New Startup Wants To Help Ride-sharing Companies Boost Convenience And Earn More
The next time that you need to go to the store to pick up some goods, the store might be coming to you.
One startup, known as Cargo, is looking to connect with ride-sharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, to turn their cars into mobile convenience stores. Cargo wants to take advantage and further monetize this method of travel by offering customers a chance to purchase things like water, gum, Advil, breath mints, energy drinks, granola bars, and more; from right there in the car.
Cargo has already been successful in raising almost $ 2 million in seed funding for their endeavor.
How it works...
The drivers are able to sign up with the company for free and after they do that they receive the mobile vending machine shop that they can put in their vehicle. The mobile shop is a custom display that holds the various snacks and things for sale.
On the front of that case is a URL and identification number that is going to be unique for every car. When a passenger is interested in purchasing something, they can go to the URL and enter the vehicle code, browse through the Cargo menu and then select what they want and checkout without having to use a credit card or mobile payment option.
The passenger finishes the transaction on their phone and once they have completed, the driver will be notified and then passes back the snacks to them.
The operation isn't just about offering customers more convenience in bringing the store to them either, this opportunity is also going to be beneficial for the drivers in providing them with another avenue to earn income, and they don't have to do anything different than they already were.
Drivers get paid per item rather than a percentage of the sales.
NYC-based Cargo says that they have been working with other companies to expand their list of options and to try and offer more samples and new items to the market. They've already partnered with brands like RXBAR, Mars-Wrigley, and Kellogg. For right now, they are operating in Boston, Chicago, and New York, but there are already plans to move to other areas. They've allegedly received requests from drivers in dozens of states.
The mobile vending machine that they've created is like an on-the-go minibar and not every item is for sale, some of the items are complimentary/free. The company says that in the coming years more consumers are going to have an increased amount of downtime spent in cars traveling and they want to try and grab the attention of this passenger economy.
It's estimated that for the drivers who take part in supplementing their income with the Cargo mobile shop, that they could earn anywhere between an extra $100-$300 per month, with the option for bonuses.
They can receive a $10 bonus after they sell 10 items in a week., they also receive a $50 bonus if they sell 100 items in a month. And if one driver refers another driver to get the Cargo shop for his own vehicle, then the referral could earn them another $20.
Passengers who buy the goods are also allowed to leave a review and rate for the product.
Pics:
Cargo via techcrunch.com/2017/07/20/cargo-wants-to-put-a-vending-machine-in-every-uber/
Pixabay
Cargo via techcrunch.com/2017/07/20/cargo-wants-to-put-a-vending-machine-in-every-uber/
Sources:
https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2017/08/30/cargo-turns-uber-into-a-mini-convenience-store.html
https://www.inc.com/sonya-mann/cargo-uber-lyft-vending-machines.html
https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/20/cargo-wants-to-put-a-vending-machine-in-every-uber/
http://www.csnews.com/industry-news-and-trends/competitive-watch/cargo-brings-rideshare-vending-more-markets
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Now people can just walk outside to an uber to grab their cigarettes instead of walking to the store thus making them unhealthier.
But in all seriousness this make sme think why arent uber drivers hustling by selling stuff like this to their customers they drive.
Anything to help transactions go faster or more secure will do great in this present and future. All about having time and money.
Is it 1999 again?left and right there are new projects and people rushing to do ico. This will end bad short term
That is amazing. I did Lyft for a month several years back and always had snacks & water for the customers. Like you said this could almost be a convince store on wheels. If someone needed and advil or a lightning cable, etc. the driver could just deliver one. If you have a larger car like a minivan you could hold quite a few more items too. Very interesting.
You will want to check what I just wrote!!!!! I am literally stepping out the door now but I thought of you!!!
Will be interesting to see how this turns out! Makes sense to bring small consumable items for sale to customers using ride sharing services. It's like the checkout isle at the store, only there's no one else around to judge your indulgences and with all those snacks just staring at you for a (most probably) lengthy period of time, I'm sure people will find them hard to resist! Thanks for sharing :)
I think this is a great idea!
Excellent advance for us, thanks for the information brother, a greeting from @joserc.vzla
Awesome
They should sell rubbers ... that'd make some decent bucks.