How is the Limousine Rate determined?
Why is there such a price difference between
limousine companies?
Under what circumstances are there additional charges
over and above the quoted rate?
Are Taxes charged on limousine transportation?
How are gratuities handled?
How are payments made?
Do I need to provide a credit card?
How do I know the limousine will return for me at
the end of the evening?
How old do you have to be to rent a limousine?
Are you allowed to drink alcohol in a limousine?
Are glasses and Ice provided in the limousine?
Can we stand up through the sun roof in the limousine?
Can we smoke in your limousines?
Can I tentatively book a limousine and call back
to confirm later?
Why are weddings priced at a premium?
Can we rent a limousine for less than 5 hours for
a wedding?
How do I find my limousine when I arrive at the
Airport?
How much luggage can you fit in a limousine?
Do you charge for extra stops along the way?
Under what circumstances will Gem Limousine cancel
a reservation?
How is the Limousine Rate determined?
The rate charged for Limousine service is based on several
factors. The distance traveled, time required, and time of
reservation are all taken into consideration. The most economical
reservation is called a “split” run. A split run
is simply a pick up at one address, a trip to your destination
and then a return at a pre arraigned time. This allows us
to perhaps book additional work for the limousine while you
are not using it. You are not paying for the limousine
to sit and wait for you. We can also provide a firm price
quotation for split reservations.
Another way to rent a Limousine is by the hour. This is
a considerably more expensive way to rent as you are paying
to keep the car at your disposal for the entire evening.
We charge a minimum flat rate plus an additional hourly charge.
Some people find hourly a better way to go if their circumstances
require them to go to several different locations in the
evening.
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Why is there such a price difference between limousine companies?
If you are calling several different companies for price
quotations you will undoubtedly get a wide range of prices.
Usually you will find that several companies will be about the
same price with one or two being significantly lower and one
or two being higher. All professional reputable companies have
similar expenses such as proper insurance, licenses and
maintenance costs. Therefore in order to run a quality service
and provide a living for themselves and their employees these
companies will end up with similar pricing. The only way to
cut costs and still make a reasonable profit is to cut
something. This always translates to poorer service levels.
This can equate to inferior limousines, poorly trained chauffeurs,
unlicensed or uninsured operators, or part time operators
who run their business at their own convenience.
Some companies will give a lower price to book their limousines
in advance and then quote the same reservation to other clients
for a much higher price. If someone is foolish enough to
book at the inflated rate they will call and cancel the other
client in favour of the better paying run.
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Under what circumstances are there additional charges over and above the quoted
rate?
A reservation will not be charged out at more than the quoted
rate except under the following situations.
• If additional pick up or drop off addresses are added.
• If client is not ready at the arraigned times causing the limousine additional
waiting time.
• If damage is done to the limousine or any property of Gem Limousine due
to accident or misuse by the client or anyone in the clients party. This includes
broken glasses, cigarette burns, damage to bar or any interior surface of the
limousine.
• Additional time is requested above and beyond the original reservation.
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Are Taxes charged on limousine transportation?
Yes. All prices are subject to GST.
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How are gratuities handled?
A gratuity for the driver is required for all reservations.
15% of the total bill is recommended. If requested the gratuity
can be added to the invoice. In the unlikely event you feel
that the chauffeur did not provide you with good service
you may contact our office and we would be happy to refund
you any gratuities paid.
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How are payments made?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Cash, or Certified
Check. Payments by non certified check can be arraigned one
week before reservation date. For prime reservation dates
a non refundable deposit may be required to hold your reservation.
Payments must be made at the beginning of your reservation.
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Do I need to provide a credit card?
Yes. Even if you are paying by cash we require a credit
card imprint in case additional charges apply. Gem Limousine
will not put through any unjustified charges on your credit
card. If requested the chauffeur will return the slip to
you at the end of your booking once it has been determined
no additional charges were incurred.
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How do I know the limousine will return for me at the end
of the evening?
Gem Limousine is a reputable business. We honour all reservations
as contracts. We can provide references if requested. We
are a member of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and both
co owners are members of local Rotary Clubs. Our personal
and professional reputations are on the line with every reservation.
It is not in our best interest to break contracts with our
clients without cause.
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How old do you have to be to rent a limousine?
We require all reservations be made by someone 21 or older.
If the vehicle will be used by someone under the age of 21
we require a signed credit card slip and signed agreement
of responsibility authorizing Gem Limousine to hold the card
holder responsible for damages or overage charges. If all
passengers are under the age of 18 we require someone over
the age of 21 be in the limousine as a guardian.
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Are you allowed to drink alcohol in a limousine?
Gem Limousine will not stop people over the age of majority
from drinking alcohol in the limousine. However we make no
representation as to the legality of doing so. Local drinking
laws apply and clients assume all responsibility associated
with the consumption of alcohol while in the limousine. With
the exception of weddings where we supply complimentary champagne,
no employee of Gem Limousine will supply or purchase alcohol
for clients.
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Are glasses and Ice provided in the limousine?
For weddings and night out service Gem Limousine will automatically
supply ice and clean glassware for clients use. For all other
services we supply ice and glassware at the client’s
request.
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Can we stand up through the sun roof in the limousine?
Under no circumstances are clients allowed to stand up through
the sunroof of the limousine once the vehicle is under way.
If clients would like to take a picture standing through
the sunroof we will allow this only before the trip begins.
Our client’s safety is our number one concern. Should
the vehicle be struck from behind or become involved in any
other type of accident while someone is standing through
the sunroof serious injury is almost guaranteed.
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Can we smoke in your limousines?
Under no circumstances do we allow smoking in our limousines.
Local
bylaws prohibit smoking in limousines and in
order to provide a clean fresh interior for all our clients
we strictly prohibit smoking. We reserve the right to cancel
any reservation if clients smoke inside our limousines.
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Can I tentatively book a limousine and call back to confirm
later?
We will not hold any reservation unless we receive a deposit.
All deposits are non refundable. We can make exceptions to
this policy solely at our discretion.
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Why are weddings priced at a premium?
Weddings are the main reason for limousine companies having
the larger more expensive cars. These cars cost in excess
of $100,000.00 dollars and are very expensive to maintain
and operate. Operators must make sure their costs are recovered
and a reasonable profit margin is maintained in order to
stay in business. Therefore this type of service must be
priced at a level that reflects the cost of providing good
service and the more expensive cars.
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Can we rent a limousine for less than 5 hours for a wedding?
Generally we will not rent out the larger limousines for
less than the minimum 5 hour wedding package for Saturday
weddings. As most weddings take place on a few Saturdays
during the summer we can not afford to rent out the limousine
for less than that minimum.
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How do I find my limousine when I arrive at the Airport?
Airport procedures are different for each terminal at Pearson
Airport and often change due to the construction of the new
terminal. Our office will explain the procedure at the time
of booking and your chauffeur will confirm this with you
when you are dropped off at the airport.
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How much luggage can you fit in a limousine?
Stretch limousines provide no more trunk space than non
stretched limousines. We can usually fit 4 large suitcases
and 3 or four carry on pieces. If you feel you will exceed
this or if you have large items such as golf clubs or skis
please make sure you make our office aware of this when making
your reservation. In order to prevent damage to the limousine
we do not allow luggage inside the passenger compartment
of the limousine.
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Do you charge for extra stops along the way?
Yes. Extra stops, even if on route are chargeable. Our office
can quote you a rate based on the details of your reservation.
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Under what circumstances will Gem Limousine cancel a reservation?
Gem limousine reserves the right to cancel any reservation
under the following circumstances.
• Clients endanger themselves or the chauffeur.
• Excessively inappropriate behavior.
• Verbal or physical abuse of the chauffeur.
• Non Payment.
• Smoking inside the Limousine.
• Damages caused by clients to any property of Gem Limousine.
• Clients can not be located within ½ hour of pre arraigned pickup
.
If reservation is cancelled for any of the reasons listed above, full payment
is still required. |
