As Prom season approaches, high school students and parents
start their search for finding the perfect Limo for their long awaited night
of celebration. When it comes to
limousine rentals, we have all heard past horror stories, ranging from an old
raggedy limo showing up at the victim’s doorsteps to the limo never showing
up at all.
The
following tips will assist you to avoid becoming a victim of Prom 2004.
DON’T
BOOK THE CHEAPEST LIMO
– While savvy shoppers tend to always search online for great deals, we
strongly caution against choosing your Limo based on price alone. Because most
Limo Companies are small businesses, the price you pay will
ASK
FOR OPERATING AUTHORITY
- Limousine companies are required to carry both state and federal operating
authorities. Ask your prospective
company if they are licensed to operate in your state.
ASK
FOR INSURANCE –
All Limousine companies must carry a minimum amount of commercial liability
insurance, depending on their operating state. Ask your prospective company to
fax you a copy of their Certificate of Coverage.
CHECK
FOR PAST COMPLAINTS
– Check with your local Better Business Bureau about past complaints about
the prospective Limo Company. You
can locate your local BBB office at http://lookup.bbb.org/
ASK
FOR REFERENCES -
Ask your prospective company for references of past performances.
Hearing from past satisfied clients will give credibility to the
prospective limo company.
CHECK
MEMBERSHIPS –
Inquire about the prospective limousine company’s associations with
organizations such as the National Limousine Association www.limo.org
and their local state livery association.
A company that is a member of a recognized association must abide by
certain code of ethics, thus reducing their chance of providing inadequate
service.
ASK
ABOUT CHAUFFEUR SCREENING
– Inquire about the company’s policy of hiring chauffeurs and the
screening process. Make sure the
company’s chauffeurs are familiar with the service area so that the students
you don’t end up wasting unnecessary time while their chauffeur gets lost.
ASK
TO SEE THE LIMO
–If you don’t have time to go and visit the Limousine Company’s showroom
personally, ask the company to email photo(s) of their limo(s) or other
vehicles. This will ensure that
you will not end up getting an old rundown limousine in lieu of the new white
super stretch you were led to believe you would have.
Be sure to check the year, make, model as well as the amenities inside
the limousine such as moon roof, tinted windows, fiber optic lights, TV, VCR,
CD player, plush bar and any other items you are interested in having in your
limo.
HOURLY
MINIMUMS
- Ask about the Limo company's hourly minimums and how they calculate their
time. Most will have a 6 to 8 hour minimum during prom season. Your time
will start from either their garage or you initial point and end at their
garage or your final drop off point. Your
time can not be split up while you are not using the Limo.
RATES: Inquire about all
the rates involved, including gratuity and any other miscellaneous fees.
Rates vary based on area of service. Again, WE STRONGLY URGE YOU NOT TO CHOOSE
A COMPANY BECAUSE THEY ARE LESS EXPENSIVE. We have heard of horror stories
from parents and students that have made this mistake. Like hotels and
restaurants, Limo companies also range from one to five stars.
ASK
FOR A CONTRACT
– Retain a copy of the contract you sign.
The contract should contain the following:
.
Year, make, model and color of the limo
. Pickup time, drop
off time and itinerary
. Rates, including
the percentage of gratuity and any other miscellaneous charges
. Deposit and
cancellation fees
. Company’s
liability in the event of breakdowns, no show, etc…
Most reputable companies will require a parent or legal guardian to sign the
contract. The contract should
contain the written rules and regulations such as no smoking, drinking, etc.
Any violations of their rules will most likely lead to immediate
termination of their services. Also,
beware that as the signing party, you are liable for any damage to the Limo.
Be sure to ask that the company provides you with their rules, in
writing, and give a copy to all parties that will be using the Limo.
PROVIDE
THE ITINERARY IN ADVANCE:
Provide the Limo Company with the written itinerary of all the pickup
and drop off locations. Most
companies will require this information in advance and will need permission
from a parent or legal guardian if the itinerary is changed.
Good luck!
To
find limo companies and get quotes click here
To
suggest more tips for this "how to hire a limo" guide please
email us at [email protected]