Car Service question - cash payment?

[Fantasmic303]

We normally drive to the airport, but I'm taking a trip with a friend (not to Disney, unfortunately), and we've decided to use a town car service. I've been checking around for rates and reviews, and we've found a service that seems reliable (hopefully!) and has offered us a reasonable rate.

My question is this: I got an email quote from the company this morning offering a discounted rate if we pay in cash. We will have to add $20 to the cost if we charge it. Is this a legit practice? We'd love to save the money, but not if it leaves us unprotected otherwise.

What do you guys think? And, also, do companies that do this typically add $20 to the roundtrip cost (which would be $10 more each and not a big deal) or $20 each way? (Which would be $20 each, and a little less easy to swallow considering what we're already paying.)

Oh, and just FYI: This is a service going to JFK airport in NYC from southwestern CT.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I would not do this. Right now I'm looking for a good car service to get us back & forth from Universal because the 2 I used in the past, un-Happy Limo & another I can't remember, both tried to jack up the prices once I got there. The first kept telling me the girl I made reservations with gave me the wrong prices and I left it off telling the guy to check with her and take his tip out of the correction. The 2nd was with un-Happy Limo's Hummerzine. There were a bunch of us and they tried to jack up the price after I had already paid a ton AND kept hinting for a tip EVEN THOUGH they added 20% for a tip into the cost. Both times I felt like they were going to leave us stranded because I wanted them to honor the arrangement I had paid for. Both different companies yessed me to death about my requests (I asked un-Happy Limo specifically for a stop at Wal-mart & got a Target) and then the drivers 'claimed' to be uninformed. Both companies were recommended by rather LARGE website organizations who never acknowledged my complaints even though I chose these car services based upon their recommendations...its obvious money can buy loyalty . Now I'd rather pay more as I go & have control than leave it up to them.

Good luck whatever you choose

 

[Edd]

That is not a typical practice in the Orlando market. A credit card will cost the company $2.00 or $3.00 and he wants to charge you $20.00 to do it. I would be looking for another company.

 

[Lewisc]

That is not a typical practice in the Orlando market. A credit card will cost the company $2.00 or $3.00 and he wants to charge you $20.00 to do it. I would be looking for another company.

A $20 cash discounts sounds like a company that might be looking to hide money from the IRS or other creditors.

Some (many) drivers don't like to provide a complimentary stop at Wal-Mart. Wal-Marts tend to be large and often crowded. Depending on the time of day it may be hard to get in and out in the time provided. Many drivers provide a free grocery stop at the store of their choice. Customers that pick a specific store should be prepared to pay extra (TIP) if the store is out of the way or if it takes extra time to shop.

 

[Edd]

Actually Lewis They are being stupid. They are running off a customer because they don't want to pay the $2.00 or $3.00 discount on the credit card. Maybe they aren't even signed up with a CC company.

 

[ducklite]

Mastercard and Visa charge 3% of the total bill in fees, and AmEx has I think 5%.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

I just re-read the OP. The car service is from CT to JFK (New York City). My guess is the company/driver does cash business "off the books". They probably don't pay taxes and/or fees on cash bookings. It's also possible they don't accept credit cards and are using another company to process credit card charges.

I'd only use that company if you know people who've used them.