Sunday, April 10, 2016

Uber Partner App Errors: General Troubleshooting Guide


You're ready to hit the road, but when you log in to the Uber Partner app, it is taking too long to load and afterwards throws an error "The request timed out". Isn't it frustrating?

Whenever you have a problem with your Uber device or app, don't panic. It's common for devices and apps to crash, especially those which uses heavy computing power or complex calculations like Uber Partner app. In this post, i'll guide you on the general troubleshooting steps for you to try in case you will encounter these errors in the future.

ERROR: The request timed out

1. Restart phone. This is the very basic step that you should not forget. It will soft reset both your device and app.
2. Turn Bluetooth off. Aside from draining your battery, this can interfere with your mobile network or signal. Leave bluetooth off if you are not using it.
3. Toggle Airplane Mode on/off (make sure it is turned off)
4. Toggle your mobile network on/off for at least 5 seconds.
     On iOS devices, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data
5. If there is still a problem, try resetting your network settings. (WARNING: this will reset all network info like saved WiFi passwords, preferred networks, etc.)
    On iOS devices, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings




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Friday, April 8, 2016

How to register your Uber business with BIR


BIR Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303) is one of the requirements in CPC application with LTFRB. So how to get it? Read below as I will outline the step by step procedure in getting the BIR Certificate of Registration. By the way, this is focused on Single Proprietorship (Uber Partner is an individual). Partnership or Corporations will differ.

Requirements
This is just to give you an idea of the requirements. Read through the step-by-step procedure below to know where and when these requirements are needed.
1. DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration
2. Barangay Business Clearance/Permit
3. Mayor's Permit
4. Filled up BIR Form 1901 (2 copies)
5. New Business Registration Seminar Certificate of Attendance
6. Sketch of Location of Business
7. Books of Accounts (General Journal & General Ledger)

Here are the steps that you need to do:

Step 1: Know your Revenue District Office (RDO). 

Requirements:
1. Tax Identification Number (TIN) of the Vehicle Owner

Your business must be registered in the correct RDO. For example, if your business is in Lapu Lapu City, you should register in RDO 80. But wait, before you can register your business in RDO 80, your TIN should be registered in RDO 80 first. If you don't know where your TIN is registered, just go to the RDO covering the location of your business and they will tell you if it's registered there or not. If it's in other RDO, you have to go to the owning RDO to request for transfer using BIR Form 1905.
 
There are 4 Revenue District Offices in the province of Cebu. Here they are:
  • Revenue District Office No. 80 - Mandaue City
    • Office Address: 3/F KRC Building, Highway, Mandaue City
      Area of Jurisdiction:
      Comprised of 3 cities: Mandaue City, LapuLapu City and Danao City with 24 municipalities, namely: Asturias, Balamban, Bantayan, Bogo, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Daanbantayan, Liloan, Madridejos, Medellin, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, San Remegio, Sta. Fe, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Tudela. The district shall be bounded as follows: on the South, by Subangdaku, Mandaue City. Crossing to the island of Mactan comprising of Lapulapu City and Municipality of Cordova from Mandaue City going north unitl Daanbantayan, Cebu. From Sogod, southwestward to Balamban, from San Remigio crossing to the island of Bantayan comprising of 3 municipalities, namely: Sta. Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos, from Danao City crossing to the island of Camotes comprising of 4 municipalities, namely: San Francisco, Poro, Tudela and Pilar.
  • Revenue District Office No. 81 - Cebu City North
    • Office Address: BIR Regional Office Building, Arch. Reyes Ave., Cebu City
      Area of Jurisdiction:
      Comprised of Barangays Adlaon, Agsungot, Apas, Babag, Bacayan, Banilad, Binaliw, Budla-an (Pob.), Busay (Pob.), Cambinocot, Capitol Site (Pob.), Carreta, Central Proper Pahina, Cogon Central Ramos, Dayas, Guba, Hipodromo, Kalunasan, Kamagayan, Kamputhaw, Kasambagan, Lahug (Pob.), Lorega (Lorega San Miguel), Lusaran, Luz, Mabini, Mabolo, Malubog, Paril, Pari-an, Pit-os, Pulangbato, Pung-ol-Sibugay, San Antonio (Pob.), San Jose, San Roque (Ciudad), Sapangdaku, Sinsin, Sirao, Sta. Cruz, Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Talamban, Taptap, Tejero (Villa Gonzalo), Tinago, T. Padilla and Zapatera. Cebu City is located along the eastern coast of Cebu Province. Due to the BIR redistricting, the city was divided into two namely; Cebu City North known as Revenue District No. 81 and Cebu City South known as District No. 82. Revenue District No. 81, Cebu City North, is strategically located along northern portion of Cebu City. It is situated beside the sea on its eastern portion where the North Reclamation Area, Cebu International Port Area, SM City, and Shipping industries are located. The opposite side, the western portion is bounded by barangay Lahug where Beverly Hills, Nivel Hills, Cebu Plaza Hotel can be found. On the southern part lies the Osmeña Blvd. (formerly Jones Ave.) that serve as boundary between this 2 districts. This street is traversing from Aduana (Bureau of Custom) up to Colon area reaching the Capitol building down to Guadalupe river. On the north is the Barangay Talamban with mountainous terrain where housing projects and plush subdivisions are presently undergoing constructions. The last barangays before Revenue District No. 80 Mandaue city are Banilad and Mabolo.This city can boast of its big collection from real estate business, shipping and Hotel & Restaurant business. Next to this line of business are the merchandising, banking and manufacturing business.
       
  • Revenue District Office No. 82 - Cebu City South
    • Office Address: Philwood Building, N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City
      Area of Jurisdiction:
      Cebu City South shall be comprised of all areas left/south of the center lines of Guadalupe River and the entire 2nd Congressional District of Cebu.

  • Revenue District Office No. 83 - Talisay, Cebu
    • Office Address: G/F Rosalie Building, Hi-way Tabunok, Talisay, Cebu City
      Area of Jurisdiction:
      Talisay City and South Cebu municipalities/cities

Note: You can do Steps 1 and 2 simultaneously as  Step 1 is not a requirement in Step 2.

Step 2: Secure Barangay Business Clearance/Permit

Requirements:
1. Cedula/CTC (photocopy)
2. DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration (photocopy)
3. Clearance Fee (~Php 300)

Bring the above documents to your respective barangay hall. Your barangay may require documents other than the listed above. You'll get the printed clearance in around one (1) hour.

Note: You can do Steps 1 and 2 simultaneously as Step 1 is not a requirement in Step 2.

Step 3: Secure Mayor's Permit

Requirements:
1. Cedula/CTC (photocopy)
2. DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration(photocopy)
3. Barangay Business Clearance/Permit (original copy with OR)
4. Certificate of No Objection from Homeowners Assoc (if business is located inside a subdivision).
5. Permit Fee (~Php 2300)


Bring the above documents to your respective municipality/city hall. Processing will take around 4 hours. Mayor's permit (print out) will be available in 2-3 business days.

Step 4: BIR

Requirements:
1. Filled up BIR Form 1901 (2 copies) [& 0605 (3 copies) for Registration Fee payment form - see step 4b]
2. DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration (photocopy)
3. Mayor's Permit (photocopy)
4. Sketch of Location of Business/Garage
5. New Business Registration Seminar Certificate of Attendance (photocopy) - see step 4c.
6. Books of Accounts (General Journal & General Ledger)
7. Registration Fee (~Php 500) - see step 4b
8. Documentary Stamp (~Php 15) - paid at the BIR Collections counter.

Note: Queueng in BIR is per transaction. You might want to get your number on both Collections (for documentary stamp payment) AND Book Of Accounts (for submission of requirements) simultaneously.

Step 4a. Bring requirements #1-4 to your BIR RDO. Get your queue number for BOOK OF ACCOUNTS counter.

Step 4b. The agent will encode your business information. After that, you will be given a printed BIR Form 0605 (this will be the same as req #1, assuming you filled it out correctly). Bring the BIR Form 0605 to any Accredited Agent Bank (AAB) for payment of Php500 registration fee.

Step 4c: Simultaneously with Steps 4a or 4b, attend the New Business Registration Seminar conducted by your RDO. For RDO 80 - Mandaue City, it's conducted every Wednesday @1-3pm. You will receive your Certificate of Attendance right after the seminar.

Step 4d: After paying the registration fee and attending the seminar, go back to the BOOK OF ACCOUNTS counter to submit ALL the requirements. You will be asked to return after around two (2) weeks to get your BIR Certificate of Registration.

Congratulations! You're done with your BIR Certificate of Registration. Don't forget to pay your monthly percentage tax every 20th of the following month! Don't know how to do it? Watch out for my post in the next few days.
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Sunday, April 3, 2016

Uber Cebu Driver Incentive for April 4-10, 2016

Cebu Uber Driver Promotional IncentivePhoto credit: www.sgvbusiness.com

Here's the official promotional incentive for drivers for the week of April 4-10, 2016:




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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

This Week Only: Get 20% off your next 3 trips!


The holidays are over -- time to get back to the grind. As a post-holiday promo, for all of this week only (March 30 - April 3, 2016), get your next 3 trips on Uber at 20% off!

Simply enter the promo code below on your Uber app to enable the discount:

CEBUMARCHRUSH

To enter a promo code:

  1. Launch your Uber app
  2. Open the in-app drawer and select PROMOTIONS
  3. Enter the promo code

*Valid only for trips taken in Cebu*
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Sunday, March 27, 2016

Uber Cebu Driver Incentive from March 28 to April 3, 2016

Cebu Uber Driver Promotional IncentivePhoto credit: www.sgvbusiness.com

Here's the official promotional incentive for drivers for the week of March 28 to April 3, 2016:







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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

CASH PAYMENT: Everything You as an Uber Driver Need to Know



Uber just activated today, March 23, 2016, its Cash Payment option in Cebu. As a driver, this means more riders, more trips, and more earnings!

In this post, I will describe to you how to know if your rider opted to pay in cash, and the steps to take supported with screenshots from the latest iOS app. Before I proceed, let me remind all drivers to accomplish the Uber Cebu Training form (link here) before March 31, 11:59PM, to avoid possible account suspension.

How will I know that the rider opted to pay in cash?

BEFORE STARTING TRIP (on Android devices only). Click PICK UP. If it's a cash trip, you'll see a "Cash payment trip" message right above the START TRIP button.



UPDATE (April 4, 2016): 
On iOS devices, after starting a cash payment trip, there will be a pop up reminding you to collect cash after the trip, as below.

You will also see a CASH TRIP icon at the top left of your map.



AFTER THE TRIP IS STARTED. Click DROP OFF. If it's a CASH trip, you will see a "COLLECT CASH" button right after you click DROP OFF, as below. Tip: You can click DROP OFF anytime while still on trip (even if you are not yet at the destination).


What are the steps to complete a CASH trip?

Step 0: Receive a request and start the trip as normal. Note: You can click DROP OFF anytime to know that it is a CASH trip.

Step 1: Click "COLLECT CASH" once you arrived at the destination. (Observe that the COMPLETE TRIP is grayed out yet). The fare will then be calculated.

Step 2: Show the bill to the rider. After you receive the cash, click "DONE".

Step 3: The screen will go back to the previous screen. Notice the "COLLECT CASH" was changed to "CASH COLLECTED" with the amount below it. Also, the "COMPLETE TRIP" button is now active. Swipe as normal to complete the trip and provide your rating.

That's it.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What does it mean for me?
A: The ability to collect cash will give you access to more customers in Cebu! In addition, you can use the cash you receive to pay for things like gas at the end of each day.

Q: When can riders start paying cash?
A: As Uber is just testing cash in Cebu, only a certain group of riders will be able to avail of this option. Riders can start paying in cash starting today.

Q: Can I opt out from getting cash trips?/Can I choose to get cash trips?
A: No, you will not be able to opt out of receiving cash trips. Uber is exploring cash as an option in order to give drivers more riders, more trips, and more earnings! While Uber understands that this may be a concern for you, Uber always put the safety of  riders and drivers in mind.

Q: Does this mean that Uber will only be accepting Cash from now on?
A: No, Uber is still accepting credit cards as a payment option. Again, Cash will only be available as a payment option for a select group of riders and that this is being rolled out as a test. Remember that if the Trip Fare box is NOT Green, then please do NOT collect cash. You should only collect cash if the Trip Fare box is GREEN

Q: How do we remit our cash?
A: There will be no need to remit cash to Uber and you’ll get to keep all of the cash that you collect. The Uber Service Fee from all of your cash trips would simply be deducted from the non-cash trips on your next payment statement.

Q: Do I have to give change?
A: As it is the driver’s responsibility to collect cash, it is also their responsibility to provide the correct amount of change. You should ALWAYS have enough cash on hand to always give the correct amount of change for your cash trips. Uber suggests the following:

2 pieces of P500 bills
5 pieces of P100 bills
5 pieces of P50 bills
5 pieces of P20 bills
10 pieces of P10 coins
20 pieces of P1 coins

Q: I’m a Partner-Operator. How do I know how much my driver collected?
A: In your payment statement, if you see a GREEN symbol beside the trip, then that means that it is a cash trip. You will also be able to see how much your driver should have been able to collect, as well as the Uber Service Fee that will be deducted to your final earnings.

If you have other questions/concerns, feel free to post it below.

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Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Cash Payment Arriving in Cebu Soon!

Photo credit: serdef.org


Uber announced today that CASH PAYMENT will be experimented in Cebu soon to selected riders. For drivers, this will mean more riders, more trips, and more earnings!

In the meantime, partner-drivers are required to take the Uber Cebu Cash Training before March 31, 2016, 11:59PM.

http://t.uber.com/phcashtraining


UPDATE (March 23, 2016): It was reported that some Uber riders in Cebu can already opt to pay in cash. 
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