The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

I must preface this with -our home base is in Bakersfield, CA. LAX is located 2 hours south of us and is a staple of our business.

While taking a reservation yesterday from a secretary at an oil company, I was given a pickup location of "LAX".

I asked the girl, "what airline are they arriving on?" She responded, "I don't know, does it matter?" I said, "Yes, it matters as we need to know where at the airport to be". She replied, "Just meet them in the lobby". I asked her if she had ever been to LAX. She said no, she had never been on an airplane in her life.

So I said I would put it in perspective for her. I asked her if I told her to pick me up tonight at Cal State University Bakersfield, where would she go to meet me if that was all I gave her. Would it be the gym? The theater? The Fine Arts Building, The soccer fields, the amphitheater or exactly where? She said the campus was so large I would need to tell her.

I said, okay, now imagine LAX is about 50 times the size of the campus. "Now do you understand the why I need to know what airline and flight your guest is arriving on?"

She said, "Can't you just meet them in the lobby when they come off the plane?" Apparently she HAS been to our Bakersfield Airport.

I then told her there was a lobby in each of the 7 terminals and the International terminal. In fact there are two lobbies. One downstairs and one upstairs of the 7 terminals and one massive lobby for International giving our chauffuer a choice of 15 lobbies to stand in. "Which one would you like us to wait in?"

She said at that point, she would have to call me back with the info.

OMG - The stupidity of some people!!!!!!!

Jim, Please send me her contact information. I want to sell her the Huey P. Long Bridge. I will give you a "finders fee ".

quote:

Originally posted by Limo Scene:
I must preface this with -our home base is in Bakersfield, CA. LAX is located 2 hours south of us and is a staple of our business.

While taking a reservation yesterday from a secretary at an oil company, I was given a pickup location of "LAX".

I asked the girl, "what airline are they arriving on?" She responded, "I don't know, does it matter?" I said, "Yes, it matters as we need to know where at the airport to be". She replied, "Just meet them in the lobby". I asked her if she had ever been to LAX. She said no, she had never been on an airplane in her life.

So I said I would put it in perspective for her. I asked her if I told her to pick me up tonight at Cal State University Bakersfield, where would she go to meet me if that was all I gave her. Would it be the gym? The theater? The Fine Arts Building, The soccer fields, the amphitheater or exactly where? She said the campus was so large I would need to tell her.

I said, okay, now imagine LAX is about 50 times the size of the campus. "Now do you understand the why I need to know what airline and flight your guest is arriving on?"

She said, "Can't you just meet them in the lobby when they come off the plane?" Apparently she HAS been to our Bakersfield Airport.

I then told her there was a lobby in each of the 7 terminals and the International terminal. In fact there are two lobbies. One downstairs and one upstairs of the 7 terminals and one massive lobby for International giving our chauffuer a choice of 15 lobbies to stand in. "Which one would you like us to wait in?"

She said at that point, she would have to call me back with the info.

OMG - The stupidity of some people!!!!!!!

Russell Figaredo www.abcnyclimousine.com
You wanna read funny stupid stories about my New York City Limousine services? go here http://abcnyclimo.tumblr.com/
Anyone want to start a limo Blog to write about all these stories?

I too have had many calls like that over the years from unsuspecting people. While I don't like to be a smart ass to potential clients, I do believe that birds of a feather flock together. So, the cheap bastard who severely chokes on the price is probably running with the same crowd so smart ass comments probably won't hurt too much as far as image.

A statement was made the other day, "Are you kidding me????? That is totally outrageous! I don't know how you sleep at night!"

I replied, we generally get this reaction from people who can't afford our service. Around here, if you have to ask the price, you probably can't afford it. We cater to the rich and elite. Sorry.

The call was over. By the way, I slept just fine that night too!

Not everyone can buy a yacht, not everyone is suited for high-end livery service.

quote:

Originally posted by Blue Diamond:
My favorite is a gal that called to rent for 7 hours. She asked "how much?" (She was 80 miles away.) I told her what the cost for the time and fuel surcharge fee would be and that this price didn't include their drivers tip. "The total would be $XXXX for the trip."

Caller: "OH MY GOD!!!! We are just driving around to bars... I don't want to own part of the car!"; "I was thinking it would be around $200 total"; "You actually get people to pay that?" *phone clicks*

It took me 5 minutes to stop laughing!!

My favorite is a gal that called to rent for 7 hours. She asked "how much?" (She was 80 miles away.) I told her what the cost for the time and fuel surcharge fee would be and that this price didn't include their drivers tip. "The total would be $XXXX for the trip."

Caller: "OH MY GOD!!!! We are just driving around to bars... I don't want to own part of the car!"; "I was thinking it would be around $200 total"; "You actually get people to pay that?" *phone clicks*

It took me 5 minutes to stop laughing!!

I have had clients call and ask if the airline matters, what are they thinking? My usual response would be, we do need the flight number, day and time of arrival, those three items are of most importance for our chauffeurs to be able to provide the meet & greet on time in the correct location, as we do track flight status' ensuring they aren't delayed. Terminals don't matter, as with any airport, there are multiple terminals. This was a funny one to read, although I will agree that it has gotten very serious. Not everyone is going to respond the "correct" way when answering the telephones. It also doesn't help when your hearing true ignorance over the telephone. Some respond differently, some are thrown off and just dish it back. Who really calls for someone else, asking for limousine service w/out the pertinent details? (excluding those in need of quote)

quote:

Originally posted by Limo Scene:
I was only sharing a fun moment of my life here in the forum funnies but the post took on a strange twist.

That is why I love reading all the comments. Things that customers come up with - its unbelievable. Sometimes I share some examples/stories but sometimes people are too serious on this forum and I see flames starting to burn.

Me and some other limo owners sit down every week for a dinner and we share these stories. Man - I think we should come up with a reality show on TV about limos and limo stories. That would be a funny show.

Last week one of the other company's cars came back to the garage with all the seats cut with a knife. Driver said it was cops that searched the car for drugs but its so hard to believe. $3000 worth of damages in his car.
Another time a driver droped people off at the casino, went to the bathroom while the car was in front of the casino, he played a $5 slot and won himself a $150,000. Isnt that a day's pay..huh.

There is nothing like limo stories. I have some cop family member and let me tell you - COPS got stories you would not believe. We always laugh or we are amazed with it. Cops are so corrupted its unbelievable.

I was only sharing a fun moment of my life here in the forum funnies but the post took on a strange twist. While the caller was ignorant, not stupid about the size of LAX, I agree with Tony that chuckles are in order after the phone is hung up.

We ARE in the service industry and it is our job to provide luxury service. Rude people? Oh hell yes! My clients are the most uppity, stuck up POS's life has to offer. But they have piles of money and love our service. They are demanding and forthright. But, they tip well and pay well for a good job delivered.

As for kids on a six way, I have never, ever in my nearly two decades of service experienced that. If I did, I would tell them I was going to take another call real quick to allow them time for further discussion. I would stick them on hold for three minutes and come back and ask, who is going to be in charge of making your arrangements today? The rest of you can hang up and get the details from "X" in just a few minutes. Thank you all for calling.

No matter how dumb or stupid someone is, I view every call as an opportunity to make money and provide something special for someone. Jed Clampett wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer but he struck oil and had money so why shouldn't I get some of it?

quote:

Originally posted by Limo Scene:
I then told her there was a lobby in each of the 7 terminals and the International terminal. In fact there are two lobbies. One downstairs and one upstairs of the 7 terminals and one massive lobby for International giving our chauffuer a choice of 15 lobbies to stand in. "Which one would you like us to wait in?"

This reminds me of those phone calls where people want a limo for 1.20 hrs. That is of course after getting a LIMOS.com reply.
I usually tell them that there is a 3 hrs minimum. Then they ask if they can split the hours. I just tell them NO, you CANT. They ask why?
Then I tell them: When you go to a restaurant and order a steak - they will not let you eat 45% of the steak now and the other 55% of the steak 7 hrs later. Then they realize there is no splitting hours.
Thank god nobody has told me about the doggy bag yet because then I would not know what to say LOL

KC - notice that I wrote: Replay when they piss me off !!!

I dont say what everytime the phone rings ... LOL ..that would be just plain rude.

You said "TYPICALLY every caller". Well, most callers but there is a 25% of callers that have no idea what they are talking about or they dont know how to ask. At some point after drilling for answers - it gets to the point where I boil. That is why I dont do phone calls anymore. I let someone else answer but from time to time I have to.

Well, prices of the limos, I tell to kids that just ask plain question - How much is the limo - which one - Lets say a hummer - $150K. Then they realize that is the price of the car. Then they tell me that they want to rent it and that is how you teach people (KIDS) how to ask right questions.
Sometimes it takes them 3 calls to realize that. Sometimes it takes them 7 repeated calls to realize what I said.

KC - you never had phone calls with RUDE people having attitude from the second you pickup a phone?? Maybe you have not. I encounter a few a month.

What about those phone calls where people want to rent a limo without a driver?? If I only had a dime for every time they ask me that Usually those that ask for that come from the Ghetto.

What about those prom phone calls when kids do a 6 way phone conversation. Once you have all 6 talking to each other - you dont even exist. After about 5 min they realize that you are still on the phone. LOL. I hate that. What a waist of time.

KC - you are lucky man that you are in TEXAS. Texan people are the nicest people that I know. I love your people. Whenever I have a chance to drive Texas ladies - I do it. They are the most polite people and they are the best customers. And they are good looking. Just like I love those international arrivals from Europe - Swedish, Czech, ect.

Wow Greenpala, you done it once again…I'm shocked by your comments. Were you aware that we are in the service industry?

What did the caller do to get you pissed, to answer the way you did. Typically when a caller calls, one of the first questions they asked is “Do you have a limo available for so and so day?” Followed by “How much does it cost?” We all know that our asking for the hourly rate – not how much we brought the vehicle off the lot or how much our monthly payment is.

You have to remember that many of the callers asking these questions are first time renters, believe me when I say that if you take five-ten minutes and educate the caller they will use your service and then referrer you to others. From time to time, I take amusement at the calls I get, however I do this after I get off the phone with them – I don’t belittle them and have them hang up on me. You are selling your business, not on stage at a comedy club.

If I get pissed here is what I reply with:

quote:

Originally posted by DenverLimoInc:
What are your rates?

my replay: $100 - $99,000

quote:

Originally posted by DenverLimoInc:
How much from my house to the airport?

My replay: Let me look into my crystal ball and find out where you live.

quote:

How much are the limos?

My replay: from $65,000 - $225,000

quote:

Originally posted by DenverLimoInc:
LIMOUSINE RENTERS ARE RETARDED

I agree 150% - they are as dumb as a rock.

To the gentleman in Denver:

When you get rude and lose sight of the fact that potential customers may be renting a limo for the first time and need some guidance you are leaving your door wide open to a nicer competitor.

I chuckle at some of them after I hang up but would never answer to them like that on the phone.

Always be nice!

It does make things easier when the first words they say is "I've never done this before", then I can work my phone magic.

quote:

Originally posted by DenverLimoInc:


I HAVE COME TO A CONCLUSION THAT 75% OF LIMOUSINE RENTERS ARE RETARDED

I would say that uninformed is more to the point.

Much like I would have no idea of the nomenclature or operating procedure and costs involved in running a cement mixer, most folks just don't know that much about limousines.

I'll welcome all the "retarded" calls I can get. They are opportunities to inform a potential client and make a sale.

She obviously still has a Black and White T.V. Jim !

After ansewring this phone for 7 years these are my most annoying quotes!

How big is it ? Reply HOW BIG IS WHAT?

What are your rates? reply RATES FOR WHAT?

Do you have limos? reply NO, DO YOU?

WHAT KIND OF LIMO DO YOU NEED? customer I dont knwo just a regualar one! WHAT IS A REGULAR ONE? A HUMMER?

How much from my house to the airport? reply I DONT KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE !

i CAN GET YOU A 10 PASSENGER LIMOUSINE! customer How many people does it seat!

I HAVE COME TO A CONCLUSION THAT 75% OF LIMOUSINE RENTERS ARE RETARDED