> No Uber drivers are exclusive
Bing is just a click away from Google.
Hulu is just a click away from Netflix.
My local grocery store is just one block away from a different grocery store.
Exclusivity isn't required to defend a large network. People are creatures of habit, and it would take a big innovation in the service or massive subsidies to dismantle that network.
None of those describe a moat. Google is better than Bing. Hulu has a different offering from Netflix (and a lot of people use both). No idea what different distances of grocery stores have to do with anything.
None of those describe a 'moat'. Something like Facebook is a moat. Instagram. A messaging app. Anything where your participation increases the value of the whole offering and hence you'll be locked in, else you lose a lot of value (e.g. from all the contacts you made in the aforementioned networks)
Re:Uber S-1
by kickopotomus on Thursday April 11, 2019 @07:29PM
(#19640352)
I agree, which is why I believe Uber's biggest threat is Waymo. Waymo is uniquely positioned to absolutely demolish Uber almost overnight. They have the Google brand and financial backing. Their network of users is already in place as well (Google Maps).
Re:Uber S-1
by cheerlessbog on Thursday April 11, 2019 @07:16PM
(#19640282)
Except myself and apparently many others in this thread switch easily between Uber and Lyft, etc, and anecdotally the drivers do too.
No Uber drivers are exclusive. In the US I see tons of cars with Uber AND Lyft stickers on. In SEA it was extremely common the same drivers had the Uber AND Grab app installed (before Uber gave up).