Tiffany Towncar, mandatory tip

[jenleahs]

I just received my email quote for limo service between MCO and the Poly and was kind of upset to see they tacked on a mandatory 20% tip. They quoted me $264 rounstrip with gratuity included.

I am now thinking of cancelling them for my October trip as i am not sure I like this policy.

Any thoughts?

 

[goofy4tink]

I think you will find that a lot of companies add an automatic tip for limo service. When we booked with TT back in '01, we needed something larger that a towncar because we had 6 people, so we took a van. Well, when we got out to the curb, we found they had sent a beautiful stretch limo instead. But, the tip was separate back then. That may possibly have changed.
Check out some other sites and see what their policies are.
Anyone have any personal experience with the automatic tip!!

 

[Edd]

I don't blame you a bit for being upset. Tips, by the very definition, are not mandatory. I look at that as a sur-charge imposed by the company to cover, with the driver, what they charge the driver to pick you up. There are many companies listed that let you decide what the driver is worth and I would suggest you find one of them. Personally I believe 10 % of the charge is a great tip, but still firmly the driver has to earn it with his personality, humor and promptness.

You can find a car service, using sedans, van or SUV's, for a price of $100.00 round trip. Limousines are the companies that usually provide the least service of all. Actually limousines, many companies will call the town car a limousine, are overrated for a 30 minute ride to the parks.

 

[Lewisc]

An automatic 20% gratuity/service charge is industry standard in many parts of the country.

In the Orlando area a 20% gratuity/service fee is somewhat common for limo but not towncar services.

You're free to select a company that doesn't have that policy. I agree with Ed, a limo is overkill. You can get towncar service for almost half what you were quoted for a limo.

 

[jenleahs]

I don't blame you a bit for being upset. Tips, by the very definition, are not mandatory. I look at that as a sur-charge imposed by the company to cover, with the driver, what they charge the driver to pick you up. There are many companies listed that let you decide what the driver is worth and I would suggest you find one of them. Personally I believe 10 % of the charge is a great tip, but still firmly the driver has to earn it with his personality, humor and promptness.

You can find a car service, using sedans, van or SUV's, for a price of $100.00 round trip. Limousines are the companies that usually provide the least service of all. Actually limousines, many companies will call the town car a limousine, are overrated for a 30 minute ride to the parks.

Luggage is the problem, hence the limo option.

I am using a towncar for October as it is just myself and my 4 year old.

December is a 2 week trip, 2 adults, 2 children and at least 8 pieces of luggage.....no towncar would fit that.

 

[DebbieB]

A local limo service I use in Pittsburgh automatically adds 20%. My guess is too many people stiffed the drivers.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We just recently returned from WDW in September and used a great service from the Kissimmee train station, fee was 82 bucks round trip, 30 minute grocery stop and tip was up to us. I would not use any service that pre-charges the tip. If service sucks you should not have to up, no incentive for the driver if he or she is assured the tip up front. Past trip driver was standing with our name on a card, SUV was running staying cool, we were 3 1/2 hours late getting in, no problem, he retrieved our luggage from the cart, loaded it and us in and headed to the grocery store. We also wanted so alcohol and he knew of a Publix with an alcohol side by side on our way, he waited, again, AC running, helped load groceries and away we went. At WL, unloaded our stuff, gave contact info for return and confirmed the time we wanted to be picked up. He arrived 15 minutes before scheduled time, loaded us up and went to the train station and unloaded us. Very professional indeed and no tip was manditory.

As a side note, if we went to a resturant and wanted to share a meal and they stated there is a charge for that, we get up and leave. We have no problem doing that in Disney, alot of the places, cut the item in half, split the fries and gave us each our own pickle on separate plates. Its just a peeve of mine paying for nothing.

 

[tink too]

pepe of ohio - can you tell me the name of the company you used please? They sound perfect!

 

[pepe of ohio]

pepe of ohio - can you tell me the name of the company you used please? They sound perfect!

We used Sunray Transportation, co-owner Roger was the one to greet us in a new suburban, will used them in the future, you can find their web site easily on line.

 

[Edd]

No town car will hold a lot of luggage, but the best alternative is an SUV. That vehicle will hold as much as you bring. If only four in your family the rear seat will fold down and hold more luggage. An SUV has a much better ride than any town car or limousine you can find.

The only way you get extra luggage into a Limo is to load it in with the passengers. What happens in case of an accident. How many pieces of luggage would you get hit with?

The problem in Pittsburg may have been the dirvers. What kind of service did they give.

 

[DebbieB]

The problem in Pittsburgh may have been the dirvers. What kind of service did they give.

They have always given me excellent service, very professional. All Star Limos.

I suppose if the service was bad, you could request a refund of the tip.

 

[tink too]

We used Sunray Transportation, co-owner Roger was the one to greet us in a new suburban, will used them in the future, you can find their web site easily on line.

Thanks very much, pepe - I'll check them out!

 

[bleeps]

Sigh. I understand both points of view. Honestly, I do.

We used Tiffany towncar every trip and can highly recommend them. The drivers, the service -- impeccable.

I think it is a sad commentary on our times that so many people seem to be willing to shell out the big bucks for a WDW trip, but then nickel and dime service people by either not tipping or tipping poorly (NOT based on quality of service, but just to save a buck). Don't flame me -- I understand the profit made on what they charge for the service itself, but they do rely on the tips as an important part of the driver's income, and ME has made it harder for the transportation companies to make a go of it.

I guess all I'm saying is that because I have had such great service from Tiffany and because that's how much we tip anyway, I don't have a problem with it. I wish we lived in a world where people tipped appropriately for service received, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

Also, I think it is worth clarifying -- are they actually charging you the tip, or are they presenting the quote to show your "total cost including tip" so that you are thinking of the tip money as being in addition to what you are charged for the service itself?

 

[CarolA]

I just received my email quote for limo service between MCO and the Poly and was kind of upset to see they tacked on a mandatory 20% tip. They quoted me $264 rounstrip with gratuity included.

I am now thinking of cancelling them for my October trip as i am not sure I like this policy.

Any thoughts?

For this and other reasons I no longer use any town car services. I either use ME or rent a car.

Tips are provided for SERVICE! The transport agencies in Orlando seem to think that being rude, late etc is fine and why not??? They get the tip no matter what. Perhaps instead of calling it a tip they should just RAISE the rates 20% and give that to the driver???? That's what they have done!!! (Do they think we are too stupid to notice???)

And "drivers" remember you are being judged.... The last time I was in Disney I watched a driver berate the Hess attendant because the line was long. He was WAY out of line. The name of his company was PROUDLY signed on his van.... Hmm.... Would I want to ride with the jerk???

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thanks very much, pepe - I'll check them out!

This was our first trip using them, we have used a couple other companies, some noted here that we not up to par, arriving late for return, non english speaking driver, non helpful with luggage, and we have used Yellow cab from Train station, nightmare in itself. You never know what the cost is going to be with the cab, they think its your first time and and take some longer routes so we were real pleased to find out, after an e-mail to sunray, that they pick-up at the Kissimmee station. They do alot of business at the Orlando Station but we prefer boarding and detraining at Kissimmee due to crowds.

We usually go to WDW twice a year and finding a company to do what we need from Kissimmee depot was becoming a problem, we used a private cab 2 times, american owned and operated but then we out of business, seems to be the going deal in Florida. Limo services changing hands and service going down hill. We like knowing who's going to be there on both in and out travels while in Florida, the grocery stop and alcohol store are the biggest money savers while at Disney and in all our visits we never rent or have a car, we rely on Disney transportation and enjoy it. Thats why the 2 thumbs up for the staff and service of Sunray.