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This article is courtesy of the Better Business
Bureau  Council
of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
Press
Release
For
Immediate Release Keep Special Events Special:
Check Out Limo Service Before Hiring
With prom and wedding
season just around the corner, many special event goers will be hiring
limousine services to travel in style, but the Better Business Bureau warns, if
you don't hire a reliable company, you might not get to your event at all.
To reduce the risk of a no-show, getting poor service, or not getting what
you expected, the BBB urges consumers to check on the limousine service
before hiring them. "People
usually hire limousine services for special occasions or to transport
important business associates or clients. In these situations, not having
the limousine service arrive on time or having the wrong vehicle or
another problem can really put a damper on the event," says Jennifer
Boerio, spokesperson for the BBB.
" The overwhelming majority of businesses work hard to satisfy their customers, but this is an area where you don't want a surprise. You really want to do business with a firm you know you can count on," says Ms. Boerio Complaints
against limousine services in 2004 ranked 30 out of approximately 400
types of businesses tracked by the BBB. Complaints over the
last few years cite: unclean vehicles
 inoperable equipment in the vehicle, including in
one case the heat and lights
unsafe operation, including reports of drivers
unfamiliar with the oversize vehicles, speeding and being involved in a
minor traffic accident
the wrong vehicle being sent, which in some cases
was not large enough for all the riders
inability to cancel the service and difficulty in
getting refunds, even after being promised billing adjustments.
To avoid
these hassles, the BBB suggests: ask others you know if they can recommend a service
they have used
inquire about the company's cancellation policy so
you know your rights,
book as early as possible to get what you want, and
check with the BBB for a report, keeping in mind
that companies who are unresponsive to complaints filed at the BBB, may
not be responsive to your complaints either.
If you do
encounter a problem, remember that mistakes do happen, and even very
reputable firms make them. Be patient and try to work with the company to
resolve the issue. If this doesn't work, contact the BBB to file a
complaint. The Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit business
membership organization promoting ethical standards of business practices
through voluntary self-regulation and monitoring activities. More than
2500 local businesses support the BBB through membership.
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