is sending notifications about vehicle recalls and implementing a tiered rewards system (Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond)
• DoorDash's new Platinum Pass allows drivers to bank "free weeks" of status to use during vacations
• Spark delivery is changing its Round Robin offer system to prioritize customer ratings over parking lot proximity
• Background checks are being conducted regularly by platforms as a safety measure
• Many drivers are missing valuable app perks like roadside assistance and cash back on gas purchases
• Future shows will explore individual apps in-depth weekly

Join me next Monday at 7pm Eastern for more tips and insights! Send questions to team@gigeconomyshow.com, and I'll research answers to help everyone earn more money on these platforms.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related:

Download the audio podcast

Newsletter

Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo

Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast

The Gig Economy Podcast Group. Download Telegram 1st, then click on the link to join.

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Waymo Prices Skyrocket & Riders Shrug 🤷 | DoorDash Driver Turns Car Into a Mobile Microwave 🍕| Ep 256

Links from Ep 256

Mo from Mo Side Hustles on TikTok joins the podcast to discuss the latest in gig work, including Waymo's pricing strategy, surprising DoorDash statistics, and a viral delivery driver story.

• Market Wagon provides a guaranteed income alternative to app-based gigs with farm-to-table deliveries
• Mo finds Uber Eats profitable in her area with high-paying quests despite GPS navigation issues
• Waymo charges about $10 more per ride than Uber/Lyft but customers still pay for the novelty of driverless cars
• A DoorDash driver with mobility issues went viral, resulting in a GoFundMe raising over $21,000
• 50% of DoorDash drivers are women, challenging common assumptions about delivery worker demographics
• Only 8% of gig workers operate full-time, while 92% use platforms as supplementary income
• Amazon Flex and Roadie offer alternative high-paying opportunities for those willing to strategize for surge pricing
• A Waymo vehicle's failure to yield to emergency vehicles demonstrates ongoing safety concerns with autonomous vehicles

To join the Gig Economy community conversation, check out our Telegram group, follow us on Patreon at patreon.com/

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Is an opinion platform hosted by Marvin “Truth” Davis. My life and career...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related:

Download the audio podcast

Newsletter

Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo

Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast

The Gig Economy Podcast Group. Download Telegram 1st, then click on the link to join.

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We would love to hear your feedback!

Keep Your Hands Out of Your Pants While Delivering! | Faith gets salty at Rude Customer | Ep 255

Episode show links

We explore the evolving world of gig work through strange customer interactions, technological advances, and bizarre delivery mishaps that define the modern delivery landscape.

• Faith, one of our super fans, responds to a rude customer by correcting their delivery instructions about a yellow fire hydrant they insisted was red
• Navigating the challenges of alcohol deliveries, including dealing with absent customers and mandatory ID verification requirements
• Exploring Walmart's partnership with Wing to expand drone deliveries to 100 new stores, with drones capable of cruising at 65mph
• Discussing the awkward "hands in pants" controversy caught on a customer's doorbell camera
• Analyzing communication barriers with non-verbal delivery drivers and the challenges they create
• Examining Lyft's new safety features including PIN verification, worry-free cancellations, and audio recording capabilities

Check us out at gigeconomyshow.com where you can find everything related to the podcast. Support us on Patreon for exclusive content including an extra podcast each week, pre-show banter, and ad-free episodes at patreon.com/thegigecpodcast.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Is an opinion platform hosted by Marvin “Truth” Davis. My life and career...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Everything Gig Economy Podcast Related:

Download the audio podcast

Newsletter

Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver!

Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo

Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Patron. Tier #2 we offer free merch, an Extra in-depth podcast per month, and an NSFW pre-show https://www.patreon.com/thegigeconpodcast

The Gig Economy Podcast Group. Download Telegram 1st, then click on the link to join.

TikTok

Subscribe on Youtube