Our new limousine video lets Leah show you the best limousine or limo service for your wedding, prom, or night on the town. Real tips that will save you money and help you choose the best limousine.
Dan the Professional Limo Driver says, ‘When shopping for a limousine, make sure it is you (and not your wallet) that gets taken for the ride of its life.’
We all know the old adage, ‘You get what you pay for’ and for limousine rentals, like most things in life, this tends to be true. If you have an important event that must be serviced professionally, Joe Dokes Limo Co. run out of a storage shed on a dark alley probably isn’t the best choice you could make. It might work for a loud night out on the town but to arrive on time and with elegance requires details: you need a vehicle that is clean, new and comfortable; and has a full tank of gas. So how do you avoid getting a twenty seat, beat up party Hummer when you asked for the latest shiny black Lincoln?
When phoning around, aim for companies that work with business professionals, do corporate events and maybe even service professional entertainers. (While conventional wisdom says these people do nothing but party, rest assured they travel in style.) Reputable organizations will be advertising their specialties just like any other industry does. Another key is to see how long they have been in business. Not to knock on the ‘little guy’ but if a company has weathered the up’s and down’s of this cyclical industry it is probably doing something well, which really translates into taking great care of clients. Also, an easily overlooked ‘bullet’ to look for is the size of the company’s fleet. If they have fifteen or more vehicles on the road then that is a good sign the company is well managed and takes care of its vehicles.
Asking the other pertinent questions like- What does it cost to stay out until three instead of ending at midnight like planned? Or, How much is the clean up fee just in case Aunt Roslyn can’t keep her hands off the martini’s (or the driver)?- are good questions to ask. A healthy dose of common sense can solve any other ‘iffy’ questions too.
Key reminder! The driver is a human being and has basically seen it all if he/she has worked in the industry for any length of time. So, while hitting on the driver might work out there is no need to take it personally if it doesn’t- it might just be they do not want to lose their job for fraternizing with clients. If it is true love then tread carefully.
In a nutshell, here is the overview on how to make sure your event is a grand success and not a tragic disaster.
Oh yeah, tips… For a great night out on the town $100 is pretty solid; $50 is nice and $20 is, well, just a little shabby that’s all. Whatever you do, do not end the night in a drunken fog trying to find your checkbook to crank out a tip. Lame. Just keep your checkbook.
Other than that it is really about common courtesy and basic intelligence. So kids, just keep in mind what Driver Dan says, ‘wherever you find yourself, have fun!’
Shop around – but shop for service, not price. Most limo companies’ prices are very similar. Shopping for price is mostly a waste of your time as the industry is highly competitive. Instead, shop for how professionally you are treated on the phone, and how close what they have is to what you need. Phone treatment is an excellent predictor of limo treatment.
Get the detail on the limousines. Any limo company offering unusually low prices likely has the oldest vehicles. New vehicles cost more and have better features and luxury. Ask about the specific vehicles the company offers, and how old these limousines are.
Form a group. The more people who share a limo – the lower the price per person. If you’re meeting up with some other couples or friends – the limo can easily make a single or multiple pickup.
Ask about alcohol in the limo. Depending on your state or country – you may be able to enjoy a cocktail in the limousine within reason. Don’t expect it to be a wild scene out of “American Pie” - limo drinking should be appropriate.
Limos can keep you safe. Avoid drunk driving on your wild evenings with a touch of class. The cost of even the best limo is exponentially less than a drunk driving or DUI ticket – not to mention the safety issues to yourself and others.
Consider an SUV limo. 
One of the most popular limo types today are Hummer limos. They are unusual; eye-catching; and even safer. Hummer SUV limos do usually entail significantly higher cost.
Think about a “party bus” for large groups. If you are getting ready for a prom or group event – a large group of your friends can rent a huge party bus for much less than you might think per person. If one person can organize the group – and keep the size within the party bus limit (typically 30 people) – it’s a great option for safety, convenience, and luxury.
Try a limo for airport service. No dealing with annoying rental cars or finding hotels in strange cities. With a group of 3-4 – the cost per person for a limo transfer or airport shuttle can be minimal – yet a huge convenience.
Take care of your limo driver. He or she is working for tips, plus minimal pay. They want to take care of you and build a repeat customer. If you like the service – tip accordingly and you’ll be surprised some of the secrets you might find.
In Baltimore, make sure to check out BWI Car Service for airport transportation or special events.