The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

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CONTACT INFO
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Name: xxxxx
Email: xxxxxx
Phone: (Not Provided)
Contact: Email
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ROUND TRIP AIRPORT ARRIVAL
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Service region: CA- Los Angeles, Orange County (North)
Service data: October 11 2007 (Thursday)
Passengers: 1
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TRANSPORTATION DETAILS
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Arrival date: October 11 2007 (Thursday)
Arrival time: 9:30 PM
Arrival airport: Los Angeles Intl Airport, CA (LAX)
Destination city/location: xxxxx, Lake Forest, CA, 92630
Destination cross-streets: Partido / Ridge Route
Client comments:
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VEHICLES CHECKED
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2007 Luxury Sedan, Lincoln Towncar (Black) (Ref: 07sedan)
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RETURN TRAVEL
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Return date: October 14 2007 (Sunday)
Pickup time: 10:30 AM
Pickup city/location: xxxxx, Lake Forest, CA, 92630
Pickup cross-streets: Partido / Ridge Route
An Auto-Answer Response was sent to this client.
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On 9/21/07, Luken Limousine wrote:
$125 each way includes tax, gratuity, airport fees, baggage meet. NO hidden fees. Please call asap to book.
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How about $225 all-inclusive for a round trip. I am traveling on off-peak hours. I don't have any checked-in luggage, so I am fine with a curbside pickup.
October 11th - 9:30 PM (LAX to Lake Forest, CA)
October 14th - 10:15 AM (Lake Forest, CA to LAX)
Let me know if that works. I received a quote for $216 total, but you have good reviews on limos.com so I would prefer to go with you. My corporate budget is maxed at $225 all-inclusive so I hope it works.
Thanks,
xxxxx
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On 9/21/07, Luken Limousine wrote:
This is the logic behind my warnings to clients about lowballing rates from other services. The breakeven point for transportation hinges on fuel prices and other uncontrollable factors. Driving to the Laguna area and back takes over $20 worth of gas at todays prices. I have been told by clients theyve gotten town cars down there for $75. These operators who do that are imbeciles who end up earning less than minimum wage and soon disappear or fail to pay their insurance, etc., but not before ruining the limousine industry here in LA. Folks come to expect luxury transportation at cab fare rates. A cab would cost you $200 easily roundtrip as a cab LAX to Culver City is $60 roundtrip alone.
A town car to Long Beach should be close to $100. To go to Laguna and back for little over that makes no sense. Now to decide upon your safety in transportation over what amounts to $34 in savings should tell you something. $125 LAX to Lake Forest is already discounted. I am curious as to what company is willing to do that for $108. I can guarantee the driver feels underpaid, is probably driving exhausted from lack of sleep and the car will have issues. I have been there and that is why I run my own service now.
Sorry for the longwinded reply but folks get what they pay for. The rate stands at $250 and the baggage meet was free, usually an additional $20.
Thanks for your time.
Howard Luken
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I can appreciate where you are coming from. As a bussiness person you have to draw your line and say "I won't take that business." Genie Limo is offering me $180 + gratuity round trip in an eco-friendly sedan. I'm debating between that and your service (as both of good reviews on limos.com).
By my estimate a cab would cost me about $280 + tip round trip, so I know that taking a limo is more economical for me.
I appreciate your candor. I will follow-up with you tomorrow or Monday to let you know which way I decide to go.
Thanks,
xxxxx
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Normally I wouldn't spend another moment on quotes than I had to in order to simply give a rate. But in this case I have the time and this issue is driving me mad these days. I think you meant Limogenie as the company, not Genie limo. They are licensed but they drive a tiny hybrid car. $180 plus 20% tip is $230. You will save a whole $20 in order to sit in the backseat of a compact car with your luggage on your lap and your knees in your chest.
If clients gave these things more thought the limousine industry wouldn't be in the state its in here in SoCal and LA. Bargains sound great. What you get is Wal Mart transportation. That defeats the purpose of booking a luxury higher end vehicle. Nobody saves the environment by riding in a hybrid when you are surrounded by belching tractor trailers while driving past gasoline refineries in Long Beach, El Segundo and elsewhere and the ports of Long Beach and San Pedro [the most polluted place in America].
Sorry for venting but these issues make me think of quitting the business and leaving it to the Armenian mob and the cab drivers.
Howard Luken
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After all this the client emailed yet again to tell me he will call tomorrow to book. I am at my wits end...
Howard

The key is to locate the class of client that pays your tariff. These people rarely ask about price-they want service. It is not an overnight journey to get to this point as this business presents many challenges.

I would much rather stand by my guns and go down than to capitulate and fail because I was afraid and went along with the cattle.

Last I checked, none of us were soliciting bids from clients, rather, they accept or decline ours.

For better or worse, I applaud your for standing your ground.