Tiffany Towncar. NEVER again.

[Meghoya]

Hi All, I used these boards for lots of recommendations and everything went flawlessly on our trip with the exception of our towncar service, so I wanted to forewarn the rest of you!!

I will never again use Tiffany Towncar service. Their receptionist/dispatcher is completely inept and incredibly rude almost abandoning us, not once, but both times we were supposed to be picked up by them. Driver was great, but she runs the show so NEVER again!!!!

We booked Tiffany Towncar because we were arriving on a 10:30am flight on my daughter's 7th birthday and had BBB reservations at 2:30. Wanted to be sure we got to the Bay Lake Towers as soon as possible with plenty of time to get to the MK.

We arrive, no car!! And there were 7 of us, so we couldn't just hop into a taxi. I call Tiffany Towncar and Maritza tells me my flight was canceled and they tried to call and email me but no one answered so no driver was there to pick us up. Ummm, WHAT?? Our flight was not cancelled (it was combined that morning with another flight so they changed the numbers but the departure and arrival time and location were EXACTLY the same). And when she called us, we didn't answer because we were ON THE PLANE. She called at 9:30am and our flight left at 7:30am, as scheduled, and landed at 10:30am, as scheduled.

Worst of all? She gave ME attitude and said it was my fault since we didn't answer our phones (while IN THE AIR)! She was incredibly rude and never once apologized or took any ownership of he situation.

The only saving grace was our driver. He went above and beyond the call of duty and actually looked up the flights himself and said since he lived near the airport and saw a flight from our location arriving at our time (just with a number switch) he decided to wait for us even though she told him he didn't have to! Amazing!!! So, after incredible rudeness from Maritza and panic on our part, he met us shortly and delivered us to BLT. He was professional, courteous, and went out of his way for us. If I could book with him without going through the dispatcher I would in a heartbeat!!

When he dropped us off he confirmed we were to be picked up directly from Animal Kingdom at 2:30pm for our return flight.

Because of the dispatcher's ineptitude on our arrival, I called the day of our pick up to make sure everything was right. No one answered. I left a message with our name, and confirmation that we would be picked up at Animal Kingdom Park at 2:30. Maritza called back and left a message saying they would pick us up at BLT at 2:30. WHAT??? Did you not get my reservation (she's the one who took it in August)? Or listen to my message?? I call her back and she claims they CANNOT pick us up at AK. Ummmm, our flight is in 3 hours, our bags are checked on the plane, our kids, carry ons, car seats and ourselves are at Animal Kingdom AND we have already prepaid them for our return trip. After MUCH rudeness on her part (claiming I never told her we needed pick up from AK, so this is all MY fault--um, then how did the driver know to confirm that pick up when he dropped us at BLT the first day?) she finally said he would pick us up at AK, but we had to pay an EXTRA $14 for him to get in the gate. Which, wouldn't have been that big a deal if she had said it upfront and not been so incredibly rude and offensive.

When he arrived, on time and professional, he didn't even mention the gate fee until we asked what we owed him for it at the end. He apologized and said if the dispatcher had let him know earlier in the day that it was still and Animal Kingdom pick up he would have borrowed a parking pass. Such a kind, professional, and responsible employee. I hope Tiffany Towncar knows what a gem they have in him.

I also hope he decides to work somewhere else because we would be thrilled to have him drive us again, but as long as Maritza is in charge of dispatching and reservations at Tiffany we will NEVER NEVER NEVER use them again. I'd rather walk then deal with her. Seriously. She was that rude and incompetent.

So, now you've been warned. Hope you have better luck with another service, and since we travel to Orlando often I will be looking for good reviews of other towncars.

Meg

 

[maxiesmom]

Just as an FYI you can get a taxi. There are taxi vans available, and they don't cost any more than a regular taxi car. We have used them many times.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. At least your driver had their act together! I hope you e-mailed Tiffany and let them know what happened, and why you won't book with them again.

 

[gwynne]

Sounds like you had an unhappy experience.
Just a note, whenever there is any change in our flights#'s and/or times I call or email and give Tiffany an update. Otherwise it's probably really easy to get things confused.

 

[cobright]

I would demand to speak to Tiffany.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sounds like you had an unhappy experience.
Just a note, whenever there is any change in our flights#'s and/or times I call or email and give Tiffany an update. Otherwise it's probably really easy to get things confused.

Probably a really good idea.

If your flight changed numbers, then your original flight number WAS cancelled. That's likely all they know. They don't see the info you are getting at the airport, that it's been combined. So it's a good idea to call from the airport, when you find out your flight's number has changed, to tell them.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi All, I used these boards for lots of recommendations and everything went flawlessly on our trip with the exception of our towncar service, so I wanted to forewarn the rest of you!!

I will never again use Tiffany Towncar service. Their receptionist/dispatcher is completely inept and incredibly rude almost abandoning us, not once, but both times we were supposed to be picked up by them. Driver was great, but she runs the show so NEVER again!!!!

We booked Tiffany Towncar because we were arriving on a 10:30am flight on my daughter's 7th birthday and had BBB reservations at 2:30. Wanted to be sure we got to the Bay Lake Towers as soon as possible with plenty of time to get to the MK.

We arrive, no car!! And there were 7 of us, so we couldn't just hop into a taxi. I call Tiffany Towncar and Maritza tells me my flight was canceled and they tried to call and email me but no one answered so no driver was there to pick us up. Ummm, WHAT?? Our flight was not cancelled (it was combined that morning with another flight so they changed the numbers but the departure and arrival time and location were EXACTLY the same). And when she called us, we didn't answer because we were ON THE PLANE. She called at 9:30am and our flight left at 7:30am, as scheduled, and landed at 10:30am, as scheduled.

Worst of all? She gave ME attitude and said it was my fault since we didn't answer our phones (while IN THE AIR)! She was incredibly rude and never once apologized or took any ownership of he situation.

The only saving grace was our driver. He went above and beyond the call of duty and actually looked up the flights himself and said since he lived near the airport and saw a flight from our location arriving at our time (just with a number switch) he decided to wait for us even though she told him he didn't have to! Amazing!!! So, after incredible rudeness from Maritza and panic on our part, he met us shortly and delivered us to BLT. He was professional, courteous, and went out of his way for us. If I could book with him without going through the dispatcher I would in a heartbeat!!

When he dropped us off he confirmed we were to be picked up directly from Animal Kingdom at 2:30pm for our return flight.

Because of the dispatcher's ineptitude on our arrival, I called the day of our pick up to make sure everything was right. No one answered. I left a message with our name, and confirmation that we would be picked up at Animal Kingdom Park at 2:30. Maritza called back and left a message saying they would pick us up at BLT at 2:30. WHAT??? Did you not get my reservation (she's the one who took it in August)? Or listen to my message?? I call her back and she claims they CANNOT pick us up at AK. Ummmm, our flight is in 3 hours, our bags are checked on the plane, our kids, carry ons, car seats and ourselves are at Animal Kingdom AND we have already prepaid them for our return trip. After MUCH rudeness on her part (claiming I never told her we needed pick up from AK, so this is all MY fault--um, then how did the driver know to confirm that pick up when he dropped us at BLT the first day?) she finally said he would pick us up at AK, but we had to pay an EXTRA $14 for him to get in the gate. Which, wouldn't have been that big a deal if she had said it upfront and not been so incredibly rude and offensive.

When he arrived, on time and professional, he didn't even mention the gate fee until we asked what we owed him for it at the end. He apologized and said if the dispatcher had let him know earlier in the day that it was still and Animal Kingdom pick up he would have borrowed a parking pass. Such a kind, professional, and responsible employee. I hope Tiffany Towncar knows what a gem they have in him.

I also hope he decides to work somewhere else because we would be thrilled to have him drive us again, but as long as Maritza is in charge of dispatching and reservations at Tiffany we will NEVER NEVER NEVER use them again. I'd rather walk then deal with her. Seriously. She was that rude and incompetent.

So, now you've been warned. Hope you have better luck with another service, and since we travel to Orlando often I will be looking for good reviews of other towncars.

Meg

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. Tiffany Town Car is the only car service we will use as we have used them since 2002 and have always had exceptional service. With that said, I agree with the pp that I would write a letter explaining what happened.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) As with mickeynut1, we only use Tiffany.
2) We have used them since 2000.
. . . I use them when flying our on business for transport from home to MCO
. . . we use them for family flying into MCO
5) Have not had a problem in all these years.
6) For the canceled flight,
. . . the airline canceled the flight when they combined flights
. . . there is no way for Tiffany to know this
. . . and for that matter, no one else checking flight times could know
. . . you should have called from home or airport when you found out
7) For Gate Fee,
. . . as for location issue, I can't comment on the miscommunication
. . . but, many hotels/parks in Orlando have exclusive taxi contracts
. . . dropping off has no extra charge, but pick-ups do, just like at most airports
. . . if another non-contracted taxi tries to pick-up, they pay a fee
. . . this protects the customer base for the contracted taxi service
. . . some hotels on International Dr charge $600/wk PER CAB, not cab company, for access

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I had one encounter with a Tiffany dispatcher. I won't be back. She was incredibly rude as was the driver. That was my last straw with Orlando car services. Overall a very unprofessional area for car services. I guess anyone with a black car/SUV cam be a car service there

I use one that is pretty much nationwide in Atlanta. They won't expand to MCO because they say they can't make money on the going rates. And I do pay more then MCO charges but service is excellent

 

[LexiC123]

Sorry you had such a bad experience upon your arrival. The last thing you want is to kick off your hard-earned vacation on a sour note.

That said, we've used Tiffany since 2000 and have had nothing but exemplary service, and have recommended them to family and friends, who were also pleased with their service. Would use them again in a heartbeat.

 

[gwynne]

Sorry you had such a bad experience upon your arrival. The last thing you want is to kick off your hard-earned vacation on a sour note.

That said, we've used Tiffany since 2000 and have had nothing but exemplary service, and have recommended them to family and friends, who were also pleased with their service. Would use them again in a heartbeat.

We feel the same way! We've used them for about 5 years. I just booked with them again, looking forward to receiving the same great service.

 

[dixiegirl]

To the OP - I can only imagine your frustration and can certainly understand making the personal decision to not use this service again.

For anyone else considering Tiffany, I would just like to say as others have posted, I have been using them for well over 10+ years now and have never had one issue with their service.

The OP is very understandably upset and no one can blame her - I would definitely suggest writing a letter and fully explain what happened so that they can possibly avoid it happening in the future.

 

[goofy4tink]

I do have to wonder what is going on in that office. For years now, we have been hearing of bad experiences with the woman in the office. Why is she still there? If people have to deal with such a rude person, it should only be a matter of time until people stop using TT. Most here have had good dealings with the company, but it doesn't take long for those bad experiences to get out and start affecting others.

 

[sharadoc]

I do have to wonder what is going on in that office. For years now, we have been hearing of bad experiences with the woman in the office. Why is she still there? If people have to deal with such a rude person, it should only be a matter of time until people stop using TT. Most here have had good dealings with the company, but it doesn't take long for those bad experiences to get out and start affecting others.

Probably a relative LOL.

 

[Buckalew11]

I am waiting on a reply back from TTC from last night. I need to book their services for this weekend but am holding off. I have used them since 2001 with no issues except for a time when I had a flight number change and forgot to tell them.

OP, you must tell them about a change in times or flight numbers. It is on you to do that. I know, I did it to, once.

The lady does tend to be rude. I have, however, spoken to her and she was very pleasant. I am not sure what is up with that but it makes me NOT want to call, that's for sure. lol

I have heard they are now throwing the 20% tip into the fee (but not putting that AS the fee on the website). I always tip but it is a tip--not a mandatory thing like a fee. I like it that way and do not want to pay a 46.00 fee (Sanford) if my service is less than par or something. So, I am waiting for the reply...

 

[Best Aunt]

I have heard they are now throwing the 20% tip into the fee (but not putting that AS the fee on the website). I always tip but it is a tip--not a mandatory thing like a fee. I like it that way and do not want to pay a 46.00 fee (Sanford) if my service is less than par or something.

I don't think "they" (meaning the company) throw a 20% tip on there. I think some of the drivers do it when they drop you off at the resort.

I think some of their drivers are lovely people and some... aren't.

The driver who gets you at the airport isn't necessarily the driver who takes you back to the airport.

So I don't think it's right for the first driver to add in a tip based on 20% of the total round-trip fare.

 

[sgause]

We also had a bad dispatch experience with Tiffany. Last Friday we used them for round trip from AKL to Universal. Confirming the reservation with our credit card took multiple calls because we kept getting voicemail but after several tries we finally got it booked. The ride to US was great - great driver, nice car, on time. We paid for the roundtrip ride and confirmed that we would call 1 hour before we needed to be picked up (also confirmed this with dispatch the day before)

At 7:35 PM we called for pick up and got voicemail. Waited a minute or two got voicemail again and left a message that we wanted to be picked up in an hour and please call and confirm. Waited 30 minutes - no reply - called again and got voicemail and left a second message. Kept randomly calling - only got voicemail. Decided to go to the designated pick up spot hoping the first message had been received. Waited another 30 minutes and finally got a phone call and the dispatcher stated that the last pickup at Universal was at 9:00 (something not mentioned to us before) and since we hadn't called before 8:00 they couldn't pick us up. I told her we had called multiple times and left 2 separate messages and she stated "we didn't get them". Then she tells me I'll call you back and hangs up on me. She did call back about 10 minutes later and said a car would be there in 5 minutes. A car did arrive within about 10 minutes and the driver was great - but the dispatch situation was definitely not acceptable. We had the impression that it was luck that there was a driver available in the area and that we could have easily been sitting there for quite a while.

I used a service so I wouldn't have to worry about a taxi not being available and selected Tiffany based on reviews here. I agree with the poster - I won't use them again.

 

[JennyT2]

I know this is an older post but I just wanted to bump it up. We received unacceptable service from TT 2 weeks ago after a cruise. Driver was late, we had to call. He tells me after the fact that I needed to call, that is procedure at the port … hmmmm? How about telling me that when I book it. He said nothing to that.

Then the driver was very rude, no pleasantries, parked both times 6 feet front the curb. Didn't help with out luggage … we had to bring it to him for him to load it into the van then at MCO he simply dumped it on the road and got into the van. So not the best way to end a vacation but I figured, what can you do, I'll send an email/call when we get home so the owners know so it won't happen again. Well … let me tell you I will NEVER use TT again … when I finally spoke to the owner, after an email and 2 phone calls … get this …. he accused me of being dishonest! OMG … I was beyond flabbergasted! He said I was making this all up and that I didn't know how transportation works. (hmmm, you pick up your clients on time, assist them with their luggage, be polite and then drop them off with assistance … am I missing something?) When I said the driver was rude, he asked me if the driver was supposed to entertain me?!?!?! I kept thinking it was all some joke! But nope. We had used them a few times in the past - 2009 and 2010 - and service was fine. But never again. I have never been so insulted in my life.

 

[rlduvall]

I will NEVER use TT again … when I finally spoke to the owner, after an email and 2 phone calls … get this …. he accused me of being dishonest! OMG … I was beyond flabbergasted! He said I was making this all up and that I didn't know how transportation works. (hmmm, you pick up your clients on time, assist them with their luggage, be polite and then drop them off with assistance … am I missing something?) When I said the driver was rude, he asked me if the driver was supposed to entertain me?!?!?!

I truly don't understand how they stay in business.

 

[JennyT2]

I truly don't understand how they stay in business.

Neither do I.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Thanks for this thread. Was looking for a town car for this trip. I know who I won't be using.