Lifelong New Yorker sees immediate success with carsharing side hustle
With carsharing now open for all in the Big Apple, new hosts are already booking trips and earning money. Lifelong New Yorker Adolfo Vergara was the first in the city to enroll his personal vehicle on Getaround, and he’s been surprised by the immediate results.
“I wasn't expecting to have so many trips booked so soon. It’s really exciting.”
Adolfo decided to share his 2019 Hyundai Sonata in Coney Island, Brooklyn after seeing an Instagram post from Getaround. He’d heard of carsharing before, but it wasn’t widely available in New York . . . until now. Recognizing the opportunity, Adolfo decided to give it a shot.
“I realized my car is parked for long periods throughout the day,” Adolfo says. “Eight hours when I’m sleeping, eight hours when I’m at work . . . it’s just sitting there. So I decided to take advantage of that time and turn it into extra cash.”
Onboarding his vehicle was a breeze. Within a few days after a phone call with Getaround, his Connect® device was installed and he was ready to share. Just hours after availability opened on June 21st, Adolfo received his first reservation — and it’s been booked nearly every day since.
“I gave myself a two-month window: If I made $500 on Getaround, I’d stick with it,” Adolfo says. “But after the first two weeks, I’m already at about $1,000. Sharing with Getaround more than covers my car payment.”
For Adolfo, the key is the Getaround Connect®.
Getaround’s proprietary Connect® hardware device enables contactless carsharing, allowing hosts like Adolfo to share their cars without worrying about in-person key exchanges. Linked to the Getaround app, the Connect® also displays fuel levels and the car’s location between trips. The result is a 100% digital carsharing experience.
“I like the fact that I don’t have to meet the guest to drop off my cars,” says Adolfo. “And the Connect® tells me where the car is and how it’s doing on fuel. It’s very simple, and installation was really easy — I dropped off my car to have the Connect® set up and had it back the same day. I felt like my car was KITT from Knight Rider after I had it installed.”
Automatic, optimized pricing also simplifies the process for Getaround hosts like Adolfo.
“I was concerned about having to come up with pricing, but Getaround’s dynamic pricing means that the price is adjusted automatically to be in balance with supply and demand,” he says. “It’s great, because I don’t have to worry about anything other than keeping the car clean and fueled up. It’s super convenient.”
Adolfo’s neighbors appreciate the convenience too. “Guests have been great so far,” he says. “After one of my first trips, one guest sent some positive feedback, complimenting my car and thanking me for sharing. It feels pretty cool to be able to help people you don’t know.”
Booking trips with Getaround gives members of Adolfo’s community a new option for running errands, visiting friends, or even traveling outside the city for a quick getaway. Because Getaround offers hourly reservations, it’s never been easier for New Yorkers to visit the beaches on Long Island for an afternoon or spend a day hiking the trails of Bear Mountain.
With his additional carsharing earnings, Adolfo plans to do some traveling of his own — an extra summer road trip, a short vacation here or there. And if the bookings keep rolling in the way they have so far, Adolfo may even add a second car to the platform. Like he said, Getaround in New York is really exciting.
New York never sleeps. Why should your car?
With an earnings guarantee and limited-time bonuses for new hosts, the time you're not driving has never been more valuable. If you’re ready to pick up some extra cash by sharing your car in New York City, click below to begin the enrollment process.
Terms and conditions apply. This message is an invitation to submit information to Getaround, and the submission of any such information does not create an agreement, obligation, or guarantee of any kind. Getaround’s Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and other policies referenced therein govern your use of our Service. The Service is not available in all areas. All vehicles offered for participation in the Service must meet Getaround’s Vehicle Eligibility Requirements, and a vehicle’s eligibility is not a promise of such participation. The exact amount of your monthly guarantee is determined by your car’s make, model, year, location, and available hours, and is subject to eligibility requirements. You might not be eligible for any guarantee.
