People are paying big bucks for Uber decals and Lyft mustaches on eBay
Lyft
The insignia are a sort of trade dress for the burgeoning ride-hailing industry.
Uber has a glowing "U" that its drivers affix to their windshields, while Lyft cars sport "glowstaches." When Lyft started, it distinguished itself from all of the other cars on the road with a giant pink mustache.
As more drivers join the ride-hailing services and subsequently leave, it turns out you can make some quick cash by selling the decals.
Uber driver decals and Lyft mustaches have been popping up on eBay and Craigslist. One original pink furry mustache went for as high as $80. That's a bit of a profit considering anyone who signs up to drive on the ride-hailing platforms receive the 'staches free of charge.
One bidding war with 11 entries on eBay drove a glowstache price from $20 to $45. A search of sold glowstaches show around 100 have been bought. Uber decals are typically cheaper because they're so easily re-creatable, although they (or their counterfeits) are available in the thousands.
It's not just decals that have created a market. There's also a whole subsection of signs that clip on to the back of headrests instructing riders how to give good ratings or reminding them to tip.
Who exactly is buying up the decals is unclear. It could be old drivers re-joining the companies or new drivers who misplaced their own decals. Uber and Lyft both declined to comment.
There hasn't been a publicly recorded problem of a car impersonating an Uber or Lyft, but the sale of the companies' official decals is a good reminder to always double check the car make and model, license plate, and driver's name before you hop in the car of a stranger - Uber decal on their windshield or not.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas