Just a guess here - does Tiffany Towncar sometimes contract out?

[Belle0101]

The reason I ask (and I guess it's sort of also a review) -

Because Tiffany Towncar gets such great reviews here I opted to use them for our transportation going to and from POFQ and Sanford.

I booked online and my paperwork reflected a price of $280 RT for a van with a return pick-up time of 11:15 AM.

When I called in to verify and give our credit card number, per the paperwork, the agent verbally quoted me $280 RT for a van plus 20% gratuity and told me that our paperwork was wrong and out pick-up time would actually be 10:30 AM.

I was still ok with that. I had already planned on tipping 20%, giving 10% in cash at each transfer. If they were going to add it to the charge card instead that was okay. Even the departure time was ok. Check-out is 11:00 AM and our flight was 1:15 PM so really no big deal.

When we arrived at the airport our driver was holding a plain sheet of paper with our name on it inside a plastic sleeve. Not as nice or even anywhere near as professional a sign as what other drivers had. He himself seemed frumpy - casual dress and sandals. But ok, it's Tiffany and they get good reviews is what I'm thinking.

We greeted him and poof, he left us in the dust for the luggage pick-up area. I noticed as he walked away that the back side of the paper said Prestige Limo. Now I'm starting to wonder if we weren't being picked up by a Tiffany driver.

Every other driver I noticed was helping their customers with their luggage - either pulling it off the carousel, or carrying it or getting a cart for them. Ours just stood there. When we had it all he grabbed the smallest bag and poof, he was heading out the door. We were still picking up the rest of our things.

He lead us to a van but it was marked Safari Transportation. It wasn't awful but it wasn't nice, not anywhere near what the vans on the Tiffany site look like.

We arranged a grocery stop and we did get one. But when he pulled into the shopping plaza he didn't know where the store was. I had to direct him to it. I had never been there before but I noticed it when we pulled into the shopping plaza.

At POFQ he said our credit card was never charged and we would need to pay now. So, at nearly 9:00 PM DH is standing there giving him all our info - name, address, email, credit card number, phone number. All the info I had already supplied online and over the phone. (DH gave him cash for the tip which worried me because I was afraid it would also get charged to the card.) Once that was done he said, "See you Sunday" and was gone.

Sunday comes and because I prefer to be early, just in case, I told my family that we needed to be at the pick-up at 10:15 AM, 15 minutes early. We got a call at 10:09 AM that said our driver was already front waiting for us and to come.

Uneventful ride to the airport except he drove most of the time in the far left lane. I don't know about FL driving rules but in IN that is the lane for fast drivers. He was constantly being passed on the right and even had another car drive alongside us flipping the bird.

At the airport he dropped us off, DH tipped him, he replied, "Have a nice flight" and poof was gone. He didn't even drop us off at our terminal. We had to walk down to it.

Honestly, after reading some reviews here and other people mentioning how helpful and talkative their driver was, had a movie for the kids, snacks and beverages for everyone ... I am less than impressed. Far less.

What I'm guessing is that Tiffany maybe didn't have a driver for us and contracted out to Safari or Prestige? But charged us Tiffany prices?

Had I known then what I know now, I would have at least checked into another less expensive company. I think I would have felt more like I got what I paid for.

 

[gwynne]

I don't know if Tiffany contracts out. Have you called Tiffany and discussed the issues you outlined here? Was your credit card actually charged before your trip?

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

We just returned from our trip yesterday and we used Tiffany Towncar (we've used them several times) and the service was great. Our driver was Sam and he greeted us at baggage claim when we arrived; he was holding an IPad with our name on it. He was professionally dressed, very friendly & polite and helped my DH with the luggage.

When it was time for us to leave we headed out to the front of the resort and Sam was there already even though we headed out about 15 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. We didn't get a call that he was there waiting; I don't think we've ever gotten a call when using them.

I gave Sam our credit card number when he dropped us off at the resort and then I paid him a cash tip both ways.

We only needed a towncar so we didn't have a van like you did. However, last year we did get a van since my MIL was traveling with us. The service was great then too.

Sorry you didn't have a good experience. Sounds like they really dropped the ball!

 

[focusondisney]

Sorry you had a bad experience. We used Tiffany in Sept & May & had excellent service both times. I haven't read any other reports like this, but it sure does sound like they sub-contracted your ride. I hope this isn't going to be a regular experience.


I do think you should try to contact them & discuss it. If nothing else, their reputation is at steak. They should know the person they contracted to is not up to expectations.

You should know tho, nobody's cars/ limos/ vans look like the pictures! (We have used Tiffany, Happy Limo & Florida Towncars). I think they use pictures of brand new vehicles, not cars that travel thousands of miles a year.

 

[Belle0101]

Thanks, I'm thinking now contacting them would be the right thing to do. If they don't know they can't avoid it for the next customer.

I checked and our card wasn't charged until yesterday (Monday) for $280. We got home Sunday so at least that was okay.

I didn't mean to imply that the van should look just like on the website. It's just that I expected something nicer. I have a 1998 Toyota Sienna with 250K+ miles on it and it's nicer than what we were picked up in.

I don't what car service he was from but I do recall seeing a driver waiting for his passengers with their name on an iPad. I saw him again at the luggage carousel and he seemed to really be helping out where he could.

I know I had higher expectations based on previous car services we used too. I know one was FL Tours and the other I can't recall right now. I know it wasn't Tiffany or Safari though.

 

[Snow Shoe]

We had used Tiffany for many years with great service from them. Then one year, I forget specificaly which one, they changed ownership. When I call to make our usual reservation for pickup at MCO a new voice answered. Well they we not very courtious, short in confurning info and the like. Arriving at MCO there was no greeter in baggage claim. I called and was assured they had just pulled up and were walking into the baggage area looking for us. Did we see them? Nope! Well this phone tag went on for an hour before someone finally showed up. We haven't used them now for many years. We've been useing DME now for several yeasrs with great service.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have always had good experiences with TT. I imagine that there may be times that they do contract out...at those really busy times they may need addtl cars/drivers. BUT...I wouldn't let your experience go by without letting TT know about it.
These companies depend on word of mouth advertising. Based on your experience, I would be very hesitant to book with TT. I wouldn't want that kind of thing to happen to me. I know I've had less than wonderful experiences with some companies, and I don't use them again. I let them know why, but I do move on to another company.

They need to know that a company they have contracted out to dropped the ball. TT drivers provide a completely different service..so they need to know that their business model isn't being adhered to by other companies they may be using.

 

[candielips]

Sorry you had a bad experience. We used Tiffany in Sept & May & had excellent service both times. I haven't read any other reports like this, but it sure does sound like they sub-contracted your ride. I hope this isn't going to be a regular experience.

I do think you should try to contact them & discuss it. If nothing else, their reputation is at steak. They should know the person they contracted to is not up to expectations.

You should know tho, nobody's cars/ limos/ vans look like the pictures! (We have used Tiffany, Happy Limo & Florida Towncars). I think they use pictures of brand new vehicles, not cars that travel thousands of miles a year.

We're you happy with all 3 of these companies?

We are looking to book a car service from Sanford and I have no idea who to choose. Would like to find the most economical yet reliable company.

 

[focusondisney]

We're you happy with all 3 of these companies?

We are looking to book a car service from Sanford and I have no idea who to choose. Would like to find the most economical yet reliable company.

We only used Happy Limo once, several years ago. I really think they were fine, I don't remember anything wrong with them. I switched to Florida Tours coz they were a Dis Boards sponsor & I really wanted to patronize them for that reason. We used them repeatedly for several years. The cars were very clean, the drivers pleasant. However, the last few times we used them (2009 & 2010), we had to wait for them to arrive at the airport for our pick up. We expected the drivers to be waiting for us at baggage claim, & that wasn't happening. They were only a few minutes late, but still not what we expect.

So in 2011 we booked Tiffany. (We had also used them in the early 2000's.) We were so pleased, we used them twice this year. The cars are aren't as new, but they are clean & more importantly, the driver is early every trip. They were waiting for us at both the airport & the hotel. And they were about $20 cheaper than Florida Tours.

I would feel comfortable booking either Tiffany or Florida Tours, depending on price. Have a great trip!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Sounds like my last experience with Tiffany. And when I called to complain the "witch' on the phone hung up on me LOL!

Happy Limo was the one where the driver cursed like a sailor in front of my friends two small kids all the way to the port.

And so on... I either take DME or rent a car. Car services in Orlando are just too "iffy" IMHO

 

[goofy4tink]

Sounds like my last experience with Tiffany. And when I called to complain the "witch' on the phone hung up on me LOL!

Happy Limo was the one where the driver cursed like a sailor in front of my friends two small kids all the way to the port.

And so on... I either take DME or rent a car. Car services in Orlando are just too "iffy" IMHO

When was that experience with Tiffany?? I know a lot of people has issues with the woman that answered the phone in the office. But, to the best of my knowledge, that has been rectified now.

Sadly, there are many instances where drivers don't meet our expectations. I had one driver, with Florida Tours, who was outside the airport, having a smoke. We got our bags, and stood around looking for our driver...finally, after about 10 mins, dh went in search. Found him outside, smoking. I wasn't a happy camper. Then, for our return to the airport?? We were outside BW at the appointed time..no car. We waited about 10 mins or so...finally noticed a towncar, sitting way down at the end of the driveway, by the bus stop, with the driver standing outside, leaning against the side of the car. My dh, again, went off to look for our driver...and went down to talk to this guy standing there. Yep, our driver!!! Again having a smoke. I contacted Fl Tours when we got home, telling them about this experience. After a not so wonderful driver, with FL Tours, one Thanksgiving morning, I was hesitant about booking with them again, but I did since they are a board sponsor. And they let me down. I wanted the company to know why I wouldn't be using them again.

But I have to say that I have never had a bad experience with Tiffany. I did have one driver who was pretty non-communicative on the drive to the resort. And it was on that trip that we got rear-ended in a toll booth!!! He handled it wonderfully. And he was very talkative on the trip back to the airport. So, it all balanced out.

If anyone ever has a less than expected experience with a car company they have to report it to that company. If they choose not to use the company again, that's their right. But the company needs to know when something goes wrong!! That's the only way they can make changes.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

It was a while ago...I saw no reason to give any of them any more chances to screw up. Now I use car services a lot. (just got dropped off at an airport by one). It is interesting that the quality everyplace else far exceeds Orlando. All I can assume is in Orlando any "bubba" with a van/SUV or big car can become a car service driver

 

[goofy4tink]

It was a while ago...I saw no reason to give any of them any more chances to screw up. Now I use car services a lot. (just got dropped off at an airport by one). It is interesting that the quality everyplace else far exceeds Orlando. All I can assume is in Orlando any "bubba" with a van/SUV or big car can become a car service driver

Have to agree with that!!! I know that car services in my area are much more professional, and expensive!!!!! But you're right, almost anyone can be a driver in Florida.
And my issue is that so many of these companies whined and complained about DME. One would have thought that instead of providing crappy service, they would try to outdo each other with exceptional service!!! But that hasn't been the case.
Yes, there are good drivers down there. But, all it takes is one bad experience and you stop using them. One driver per company can have a drastic effect on that company's reputation. Or the office staff that takes phone calls. I know a lot of people had an issue with the office manager at Tiffany.

Ah well...this is the reason I use DME so often.

 

[jdb in AZ]

When you use Tiffany, do you have to "get it in writing" that you would like to make a grocery stop along the way?

Last week our driver was very courteous and easy-going but he said there wasn't a place to stop for supplies on the way to the port for our Disney cruise. He obviously knew the area well, so I would assume he could "find" a store if/when he really wanted. The hotel desk clerk said there was a store about a mile from the hotel, and DH ended up taking a taxi for provisions the next morning.

We had pre-paid the limo company when we made the reservation so there wasn't any paperwork to take care of -- didn't have to sign anything.

 

[livndisney]

Tiffany does contract out. They are not the Tiffany they were years ago. Even getting it in writing does no good. We used them for a limo (had it all in writing-paid in full prior to trip;tip was even paid ahead of time per contract). Driver showed up and wanted to charge again. Then asked for another tip. Contacting Tiffany did no good, said they would "note" it and hung up.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Tiffany does contract out. They are not the Tiffany they were years ago. Even getting it in writing does no good. We used them for a limo (had it all in writing-paid in full prior to trip;tip was even paid ahead of time per contract). Driver showed up and wanted to charge again. Then asked for another tip. Contacting Tiffany did no good, said they would "note" it and hung up.

So, did you end up paying a second time? When we used Happy Limo several years ago the driver wanted to be tipped a 2nd time but DH had the paperwork proving the driver had already been pre-paid.