Friday, November 19, 2010

Limousine Hire Tips and Advice

By Mark Walters


Determining which limousine company is right for your needs does not have to be a blind guessing game. There are some common sense approaches that you can take that will tip you off right away if the limousine company is one to consider or not. For example, if a company will not answer their phone in a professional manner or return phone calls, that is a pretty good indicator of poor business practices that will likely transfer to other aspects of their business.

One of the first questions you are likely ask a limousine service is how much they will charge. Some will charge a price for pickup and drop off, or they may charge by the mile. There may also be minimum charges to contend with. It is important to ask what is included in the cost. Some companies will offer extra services such as red carpet rollout or the service of champagne. Sometimes these are included in their initial cost, or they may be charged separately.

Another question to ask related to cost relates to gratuity. Be sure to ask if this is included in the price. You may find that the rental contract includes gratuity cost automatically. If this is not included, the price may appear to be lower at first, but you may find that the rental agreement allows gratuity to be automatically applied when the final bill is generated. Expect to pay anywhere from 10 to 20 percent for gratuity. In some cases, the customer is allowed to set their own gratuity amount.

The cost of a limousine is an important issue, but there are other worthwhile questions to ask when shopping around for a limousine service: What is the age of the limousines? Is air conditioning available? Is the company properly insured for accidents? What kind of dress code exists for drivers? Are alcoholic beverages allowed? A popular tradition at weddings is to decorate the bride and groom's limousine. Be sure to ask if this is permitted. It may not be, or it may be with some reconditioning charges.

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.




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