Posts Tagged ‘limo service’

CheapLimoRates.com Contributes to LCT Magazine’s blog site

Monday, February 15th, 2010

I had the honor of having a guest article appear in LCT’s online magazine blog site. Martin Romjue the editor of LCT magazine had read one of my articles “Are we going green?” and generously linked to my article from his blog site. I was very flattered that he mentioned me in his article, so I gave him a call and as a result I have been given the privilege of contributing to LCT’s online blogs.

Most of my blogs attempt to address issues that impact our industry in an adverse way. In my position I have been responsible for developing content for our website that gives our Limousine Service Partners the best opportunity to be successful. I hope than my contributions to LCT’s online blog site will also be helpful to their readers. You can read my first posted article “Cap N’ Trade: How It Would Hurt the Industry”

I am looking forward to contributing additional articles to LCT, and I hope that you will take the time to visit http://blogs.lctmag.com/lctblog/ and check out the many valuable articles that are posted on their site. If you are not a regular reader of the blog site you are missing out on some very interesting, entertaining and informative opinions about our industry.

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Limousine or Party Bus…You decide

Friday, January 29th, 2010

My boss was asked by a close friend’s wife to set up a party bus for her husband’s birthday. Being in the limousine industry, she knew that he would find the right party bus at the right price. As an owner of a limousine company he really thought that nothing could surprise him if it involved chauffeured transportation. He was in for a shock.

She had asked him to find a vehicle that would accommodate about 20 passengers and she also wanted him to find some entertainment as well (that story is for another time and another blog site.). Finding the party bus took very little time, finding a vendor that had several styles and models in his inventory and a selection was made fairly quickly.

On the night of the party, my boss with the rest of the passengers was introduced to the world of the party bus. Unlike a limousine, party buses offer conveniences that cannot be replicated in the largest of limousines, Hummers, Navigators, Expeditions etc. First, a party bus allows the passengers to stand fully erect and mill about the vehicle easily. It also has more space for larger sound systems, televisions and amenities like a full service bar, a kitchen, a restroom and large overstuffed seating.

The birthday party went off without a hitch. Dinner went well, the night on the town took on a character of its own and the dance club was a hoot. When the night was done, my boss was so impressed with the differences that a party bus offered over a limousine that he came in and told the entire staff, “If you are planning a night out with a large group of friends, the party bus is the only route to go.” That is a heck of a statement from a guy who has lived and breathed limos for the last ten years.

A party bus may not be the best route to take if you have ten or less passengers, but, if you are going to go out with a large group of friends for an event or get together, the party bus is the only way to travel, or so says my boss.

He told me that the pricing for the party bus they utilized that evening in comparison to leasing a hummer or navigator was negligible and yet the experience was completely different. So base on that, I think my recommendation would be to look into a party bus the next time you get a large group of friends together. Maybe after you experience it for yourself you can drop me a line and let me know if you found the experience to be that much better as well.

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Limousines Found! The Road Warriors best friend!

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Does this sound like you? Your boss needs an airport transfer from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to a hotel in Scottsdale. Your offices are in Chicago. You go on-line and you begin to search for a limousine service that can accommodate your needs, and do it at the right price. So you begin to look at the various websites in the area and realize that with over two hundred options, this could be a bit overwhelming. You call about a half dozen companies and you get three quotes. They all promise to email you a quote and you wait anxiously throughout the day and there you are at quitting time and you have received one quote. Does this sound familiar?

In my travels I have found literally hundreds of stories just like the one I described. Many administrative assistants have often asked why is it that the industry does not have a search engine similar to Expedia, Orbitz, or maybe even Hotels.com. It seems to be a valid question. If you need a hotel, an airline ticket or a rental car, with one click you can find the best price on any of those at any of the major on-line sites. However, if you need limousine service, sedan service or an airport transfer, well get a pot of coffee and hope for the best. Is there any place to go that can make this task easier? Why can’t a 10 billion dollar industry find a solution? The worst part is, that once you have found a company, there is no way to check on their service standards, there reputation or whether the vehicle listed on their website is really the vehicle you are about to reserve. Do you feel like saying “someone please help me.”

CheapLimoRates.com has done exactly that. by simply going to www.CheapLimoRates.com you will have access to thousands of our Limousine Service Partners and their rates all over the country. Once there you can comparison shop each of the providers. Just research each company’s customer reviews and determine the company that best suits you needs and do so with ease and confidence. Finding a limousine or sedan service is now as easy as one, two, three, Search – Shop – Book.

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Limousine Dreaming: An industry under assault

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

If you follow my blogs you may notice I tend to write about three basic topics limousines, CheapLimoRates.com and its technology and limousines. You would think I was obsessed with the whole limo thing. Though I know more than the average person does about limousines, I rarely use them. Oh a few times when traveling and a few times for a dinner (I missed my prom) but not as much as you would think.

I worked for a limousine company once where the owner of the company had a large fleet of limousines and sedans and had not ridden in a limousine until he had owned the company for six years. Imagine that, owning several hundred thousand dollar plus vehicle and you never utilize them yourself. Well I digress, the reason I write so much about limousines, other than the fact it is the career path I have chosen, it is because I have an insane desire to revitalize the limousine industry.

Here are some facts that you may find quite startling:

1. In the last year (2009) the number of limousine companies operating went from and average of around 11,000 companies to around 9000 companies and it continues to fall. That is an average loss of 167 companies per month.

2. The average limousine company employs 9 people (there are only 35 companies that do over 100 million dollars in revenue nationally) which means that last year over 18,000 people in the industry lost their jobs.

3. Whether it is a large or small company, they both average $60,000 per employee in annual revenue.

4. $60,000 dollars in revenue time 18,000 employees equals almost a billion dollars in lost revenue from the industry.

Opinions vary as to the size of the limousine industry. I have heard numbers as high as 20 billion and as low as 4 billion. However, whether it is 4 or 20 billion, a billion dollar loss from the industry is staggering.

The limousine industry is driven by business and leisure travelers. That being said, our technology was developed in order to help the limousine and sedan industry recover from losses incurred by idle vehicles and to help the business and leisure traveler find those idle vehicles at lower costs more conveniently. With both the limousine and sedan services and the consumer getting what they need, the industry has a chance to recover and potentially find an even larger base of consumers.

It may be a dream, it may be wishful thinking, but it is my goal to help our Limousine Service Partners and the industry as a whole come out of the recession stronger and larger than before, because as you know, limousines are meant to make everything appear larger than life.

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Limousine Learning Series – Five things you probably don’t know about limousines

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

As you may have already discovered, we here at CheapLimoRates.com like to help our customers feel comfortable with the limousine industry and give them a little information in order be able to make better decisions regarding the rental of limousine services. But sometimes sharing fun facts about this industry can also educational.

As and example according to the encyclopedia, the word limousine comes from the Limousin region of France. The covered compartments of early limousines resembled the cloaked hood worn by shepherds in that area of France for protection from the weather.

Automobile limousines were first built in 1902 and designed so that the chauffeurs sat in covered areas outside of the main compartment but were still protected from the elements. (Like the one Leonardo Decaprio took Kate Winslet for a ride in on the movie Titanic, I am sure no pun intended) To some extent limousines today are still built with this separation between the driver and the passenger, now however, through the use of a sound proof partition.

The first stretch limousine may have been better known as a “big band bus” and was built by the Armbruster Company out of Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1928. Their original purpose was for transporting “big band” leaders like Glen Miller and Benny Goodman as well as their band members and equipment.

Limousines had air conditioning installed for their exclusive clientele almost 20 years prior to it’s being introduced for mass production in other less expensive automobiles.

The longest, street legal limousine made the Guinness Book of Records in 1997. It was a 66 ½ foot long, white, Lincoln built by Ultra Coachbuilders. It cost $1.8 million and was 14,000 pounds. The limousine was in two pieces with a hitch so that it could bend around corners and the back portion was detachable. It had four televisions, four moon roofs, three cell phones, a hot tub, two fax machines, a microwave, an air conditioning compressor larger than most homes, and three ceiling fans. To further the opulence, it was furnished with Waterford crystal and imported china.

Who knew that there were so many interesting facts lingering out there about the limousine industry? Today, after one hundred years of the livery business, CheapLimoRates.com has brought to fruition the introduction of the first web 2.0 comparison shopping booking engine, that makes finding and renting a sedan or limousine service a snap. If you can use a computer, you can search for a limousine, compare the prices of the local competition and book that limo service right on line, usually in about three minutes.

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Renting a Vehicle for an Airport Transfer

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

There are many occasions where utilizing a town car or sedan for an airport transfer makes a lot of sense. Using such services can save you a lot of time and money. These are a few things you should consider before you make a decision as to which sedan services you are going to utilize. Taking the time to do a little research and most importantly, ask the right questions will ensure that you are picked up on time and that you arrive at your destination safely and in a timely manner by finding the very best sedan services. Though the cost of a sedan service is certainly important, there are many factors to consider when hiring a sedan service for your airport transfer. Here are just a few questions you should ask in order to find the right company.

A few simple questions to ask and the reasons why:

How long have you been in business? – Established companies are in business for a reason.
How many vehicles of this type do you own? – In case of a vehicle breaks down, you will need another.
What type of vehicles do you provide? – There are several different types of vehicles to choose from.
Are all of your vehicles insured? – It is the law and it will give you peace of mind, ask for proof.
What are the insurance coverage amounts? – To ensure it meets state minimum requirements.
Are your drivers professionally trained? – You want to know that you are going to be wowed!
Will my driver be professionally uniformed? – It is all part of the experience.
Does the driver have a cell phone? – You may need to call if running behind or to set up a meeting place.
What are your pick-up and drop off policies? – Some services charge extra for additional stops.
Will I be charged extra for those pick-ups? – If they say yes, you may want to look further.
What is your all inclusive rate per hour? (All inclusive is the hourly rate plus all fees.)
How much are additional hours if I go over my scheduled time? – Discount rates may not count on hourly overages.
What payment methods do you accept and how do I pay for your services? – Most companies take a 50% deposit by credit card, you need to know.

All of the questions mentioned are important to ensure that you have a successful trip. By taking the time to know what to ask, you can have a truly great experience.

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Limousine Rental for your Financial Road Show

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Financial Roadshow

Renting a limousine or sedan for a financial road show is and excellent way to make good use of your time and be on time when navigating business in a new city. By renting a sedan or limousine from the right company with the right amenities can make your road show a huge success. These are a few things you should consider before you make a decision as to which limousine or sedan services you are going to utilize. Taking the time to do a little research and most importantly, ask the right questions will ensure that you are picked up on time and that you arrive at your all of your destination safely and in a timely manner. Though the cost of a sedan service is certainly important, there are many factors to consider when hiring a sedan service for your Financial Roadshow.  Here are just a few questions you should ask in order to find the right company.

A few simple questions to ask and the reasons why:

  1. How long have you been in business? – Established companies are in business for a reason.
  2. How many vehicles of this type do you own? – In case of a vehicle breaks down, you will need another.
  3. What type of vehicles do you provide? – There are several different types of vehicles to choose from.
  4. Are all of your vehicles insured? – It is the law and it will give you peace of mind, ask for proof.
  5. What are the insurance coverage amounts? – To ensure it meets state minimum requirements.
  6. Are your drivers professionally trained? – You want to know that you are going to be wowed!
  7. Will my driver be professionally uniformed? – It is all part of the experience.
  8. Is my driver experienced and know the city well? – The wrong driver can cost you valuable time.
  9. Does the driver have a cell phone? – You may need to call if running behind or to set up a meeting place.
  10. What is your all inclusive rate per hour? (All inclusive is the hourly rate plus all fees.)
  11. How much are additional hours if I go over my scheduled time? – Discount rates may not count on hourly overages.
  12. What payment methods do you accept and how do I pay for your services? – Most companies take a 50% deposit by credit card, you need to know.
  13. All of the questions mentioned are important to ensure that you have a successful trip. By taking the time to know what to ask, you can have a truly great experience.

Some additional questions you need to ask are about the vehicle amenities:  Is the vehicle equipped with an executive desk?  Does the vehicle offer cell phone service? Is it stocked with waters?  Does the vehicle have any mobile devices such as fax? Is the vehicle equipped with GPS?  All of these questions will help you prepare for your road show and it will give you a heads up on what to expect when you begin your day. We hope these tips have helped you schedule a successful road show and with you Good Luck!

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How to rent a wedding limousine

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

wedding limos

Private limousine rental services are cost-effective and convenient means for those who wish to spice up their special day by riding in style and luxury and making that special occasion have the feel of royalty. When you begin to consider a limo rental, take heed that you must consider a quite a few important items before making a decision on a limousine provider. With the proper research and a little ammunition, you will have a much greater likelihood of enjoying your experience by opting for the perfect limousine service.

How much the service cost is certainly important, however, it is not the most important factor when deciding the perfect limousine service for your special day. Here are just a few questions you should ask in order to find the company that is going to make your day a memorable one.

Here are a few simple questions to ask and the reasons why:

1. How long have you been in business? – Established companies are in business for a reason.
2. How many vehicles of this type do you own? – In case of a vehicle breaks down, you will need another.
3. What type of vehicles do you provide? – There are several different types of vehicles to choose from.
4. Are all of your vehicles insured? – It is the law and it will give you peace of mind, ask for proof.
5. What are the insurance coverage amounts? – To ensure it meets state minimum requirements.
6. Are your drivers professionally trained? – You want to know that you are going to be wowed!
7. Will my driver be professionally uniformed? – It is all part of the experience.
8. Does the driver have a cell phone? – You may need to call if running behind or to set up a meeting place.
9. What are your pick-up and drop off policies? – Some services charge extra for additional stops.
10. Will I be charged extra for those pick-ups? – If they say yes, you may want to look further.
11. What is your all inclusive rate per hour? (All inclusive is the hourly rate plus all fees.)
12. What is the minimum number of hours for the vehicle I am choosing? – Most providers have minimum hours for each vehicle type.
13. How much are additional hours if I go over my scheduled time? – discount rates may not count on hourly overages.
14. What payment methods do you accept and how do I pay for your services? – Most companies take a 50% deposit by credit card, you need to know.
15. What is the cost of damages, spills, cigarette burns, broken glasses ect.? – Some companies charge as much as $300.00 for cleaning a car and as much as $20.00 for a broken glass.

All of these things that I mention are important to ensure that you and your betrothed have the very best possible day. Nothing can ruin a good day more than having your transportation take a wrong turn. If you follow these simple steps, you will have a great time and a great day.

Here are some other things you may wish to consider in advance of that special day:

1. Do you need transportation for your wedding party or parents of the bride and groom?
2. Should you consider a motor coach for your guest?
3. Will your limousine take both the bride and groom to the ceremony or should you consider two sedans?
4. Will the bride and groom be alone on the trip to the reception hall?
5. What color limousine do you want?
6. Should you pay for services in advance?

Armed with this knowledge and finding a company that gives you the right answers will make you special day a little less stressful and a lot more memorable. – Good Luck

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