The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

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Originally posted by Cliff Robinson:

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Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
I wonder how many incorrect numbers Gunny will find this year.

I may only own 4 vehicles but I am proud of the 4 I own. LOL

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Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
I wonder how many incorrect numbers Gunny will find this year.

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Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
This has become an Annual Sporting Event !

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Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
This has become an Annual Sporting Event !

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Originally posted by gunny:
This is the story of Limo Jim (LJ). LJ in his youth decides to get into the limo biz and he breaks his ass every single day building his business. You name it, he's on top of it. Purchasing fleet vehicles, promoting, offfice staff growing from momma & LJ to 3 dispatchers, purchasing a building to house the fleet, maintenance, driver's pay & coverages, licensing etc., LJ dedicates his life to this business venture. After 20 years, LJ has himself a fleet of 20 vehicles & he is proud of what he has accomplished. A strong business that provides a good income for his family & self.

Then one day LCT arrives in the mailbox with a Headline screaming, "Ford Presents 100 Largest Fleets In 2007". Now what does FORD have to do with LCT's 100 is something else for discussion.

LJ takes a gander & wonders what the hell he is doing wrong. Here are Industry Newbs that he's really never even heard of, in business for a couple of years & they're claiming fleet sizes of 100 & up.

This is for the LJ's out there as we unravel the truth behind the "Top 100".
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Every year LCT runs a "Top 100" issue whereas Operators submit numbers to LCT & they accept it as Gospel & put it to print. This year a couple of us decided do our own research by going to the licensing source & inquire to the size fleets registered by these Top 100.

Sources include PUC's, VFH DMV listings, the NYCTLC website, Miami-Dade Consumer Services & so on. Unfortunately, local permitting agencies can only provide how many permits are issued to the Operator & not the actual number of vehicles registered.

Left out of the survey was the top 3 as these are multiple city operations & the simple Industry knowledge that Carey International uses affiliates who themselves are seperate corporate entities in their own state of operation & the fleet size claim should automatically be disqualified.

As with Limo Jim, the goal is to find out how many ponies does the operation have in the barn. That is, LJ's vehicles are registered to LJ & if LJ put the business on the market for sale included in that sale would be those 20 vehicles & not just a portfolio of clients & a telephone listing of Independent Operators who provide the movement of people.

Or, to put it another way, what is the reported to the IRS. How many vehicles, fuel receipts, vehicle maintenance, insurance etc., are claimed as a business deduction?

So far our research has uncovered the following. Listed is the Operator followed by the LCT No. then the research No.. If anyone wants to know the research source for a particular operator, post it & I'll provide it:

Metro (Mi) 310/19
Presidential 88/41
Diamond 73/15
Valera 211/0
Diva 206/79
LeGrande Affaire 160/56
Bauer's 144/79
Aventura 119/48
Farrels 105/82
Rudy's 102/104
O'Hare 100/71
Hy's 94/66
Wynne 90/20
London Town Cars 77/76
A Premier 67/43
Capricorn 65/43
VIP 63/63
Smart Cars 63/0
Lifestyle 63/49
Corporate Connection 62/11
El Paseo 61/39
American Limos 59/19
Above All 54/17
BKTT 50/35
Westwind 53/8
Action 48/30
Reliable 64/53
Tennessee 70/34
Eagle 81/71
WST* 135/0

*Added to listing in Septembers Issue

Absent from the Top 100 because they probably don't really care is MEARS out of Orlando. MEARS, based on the Orlando VFH permit listing is one of the strongest single city operators going with 310 permits + scores of over-the-road motor coaches not requiring Orlando VFH permits.

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Originally posted by Blue Diamond:
You'll never know the truth because so much can be fabricated and embelished. I don't care either. Now- a list of the best service, drivers, equipment, customer service, phone answering, booking and over all experience, done by many independent agency's, would be interesting.

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Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
Interesting comment. In my business we do not accept cash for services.

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Originally posted by gunny:

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Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
Going forward we need to look at the important figures for our businesses such as profit per unit, company profits, miles without an at-fault accident,etc. Templates for best practices need to be available to all industry members. The networks, veteran operators and the twenty groups do a good job of spelling out the proper percentage of each expense. Some of the consultants know to the cent what operators should be spending.

The Veteran Operator's are best at pocketing cash jobs. True financials will never be disclosed.

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Originally posted by Limo Scene:
Ha, you Gunny calling the magazine arrogant? Hmmm, what is that saying about calling the kettle black? Better grab a mirror Sgt. Arrogant.

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Originally posted by D. Hartson:
The problem I have with publishing anything, is watch dogs keep the media honest about what they print as much as possible. I guess this is what is going on here. Why the LCT or any publication would print information with out willing to make corrections to printed makes them reckless.

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Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
Going forward we need to look at the important figures for our businesses such as profit per unit, company profits, miles without an at-fault accident,etc. Templates for best practices need to be available to all industry members. The networks, veteran operators and the twenty groups do a good job of spelling out the proper percentage of each expense. Some of the consultants know to the cent what operators should be spending.