hired!!!!

[TANMAN]

when out on a run if you customer just wants to drive around you just do it
no extra charge they have hired you RIGHT?
EVEN IF THEY TOLD YOU 2 PICK UPS AND 1 RESTERAUNT

[Digger]

I always try to get a list of where to go in advance, but if they change their minds your driver must be able to accept changes on the fly. The way I look at it, they are paying for the car from now to then, the car is theirs to go to wherever they wish, regardless of whether they change their minds or not. This is why having a loaded GPS unit with local popular spots and having a good driver is important. Most people will stay right with their original program for the event, but you must be ready at all times for any changes and just roll with them.

Things like this can make/break a reputation, people WILL go out and tell their friends if they had fun or if the driver wasn't receptive to changes. People may not be direct with comments on the driver or service but when they brag about having so much fun in the limo it IS a direct reflection of your service. There are many horror stories out there about crappy service, those are the stories that everyone remembers.

[D. Hartson]

If you are charging by the hour, if they want to drive around, well they are paying for it. If you charged less for a specific pick up and drop rate and it changes in the Limousine, then you would need to address that issue. It is better to stay to a simple method of charging the client. Making deals to get the work usually gets abused.

[Salicete]

Unless it is a flat rate trip like an airport transfer, you are likely to make more money when clients add stops or just want to cruise around. On a fixed rate trip, if clients want extra stops, other than those that are quick and right on the planned route, the billing switches over to hourly.

Why? It is simple; they will likely go beyond the originally contracted hours. Folks who don't often use limousines seem to want to spend more time in the cars, since it is a new and exciting experience.

As long as your billing policies are clearly stated in your contract, the additional billings should not be an issue, though the chauffeur should always advise clients when they are rolling into overtime. Being flexible, within reason, often boosts the gratuity for the chauffeur as well.

[LIMOJESS]

We have to be very specific in your contract.

When we do pickups and dropoffs on the weekdays we make it a point to let them know that it is Point A to Point B transfer and we will need actual pickup times.

On weekends we are strictly by hour only.

[Jim30]

Making deals to get the work usually gets abused.

I second this!!!! I learned this REAL quickly. Don't lowball and people changing their minds will not be an issue. This is along the same lines with airport work when people want to stop to just "get a quick bite to eat" - make sure you spell out your stop policy in your airport contracts. Chauffeurs love pulling this trick for a little extra tip. 15 minute stops can throw a very busy airport day right off track, from my experience.

Jim

[Celebritylimoky]

If they are renting by the hour, there should not be a limit of how many stops. On the other hand, a Pick up and Drop is just that, Point a to Point B. If they want to add stops, they should be charged accordingly.

We have people order a Club Transfer, then once in the car, they ask, Oh yea, would you mind making a quick stop to pick up Susie and her boyfriend, it's right on the way, (ends up being 5 miles out of the way). The answer is, sure, but it is extra. If Susie wanted to ride at no extra, she should of been at the original pickup point.

When a car is doing nothing but transfers, you need to hustle, and drop as soon as possible to be profitable.

NO FREE RIDES!