How do you guys go about pricing your limos/buses?

[Cedar Mill Limousine]

I have noticed that the ones that price high are usually farming their work out and don't actually own the limos. Like most have said, you have to see what it costs you, add a decent percentage rate for profit, and try not to gouge the customer, ever.

Thing is, it all depends on your personal circumstances. My buddy who out-right owns his H2 Hummers can charge a little cheaper than the next limo op who has a $2000/month payment. Price yourself to keep your bus running, not so high that you are sitting at home on a Sat night watching COPS.

Don't be afraid to charge a good rate. You might be surprised. Work smarter, not harder.

[First Class Limos]

Martin, not one of my cars would ever go out that cheap on a Saturday night, your prices are insanely low.

In this area a Lincoln limo runs between 50 - 90 per hour, depending on size and year (85 for mine). Party bus prices are between 95 - 125 per hour (125 for mine). SUV limo prices are 125 - 150 (150 for mine). These are based on Saturday night rates.

I don't want to undercut or be the lowest price in town, so I have priced my cars to the higher end of the scale, just under the highest price of my competition.

Digger,

I think you read Martin's post wrong. He said $200-$250 per hour, not $200 for all 4 hours. Cause I doubt you think $250 an hour is insanely low, thats pretty expensive for party buses. Theres not many party buses that rent out for more money than $250 per hour.

[HeavenOnWheels]

Digger,

I think you read Martin's post wrong. He said $200-$250 per hour, not $200 for all 4 hours. Cause I doubt you think $250 an hour is insanely low, thats pretty expensive for party buses. Theres not many party buses that rent out for more money than $250 per hour.

Around here, $150/hr -$175 for a decent party bus. Home-made ones go for about $125/hr.

[Jim30]

You really need to figure out what it costs you to operate, not what it cost anyone else. You have to look at your market as well. If there is not a ton of people offering what you have then you can adjust your price accordingly.

I agree with this comment. I really could care less what other companies are charging. I figure out what it costs me to do business + a comfortable profit margin per trip or charter = my price per ride or per hour.

[EliteChicagoLimo]

It depends on many variables like weekday/weekend, time of the day, occasion (weddings are more expensive), and the demand at the time. We look at google adwords to see trend shifts in demand and depending on how much demand there is out there, we will adjust our price accordingly. At the moment, during the winter, it's about $150/hour for 4 hours during weekdays, $175/hour for 4 hours on weekends.

Chicago Party Bus

[TheExpert]

Never forget about discount rates. Almost every limo service offer discount on limos of all sizes at the cheapest prices anywhere.

[inksane]

on fridays and saturdays my buses go out for $145 per hour for 5+hrs, and $165 per hr for 4 hours (minimum)

[4949ers]

The market must be a bit different in Chicago. Unless it is last second min 3 hours on a Saturday is $280/hr, $240/hr Friday Sunday, $200/hr Mon-Thur. Based on the type of job tack on another 20% for tip... although I do a discretionary tip for certain types of jobs.

This seems to be pretty on par in my area for a "higher end" large limo buses, 28+ passengers.

Some companies reduce their rates to unreasonable levels in January, February and March... but I have not yet. My first year in business and still feeling out price levels.

[brandon1]

I've raise my prices $25 per hour on Saturday for the same size vehicles I had at the time that I posted on here (this is an old thread). It's all about supply and demand. The more calls and website visits you generate the more you can charge because you can afford to turn people down who want a good deal.

[LIMOJESS]

I raise my prices by $30-50 an hour for the 4 limo buses I have during prom season.
it depends on your market.

[nancygilbert]

Competition is always there in transportation business , but according to us price strictly depends on the type of occasion, number of people, number of hours needed and how far client want to go. First we will need to know if this is for a wedding, concert, prom, birthday party or maybe an anniversary only than we are able quote the best possible price.Often times, the right vehicle according to occasion can make all the difference between us and our competitors.

[PartyBusDetroitMetro.com]

It really depends on how many calls you get for the vehicle, if you get a lot of calls your vehicles will be going out for top dollar, if you only get a few calls during the week for the vehicle most likely you will not get top dollar for it unless you get lucky, so advertise advertise advertise ! With a lot of phone calls you can have higher rates.

[TheExpert]

I would prefer to book 1-2 months in advance for the best rates available for party bus or limo bus companies.