Many times we get the question - do you service the outlaying areas in Arizona - like Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, Tucson, etc. - the answer is OF COURSE! We are based in Phoenix but have no problem driving to those outlying areas and helping you with your events and parties!
Let's face it - there are not many limo companies in some of those smaller towns - so finding a Prescott limo or Flagstaff party bus can be nearly impossible! But people in Sedona still want a limo for their Sedona wedding.
There are additional costs for performing services in these areas that are 2-4 hours away from our main headquarters - fuel costs and payroll costs - so the prices are slightly higher than the price for Phoenix-based reservations. We would be happy to provide you with a custom quote for your event.
Planning a birthday party in Prescott? Wedding in Sedona? Bachelor party in Tucson? We would love to serve you in those areas! Just give us a call!
Happy New Year!! May your New Year be prosperous and filled with everything your heart desires! New Year's Eve in Phoenix is sure to be a blast!
We at In The Scene Limousine hope that you will remember to no drink and drive this busy holiday night (or any night for that matter). The DUI Task Force will be out ready to nab those drunk drivers- even just a few can put you over the legal limit! It would be a horrible start to 2010 to be dealing with court costs, increased insurance and jail time if you are caught drinking and driving.
We just lowered our hourly rate for New Year's Eve. Obviously this is a peak time for limo and party bus rentals so we are not running our 4-hour specials. But we have reduced the pricing from what we have been quoting for the last month or so. If you were on the fence about booking one of our beautiful limousines or party buses - give us a call now to see what great deals we are offering! 602-996-LIMO
When you book a party bus there are a few tips that can help make your experience a really good one. It is your special occasion - a birthday, bachelorette party or Prom and you want to make sure the party bus is super fun and super nice.
1. Ask the YEAR of the party bus. Because the body style hasn't changed on buses - you could be renting a 10-20 year old party bus that has "been around the block", literally. This can help you compare apples to apples when looking at your party bus rental hourly charges.
2. Find out if the company has the proper insurance. When you have a vehicle that carries 15 or more passengers - by Federal law you must have a $5 million commercial auto policy. Many, many companies do not have the correct limits. Why? It is cheaper to operate that way and they think can get away with it. We recently tried to work with a local company that has a lot of sedans and limos in town. We got his company's insurance certificate listing us as a certificate holder as we are supposed to do - guess what? He only has $1 million policy! And he is running a 24 passenger party bus!
Accidents happen - there was a party bus accident on 10/12/09 in Scottsdale where the party bus actually flipped when they were hit by a drunk driver. 9 were injured - one passenger was in critical condition. So even if you think - well who cares - the company will be safe and the driver of the party bus is straight and sober - accidents do happen! Other passengers on the road are who you often have to be wary of! And you need that peace of mind that in the event of an accident, your medical bills and time away from work will be covered.
3. Tour the party bus in the daylight on the company's lot. This way you know that the company you are booking with actually owns the party bus. Some companies just market limos and party buses and don't actually own the vehicles. So you are paying a mark-up fee when you book with them.
When you tour the company's vehicles you can see that the party bus is in good condition with working amenities - and will give you assurance that you will have a fun night in a beautiful party bus.
We have beautiful party buses available - give us a call at 602-996-LIMO for a quote!
So it's your best friend's bachelorette party or bachelor party and you want to do it right. A bash - a huge party - one for the record book! You have an idea of going to Vegas but all your friends are kinda broke - you are hoping that each girl/guy can scrape together maybe $125 - maybe $175 each. Can you do it?
Now you can! With In The Scene Limousine's new 22-Hour Turn-Around trip you get transportation to and from your home to Vegas starts at only $73 - even for the smallest group you can get as low as $93 each. ROUND TRIP transportation in an awesome limo or party bus to Vegas! That leaves you $50-100 to spend on drinks, food, gambling, tips, shopping - whatever you want for 8 straight hours. Check out In The Scene Limousine's new Vegas Bus and Vegas Limo Trips with complete pricing listed for your convenience. Yes, is means you don't sleep for 22 hours straight - but you can do it right? That is what Red Bull (and Vodka) is for right? Or you can sleep on the ride home.
This is the way to party on a shoestring budget in Vegas - or Laughlin - this will give you that awesome party experience that you always dreamed of for your last night spent as a single person. Your last blow out - and remember what happens in Vegas - stays in Vegas. As long as your friends don't take any pictures right?
What is your definition of a good limousine service? What defines good service to you? Would you be more interested in saving a few dollars and rent a slightly older limousine - as long as it is well maintained?
Is immediate service with reservations and dispatch operators over the phone super important - or could a company get away with lowering the cost of limousine service by cutting payroll costs and having phone messages and emails returned in 2-5 hours?
The attitude and confidence of a chauffeur probably are areas that you wouldn't want to scrimp on. The chauffeur can make or break your night/transfer/event - if he or she is late, has a bad attitude or is lost/unfamiliar with the route to take your trip can be ruined. Because our chauffeurs are tipped employees their tip goes down when the total ticket price goes down - and to deal with drunk passengers getting as far away from minimum wage something like $12-18 per hour is the range we like to keep the chauffeurs in at least.
But they do sit on their butt a lot. While your party is at dinner, in the club, in your wedding ceremony, etc. they get to sit. And wait. So maybe $10-$15 hourly is all they need to earn? That is all charter bus drivers make and they have more passengers they are responsible for. They can have up to 56 souls in a charter bus. And they make $10-12 per hour plus a $1 tip per person - if they are lucky.
What is your ideal of the balance between service and pricing? What do you think would be a fair rate for limousine service?
A few days ago I discussed proper commercial insurance for livery vehicles. There are actually two Arizona governmental entities that regulate our industry and try to catch "gypsies" - those companies that are operating vehicles for passenger transportation without the proper insurance, lincensing and operating authority.
The first Arizona entity is the Department of Weights and Measures. Companies pay no fees and there is very little adminstrative burden to receive authority from Weights and Measures. Simply provide vehicle registration and commercial insurance documentation and have an annual inspection of the vehicles.
Weights and Measures inspectors often perform sweeps with Scottsdale police catching people who thought they could just get a "For Hire" light for their family car and go into business for themselves. Great idea for "extra weekend money" but not very safe to transport people without the proper insurance. Look for autos with this logo in the window if they are doing "hail fare" work - picking you up off the road (limos and pre-scheduled autos aren't required to put this sticker in the window - but are required to keep this sticker in the glove box in case they are pulled over by authorities):
The second Arizona regulation authority is Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. Every ground transportation company conducting commercial business at the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport must have a file in the Sky Harbor Ground Transportation Office. All Courtsey, Intercity and VIP drivers must also have a current Driver's ID card.
What companies have to do to get a file:
1. Complete an application form
2. Provide current Arizona Vehicle registration for all vehicles
3. Provide commercial insurance certificates listing vehicles
4. Go through an inspection of tires, steering components, brakes, lights and windshield.
What driver's go through to get a Driver's ID card:
1. Complete an application form
2. Provide a current Arizona Drivers License
3. Provide a current medical card (pass a DOT physical)
4. Pass a defensive driving course
5. Get fingerprinted and pass a Criminal History Records check
Pretty easy stuff. And pretty safe practices - I don't know about you but I would prefer the people that drive me to be able to pass a physical and not be criminals - right?
But you could be dealing with a company that is trying to avoid these steps - either because they are operating illegally - without commercial insurance - or their driver wouldn't pass the criminal background check. Or because they are lazy and don't want to go through these "bureaucratic hoops" and pay fees.
The question to ask yourself is the price too good to be true? It costs a lot to operate as the Sky Harbor airport. Both in administrative burden and fees for ground transportation companies. If one company is only charging $45 for a sedan trip - and most other companies are $65-90, how is the cheap company undercutting the competition? Are they truly "making it up on volume" or are they avoiding these important safety steps for passengers and operating illegally?
One of the things I've been thinking about is how easy it is to choose hotels or restaurants based upon a star system of ratings. There are many different rating organizations out there for hotels and restaurants - Mobile Travel Guide, AAA (uses Diamonds for their ratings), Zagats, etc.
So I know pretty well what to expect when I choose a 2 star hotel or or a 4 star restaurant in terms of pricing and service.
But what about chauffeured transportation providers? I wasn't able to find any outside entity that rates limo companies. Some of the recent on-line search sites like Limos.com or even Google local business listing have client reviews. But those reviews may be skewed one way or the other. People really unhappy about service wanting to rant. Or people really happy singing the praises. Can it be a real judge of the performance if there are only 2-3 reviews posted on that given site?
Here is my listing for what I feel would make up the various levels of a 5 Star Limo company:
5 Star - All vehicles in fleet are 3+ years or newer, excellently detailed and maintained so that are no exterior or interior blemishes, dings, tears, missing or non-working amenities - or amenities with damages (like a button missing on a TV input, etc.). The latest amenities on-board the vehicle like wireless internet (for the sedans and SUVs) and I-pod hook up for the limos and buses. Chauffeurs that provide excellent service and intuitively knowing how to read a passengers to provide a totally quiet atmosphere - or to be the on-board concierge. Ability to provide custom services like special newspapers on-board, coffee, snacks, beverages, flowers, etc. 100% accuracy in reservation and billing with the reservation staff being able quickly take a reservation (or on-line booking tools) or provide more customized concierge services.
4 Star - Most (80-90% of fleet) vehicles are 3+ years or newer - those that are older have low miles and are well-maintained. Vehicles are excellently detailed and maintained so that only 1-2 minor exterior or interior blemishes, dings, tears, missing or non-working amenities - or amenities with damages (like a button missing on a TV input, etc.) are found. Vehicles have working standard amenities on-board like DVD, AM/FM/CD, individual control for a/c - but may not have the latest technology like wireless internet or I-pod hook up. Chauffeurs provide excellent service and have a quiet atmosphere or acts as on-board concierge. High levels of accuracy in reservation and billing with the reservation staff being able quickly take a reservation (or on-line booking tools) or more customized concierge services.
3 Star - Most of fleet is 6+ years or newer. Vehicles are clean and well maintained but may have more noticable minor blemishes, dings, tears, missing or non-working amenities that are 'incidental' to the ride - like 4 out of 5 TVs work work - but one is broken. However, comfort items like A/C & heat work. Chauffeurs provide great service - and is friendly and personable. High levels of accuracy in reservation and billing with the reservation staff being able quickly take a reservation (or on-line booking tools).
2 Star - Most of fleet is 10+ years or newer. Vehicles are clean but have noticable minor blemishes, dings, tears, missing or non-working items (like TVs or radio). Chauffeur provides good service. Good accuaracy in reservation and billing with the reservation staff.
1 Star - Older fleet. Vehicles are clean but have noticable blemishes, dings, tears, missing or non-working items. Chauffeur provides good service. Reservations may be more informal without email confirmations or credit card processing.
Vehicle age - obviously, every limo company would want to shoot for the 5 Star catagory. But in reality, only the very new companies that just got into the business and bought every vehicle new - or the very big companies - can afford the economics of buying new vehicles every 3 years. So while on 80% of the jobs - maybe a company does provide 5 Star service with the latest and greatest vehicles - but many companies will have bookings that are performed in slightly older limo, SUV or buses on occasion.
The human factor - and of course it is tough to say that 100% of the time all your people - reservation staff and chauffuers - can give that totally top level of service that a 4 or 5 Star rating would entail. No matter how much training a chauffeur or reservation agent receives. People make mistakes. And sometimes it is the client that is unhappy about factors beyond your control. Like missing a flight or getting into a drunken fight with a boyfriend. So their perception of service may be off.
I think it would be great if the limo industry had a rating system - and an outside measuring authority so that we can truely say we offer "5 Star" service. What do you think? Any ideas on what defines the various service levels for you?
Spa Lamar is located in the heart of Scottsdale off of Scottsdale Road just north of Chaparral. I drove past the building for years not realizing that a little slice of heaven was just up the road from my favorite shopping at Scottsdale Fashion square.
When you walk into Spa Lamar you are greeted with a warm welcome from the front desk and a cute shopping area with all sorts of items like from lotions to health and wellness books.
The spa is huge - with room after room set up to pamper you. Hair salon, manicure and pedicure room, sauna and steam room, massage rooms (including a couples massage room). There is even a dance studio where they teach dance lessons according to my tour guide.
Spa Lamar is a great way to show your appreciation to your bridesmaids and help them have a beautiful glow for the big day. This is one of the few spas I've found that can accommodate up to 30 people at the same time for spa treatments - but book early!
Your bridal party can enjoy a massage to rejuvenate and facial for a beautiful complexion. Or the morning of the big day - get your tresses, toes and make-up done so you are all picture perfect.
Couple a day at the spa with transportation in a beautiful limo so you don't have to deal with traffic after your relaxing treatments and can enjoy some champagne on the ride there and back. Our spa and limo packages are a delight to bridal parties!
Also enjoying the spa and limo packages is a great option for the visitors to Arizona. While the husbands are at Scottsdale's beautiful golf courses - the ladies can be enjoying the steam rooms and saunas. Any service at Spa Lamar over $50 gives you all-day access to their heated pool, Whirlpool, Steam Room and Sauna.
Really, the spa and limo package is great "diva day party" for any group of girlfriends - and a full agenda starts at only $99 including spa treatment, limo ride and lunch. We all deserve a little pampering - and it is more fun when you pamper yourself with all your girlfriends.
So it is your birthday celebration or you are planning your best friend's bachelor party. You want to go out to the bars and celebrate with all your friends. You are the party organizer - the planner - but does that mean you have to be the purchaser of the limo or party bus (so you and your friends can have all drink without the worry of a DUI)? Not anymore if you use technology right!
Here is how you leverage technology to have everybody pitch in for the limo/party bus:
1. Use Evite - Set up an account in Evite and create your party invitation with the theme, date, times, all the details.
2. Click on Invitation Options and choose Requests Payments from your Guests.
3. Set a price per guest - so if the limo or party bus costs $750 complete for the night and you expect 17 party goers - maybe make the cost be $50 per head ($850 total). This gives you a little wiggle room - in case some people you were counting on say they can't attend. If you get all 17 people - you can buy some decorations for the limo or some alcohol to enjoy on-board with the $100 extra.
4. Set up a Paypal account - Evite has teamed up with PayPal to allow you to collect money for your events.
Directly from Evite's website "Now your guests can safely and easily pay you back online. Enter the amount you wish to collect. Note: Paypal may charge a fee for their service. Please visit Paypal for more information."
5. Send the invitation out and watch the replies and money come rolling in to pay you back for the limo/party bus for the evening.
Important cautions -
-Most limo companies are going to want only ONE credit card for the reservation and usually at least 50% non-refundable deposit to secure the reservation. Many Friday and Saturdays book early - so you will probably need to book the limo before you have launched the invitation.
-Most limo companies use that credit card on file to charge for any damages or overtime. If your friend throws up on-board the limo - collect the damage fees from your friend that night, because that fee will be applied to your credit card.
That's it - a great way to make sure and collect money from your friends for a great night out. Make sure you aren't stuck holding the bill for the festivities by using Evite and Paypal!
Even though the NBA All Star game is in town this weekend In The Scene Limousine still has some availability. Those stars and athletes like the SUVs and sedans (little more incognito I guess!). So limos and party buses are still available this weekend and we do not have outrageous pricing!
Take a limo to any of these fine restaurants voted the Best of Citysearch in Phoenix. Reservations strongly suggested for this busy weekend!
And call us at 602-996-5466 to reserve your beautiful limousine or party bus for your Valentine sweetie!
The Capital Grille
2502 E Camelback Rd , Phoenix , AZ , 85016
Award-winning steaks and first class service make for a four-star dining experience.
Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
11111 N Seventh St , Phoenix , AZ , 85020-1176
Enjoy an adventurous menu while dining with an unsurpassed view of the city.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 290 , Phoenix , AZ , 85016
Sophisticated American chain serves up corn-fed USDA prime cuts and New Orleans-style appetizers and sides.
Furio
7210 E Second St , Scottsdale , AZ , 85251-5602
Diminutive Old Town Scottsdale lounge and restaurant features happy-hour bargains and unique cocktails.
Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
11111 N Seventh St , Phoenix , AZ , 85020-1176
Enjoy an adventurous menu while dining with an unsurpassed view of the city.
T. Cook's
5200 E Camelback Rd , Phoenix , AZ , 85018
Romantics will fall in love with this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant.
Wrigley Mansion Club
2501 E Telewa Trl , Phoenix , AZ , 85016
The luxurious meals at this historic mansion let diners live the high life at an affordable price.
Salt Cellar Restaurant
550 N Hayden Rd , Scottsdale , AZ , 85257
Classic seafood served in a subterranean setting.
Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar
7000 E Shea Blvd #1010 , Scottsdale , AZ , 85254
Sup on uncommon, interesting recipes and wine selections from around the globe.
Tarbell's
3213 E Camelback Rd , Phoenix , AZ , 85018-2307
Understated Camelback Corridor mainstay features bold cuisine and a wide-ranging wine list.
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