A Prestige Limousine

In early July I began planning for a wine tour with friends for my birthday. I called around to request quotes from several limousine companies in the area to find that many had nothing available on September 14th, the date I was looking for. I spoke with a gentleman at Prestige Limousine and after explaining the plan for the trip received a quote for their largest vehicle that was stated to seat 30 people comfortably as it had a 36 person capacity.

After looking at all other options and after reviewing the suggested vehicle on the Prestige Limousine website which stated it was a 30-36 passenger vehicle, I decided to book the vehicle. On August 7th I spoke with [redacted] in the Prestige office and explained what I had been quoted as a price and that I would like to book the trip. [redacted] at first disagreed with price I had been quoted but then checked and the price was agreed upon. Credit card information was provided to pay for the down-payment and it was said everything was all set for 30 people on Sept 14 with the 30-36 passenger vehicle. At that time I specifically noted that I would be paying for the trip on my credit card, the same card being used for the down payment. [redacted] voiced that was no problem and would be billed at a later date.

Later on August 7th I was called at 3:55pm and informed via voicemail that information had been emailed to me that I must print out, sign and fax back, in order to process my credit card (this was not discussed on the phone). When I returned the call and explained that I was headed out of town for the weekend and that I would be unable to do that until the following week as I would not have access to a printer or fax machine, I was rudely told that if I did not do this the trip would not be reserved. So I was forced to go out of my way, due to something that was not explained to ensure the trip would be reserved.

In the mean time I gathered friends excitedly telling them about how great this wine tour was going to be and how great the vehicle reserved would be. I sent an agenda on 8/15 of all the wineries we would like to visit including the exact times we would arrive at each and reservations were made for each winery to ensure timely and adequate service. I received a response that the email had been received but nothing further. On 9/9 I called to confirm details of the trip along with ask questions regarding the vehicle i.e.: ice wells, radio input abilities etc. At that time I was told things were all set for September 14th.

On 9/13 I received a call from [redacted] at Prestige to go over the details of the following day. At that time she informed me that the outstanding balance of the trip was expected to be given in cash to the driver prior to boarding the limo the following day. I voiced that I was not comfortable with this and that we had discussed from the beginning that the remaining part was going on my card. The tone of the conversation was not pleasant as I was told repeatedly cash only would be accepted, no check, no way to charge my card as previously discussed, cash only. I expressed that I was not comfortable with this and would not do so. I expressed I would drive to the office and swipe and sign for my card but I would not hand over $1,144 in cash on the day of the trip. It was agreed that I could come sign for my card and that is what I did. At the office I was reminded to tip my driver generously in cash and the rate at which overtime would be charged. Overtime was discussed to be paid for in cash at the end of the trip, which I agreed as it was unclear how much over we would be. It was planned that some overtime cost would be involved due to the distance we were traveling.

The day of the trip September 14 the bus arrived on time and we loaded in. [redacted] our driver was very pleasant and accommodating though voiced from the start that 30 people was going to be very tight (not at all what I had been led to believe). Prior to boarding the bus I was informed that tip was expected up front prior to leaving for the trip. At that point I was told how much tip was expected and then explained that our driver was not paid hourly but purely by tip. I am not opposed to tipping, as discussed I knew tipping was expected as well as that it was to be in cash. However never was it said that it would be before we even left for the trip; I was baffled how can one appropriately tip before any service has been provided? But I gave the driver the tip and got on the vehicle.

Once on the vehicle I found that with only 28 people on the bus (as we were meeting 2 at the first winery) there was literally no room. Of these 28 people 6 were men, the rest were women, predominately small to at best average size women. We were literally so cramped I myself ended up sitting on a cooler as there was no room. Not what I was explained, what I was sold, nor what I paid for.

The vehicle was well kept but the sound system, which had been explained as fantastic, worked reasonably when using the radio but when using the input option could barely be heard even when turned up to its max. This is the option I had specifically asked about and had been assured would work with no problem. Once we picked up the remaining 2 people at the first winery the vehicle was even more cramped literally with people sitting on each other with an attempt to make room. This in a supposed 36 passenger vehicle which I was told from the prestige office staff would have plenty of room for us at 30 people. The trip itself was fun, our driver did a good job and I have no concerns with him as I do not believe my issues were anything in his control.

Once about to leave the last winery the driver then pulled me aside to state that the estimated overtime cost had to be paid for up front, prior to starting our trip home. Another detail that had not been explained by office staff but rather that overtime would be paid at the end of the trip. As to not waste time and be charged more overtime I handed over the $460 that was requested and informed if there was extra it would be returned to me.

Once back in [redacted] indeed $140 was returned to me from the overtime charge, the vehicle was cleaned of all our belongings and our trip was over.

Though I had fun, I will admit, I was sadly disappointed several things.

• The overall communication with prestige limousine was poor, ill explained, and made me feel as though things were trying to be done “under the table” and in a fashion in which charges and actualities are not openly communicated.

• I was sold a 36 passenger spacious vehicle, I received a vehicle that 30 people were literally forced to sit on people’s laps.

• I was sold a supposed club on wheels, I received a vehicle which the sound system couldn’t even be heard