Some people are veteran limo customers and others have never
used one before. Below are some tips that should prove helpful in
selecting a service:
1) Do not rent a car that you will drive yourself in Houston
unless you are very familiar with the streets. Mapquest rated
Houston the easiest to get lost in after Los Angeles. Washington
DC was third. A local chauffeur will know when streets are closed
for construction, alternate routes in case of a traffic jam caused
by an accident on the freeway and the best way to go during rush
hour.
2) Check the limo service out with the Better Business Bureau.
This service is automated and free. Call 713 868-9500.
3) Get a written, signed contract that spells out exactly what you
are getting in the way of hours, times, vehicles and TOTAL cost
including gratuities, parking, fuel surcharges, out of area fees,
travel time, tolls, standing time, holiday premiums and mileage.
Some companies will hope you are guessing about these items and
then give you sticker shock when you see the bill.
4) Pay by Credit Card. In the unlikely event of a dispute, it will
be easier to get a partial or total refund.
5) Book early. During conventions or big events, limo service may
be unobtainable.
6) Only use services that have a Houston address and phone number.
Houston telephone area codes are 713, 281 and 832. The internet is
full of hucksters with (800) phone numbers who will sell you a run
at a seemingly very cheap price and then try to re-sell it to a
local company. Unfortunately, customers have been ripped off with
no recourse by these people who may not even be located inside the
USA. The internet address could be anywhere.
Important Questions To Ask
- What is your Houston Limousine License (HLL) number?
- How long have you been in business and are you family-owned?
- How many vehicles and drivers in your fleet?
- What percentage of the business is for the type of service
you are requesting? Some companies are very narrow in their
fleet or marketing focus.
- What type of vehicle exactly are we talking about? Make,
model, year, color, length, number of passengers, etc. What is
included with the vehicle? Is smoking or alcohol permitted? Can
you bring your pet? How much luggage can the vehicle
accommodate? Can the vehicle carry a wheelchair in the trunk?
Can we cruise bars late at night? Can we decide to go out of
state or shorten or lengthen the run on very short notice? Do
you have standby vehicles in case ours breaks down?
- Is my deposit refundable? Beware-If they say yes, which
means you can cancel on them right up until the last minute,
then they can do likewise to you if a better paying job comes
along the day you want the car.
- What Business Associations does you company belong to?
Examples: Limousine Association of Houston (LAH),
National Limousine Association (NLA),
Chamber of Commerce,
Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Better Business Bureau,
National Federation of Independent Businesses or the
National Association of the Self Employed (NASE). Their
membership in any of these organizations indicates their level
of professionalism and their serious dedication to the standards
of the Luxury Transportation Industry and their long-term
commitment to the community in general. If their answer is they
belong to nothing; we suggest you shop elsewhere.
- Will you do a pickup and drop-off? Beware: If they say yes,
that means they will be “Sandwiching” your run in with many
others. The car you started out in may not be the car you finish
in. They may be on time and they may not. If you are not ready
to go and standing at the curb (Even in the rain) at the precise
time of pickup, they may just leave and go on to the next
customer. If they sit and wait any length of time for you to
come out, you can be assured the price will be jacked up much
higher. It would be a lot easier on your nerves if you just
booked the car for the day on an “As-Directed” basis. The hourly
rate will be cheaper as you are buying more hours.
SUMMARY: As you can see, there are many factors involved
in renting a limousine besides price-shopping for the lowest rate.
By choosing a member of the Limousine Association of Houston, you
will eliminate 90% of the problem areas discussed in this article.
And finally, regardless of who you choose, remember -
IF THE DEAL SOUNDS TO BE TOO GOOD TO BE
TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.
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