Heads Up - FL Tours now charges $25 for grocery stop!

[oliverweagle]

when using their limo service. I am posting this as an FYI as my "confirmed" quote from FL Tours included a free grocery stop, but then I received an e-mail stating that their policy had changed.

"Satisfaction Guaranteed!"

 

[AlexandNessa]

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I haven't used FL Tours for a while now because we have received cheaper prices and outstanding service from Sunray. I think FL Tours is pricing themselves out of the market now, and perhaps the only people that will continue to use them will do so out of "obligation" because they're a board sponsor. Unless ... is FL Tours a trendsetter? Will other towncar companies follow suit and charge for grocery stops?

 

[Edd]

No, there are not very many companies than will charge for the grocery stop. The stop attracts to many people to the web sites and eventual passengers for each company.

 

[boomhauer]

I was gonna go with FLTours myself, but then I noticed, their prices were about 10% higher than other services.

 

[dannyh23]

when using their limo service. I am posting this as an FYI as my "confirmed" quote from FL Tours included a free grocery stop, but then I received an e-mail stating that their policy had changed.

"Satisfaction Guaranteed!"

Yeah, we USED to use FL TOURS... $120 + tip round trip for a town car just isn't worth it anymore.

FOR US, it's easier, cheaper, and faster to use Magical Express! Then we walk/take a bus over to Swan/Dolphin and rent a car for that first day for $30, then go to Walmart (which they won't take you to) and get everything we need...

You aren't rushed shopping, you don't have to worry about your luggage, finding the guy at the airport, hoping they remember to pick you up, etc.

 

[CarolA]

No, there are not very many companies than will charge for the grocery stop. The stop attracts to many people to the web sites and eventual passengers for each company.

I agree with Edd. Without the "Free" grocery stop there would be no incentive to use a service over something like ME. I have used Fl Tours in the past, but this would turn me off.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

And I bet if your plane is late and they have to pick someone up after you, there will be no grocery stop. This happened to us a few years ago when the stop was free.

 

[Lewisc]

Their website still shows a complimentary grocery stop if you use a towncar but a $25 fee for limo transfers.

 

[Edd]

Maybe they haven't changed the information on their website. One of the first OP's stated that it was change in policy. She received the information in her e-mail.

 

[helenk]

The OP indicates that they are using the Limo service, so perhaps the fee will not apply to the Town car service.

 

[goofy4tink]

I just double checked FL Tours website....it says towncar service gets a free grocery stop. But, if you check the rates for 'limo' service it tells you there is a $25 charge for grocery stops. Obviously the difference is between hiring a limo vs a towncar. I believe there are a lot of people out there who book a 'limo' service but really mean a towncar. But, if you book a limo, rather than a towncar, you will have to pay the extra for a grocery stop.

 

[CarolA]

Let me see if I understand this. The limo cost about $80 more (plus the "tip") and you get fewer services?

Let's start with the tip. Tips are for service, they should NOT be mandatory.

Two if I am paying for a luxury (i.e., Limo) then WHY should I get FEWER services?????

 

[goofy4tink]

Let me see if I understand this. The limo cost about $80 more (plus the "tip") and you get fewer services?

Let's start with the tip. Tips are for service, they should NOT be mandatory.

Two if I am paying for a luxury (i.e., Limo) then WHY should I get FEWER services?????

Ahh, come on now.....it has to be that it's harder to park, and backup, a stretch limo!!! Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Perhaps they don't want to take out the limo(s) that much so try to make it less attractive to use??

 

[disneyfan67]

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I haven't used FL Tours for a while now because we have received cheaper prices and outstanding service from Sunray. I think FL Tours is pricing themselves out of the market now, and perhaps the only people that will continue to use them will do so out of "obligation" because they're a board sponsor. Unless ... is FL Tours a trendsetter? Will other towncar companies follow suit and charge for grocery stops?

Thanks to your good advice you gave me on the Universal board, I also went with Sunray. You were correct, FL Tours was 50 dollars higher, picking me up in a Town car and provided no grocery stop. I called Sunray and it was a 120 dollars for transportation in a SUV to Universal from the airport, Universal to Disney two days later, then from Disney to the airport at the end of the week. All for a $120 dollars. Bob also gave me option for the free grocery stop either to Universal or when they take me to Disney. I really was impressed at their prices and how nice they were to deal with over the phone.

Does anyone know which grocery store they will probably take me to one the way? I never did the grocery stop before? I heard one of the grocery stores near Disney is pretty high and forgot which one.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

For an industry thats having so much trouble staying alive in Orlando, I can't believe they would shoot themselfs in the foot like this. Really a bad move!

 

[Edd]

Sunray will probably take you to the Publix in Williamsburg. The pretty high grocery store near Disney is Goodings.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Ugh. Double post. sorry!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Thanks to your good advice you gave me on the Universal board, I also went with Sunray. You were correct, FL Tours was 50 dollars higher, picking me up in a Town car and provided no grocery stop. I called Sunray and it was a 120 dollars for transportation in a SUV to Universal from the airport, Universal to Disney two days later, then from Disney to the airport at the end of the week. All for a $120 dollars. Bob also gave me option for the free grocery stop either to Universal or when they take me to Disney. I really was impressed at their prices and how nice they were to deal with over the phone.

Does anyone know which grocery store they will probably take me to one the way? I never did the grocery stop before? I heard one of the grocery stores near Disney is pretty high and forgot which one.

Hey there! They took us to Publix, and you're right: when we had multiple stops (4), they were kind enough to offer us 3 grocery stops. And, I have to mention that even though we only had one grocery stop scheduled, they were very accommodating when I called them 45 minutes prior to my first pick up to ask if they could make an emergency stop at a local Walgreens so I could pick up a prescription that my doctor called in for me that morning when I woke up with a little something unexpected. Also, I would call or email them back and mention "The Mouse for Less." That'll save you another $8 (if you haven't mentioned the discount already). Have a great trip!

 

[oliverweagle]

Well, I have decided to go with another company for less $ and a "free" grocery stop. I would have liked to continue the relationship with FL tours, however I don't see how they are competitive with their current policies - all in spite of their being a sponsor of this site. I guess the most annoying aspect was receiving a "confirmation" and then, some weeks later4 a contradictory e-mail saying that their policies had changed and in order to honor my previous reservation it would cost an additional $25.00

Have a nice day!

 

[WaltD4Me]

One of the best things I found here on the DIS was the idea of using a town car service and that was mainly because of the grocery stop, I looked into several companies, and went with Murray Hill Transportation for $85 round trip with the free stop.
Now I always use Murray Hill and LOVE them, but I'm
not sure what I'd do if they started charging for the grocery stop, it's the big incentive for using them to begin with.