Tiffany Towncar :( maybe DME next time?

[Raya]

We had a not so magical experience with Tiffany Towncar on last trip. The guy who picked us up at the airport talked the whole trip to the hotel. We were tired and didn't want to chat, but he kept talking. We told him we'd only be there 2 days, but he kept up a running speech about events we'd miss. We said we were tired, not up for talking, already knew the area, and on and on, but he kept going.

But hey, some people are just talkers, and he couldn't know that we're a quiet family of introverts. The real problem was the tip. We were paying with credit card and he told us he'd be the ones to take us back to the airport so we should do 'one big tip' on the card rather than 'two cash tips'. Then, of course, he wasn't the one to pick us up. I mentioned it to the driver then, who told us it was an ongoing problem with him, and that we wouldn't need to tip her... but we felt bad and did anyway.

So while I loved the speed of the town car, the experience wasn't super great. Then I heard that some folks on DME got a BOG fast pace. so now I'm thinking about it. How much time does it add on from touch down to hotel check in? (We'd be going to CR or BC and we don't check bags.)

 

[tink70]

was a firm believer in getting private transportation, but last trip I did the DME, and it really wasn't bad.
I cannot remember the exact time, but we did not wait long on the bus when we arrived. Believe me I would remember, because at the at point I am very anxious to get there!
I do dislike the early pickup for return but even that wasn't bad. We had an incredible bus driver formerly from our state of Connecticut and he was so entertaining that the drive flew by.
So I would say to try it!

 

[sam_gordon]

We had a not so magical experience with Tiffany Towncar on last trip. The guy who picked us up at the airport talked the whole trip to the hotel. We were tired and didn't want to chat, but he kept talking. We told him we'd only be there 2 days, but he kept up a running speech about events we'd miss. We said we were tired, not up for talking, already knew the area, and on and on, but he kept going.

But hey, some people are just talkers, and he couldn't know that we're a quiet family of introverts. The real problem was the tip. We were paying with credit card and he told us he'd be the ones to take us back to the airport so we should do 'one big tip' on the card rather than 'two cash tips'. Then, of course, he wasn't the one to pick us up. I mentioned it to the driver then, who told us it was an ongoing problem with him, and that we wouldn't need to tip her... but we felt bad and did anyway.

So while I loved the speed of the town car, the experience wasn't super great. Then I heard that some folks on DME got a BOG fast pace. so now I'm thinking about it. How much time does it add on from touch down to hotel check in? (We'd be going to CR or BC and we don't check bags.)

goofyfortink has a breakdown of when she's used DME vs. private transportation, but a private company may save you 10-15 minutes. That's compared to DME utilizing the luggage delivery and not coming in extremely late or early.

ETA: The main difference is having to wait for your checked bags, which you need to do with a private car company or a rental car. With DME (unless arriving late), you don't need to. Therefore, the DME bus with you on it should be leaving about the same time as a private car/rental car. The speed of the bus and the multiple stops is what accounts for the time savings.

 

[goofy4tink]

The funny thing??? We just used FL Tours yesterday. Our driver told us he likes to figure out if the guests are going to be chatty or prefer to just sit quietly, with no interaction. I thought that was a good thing.
A driver should be able to judge this. If the guest is quiet, then leave them the heck alone.
And that tip? There is no way that I tip on the whole trip when arriving. I've heard of drivers who try to get an entire tip without driving both ways!! So, now? I tip 10% each way...if the entire charge is $100, each way gets tipped $10. I always refuse to do the entire 20% upon arrival.

I have never heard of anyone getting a fast pass for BoG when using DME. But I may not understand you correctly.

As far as timing goes?
I used DME a week ago..arrived at MCO around 11ish....I was at my resort (Music) by noon. It was very quick. Most times it runs about 70 mins from gate to resort...give or take 10 mins.
My issue is now that I hate having to wait for my bags....so I think I'll be getting my own bags which will add some time to my overall time.

Using a car service puts you in the 60 min range...figuring that you have to stop for your bags. It takes about 10 mins to get from gate to baggage claim, then about 10-15 mins for bags, then 30 mins to the resort.
Using a car service will save you about 20 mins overall.

 

[focusondisney]

I have never heard of anyone getting a fast pass for BoG when using DME. But I may not understand you correctly.

There were some recent reports on the restaurant board about this. Apparently it is a trail & participants were selected when they checked in for DME. They were given an option to preorder meals, select a dining time & bypass the long lunchtime waits.

 

[seashoreCM]

. The real problem was the tip. We were paying with credit card and he told us he'd be the ones to take us back to the airport so we should do 'one big tip' on the card rather than 'two cash tips'. Then, of course, he wasn't the one to pick us up. I mentioned it to the driver then, who told us it was an ongoing problem with him, and that we wouldn't need to tip her... but we felt bad and did anyway.
.)

Just for kicks, put a dispute on your credit card bill "because the driver bamboozled you". Make his company jump through a few hoops even if you lose the case.

Anybody vote for, if the driver talks about one big tip, you tell him that you will make the one big tip on the return trip?

OT: In an earlier lifetime I was helping to plan a convention and we decided to prepay the tip with the bill when booking a tour bus company. The convention turned a loss. I should have suggested that no advance tip be paid but rather the hat be passed after each bus trip.

 

[PSUGuy]

Sorry for your bad expreience. As for us, we've used them close to 10 times with no problem, probably will again this Oct. I'm also concerned with the credit card/tip issue and from the start, we always swipe the card when we're doing our grocery stop, I tell the driver to bill the ride total only, that the tip will be in cash at the end of each leg. There has never been any protest from a driver, I suspect they actually prefer it as there's no paper trail so they can claim whatever they like on their taxes.

Bill From PA

 

[gwynne]

Sorry for your bad expreience. As for us, we've used them close to 10 times with no problem, probably will again this Oct. I'm also concerned with the credit card/tip issue and from the start, we always swipe the card when we're doing our grocery stop, I tell the driver to bill the ride total only, that the tip will be in cash at the end of each leg. There has never been any protest from a driver, I suspect they actually prefer it as there's no paper trail so they can claim whatever they like on their taxes.

Bill From PA

Tiffany has always been great for us too. I've never had a driver even hint about getting both tips.
I think the OP was posting about a trip sometime in the past. Don't know how long ago. I kind of wondered if OP called when they returned to give feedback on their experience.

 

[Raya]

I kind of wondered if OP called when they returned to give feedback on their experience.

Hi! OP here… the trip was last September, I’m planning for this year’s trip now hence the thread. I didn’t call the company to complain for a few reasons. First and foremost, I felt like an idiot. Second, the woman who drove us to the airport indicated that it was a known problem, so there was no reason to inform anyone. And third, it didn’t seem worth the hassle for the $20 I would’ve gotten back. (I tipped $20 each way.)

Honestly, I was more put off by the constant talking which shows just how much of an introvert I am.

 

[maxiesmom]

The funny thing??? We just used FL Tours yesterday. Our driver told us he likes to figure out if the guests are going to be chatty or prefer to just sit quietly, with no interaction. I thought that was a good thing.
A driver should be able to judge this. If the guest is quiet, then leave them the heck alone.

FL Tours gets a from me too. Maybe try them next time OP!

 

[ToddyLu]

We use Tiffany exclusively. Never had a problem and I for warn the driver that I am a chatty Kathy at times. When the driver doesn't talk I am uncomfortable.

The last time we were leaving AKL, a black car was sitting at the curb of the resort. Luggage in hand, he saw us and motioned us over....we asked are you with Tiffany...sure he said. However he wasn't. I can't remember exactly how we realized...guy didn't act quite comfortable...we didn't see "Tiffany Logo", etc. We didn't get in the car and explained tha we already had a ride we had paid for. So just be cautious--it would have cost a lot to get to the airport...I guess we would have been hostage

Different strokes for different folks. DH prefers the private transportation and I have tried and cannot convince him otherwise.

 

[goofy4tink]

We use Tiffany exclusively. Never had a problem and I for warn the driver that I am a chatty Kathy at times. When the driver doesn't talk I am uncomfortable.

The last time we were leaving AKL, a black car was sitting at the curb of the resort. Luggage in hand, he saw us and motioned us over....we asked are you with Tiffany...sure he said. However he wasn't. I can't remember exactly how we realized...guy didn't act quite comfortable...we didn't see "Tiffany Logo", etc. We didn't get in the car and explained tha we already had a ride we had paid for. So just be cautious--it would have cost a lot to get to the airport...I guess we would have been hostage

Different strokes for different folks. DH prefers the private transportation and I have tried and cannot convince him otherwise.

This is an issue that I have as well. I know that when Kenny, FL Tours driver,, picked us up on Monday, there was no way to ID the car. He did get out and ask if I was Diane. I said yes. When we got in the car, he did have a board with our name on it...and apologized for not holding it up for us to see. I think he figured we were the only two people obviously waiting for a pickup, so he didnt' see the need.
I think all towncar companies need to look at their policy for pickups. They need to more readily identify themselves for the comfort of the passengers.
I know that one company I used when at the Dolphin had a driver that thought it would be funny to mess with my head!! He arrived, got out and said 'I'm here.' and left it at that. I asked him who he was looking for. He said 'you!'. I asked him who I was. 'You' he said. It made me very uncomfortable. He finally stopped the game but I have't used them again. And no, I will not give the name because they have already been banned from discussion here!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

The last time we were leaving AKL, a black car was sitting at the curb of the resort. Luggage in hand, he saw us and motioned us over....we asked are you with Tiffany...sure he said. However he wasn't. I can't remember exactly how we realized...guy didn't act quite comfortable...we didn't see "Tiffany Logo", etc. We didn't get in the car and explained tha we already had a ride we had paid for. So just be cautious--it would have cost a lot to get to the airport...I guess we would have been hostage .

I forgot where that thread entitled "Get in the right car!" went. Oh, never mind, it's more than a year old.

Anyway, don't ask yes-no questions but instead ask questions that require a specific answer.

For example: Don't ask, "Are you with Tiffany?" but instead ask, "What company are you with?"

 

[auger]

How sad that people are so deceptive and dishonest.
I would have never imagined that a service would not have identifying markings on their vehicles for the safety of their customers.

 

[Couchy]

have used tiffany towncar several times and have never had an issue

 

[goofy4tink]

How sad that people are so deceptive and dishonest.
I would have never imagined that a service would not have identifying markings on their vehicles for the safety of their customers.

One reason could be that a lot of the companies cover for each other. So, if you booked with one company, and they had too many customers that day, they might very well subcontract out to another company. If you saw a different company name you might be confused as well as concerned.
As long as the driver knows your name, you should be just fine.

 

[trasor]

We had a not so magical experience with Tiffany Towncar on last trip. The guy who picked us up at the airport talked the whole trip to the hotel. We were tired and didn't want to chat, but he kept talking. We told him we'd only be there 2 days, but he kept up a running speech about events we'd miss. We said we were tired, not up for talking, already knew the area, and on and on, but he kept going.

But hey, some people are just talkers, and he couldn't know that we're a quiet family of introverts. The real problem was the tip. We were paying with credit card and he told us he'd be the ones to take us back to the airport so we should do 'one big tip' on the card rather than 'two cash tips'. Then, of course, he wasn't the one to pick us up. I mentioned it to the driver then, who told us it was an ongoing problem with him, and that we wouldn't need to tip her... but we felt bad and did anyway.

So while I loved the speed of the town car, the experience wasn't super great. Then I heard that some folks on DME got a BOG fast pace. so now I'm thinking about it. How much time does it add on from touch down to hotel check in? (We'd be going to CR or BC and we don't check bags.)

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[seashoreCM]

[deleted

 

[seashoreCM]

(Subquote)
Originally Posted by Raya
We had a not so ... and we don't check bags.
(end subquote)

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Apparently the Android Reader omitted your text from your reply.