Quite often, you can judge how a limousine service treats their customers through a telephone inquiry. If your call is answered promptly and courteously by a company and if they give you all the important and relevant information without hesitating, you can be assured that they are a good bet.

While looking at web sites of limousine operators, its best to check if they have a fixed line number and a physical contact address. A mobile number or just a vague p.o. box number are signs of poor or fly by night operations.

It’s also important to see if the web site of the company whose services you’re considering hiring, displays images of their own vehicles. Many companies use pictures of brand new limousines but have cars that are battered and beaten. Its best to physically examine the cars.

There are times when you might come across agents who will tell you that they can secure quotations on your behalf. In such cases, the limousine operators pay for each inquiry they receive or a percentage of the hire value. It means that you will pay a higher price than you would otherwise These brokers often make claims that their limousine operators as “accredited” or “approved”. It’s best to stay away from such types.

Price is an important determining factor. Note that all limousine operators so not charge the same price. A professional limousine operator generally charges $45 an hour for a minimum of 4 hours for a car like a sedan while a stretch limousine may cost $60. A super stretch limousine may cost o a few dollars more. Even if you have to pay a slightly higher price in order to hire a service from a reputed and established limousine operator, it’s always worth it.

It’s also important to keep in mind the duration that you will need the limousine for. It generally takes about an hour to prepare a limousine for dispatch. Therefore, most operators ask for a minimum charge or a minimum hire duration of 3 hours or so. This is generally higher during peak periods like Christmas, New Year’s Eve etc. The minimum hire charge is most likely to be in the region of 150.

Another important question is reliability. Stretch limousines are expensive to maintain and repair and poor companies often overlook any maintenance or repairs. Hiring from such companies can be quite disastrous. Your limousine may not show up on time or breakdown mid-way on your journey.

Its also important to know how long has the company whose service you plan to hire been in business. If they are well established, they are obviously more reliable than someone who has just started out a few months ago.

Try and find out how many cars the operator has in its fleet. Just in case the one you have hired breaks down, will they send you another one at once.

Is the operator you’re planning on selecting situated close to where you need to be picked up from? That will ensure that they reach you on time.

Its also important to know how old the car you will be driving in is. After all, you don’t want to show up in a beaten car at your fancy do. Its also sensible to view the car physically, a few days in advance if possible.

Also check what the rental price includes. Does it include VAT, Drinks, Gratuities etc? Don’t ever hesitate to as if your chauffeur is licensed, trained and polite.

Does the company have the appropriate private hire insurance? It’s best to view it.

Its also quite sensible if you have written confirmation of the price?

Will you be given a booking confirmation with the itinerary and price included?

What are the payment methods they accept? What is the deposit you have to pay and when is the balance due? It’s important to know these in advance to avoid confusion later.

A professional limousine operator will be able to answer all your questions satisfactorily and ensure that you have a smooth and comfortable experience.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The advantage of renting a party bus is that one can move from one place to another easily without worrying about driving and safety issues. This is because most of these come with chauffeur services. Most party limos have limousine features that are reliable hallmarks of success such as AM/FM stereos, a CD player, upgraded seats, luggage partitions, laser lights, on-board restroom and power window locks Whether one needs a party bus for a corporate trip, bachelor or bachelorette party, they can always rent out a party bus which comes in different shapes and styles and let the professional drivers do their job. Renting a party limo saves one the headache of arranging for transportation later on in the night.

A party bus can be rented for a day, week or month. A party bus that is hired for more than a day is charged a daily rate or mileage rate. Chauffeur tips and overnight sleeping arrangements are not included in the price. Reservations for a party bus need to be made as quickly as possible especially during the summer. Sometimes a deposit is necessary to make a reservation and is usually applied to ones overall charge.

When hiring a party bus from party bus rentals, one should ask a number of questions and make sure they fully comprehend all deposits and costs. Research should be carried out about party bus rentals and their policies incase a breakdown or accident occurs. Evidence for liability insurance must be obtained and one should ensure that the party bus has an operating license. Tour bus and party limo operators must have their licenses registered and displayed on their vehicles. It is important to know the number of passengers the party bus can hold. Having completed ones research on party bus rentals and the services they offer one can easily pick a party bus that meets his or her needs.

It is necessary for anyone who experiences problems when trying to obtain the best party bus to do earlier planning and seek out help from executives of party bus rentals. These executives will ensure that the party bus rentals offer efficient and quality services. Their profound experience and knowledge in handling party transport will ensure that a party bus travel goes smoothly.

It is very important to correctly estimate how long one will use the party bus for billing purposes. Most Party bus rentals will require this information to bill upfront. Others may require that the bill be paid at the end of the night. In both cases, time must be properly managed to avoid additional penalties for late returns. It is essential to note that most party bus rentals have party buses and limos for every occasion and therefore they come in handy.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270) Oliver Twist, Chapter 51. First published serially 18371839

SUBJECT: The Law

QUOTATION: If the Law supposes that, said Mr. Bumble, the Law is an Ass an Idiot. If thats the Eye of the Law, the Law is a Bachelor; and the worst I wish the Law is that his Eye may be opened by Experience

“SUBSTANTIAL PROOF OF THE ABOVE”

QUESTION: If the Law is truly an Ass, does that mean Limousine Companies are Donkeys.

OUR OPINION: “UK Minibus Legislation is more than 10 Years Out of Date, the EC is still trying to fit a Round Peg into a Square Hole”.

1. Any vehicle with more than 8 seats is classified as a Minibus since 1986. Thousands of Limousines have up to 16 seats, they are clearly not Minibuses.

2. A Minibus must have a COIF certificate to be legally allowed to carry fare-paying passengers. The UK Authorities responsible for this will not issue any COIF certificate for 99.999% of Limousines in the UK.

3. The vast majority of Minibuses in the UK now have to have a Tachograph fitted. We have been advised that they still have not designed a Tacho that will fit onto all Limousines, and when they are fitted they do not even have to be switched on for Private Use.

4. Minibus Legislation allocates 40cm per Person for room to sit. That’s fine for sardines, but would you like to pay hundreds of pounds for a Limousine and then sit cross-legged and sweating away in a 40cm space.

5. Many Local Councils have informed their local Limousine Companies that they cannot collect passengers in adjacent areas, ie. in the next Borough which is sometimes only a very short distance from their registered address. That is classified as Cross Border Hiring which is illegal !

6. In addition the adjacent Local Councils have also informed all Limousine Companies that they cannot register in or out of their area at all and also that they will not licence any Left-Hand Drive Vehicles for Private Hire Purposes anyway. All SuperStretch American Ford & Lincoln Limousines only exist in Left Hand Drive.

7. After all these years the Government is now considering introducing a Special Licence and Compliance Test for Limousines. As of 1st January 2008 this still has not been done.

8. Contract Hire is now being abolished on 28th January 2008. No nationwide system has been created to replace Contract Hire, ie. to allow Bona-Fide Limousine Companies to operate legally in the UK.

9. Thanks to all of the above the only Insurance Company catering for Private Hire for the 16-Seater Limousines has now pulled out of the market. So Bona-Fide Limousine Companies are now having to switch their insurance on to a brand-new scheme, in order to operate legally.

10. Enforcement Officers, when they ruin your Night-Out and make you abandon your Limousine half way through your journey in the middle of nowhere for example at 3am in the morning on your way back from a night-out, claim it’s in the interest of Road Safety. All of these Limos have passed Stringent Annual Safety Tests and Monthly Roadworthy Checks in the USA and in the UK and continue to do so today.

Most Enforcement Officers, Council Staff, Hummer Limo Passengers, Limo Drivers, Limousine Companies etc are not aware of the whole of the above Info. But you the Reader are now fully aware, Knowledge is Power.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

So if you wish to book and ride legally in Super-Longbody Limousines and travel with 8 – 16 passengers on your Special Day Out, you have TWO OPTIONS.

OPTION 1: Is to book two separate 8-seater Limousines to carry your Guests and forget about the Big 16-Seater Super-Longbody Limousines. This however is no fun at all, as your Group is sadly being split into two, so that they cannot travel in a Party Atmosphere or talk to half of their Friends and also it will cost you more to hire TWO Limos instead of one.

OPTION 2: Is to carry up to 16 passengers in a Single Limousine. The way to do this legally is to book the Limousine from a Limo Rental Company and then separately find a Qualified Professional Driver for your Hummer Limousine Hire independently elsewhere.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE

We will find a Professional, Fully Experienced, Well Qualified Limousine Chauffeur to assist you on your Special Day (at no charge to you).

THIS IS A FREE SERVICE

Just email us and we will find a Fully Qualified Professional Limousine Driver for you. For more clarification or assistance – please do not hesitate to contact us.

FREE HUMMER LIMOUSINE DRIVER SELECTION

All of the Limousine Chauffeurs we source have over 10 – 20 years Chauffeur-Drive Experience and are well qualified to assist you on any Special Occasion (Wedding Hire, Hen-Nights, Children’s Birthday Parties, Airport Transfers, Corporate Events etc).

On receipt of your request, one of the Limo Chauffeurs will contact you to Guarantee his availability on your Chosen Day and to provide his contact Telephone Number. He will also contact your Limo Hire Company for you and confirm to them that he is your Designated Driver for that day.

PLEASE NOTE: These Drivers will be supplying their time to you the Hirer directly for pleasure/fun purposes, on a strictly UNPAID basis.

No Private Hire or Hire & Reward Scenario therefore is applicable and the Hirer will be requested by the Driver to sign an agreement form confirming this, when he arrives on the hire date before the journey can commence, ie. that the hire is for strictly Social Domestic and Pleasure use only and not in the course of any kind of Business Use.

The author does not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the above information and will not be liable for any errors or omissions

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Hiring a stretched limousine need not be a hit and miss affair if you ask the right questions and take account of the following.

No two limousine operators are the same and different organisations place varying levels of emphasis on service levels and investment in their fleet. You can gain an insight into the way a company operates by how responsive they are and the professionalism of their approach. For example, if you have completed an online enquiry form, how long does it take for them to respond, have they correctly interpreted your requirements and is the quotation professional or just a dismissive a one liner?

Similarly telephone enquiries can also provide an insight into how a limousine operator is likely to handle their customers. Is your call answered promptly and professionally with the company name, are they friendly or evasive when answering your questions, do they offer to send you a written confirmation of the price, or is your call answered by a telephone answering machine.

If you are visiting websites look for signs that they are a professional limousine operator. Do they have a fixed line number or just a mobile phone, does the website include the name of the company or individual, is there a physical contact address, or just a PO Box number, or worst still, no address at all? These are indicators, not definitive signs of a poor organisation, but you should ask yourself why, for example, a limousine operator would not want tp include their full company name or physical address.

Because the limousines are a critical aspect of the hire, look to see if the website includes images of their own vehicles. Study the pictures, many companies use generic pictures of limousines, if this is the case, ask yourself why they would not want to show images of their own vehicles. One clue maybe to look at where the picture was taken and the registration plate, if it looks as if it was taken in the USA, then take care. Also ask about signage on the vehicle, some operators use their limousines as advertising hoardings, which can leave many hirers disappointed.

If you come across a broker offering to secure quotations on your behalf you will need to consider the following. Most limousine operators will be paying for each enquiry they receive or a percentage of the hire value, will you end up paying a premium price for the convenience of using a third party? Some of these brokers describe their limousine operators as accredited or approved. If this is the case ask what this process entails, what guarantees if any, the accreditation process provides you, for example, will the broker underwrite the hire and also how often are the operators checked? You also need to bear in mind that you are relying on a 3rd party to complete your research, which means you are dealing with two entities of which you have no previous experience.

Whilst there is inevitably a temptation to decide on price, this should only form part of the process given, as should become clear from your research, all limousine operators are not equal. A professional limousine operator may charge 10 or 15 per hour more, but on an average hire of 5 hours, this amounts to no more than 75, a small premium to pay in order to secure a professional service, from an established full-time operator with modern limousines.

Another aspect to consider is the length of the hire. The average time taken to prepare a stretched limousine prior to hire is around 2.5 hours. Therefore, most professional operators will impose a minimum charge and/or a hire duration of 3 hours or so, this may be higher during peak periods. The minimum hire charge is likely to be in the region of 150. Beware of any company that does not apply these caveats given it often means that the operator intends to use the vehicle for several hires on the day. Inevitably this can lead to problems relating to reliability or timing and more often than not, a vehicle that has not been properly prepared. It is also worth bearing in mind that many limousine operators offer a reduced hire charge for mid-week hires, so if this is an option, don’t discount it.

Another aspect to bear in mind when searching for a limousine for your event is reliability. Stretched limousines are expensive to service and repair which inevitably results in some operators attempting to delay repairs until the last possible moment. Unfortunately poorly maintained limousines are notoriously unreliable. Whilst it is reasonable for you to expect the limousine operator to be diligent in such matters, it does not necessarily follow that they are and it may well affect your hire! In many cases a cheap hire really does result in a cheap service. Listed below are some useful questions to ask of your limousine operator.

Questions to ask Limousine Operators

How long have you been in business?

How many vehicles do you have?

Where are you based?

How old are you vehicles?

Where can I view your limousines?

Are there any minimum charges or hire durations?

Are you a full-time limousine operator?

What does the price include (VAT, Drinks, Gratuities etc)?

What contingencies do you have if the limousine breaks down?

What guarantee do I have that I will receive the limousine I have chosen?

Do you have the appropriate private hire insurance, can I view it?

Will I receive a written confirmation of the price?

Do you provide a booking confirmation with the itinerary and price included?

What payment methods do you accept?

What is the deposit and when is the balance due?

What livery is on the limousine is it discreet?

Questions to ask Brokers

What does your accreditation or approval process consist of?

How often do you complete this procedure?

Will I be able to see a copy of the last report for the company I book with?

How can I be certain that I will receive the limousine I ask for?

Do you provide any guarantees regarding operator reliability?

Will I have to pay any extra if I use your service, either directly or indirectly?

Who do I pay?

How can I be certain that you are truly an independent service?

Can I be sure that my email address will only be used for the purpose of a quotation?

None of these questions are unreasonable and no professional limousine operator will have any objections responding positively, however, if you meet with resistance or the answers are evasive, it should be a case of caveat emptor or let the buyer beware.

In summary:

Prepare your questions in advance

Know who you are dealing with (Trading name, physical address, landline number etc)

Dont be frightened of asking probing questions.

Insist on viewing images of the actual limousine or visit the premises

Get everything in writing, the quotation and the itinerary

Make sure you are comparing on a genuine like for like basis

Consider hiring your limousine mid-week, where significant savings can be gained

Never be tempted to decide on price alone

If in doubt, keep searching!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.