Limousine Rental TipsWedding Planning Tips Planning Budget, Dresses and Wedding Limos
Winter Limo Service
When summer draws to a close and the leaves start to turn, we all start thinking of the holidays. Many people don’t think that limos can be used in the winter. You can’t be more wrong! Actually, while the number of weddings may decrease, the number of large gatherings, formal affairs and potential drinking related parties increase over the holidays. Many of our clients also HATE winter driving, but CDL passenger-endorsed drivers behind the wheel of a limo are experienced in all types of driving conditions, including defensive driving. Why worry about being late or arriving at a holiday party stressed from bad roads when you can take a limo instead! We've compiled a few of our favorite ways that clients take advantage of luxury transportation during December, January and February:
1. Holiday Lights Tours Winter scenery is almost always just gorgeous. If you're looking for a creative date idea, check if your local limo service offers holiday lights tours. Many communities offer spectacular outdoor lighting displays, ice skating rinks lit for the holidays or even outdoor ice sculpture parks. And of course, there are the festive neighborhood lighting displays. Your family will love viewing the best and brightest displays of holiday lights in your area! 2. Kids' Day Out Cabin fever during holiday break have the kids climbing the walls or you desperate to get out? Why not treat you and your children to an afternoon or evening of fun in a limo! Reserve a limo for community light tours, a holiday concert or play, ice skating and dinner, or even the climax to a pool party at a local hotel. 3. Holiday Parties We all look forward to them. We know that they often have our favorite “adult beverages” and we would really like to toast to the holidays in style. But what is always on our minds? Drinking and driving. Limos can offer groups, or even couples, the convenience of safe transportation to and from a great party without the worry of the ramifications of a drinking and driving accident or arrest. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride while your driver takes you from house to house or wherever you want to go to celebrate this year. 4. Night Out Most of us look forward to the holidays and the family gatherings, tradition, fun and memories they bring. But too often we find ourselves stressed and unhappy around the holidays. If you're feeling the stress of shopping, wrapping presents and cooking for relatives in addition to your normal routine, reserve limo service and give yourself an evening to spend time alone, with your spouse or with a group of friends. Why not enjoy a night at a concert with your favorite band, or a performance of an anticipated play? How about a quiet dinner for two or a fun gathering with friends at a local wine or martini bar? Limo service may be the answer to a safe and relaxing night out just when you need it most. Santa needs a break too! 5. Holiday Travel The holidays are a time for family, and for many that means traveling hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles for long-awaited reunions with loved ones. Limo service can be a lifesaver for those needing transport to local airports with lots of luggage, or those wishing to travel in large groups without a caravan of personal vehicles. Let a limousine driver get you and your family to the airport on time, or get you to a family dinner party with your group of 8, 10, 15 or more in one car. Who says the party has to start at the house? Enjoy your time together in one vehicle chatting, laughing or playing games.
Limousine transportation is something many of us should consider during the holidays and winter months. Let your local limo company take the stress out of your holidays and give you memories to cherish with family and friends for years to come!
LIMOUSINE RENTAL TIPS StarGazer Limousine would like to provide you with this week's important limousine rental tip: What you need to know before renting Know what you are getting. Here at StarGazer Limousine we respect our patrons and want to make sure they are satisfied with their transportation experience, therefore, we ALWAYS ensure they know the vehicle they are reserving in advance. Over the years, we have found this is not always the case with other limousine companies. Customers have told us horror stories of reserving a luxury limo bus for prom, only to find a standard shuttle bus pull up to take them on their once-in-a-lifetime evening on the town. Another customer shared an experience when they reserved a limo and were shown one high-class limousine but a completely different vehicle showed up at their wedding. That is why StarGazer Limousine always recommend that customers KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GETTING. We are always honest with customers about the age of our vehicles and our photos and videos portray our vehicles exactly as they are. Customers are also welcome to view the vehicles in advance to ensure they are comfortable with their choice. To ensure you get what you pay for and are not surprised on your big day, ask to see the vehicle in person. If a company will not allow this, beware! You also can request that the contract for your event specifically state the license number of the vehicle you saw and have confirmed for your event. If that vehicle is not what is provided on your day of service, you can argue for breach of contract and a refund. We encourage customers to EDUCATE themselves about this industry and know what they are getting to ensure they have a positive experience and their big day goes off without a hitch. Feel free to call us to schedule a visit to one of our locations to see our vehicles today. We look forward to hearing from you!
Ask to see the company's vehicles. Check out the vehicle you plan on renting. Some companies utilize older fleets. You don't want to be surprised if a 1988 limousine shows up, when you were expecting a 2005 model. Many older cars are clean and well maintained. Just be sure you know what you are getting. Get A Signed Contract. A reliable and professional service will be more than happy to provide you with a signed contract for service. Companies who cannot supply a contract may not be confident in their ability to fulfill an agreement. Don't be the person who gets the "We don't have your reservation" story. Cover yourself by getting a signed contract and shop smart. Shopping on price alone is dangerous. Some unethical operators do not hesitate to drop a reservation to pick-up a better paying fare. Ask About Insurance and Permits. All limousines are required to carry commercial insurance and must be properly licensed. Unfortunately, the phone book or Internet search engines do not require the same information in order to advertise. To protect yourself from "gypsy companies", ask for proof of these requirements with your signed contract. Once you receive the information, call the company to find out if the vehicle is actually insured and that it is commercial insurance.
Vehicle Rental Policies In general, the BIGGER and the NEWER the limousine, the more expensive it will be to rent. Here are three standard types of limousines operating today at their relative cost per hour to rent: Wedding rates are usually quoted as a package price. For instance, "Our 3 hour wedding package is $315.00 and includes our ten-passenger limousine". Ask your limousine company what is included in the package price. All or some of the following items may be included in the price: Once again, when booking a limousine, always make sure you know what kind of car you are getting. Simply being told a "10-passenger limousine" is not enough. Many smaller companies utilize older fleets. There currently are three Lincoln body styles of limousines on the market make sure you know which you are getting. Most companies require a minimum 3- to 4-hour booking when making reservations. If you are looking for a limousine for only one hour or for pick-up and drop-off service, you will have to do some searching. Many companies simply will not do these types of bookings because of cost considerations. If you do find a company that will do your event for one hour, more than likely the limousine will be an older model vehicle or will not guarantee the arrival time(s) of the car. There is nothing wrong with older model limousines; however, we suggest you view any vehicle before you rent, especially one that is over five years old. Deposits Required Most companies require a deposit to hold your reservation with the balance due three (3) days prior to the rental date or on the day of service. If you cancel your reservation, your deposit can be forfeited. Such things can be outlined in the contract. Ask your selected company their policy IN WRITING. Air-Conditioning Systems Be aware that many older model limousines have air-conditioning systems which are NOT equipped to handle hot days. If your event is in the middle of summer, inquire about your limousine's air conditioning system. Older models may only have one AC compressor and on extremely hot days, getting a cool limousine may not be possible. Request limousines that have two AC compressors which will eliminate this problem. Insurance IS important! Always ask a limousine company if they can provide you with a certificate of insurance. If they are resistant, this raises a red flag. Any limousine company should have commercial insurance for "passengers for Hire" According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, all carriers of passengers or property for-hire rental companies, owners of buses that carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), human service vehicles, driver education vehicles and dealer demonstration vehicles are required to file proof of insurance before operating in Wisconsin. Proof of insurance is a prerequisite for any "for hire" carrier to obtain vehicle registration, vehicle registration trip permits, and Wisconsin operating authority (USDOT number). The Wisconsin’s insurance minimums are a combined single limit of: Insurance is required to promote public safety and insure fiscal responsibility of high liability operations.
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