Tiffany Town Car, 20% gratuity mandatory

[goofy4tink]

Diane,

I didn't say they couldn't pick up in Sanford. They are not a permitted and have to pay an extra amount of money to pick up. Permitted companies don't have to pay that amount. So whatever amount they have to pay to pick up there they probably added it to the front end of the fare. Usually it is $20.00 and owners will add $20.00 to $35.00 extra to the fare.

Thanks Edd...that would explain it.

 

[canwegosoon]

OP have used several different carservices and the tips were not mandatory. But ME has been my carrier of choice since starting.

 

[hpguy]

Carol A,

We have discussed this many times. TIPS ARE NOT MANDATORY!!!!!!! Please get that out of your mind. In the past I have taken several passengers and not one dime in tips was given me. They still got the same service because they paid me the fare I asked for.

Maybe we should give doctors and dentists tips because they kept us in good health.

Well Edd, I guess you are not really all that familiar with the Orlando (and as Lewisc said above most other states) gratuity practices for limousine reservations. The 20% gratuity Tiffany is adding to the total is for stretched limousines only, not the towncars and vans. This is indeed standard practice for MOST companies here in Orlando. Maybe you do not do it in your company, but look around and get out of your shell, you'll see that most companies, big and small, are adding gratuity for limousine reservations, and they are, in most cases, very reputable ones. Stop bashing anyone that does not do what you do and give people here the wrong idea as to which companies are the ones people should chose!!!!

What you all must understand is that it is NOT MANDATORY, it is included in the final total, that is all. If you are disatisfied with the service provided by your limo driver call the company and ask for a partial or total refund of the gratuity prepaid. In the other hand, if a company says in their confirmation or over the phone that the 20% are mandatory, than I would also suggest you go with another more reputable service!!!

 

[CarolA]

Carol A,

We have discussed this many times. TIPS ARE NOT MANDATORY!!!!!!! Please get that out of your mind. In the past I have taken several passengers and not one dime in tips was given me. They still got the same service because they paid me the fare I asked for.

Maybe we should give doctors and dentists tips because they kept us in good health.

According to Tiffany Town Car TIPS are MANDATORY!!! I am glad you don't charge mandatory tips. I will NOT use anyone who charge MANDATORY Tips.... Unfortunately for you, your competitors are performing business practices that make the whole industry look bad!

Sorry hpguy, but if the "tip" is automatically included in the final price and I have to CALL and ask for a refund for lousy service it was NOT a tip. Tips by there very nature are given for service rendered at the time not "a refund" for poor service!

(Isn't it intersting that the defense of these practices only comes from those who benefit from them not the consumers who are having to pay?)

 

[Lewisc]

I don't have any connection with the transportation industry but in some parts of the country an automatic service charge, basically a mandatory tip, is normal. Just like an automatic service charge for larger parties in a restaurant.

Many companies in Orlando are adding service fees (mandatory tips) for limo service. Sounds like Tiffany is starting to do that for town car service.

According to Tiffany Town Car TIPS are MANDATORY!!! I am glad you don't charge mandatory tips. I will NOT use anyone who charge MANDATORY Tips.... Unfortunately for you, your competitors are performing business practices that make the whole industry look bad!

Sorry hpguy, but if the "tip" is automatically included in the final price and I have to CALL and ask for a refund for lousy service it was NOT a tip. Tips by there very nature are given for service rendered at the time not "a refund" for poor service!

(Isn't it intersting that the defense of these practices only comes from those who benefit from them not the consumers who are having to pay?)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well Edd, I guess you are not really all that familiar with the Orlando (and as Lewisc said above most other states) gratuity practices for limousine reservations.

Actually, Edd is extremely familiar with Orlando airport transportation.
He's very knowledgeable about the various services, and he participates actively and voluntarily in many meetings and discussions regarding this. He seeks out the "right" authorities and is not afraid to ask questions - or to post the results here.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well Edd, I guess you are not really all that familiar with the Orlando (and as Lewisc said above most other states) gratuity practices for limousine reservations. The 20% gratuity Tiffany is adding to the total is for stretched limousines only, not the towncars and vans. This is indeed standard practice for MOST companies here in Orlando. Maybe you do not do it in your company, but look around and get out of your shell, you'll see that most companies, big and small, are adding gratuity for limousine reservations, and they are, in most cases, very reputable ones. Stop bashing anyone that does not do what you do and give people here the wrong idea as to which companies are the ones people should chose!!!!

What you all must understand is that it is NOT MANDATORY, it is included in the final total, that is all. If you are disatisfied with the service provided by your limo driver call the company and ask for a partial or total refund of the gratuity prepaid. In the other hand, if a company says in their confirmation or over the phone that the 20% are mandatory, than I would also suggest you go with another more reputable service!!!

First, I think most of us here would agree that Edd is pretty familier with Orlando's towncar/taxi companies. Thin ice is being trod on here...no need for harshness. And there is no way I am going to ask for a partial total. If you book a limo (and if you will notice I have asked twice about this) then a 20% gratuity is going to be included. The OP has not come back to tell us what they were booking....towncar, van or a limo (stretch).

According to Tiffany Town Car TIPS are MANDATORY!!! I am glad you don't charge mandatory tips. I will NOT use anyone who charge MANDATORY Tips.... Unfortunately for you, your competitors are performing business practices that make the whole industry look bad!

Sorry hpguy, but if the "tip" is automatically included in the final price and I have to CALL and ask for a refund for lousy service it was NOT a tip. Tips by there very nature are given for service rendered at the time not "a refund" for poor service!

(Isn't it intersting that the defense of these practices only comes from those who benefit from them not the consumers who are having to pay?)

As I said...have to agree about asking for a partial total in order to get a tip removed. A client shouldn't have to do that. I don't use any company that includes a tip automatically.
But, TT does not add that gratuity automatically. Only for stretch limos. There website has it there....gratuities are not included. Back when we had a group of 6 traveling, we booked a van through TT. Our driver, Don, showed up in a beautiful stretch limo....no tip was added to the total. We paid our tip as we felt was appropriate. But, that was a 'out of the ordinary' type thing.

 

[hpguy]

Actually, Edd is extremely familiar with Orlando airport transportation.
He's very knowledgeable about the various services, and he participates actively and voluntarily in many meetings and discussions regarding this. He seeks out the "right" authorities and is not afraid to ask questions - or to post the results here.

I guess you did not read what I said correctly. All I said was he is probably not familiar with what MOST services do as to adding gratuity for limo service and that this is a normal practice for the majority. He might be one of the only ones that do not, but remember, he does not own a limousine himself!

 

[hpguy]

According to Tiffany Town Car TIPS are MANDATORY!!! I am glad you don't charge mandatory tips. I will NOT use anyone who charge MANDATORY Tips.... Unfortunately for you, your competitors are performing business practices that make the whole industry look bad!

Sorry hpguy, but if the "tip" is automatically included in the final price and I have to CALL and ask for a refund for lousy service it was NOT a tip. Tips by there very nature are given for service rendered at the time not "a refund" for poor service!

(Isn't it intersting that the defense of these practices only comes from those who benefit from them not the consumers who are having to pay?)

Hello CarolA,

Only people working in the industry can understand exactly why gratuity is added to limousine service and not towncars and vans. The same way, some people don't understand why some restaurants add tip for a table of more than 6.

I believe this is standard practice due to the value of the limousine rate itself (and a table of 6 for that matter). Probably this is done to safeguard the driver's (and waiter) tip will be proportional to the bill... Trust me, MANY customers, even with outstanding service from their driver/waiter tip poorly (less than 10% at times). To keep a satisfied driver you must also, as a company, be on their side, even with the possibilty of losing clients by doing so.

 

[Edd]

Great customer service individual. I give you great service, you need to tip me more than 10%. This fellow is a Mears Checker Taxi Van driver who has a transportation web site claiming his company will pick you up at the airport and get you to Disney, and yet his company is not permitted to pick up in the airport.

 

[hpguy]

Great customer service individual. I give you great service, you need to tip me more than 10%. This fellow is a Mears Checker Taxi Van driver who has a transportation web site claiming his company will pick you up at the airport and get you to Disney, and yet his company is not permitted to pick up in the airport.

Hey Edd,

This is the secong time you confuse me with someone else... I have no idea where you got the idea I'm that checker cab driver... I own my business here in Orlando and I own multiple vehicles. I do not drive a cab, never did, never will... You in the other hand still drives your own car.... Get off the internet and try working harder to at least be able to grow and be succesful instead of wasting your time guessing who I am... BTW, how come after years and years in this bussiness where you claim you offer great service and you work for your tips, and so on, haven't you got any bigger than driving a car and having a website where you make money out of other owner operators like yourself (the site you once in a while advertise whithout moderators even knowing it is yours)....

Also, I was offering information and giving people here my point of view. Not trying to convince anyone including a 20% gratuity is right or wrong. Why have you changed the course of this peaceful discussion to accuse me of being a taxi driver and all that absurdity... Sad sad sad...

 

[hpguy]

Great customer service individual. I give you great service, you need to tip me more than 10%. This fellow is a Mears Checker Taxi Van driver who has a transportation web site claiming his company will pick you up at the airport and get you to Disney, and yet his company is not permitted to pick up in the airport.

Before I forget, I'm also of the opinion this cab driver shouldn't work in the airport if he is not permited. All my vehicles are, just like yours is.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hey Edd,
Get off the internet and try working harder to at least be able to grow and be succesful instead of wasting your time guessing who I am... BTW, how come after years and years in this bussiness [sic] ...

The rest of the post I started to quote appears to be bordering on personal attack. Edd's own business, how he operates it, how much time he devotes to it, etc., is HIS concern - not ours.
With any luck there are no taxi drivers reading this thread, thank goodness - since that never struck me as a job/career of which one would be "accused".

 

[Lewisc]

A company that's going to add a 20% fee to all limo customers doesn't really have an honest (valid) reason not to just increase the rates by 20%.

Hello CarolA,

Only people working in the industry can understand exactly why gratuity is added to limousine service and not towncars and vans. The same way, some people don't understand why some restaurants add tip for a table of more than 6.

I believe this is standard practice due to the value of the limousine rate itself (and a table of 6 for that matter). Probably this is done to safeguard the driver's (and waiter) tip will be proportional to the bill... Trust me, MANY customers, even with outstanding service from their driver/waiter tip poorly (less than 10% at times). To keep a satisfied driver you must also, as a company, be on their side, even with the possibilty of losing clients by doing so.

 

[Edd]

Hpguy

Let me suggest something to you. If you are not the person I think you are and you know me so well, as you have indicated in previous posts, why don't you come up to me, in the bullpen, and introduce yourself as HPguy. That way I can apoligize to you personally for calling or inferring to you as that driver/owner and maybe we can go away with a better understanding of each other. I would also mention this meeting on the boards and would promise to keep your identity as secret as you want me to.

 

[yayagoofy]

Diane,

I didn't say they couldn't pick up in Sanford. They are not a permitted....

These are the transportation companies with permits to pick up from the Sanford Orlando Airport > http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/taxi_limo_shuttle.asp You can review their websites.

 

[goofy4tink]

A few things here people...
First of all hpguy...the moderators are fully aware of what Edd does for a living.
Secondly...any personal 'issues' hpguy and Edd have would be best served in a PM format. Please take it there.
If I do not see this thread heading back on track, it will be closed. There will be no toleration of personal conflicts here.

I believe the OP has been asked, by me, repeatedly if he is hiring a towncar or a limo. Everyone here will agree, at least I think they do, that limos are charged with the mandatory gratuity. But not a towncar. If someone contracts with a company that is adding a 20% gratuity automatically to their towncar services, then there's an issue.
There is a difference between a Lincoln Towncar and a stretch limo. I believe that sometimes people get them confused, or use the terms interchangebly.

 

[boomhauer]

Has the question yet been answered about the 20% mandatory gratuity charge from Tiffany?

I'm taking Tiffany next month for a reduced fare from the owner due to poor customer service. I already pre-paid. If it is mnadatory, what would they do if I refused to give him a 20% tip when we get to the hotel? I suppose they could charge my credit card if such was stated in the agreement.

That being said, I have no problem in tipping for good service. I'm a sucker and will tip even with bad service. I just don't like creating scenes.

 

[declansdad]

Has the question yet been answered about the 20% mandatory gratuity charge from Tiffany?

I'm taking Tiffany next month for a reduced fare from the owner due to poor customer service. I already pre-paid. If it is mnadatory, what would they do if I refused to give him a 20% tip when we get to the hotel? I suppose they could charge my credit card if such was stated in the agreement.

That being said, I have no problem in tipping for good service. I'm a sucker and will tip even with bad service. I just don't like creating scenes.

Sorry I can't answer your question but I would love to know what your service is like when you come back.

 

[goofy4tink]

Has the question yet been answered about the 20% mandatory gratuity charge from Tiffany?

I'm taking Tiffany next month for a reduced fare from the owner due to poor customer service. I already pre-paid. If it is mnadatory, what would they do if I refused to give him a 20% tip when we get to the hotel? I suppose they could charge my credit card if such was stated in the agreement.

That being said, I have no problem in tipping for good service. I'm a sucker and will tip even with bad service. I just don't like creating scenes.

If you are using a 'towncar', and not a limo, you will not have the 20% gratuity added automatically. According to TT's site, they list the price and then say that the tip is not included. It is only a limo reservation that will get you that tip added automatically. And a stretch limo at that!!