New to uber--need advice

[ObviouslyNotAGolfer]

Finally getting up to speed on this. I am not a luddite; I just hate phones of any kind. The apps and internet access are all on my wife's phone as I have zero interest. (I have a cheap android phone and I save a ton of money with a pay-as-you go plan with T-mobile--no internet, but I pay less than 10$ a month on average!) Anyway, I have enough connectivity at work and at home.

Anyway, we are new to Uber, but may use it soon. I have all sorts of questions:

How do you know the driver is not a serial killer? (I guess you have no assurances of this with a cab either!)

How do you know what the fare is going to be?

Any other admonitions, advice?

Thanks!

[Raymond Reddington]

You don't.

FYI Lyft is a slightly better app, as they offer their drivers benefits and other things I can stand behind, although I certainly understand if Lyft is not in your area why you might consider Uber.

The price is quoted after you input pickup and dropoff points, but just before you actually request the car. It can vary significantly based on demand and the availability of drivers.

[Miss Piggy]

How do you know the driver is not a serial killer? (I guess you have no assurances of this with a cab either!)

How does the driver know the passenger isn't a serial killer?

You can see how many pickups your driver has done. Some are well into the thousands. I think you can feel pretty safe with that.

The app will tell you the fare before you make the order/reservation official.

[Catbert]

You got the answer to your questions, so now an extra tip.  Check with friends and/or poke around google to get a referral code.  That'll get you a small amount off your first ride or two, plus your referral person will also get something. 

When I got Lyft a few months ago I tied it to my Delta airline account and got $10 each off my first two rides.  When I got Uber a few years ago, I got $10 or $15 off my first ride from a friend's referral code.  Then I gave my DH my referral code for another almost free ride.