Cartier Towncar Service-Never again!

[Pumbaa_]

We went to WDW Oct 17-23 and booked with Cartier Towncar after reading so many positive posts. (we booked just 2 weeks before the trip)

Our flight got in very late Friday night, about 10:40 or so. The driver was waiting for us (I love that part). He had a sign and identified himself as Cash. We had to wait some time for our luggage, it seems 3 flights got in at the same time. BUt we finally got our bag and headed off. We followed Cash and to my surprise ended up in the parking garage!!! I had expected to go out to the curb (like the 10 other times I used a towncar) and then the driver would go get the car. But nope, not this time. It was late, so we let t go.

We went to the grocery store and picked up some essentials. Then got to BWV around 12:20 or so. We paid and he gave us a card and asked us to call to confirm pickup 24 hours in advance. Sure, we were to be picked up at 12:30 on Thursday.

Well Thursday comes. We called the day before to confirm our time. No problem. So we are out front at the BW at 12:25 waiting. We had a great trip and were just hanging out waiting. No car. I figured I would call at 12:45 if no one came. I was just about to call when I see a limo pull up with Cartier plates on it. I am thinking, cool beans! Yup, it was for us. They were running late and had a limo in the area so they came to get us.

So you are thinking about now, so what is her problem? Well, as we were leaving, the driver HIT (sideswiped) a car waiting to be valet parked and kept going. My DH and I look at each other in disbelief. And we start thinking, we are not going to make our flight. Well, the driver kept going. We did not know what to do.

Apparently, no one noticed. We thought for sure the guard at the gate would stop him, but no, he kept going.

Once we got to the airport, I called both the towncar company and the BWV valet parking area and reported what happened. The towncar company person who answered the phone seemed to have some trouble understanding what I was saying. It took awhile to get through to her what happened. And the BWV did not know anything had happened. They were going to troll the parking lot looking for the car. I hope they found it.

So we will once again be using a different towncar company in January,. This time, we are going with the board sponsor and using FL towncar.

 

[HappyMommy2]

That is very, VERY bad! I can't imagine what type of person would do that. I'm glad you reported it to BWV and of course to Cartier. I hope the car that was hit didn't have too much damage, but even if it was just a scratch I hope the owners were able to get proper compensation. I also hope (but somehow don't really expect) that the driver will be disciplined.

 

[Tracie]

Pumbaa,

Wow, I can't beleive he did that!

We have used Fl Tours 2 times now (just got back last night) Andy took very good care of us both trips. He calls you at the hotel to confirm the pick-up the night before (leaves a message and a number if your not there) Both trips Fl tours has been on time with nice clean cars we have had Andy for a 3 leg trip this past June and Andy and another driver (can't remember his name) for this trip both were very safe and comfortable rides.

I will use Fl tours from now on!

Tracie

 

[cheeringmom]

I just booked with Cartier this am. I'll let you know how it goes. We leave on Fri. Keep your fingers crossed for us.\
That is a scary thing. I'm glad you did not stay quiet. Kudos to you!!

 

[princetonnj]

Originally posted by Pumbaa_
Once we got to the airport, I called both the towncar company and the BWV valet parking area and reported what happened.

So why did you wait until arriving at the airport. Couldn't you have asked the driver to stop when it happened?
Ever drive a limo? A small side swipe could easily go unnoticed by a driver. Did he act like he knew of the accident?

Yes, accidents happen and I'm not sure it is right to blast the driver for not stopping if he was not aware of it.

 

[hentob]

I read it as they waited until they got to the airport to call b/c they were scared they would miss their flight.

Kudos for you for calling at all.

hentob

 

[Pumbaa_]

Thanks hentob, that is exactly why we did not insist that he stop then and there. We would have missed our flight (they were already running late and by the time they sent another car, if one was available at all, who knows how long it would have taken!)

In an ideal world, we would have loved to have been able to stop then and there. And if we did not have a plane to catch, we would have done just that!

 

[Mermaid02]

So I am reading this as, you would have been upset if he HAD stopped because you may have missed your flight. Which is it?

Anyway- sounds like a very unpleasant experience and I don't blame you for trying someone else next time. We had excellent service from Cartier..... sorry you didn't.

 

[crisi]

Given that the driver was late, then had an accident, you can't help but be upset whatever happened - stop, not stop. Possibly the best course of action for the driver would have been to stop, put Pumbaa into a cab with her luggage and pay the cab driver for the ride, while he took care of the accident. I'm sure the valet staff at the resort would have been happy, under the circumstances, to help make this transition. However, no one thinks clearly when they are running late and just had a little accident that no one noticed.....

 

[JazMom]

Wow... this surely sounds bad for them. I am very sure that Cartier had to take care of the incident, however I also believe that he was probably trying to get you to the airport so you would not miss your flight...there could also be many possibilities, if you had a stretch limo, you have to remember that it is a long car and the driver probably did not feel it when he hit the other car, unless of course it was severe damage, then it would have been an obvious hit and run. I have used Cartier twice already, and the drivers I have had have been very professional, smart, and they all seem to be in their senses... I dont think that they would do something like that knowing the consequences that follow...I am sorry you went through something like this...please try to follow up with them and let us know what concluded...thanx!!