Friday, November 19, 2010

Learn About Hiring A Limousine

By Mark Walters


The average person does not hire limousine services very often, so knowing who to call and how to shop for a service may be a new experience for you. Shopping for a service that you are unfamiliar with does not need to be a daunting experience. Limousine companies are often held to very high customer service standards and that should show in the way they answer phones and deal with prospective clients. You should be able to tell early one whether a company is one you would rather not deal with, especially if they answer phones in an unprofessional manner or fail to return phone calls.

A common first question for limousine rental companies will relate to the cost of their services. In some cases, the charges are a lump sum fee for pick-up and drop-offs, and in others the fees are charged by the mile. Some companies will offer extras like champagne and red carpet rollouts. These may be included or may be extras that you will have to pay for.

When reviewing questions of cost an important item to consider relates to gratuity. Be sure to ask if gratuity is included or if it is left to the customer's discretion. 10 to 20 percent gratuity is the norm, but if it is included in a limousine company's quote, the quote may appear inflated at first. In some cases, the rental contract allows for gratuity to be automatically billed on top of the original quote; an issue that should be found out before signing your contract.

Aside from cost, there are many other important questions to ask such as: How old are the vehicles? Is there air conditioning? What type of insurance coverage does the company have? Do drivers have a dress code? Is alcohol is permitted? Since limousines are popular for use during a wedding, it's always a good idea to ask beforehand if a "just married" sign is permitted on the car. Some companies will allow this but charge for buffing/reconditioning afterwards.

Finally, be sure to ask about availability. Last minute bookings may not work in most cases. In many cases, customers fail to plan ahead and book their limousine early enough. Since limousine companies have a finite number of vehicles it is important to book early. It is important to remember that limousine companies are mostly busy on weekends. In order to ensure that your special event is a success, it is recommended that you book your limousine a few months prior to your event.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment