Discount hell that is what we are in. The days of the mortgage broker being a big-baller and taking his friends out in a Hummer limo for 7 hours at $150++ per hour are over. Now-a-days the majority of the phone calls we get are from people that are professing that this is their last few entertainment dollars they are scraping together for the birthday party celebration - or for their wedding. And they are looking for "transfers" just 7 miles away to the bars or from the wedding location to the reception site.
Maybe it's William Shatner and his Priceline commercials that started this idea that all prices can be negotiated in the favor of the consumer. In my adulthood the only times I've heard such bargain shopping and negotiating going on was at the swap meet or garage sales. "I'll give you $1 for this lamp". "I'll give you $75 per hour for a Hummer limo". We've heard it all.
The problem is that vehicles payments can't be negotiated down. Insurance remains the same high-price.
The problem is that the backbone of our business is on chauffeurs who work off of tips - and as our average ticket goes down their wages go down. Then these under-paid chauffeurs get frustrated and act unprofessionally on a trip - possibly ruining somebody's special occasion. Or quit.
The problem is that then the limo business cannot afford the vehicle maintenance bills so some limos run longer than they should with service issues - with the possibility to breaking down on your important event day.
Cheap limos. I can't wait for the day when we really can afford a cheap limo. It will be bright orange - with "CHEAP LIMO" in large graphics across it. When it shows up to take your group out and you get upset we will say but you asked for the cheap limo. . . .
For now we are just happy that it is finally picking up in the Phoenix market with holiday parties and airport trips. One day soon we will be out of lowball hell. Or certain limo companies will define themselves as being nothing more than a glorified taxi service. We hope that with our beautiful fleet of vehicles and professional chauffeurs providing excellent service that you get what you pay for - and in our case it will hopefully be more because we are worth it.
What do you think - are limos just glorified taxis? Or do you expect more from limo companies?
As we move into the Holiday/Winter Formals time of year many, many parents worry about their teens drinking while attending these events. I gotta admit - I drank when I was a teenager. It was totally peer pressure - so parents out there - it really is the friend's your child is hanging out with that makes the difference on what your children do - or don't do.
If your child is attending a Winter formal, a safe way to have them taken to the event is to hire a Winter Formal limo, party bus or sedan/SUV.
With our safe, CDL licensed chauffeur driving your group of teens can all travel together - in an elegant vehicle. You don't have to worry about an inexperienced driver trying to drive getting distracted by - talking and laughter.
And of course you don't have to worry about the kids drinking and driving. Or drinking at all. When you book your ride with In The Scene Limousine, we require a Teen I Promise contract to be signed by the teen passengers on-board along with their parents. Basically it is a promise not to drink or use drugs - spells out that we have the right to inspect their bags, purses, etc. for contraband and that the ride will be automatically terminated if they are caught drinking.
It is more peace of mind for parents - a safe way to make sure their kids have fun at their Winter/Christmas formals with In The Scene Limousine!
Are you driving down the road with a binge drinker? Betcha that you are - you actually have a 1 in 10 chance of driving on the road with somebody who has just consumed 5 or more drinks.
Let me repeat that - you have a 1 in 10 chance you are driving down the road with somebody who has had 5 or more more drinks! Amazing. About 50% of the binge and drive group have just come from drinking at the bar, restaurant or club. About 25% of those people actually had 10 or more drinks and then got behind the wheel!
Binge drinking is often associated with college kids - but in reality it crosses all age groups - there is actually a greater chance the binge drinker is 55 or older. Old enough to know better. Old enough to have the money to pay for a taxi or Phoenix limousine.
It just seems like people won't learn. The economy is bad and people are downsizing and reducing frivolous expenses. So now instead of getting a Phoenix limo they drink and drive. I'm sure a lot of people spent some times behind bars this last Halloween - instead of trick or treating or having fun - they got caught and will be paying for the consequences for a long time to come - financially and emotionally.
Local law enforcement is looking for additional ways to earn revenue for the State (hence the traffic cameras everywhere). DUIs cost a lot of money - I'm sure they are a revenue generator for the State of AZ. . . . so I don't think that enforcement is going to be reduced with budget cuts.
And it's not just because it is against the law and can be expensive if you are caught drinking and driving. It is wrong because you can hurt somebody.
Binging and driving - do you do it? Will you stop?
