Covering Your Car Service’s Boundaries

When it comes to booking safe, reliable, and presentable transportation, you probably feel like there are no questions you shouldn’t ask. And that might be true. Grilling a company on all of the ins and outs of its service is beneficial. You’ll end up booking the best car with the best company, and you won’t have to worry about standing curbside at the airport for half an hour, wondering where your vehicle is.

That being said, there are a few standards for what you should ask of your car service. Believe it or not, there are limits, even for paying customers, and understanding what is appropriate and what is overboard will help you avoid being labeled a high-maintenance or difficult customer. It will also help you keep your expectations within reason. You can’t be disappointed if something you weren’t expecting doesn’t happen, right?

So to help you better prepare for your next (or first) encounter with a transportation company, we’ve compiled a list of things you shouldn’t ask of your car and in turn, things your car service shouldn’t ask of you. This way, you understand where they’re coming from and you also can be aware when they’re not holding up their end of the deal.

What You Shouldn’t Ask of Your Car Service

In the world of customer service, few things are out of the question. Most companies strive to ensure that their patrons are well taken care-of, and the good companies are willing to go the extra mile if one of their guests or clients has a request that is out of the ordinary. But when does a customer cross the line into taking advantage, or worse, asking for something that is entirely ridiculous?

It’s all about having respect for your Chauffeur’s time. He or she will be more than happy to adapt to varying destinations, or an unexpected extra trip around the park because the clients want to watch the snow fall. But when clients take advantage of their Chauffeur, that’s when things begin to get sticky.

Take, for instance, a couple who books a limousine and specifically requests at the last minute that their Chauffeur make reservations at a highly sought-after restaurant. Maybe this couple changes their minds and decides at the last minute that they do not want to eat at that particular restaurant. Instead, they would like their Chauffeur to make reservations at yet another highly sought-after restaurant. This flip-flop is not only frustrating to your Chauffeur, but it also expresses a disregard for their time. If you do cause this kind of a ruckus, remember to tip generously to show that you acknowledge the extra work your Chauffeur had to do. If you couple your frustrating fickleness with a less-than-stellar tip, you’ll most likely have one perturbed Chauffeur on your hands. So, please, avoid being the nightmare in a Chauffeur’s long night.

Another time when clients can go too far with their customer privileges? Bringing alcohol into a vehicle where a no-alcohol policy is strictly enforced. Not only does ignoring a company’s rules about alcohol express disrespect for the company, but you also run the risk of getting the company in serious trouble should something bad happen. Don’t be those people; don’t go too far.

What Your Car Service Shouldn’t Ask of You

On the other side of the coin, there are also things that your car service should never ask of you. As a paying customer, you are absolutely entitled to a few basic things with your transportation company. It should always be on time, it should always offer friendly, personable service, and it should always be able to get you where you need to go.

In addition to the things the company should do, there’s an even longer list of the things it should never do. For instance, if you are picked up by your Chauffeur and you notice that they have a firearm strapped to their belt, it’s probably a good sign that they are breaking quite a few company rules and shouldn’t be trusted to transport you and your family or friends. Carrying firearms is strictly prohibited by transportation companies, and you should never be forced to endure a car ride with a stranger who is carrying a gun and has control of the vehicle you’re riding in. Your limousine or sedan ride should be comfortable and relaxed; you’ve paid for that comfort and deserve it.

Additionally, your transportation should never hire or allow their Chauffeurs to use drugs or work while under the influence of alcohol. Your Chauffeur should also never partake in alcoholic beverages before or during their time driving you and your guests. Being sensible and aware of the “cans” and “cannots” of your car service company will help you have the most pleasant car service experience.

Image source:freedigitalphotos.net/pakorn - Jordan White