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underpants

(182,279 posts)
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 09:49 PM Nov 2018

PLEASE HELP New Uber rider has some questions - this is really to ease my wife's concerns

Okay so I signed up for Uber tonight.
We have a ride set for Thursday morning 500 miles from here. $85-110. We're taking the train and no one in the family there is willing to pick us up*. Okay it's a 90 mile drive to the Atlanta train station for them. But still - we are bringing their only blood grandchild and my wife hasn't seen her parents in 6 months**.

So we have it set. My wife is very concerned as am I.
Do we find out WHO is driving us?
Do we find out their rating?
Do we find out the make of the car?
Do we get some sort of confirmation?
How does this work? What do I need to know?

* not MY family obviously. The in-Laws. Do NOT get me started.
** boy this is turning ugly

Seriously I need some expertise or experience on this.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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PLEASE HELP New Uber rider has some questions - this is really to ease my wife's concerns (Original Post) underpants Nov 2018 OP
Once you book the ride you should know who, what color car MissB Nov 2018 #1
This is Thursday morning. Is there a delay? underpants Nov 2018 #8
I'm less familiar with the prebooking option MissB Nov 2018 #9
As I recall, they notify you w/the driver name, photo(?) car type and tag #. CurtEastPoint Nov 2018 #2
Uber Just a Weirdo Nov 2018 #3
Are you pre-booking with a confirmed price? MissB Nov 2018 #4
Pre booking yes underpants Nov 2018 #7
Have you considered not going? enough Nov 2018 #5
We recently used Uber and Lyft on a recent trip to Philly Generic Brad Nov 2018 #6
I use Uber it all the time. Even in Germany. GulfCoast66 Nov 2018 #10
It'll be fine. I've never had a bad experience with Uber. TomSlick Nov 2018 #11
My kids use them from time to time. They will be better than a taxi because there is accountability. TheBlackAdder Nov 2018 #12
Uber has been a very reliable rude source for me. July Nov 2018 #13
Thank you underpants Nov 2018 #15
We've Ubered all over FL, esp Disney area, Hawaii, LAX to Anaheim Roland99 Nov 2018 #14

MissB

(15,800 posts)
1. Once you book the ride you should know who, what color car
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 09:50 PM
Nov 2018

and license plate

On edit: on the app, you can see how close they are.

MissB

(15,800 posts)
9. I'm less familiar with the prebooking option
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 10:12 PM
Nov 2018

So I don’t think I could answer your question. We’ve used uber a lot but more like on demand rather than booking in advance.

 

Just a Weirdo

(488 posts)
3. Uber
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 09:52 PM
Nov 2018

Yes. You get the drivers name text phone number type of car and license plate, and rating once you get one on the way. They even track where the car is and how long.

ETA; yes a photo of the driver is included

Generic Brad

(14,270 posts)
6. We recently used Uber and Lyft on a recent trip to Philly
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 09:58 PM
Nov 2018

We had not used either before. We took a taxi from the airport to our daughter's place and it was a harrowing ride. The hack was running stop signs and speeding through narrow one way streets. I actually closed my eyes for most of the ride because I could feel my blood pressure rising.

Uber and Lyft, on the other hand were OK. The drivers were polite and they did not drive like madmen. We used Uber first but my daughter recommended we switch to Lyft. Apparently she likes it better. Personally, I did not see any difference.

I was just relieved that I did not have to do any white knuckle riding through those services. The taxi just drove too aggressively.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
10. I use Uber it all the time. Even in Germany.
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 10:13 PM
Nov 2018

Never had a problem. Just make sure to tip the hell out of them if it goes well. Most people I have used are trying to make additional income due to a shitty paying real job.

TomSlick

(11,035 posts)
11. It'll be fine. I've never had a bad experience with Uber.
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 10:17 PM
Nov 2018

The Uber GPS system is pretty amazing. You can monitor the Uber driver's progress on getting to you. The Uber driver will know where you are waiting within feet.

Most Uber drivers I have used were bright and friendly. It'll be fine - just go with it.

TheBlackAdder

(28,076 posts)
12. My kids use them from time to time. They will be better than a taxi because there is accountability.
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 10:39 PM
Nov 2018

.

A bad review carries a lot of weight with both of them, versus a local taxi service.

.

July

(4,750 posts)
13. Uber has been a very reliable rude source for me.
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 10:44 PM
Nov 2018

I live in a big northeastern city, and I used to use city cabs. The difference between Uber and city cabs is significant.

While I have had cab rides with polite, knowledgeable drivers, there has been no comparison with Uber drivers.

The black cars are clean, the drivers are polite, and I can see where they are on the way to my pickup location. You should be abe to find their rating, and it's also in your interest to give the driver a 5-star rating (they also rate you, and if your rating gets too low, you can get booted).

You are given the make and license number of the car when you call for one, and the driver will normally ask your name to verify you are the person s/he contracted with. I also check the driver's name, given when you arrange the ride, with him/her. (I have had Uber drivers tell me of their experiences with people trying to steal someone else's ride.)

You or the driver can cancel, but it should be done in a timely manner. You can directly call the driver, as I did after incorrectly directing him to the wrong location.

FWIW,I have never had a bad Uber experience, and I use Uber frequently. I have only used the "Black car" option, so I can't speak to Uber X or whatever else is out there.

All the drivers I have had have been extremely polite and helpful, including when we needed help with heavy suitcases. Some are chatty, others not, but many where I live are immigrants, and most will talk if you are interested about their own Uber experience, their home countries, and much else (the potholes, our sports teams, their kids's schools). A world of difference from the cruddy cabs and surly drivers in this city's taxis.

As I no longer drive, I find Uber very helpful.

Roland99

(53,342 posts)
14. We've Ubered all over FL, esp Disney area, Hawaii, LAX to Anaheim
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 10:50 PM
Nov 2018

Never had a bad ride. Great service

If you have an Amex Platinum, check your benefits. Might get $15/mo Uber credit

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