The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

I recently placed two signs/ads outside my limousine garage. It serves mostly to show clients coming by to see my fleet where I am actually located on the block. I also have basic contact info and a large limousine image on the top of one of the signs.

My friend came by the other day and he told me I should take the signs down because I could get arrested. How you ask? Apparently unless you have your own base in NY (which I do not, I affiliate myself with another larger company to get paperwork/plates for the cars), you cannot advertise at all!

Does anyone have any experience with this and/or NYC TLC?

Please advise. Thank you!

Doing a sign logo in 5 boroughs maybe not a good move. TLC can come in and check you just for the hell of it. That is what they do. They are just pain in the butt.

If you were in Long Island, probably nobody would bug you and you can get away with it because nobody has juristiction there.

quote:

Originally posted by Skerdian:
Not exactly Gunny. I have full operating authority and credentials and I don't skim my way through to work. In New York, a "base" is seen as a way to monitor limousine companies, many companies are affiliated under a certain base, and it does not mean it cannot be a separate entity. All my insurance/plates/decals are registered under my company name and corporation.

Simply put, no operator should feel they have to operate low-key, unless they are doing things non-legit. A simple sign stating a company name and information that can be found in a business card or a website should not merit "getting shut down"

As I understand it, your authority is derived from the "Base" & this is what I am alluding to. Can the base pull your permits would be a question I would have to ask.

As I ended the initial post, based on what your friend said & the complexity of the issues & operating authority factors, you should contact the TLC for a precise opinion to cover your 6's.

Not exactly Gunny. I have full operating authority and credentials and I don't skim my way through to work. In New York, a "base" is seen as a way to monitor limousine companies, many companies are affiliated under a certain base, and it does not mean it cannot be a separate entity. All my insurance/plates/decals are registered under my company name and corporation.

Simply put, no operator should feel they have to operate low-key, unless they are doing things non-legit. A simple sign stating a company name and information that can be found in a business card or a website should not merit "getting shut down"

quote:

Originally posted by gunny:
Did you get your answer? Didn't think so.

I would say, an IC whose operating authority is derived from a "licensed" company should not be advertising as a different entity & in effect operating as a competitor to the company who is providing the IC with the papers to operate.

Best check with TLC regulations or e-mail the TLC asking if what you are doing is legit before they shut you down completely.

Did you get your answer? Didn't think so.

I would say, an IC whose operating authority is derived from a "licensed" company should not be advertising as a different entity & in effect operating as a competitor to the company who is providing the IC with the papers to operate.

Best check with TLC regulations or e-mail the TLC asking if what you are doing is legit before they shut you down completely.

I think one should use common sense as well, when advertising one’s business, especially if you run it out of your home residence. You don’t want to advertise that you are running a business out of your home with a sign in the front lawn. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Digger made a comment about a neighbor complain to his HOA about his limousines being parking in his driveway. Imagine what would happening if he also had a build board on his lawn as well.

Our company has always had a sign in front of our offices. Both when we were located in an office building and now that we are located in warehouse/garage. We have a nice 20 foot high sign by the street and another sign just above our front doors. Here in Houston, we do not have to worry about any zoning laws (there isn’t any). All we need is a permit for our sign from the city.

We welcome any foot traffic of individuals who would like to view our vehicles in person (from brides to be to prom goers). But we do have office hours that the can come by, even if we have someone at our office late at night or early in the morning. We also have surveillance cameras throughout our property and an iron gate that is closed at end of the business day (even when people are still in the office). Even though we have a lot of retail customers, the foot traffic to our office is limited in comparison to the phone and web only customers.

Blue Diamond- I rent a commerical warehouse in an industrial warehouse, the only permits required are if you place neon glow signs on the walls, but im wondering in regards to the limousine commission?

And also, many clients come by to see the fleet before making a deal, esp. for weddings+proms.

3 Years ago, Mark & Marie Joiner, a Modesto, CA based operator was visited early in the morning. They were savagely attacked. I am not going to get into details - it is already on the Internet.

When captured, the bad guys said that the sign lured them in and they thought their would be plenty of cash on hand. When there was not, they were very angry.

Thank God all three are in prison now.
Home Invasion Article

I see two problems:

1) Your inviting anyone to come visit you day or night. Your advertising what is in the garage!

2) SOme permits may be required, but I know if the property accessor came buy, they'll sock you at a HIGH tax rate for commercial property.

Most shops try to keep a low key. Invite people to your office, not your garage. It's no ones business where the vehicles are stored. You may come one day and find they're gone!