Would you like a Limo with your Cake?

[PPS]

My wife has a cake decorating business and about half her cakes are wedding cakes. When the brides come for their consultation my wife always asks how the planning for the wedding is going. The number one complaint by far has been that they can’t find a limo. Knowing my wife’s clientele I can add that they can’t find a moderately priced modest limo. There are plenty of high dollar Hummers around but that would bust the budget. I listened to these complaints thinking that this business would be way too expensive for me to enter. When I finally started to research I found insurance to be as expensive as I thought it would be. But a reliable 10 year old stretch town car can be had at a reasonable price. So now I’m starting to wonder. I have access to a steady stream of brides who are already comfortable dealing with us for their cake. I have 25 years experience in the transportation industry (although with freight, not people). Experience running my own business. Instead of offering wedding cakes should we be offering a cake and car package?

Patrick

[TxLimoGuy]

..."reliable 10 year old stretch town car" - Good luck with that one....

While "reasonable price" and and "10 year old stretch" may be compatible, "reliable" and "10 year old stretch" usually do not go together.

Ask most people here and you will quickly determine that the 'moderate price' limo services are the ones that dont last more than 2 years, for reasons too numerous to list here.

[Salicete]

Here are just a couple of things to consider.

That old car may be difficult to insure, and many carriers don't like the older cars. It will break, and parts for the car and specifically the passenger cabin may be nearly impossible to find.

You may indeed have a good niche with your established business and access to lots of brides in need of limos, but buy a newer, more reliable car and set your price at a level at which you can turn a profit.

The sad fact is that some folks just can’t afford limousine service. You may have a truly altruistic motivation in wanting to provide a service to those who can’t afford mainstream limousine rates, but you will go broke trying to provide it.

The limousine business is very expensive, and your car(s) must be on the road all the time, and pulling a decent rate in order to survive.

Here is another tidbit.

Limousine operators, especially the newbies and small shops really depend in great part on farm in/out work and relationships with other operators. If you are the low-ball guy undercutting everyone else with an old beater limo, the other operators will not play ball with you.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. Good luck whatever you decide.

[PPS]

I must have overstated the "moderate" portion of my post to make you think I wanted to be the low ball guy. I see the market here heavy on the stretch SUV night on the town cars (it's a young, professional area with 3 major colleges so that's appropriate) and lite on the basic stretch towncar. I'm talking about market rates but for the middle of the market, not the high end service wise. Point well taken on older car. As an owner operator reliability would be the first priority.

Patrick

[Salicete]

Originally posted by PPS:
I must have overstated the "moderate" portion of my post to make you think I wanted to be the low ball guy. I see the market here heavy on the stretch SUV night on the town cars (it's a young, professional area with 3 major colleges so that's appropriate) and lite on the basic stretch towncar. I'm talking about market rates but for the middle of the market, not the high end service wise. Point well taken on older car. As an owner operator reliability would be the first priority.

Patrick

There is nothing wrong with the standard black or white Lincoln stretch; that's what I run. For me it was in all honesty an economic decision. I didn't have 125K to throw down for each stretch SUV, but you can get a really well appointed used-low mileage (2004 to 2006) Lincoln stretch for 45K to 55K.

They are dependable if you pay attention to maintenance, and are very versatile. Some of them out there have over 200K miles on them and are still running strong.

I freely admit that during prom season I'm not the shop that gets the first call. The guys running the flashy SUVs get those calls from the kids, but the Lincolns do sell and make good money, with much lower overhead. I get a good amount of business from the more mature crowd, law firms and some corporate work. I also do well with airport transfers for larger parties and weddings.

Pick a moderate price that covers your expenses and has some room for profit and you could do well.

[LIMOJESS]

If you thing you can run a limo with the cakes forget about it.

I would be surprise if you have any $$ left for gas at the end of the month.

If your limo can do the other stuff like night on the town or corporate work that is where the $$ is.

[Blue Diamond]

Food for thought...

If you have access to all these brides, Why not start up a consult with other limo companies. Find out what they offer for vehicles, and offer to point a to be bride in their direction for a commission?! No vehicle, overhead.

In exchange, you may be able to get listed on these companies website for your cakes business too!!

Get to know the companies, get business cards, brochures, ect. Tell them you may also be able to plant a seed for bachelor/ bachelorette parties too!

A little phone time, and free advertising, plus a commission on each booking!!!

Sounds like the way to go if I was you.