Renting a limo is not something that the average person does often. When it comes to limo services, it can be difficult for customers to know exactly what to expect. Chris Welsher, owner of Missouri-based Murcielago Limos, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the business in order to educate customers about the ins and outs of limo services.
How will I be charged?
This is usually the most pressing question asked by customers. The answer is that it depends on the company, the situation, and the vehicle at hand. Some companies charge customers by the hour; others charge the by mile. When it comes to methods of calculating charges, each limo company in operation is free to come up with its own formula. Welsher, however, strives to create a pricing scale that is both fair to customers and easy to follow.
What does the price include?
This is another question that depends on the specific company at hand. Welsher likes to include all taxes and fees in his pricing so that there are no surprises. Other limo companies, however, might not operate the same way. For this reason, it is important to ask for a specific cost breakdown before making a reservation.
Do I have to provide a credit card in case of damages?
Most limo companies require a credit card deposit to reserve a limo. This way, the company has a valid card number on file that can be used in the event of damages to the vehicle in question.
What kind of damages might I be charged for?
Many customers are hesitant to provide a credit card number for fear that they will be charged for damages outside their control. Welsher reassures his customers that they won’t be charged for “run of the mill” items such as spilled drinks or the occasional broken glass. However, customers should expect to be charged for extensive damages such as broken windows or cigarette burns on a limo’s interior (especially since smoking is not allowed to begin with). In the event that Welsher does need to charge a customer for damages, he will always contact the person in question before automatically processing the charge on his credit card.
Do you provide alcohol?
Welsher’s answer to this question is a resounding “no.” In fact, it is illegal for any limo company to provide alcohol to passengers throughout the United States. However, if the passengers are of a legal drinking age, then they can feel free to bring their own alcohol on board. In fact, many limo companies will accommodate passengers by making a liquor stop at some point during the night to stock up on or replenish supplies.
Do you provide food?
Since most limousine companies discourage, if not outright ban, the consumption of food inside their vehicles, it is rare to find one that is actually willing to provide food.
Should I tip my driver?
The answer to this one is an absolute “yes.” Customers should always remember that drivers, much like waiters, rely on tips to supplement their income. Welsher does his best to pay each of his drivers a reasonable wage. However, most limo drivers only get paid for the hours during which they work, so a slow month of business can really cause a driver to suffer financially. It is important for customers to realize that limo drivers are providing a service for which they deserve to be rewarded.
In that case, how much should I tip?
As a general rule, your driver’s tip should fall somewhere 15% to 20% of the total bill for the night. However, don’t forget that you should also be rewarding the driver for good service, so the more accommodating the driver is, the higher the tip should be. Or, to put it a different way, the more rowdy, loud, and annoying you and your group is, the more your driver deserves to be compensated for putting up with your late night shenanigans.
Of course, these are only some of the questions that customers have been known to ask about limousine services. If you’re considering hiring a limo, then make sure to get all of the answers you want and need from the company you are looking at before offering up a credit card number and making that reservation official.
