Towncar no show

[Dancind]

I don't think I am being unreasonable here. In an effort to make it to PFTS on our recent trip, I booked a town car and prepaid. Our flight was 50 minutes late arriving, and the town car wasn't there. We called them, found the spot they wanted us to wait (right by the taxis) and waited 15 minutes. I called them again to try to tell them we were going to take a taxi, and had to leave a message. Took the taxi, made it to the Party with literally minutes to spare. (no this was not the original plan when we booked the party, life changes things) The next day I called the transportation company and asked for a refund and they said they would issue one. Well, they haven't yet, it's been 10 days, so I filed a dispute with my CC company. Of course, I have no proof that they didn't provide the services.

On the phone, they kept telling me that this wasn't their fault because our plane was late. They had our Southwest flight number. Doesn't it seem like they should be able to check the internet for arrival time, like anyone else can?

Any ideas as to what else I can do to get my money back, or do you think I'm out of luck?

 

[tjmw2727]

I had an issue with one of the town car companies - they didn't arrive for the pick up back to the airport and it got late enough that I had to call a taxi. I will say that they refunded the enitre round trip fee as I paid in advance on the first leg.

It is part of the job of an airport transport service to check flights for early and late departures.

I think you should let the town car company know that you have filed a dispute with the cc company and give them a chance to make it right. Otherwise I hope you got a receipt from the cab so you can prove you had to pay for alternate transport.

Write everything down now- as detailed as you can remember in case you have to give info a few months down the road when your memory fades !!

Good luck - what a way to start a vacation !

 

[speakupjc]

They should have kept track of when your flight was due to arrive even if it was running late. You could have been stuck on the runway for a couple of hours without a phone. Contacting your credit card conmpany and disputing it with them is really the best way to go. Besides that I would suggest contacting the corporate office if they have one, filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and putting a review of the company on trip advisor websites. Good luck!

 

[Dancind]

Just asked DH if he happened to get a receipt from the taxi driver. We were both so rattled at that point that we didn't even think of it.

 

[edk35]

That is horrible. Our flights have been late before and this has never happened. We also don't pay up front either with our car service. Our drivers always check flights before they arrive at MCO. I hope you get your money back. Obviously the car company KNOWS they didn't give your service, so it is their duty to refund you. I would file complaints BIG TIME. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

The towncar company should be watching your flights. I know that the one time we had a really late flight arrival....close to 2 hrs late..our driver and car were still there waiting. The driver had been monitoring our flight, and realized that we were going to be 2 hrs late. It did impact him though...he did ask us if we minded not stopping for a full grocery stop since he was really running late for a pickup at WDW for a return trip back to the airport. Not a problem at all..he stopped at a convenience store and we were in and out in about 10 mins.
The company you used should have monitored your flight and known that you were going to be late. They should have been able to either be there waiting for you at the late arrival time, or subcontracted out the ride to someone else if they had a conflict. There is never an excuse for leaving a customer stranded.

If you don't mind..would you share with us the name of the company? I have always maintained that we need to know the good and the bad in order to make qualified decisions here.

 

[pamjb]

This is one of the reasons that I like that I pay my towncar company after they drop me off at the resort. The one time we were really late (were still sitting in Philly when we should of been landing in Orlando), the driver called me to let me know he would still be there waiting.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

The towncar company should be watching your flights. I know that the one time we had a really late flight arrival....close to 2 hrs late..our driver and car were still there waiting. The driver had been monitoring our flight, and realized that we were going to be 2 hrs late. It did impact him though...he did ask us if we minded not stopping for a full grocery stop since he was really running late for a pickup at WDW for a return trip back to the airport. Not a problem at all..he stopped at a convenience store and we were in and out in about 10 mins.
The company you used should have monitored your flight and known that you were going to be late. They should have been able to either be there waiting for you at the late arrival time, or subcontracted out the ride to someone else if they had a conflict. There is never an excuse for leaving a customer stranded.

If you don't mind..would you share with us the name of the company? I have always maintained that we need to know the good and the bad in order to make qualified decisions here.

I agree totally with your opinion. As you said, they should have been either waiting for the late arrival or subcontracted the pickup.

 

[Dancind]

I'm going to give them another chance to make things right. If they don't, then have no fear, you will know the name of the company.

 

[bdoyledimou]

I once used town car services weekly, and never paid until i arrived at my destination.

Also, as a lot of my international flights were delayed or early, my driver would be monitoring the flights and was always waiting for me at luggage to assist as soon as i walked out the door.

You say you don't have proof you didn't sue their services, well, they do not have proof you did either. It will be a very easy resolution.

 

[Best Aunt]

There are towncar services in Orlando which do not charge you until they drop you off at your hotel.

 

[kirbsam]

I'm going to give them another chance to make things right. If they don't, then have no fear, you will know the name of the company.

if they told you that it is not their fault, they are already in the wrong. you owe it to the rest of us to tell us the name of the company.

 

[mnasf]

if they told you that it is not their fault, they are already in the wrong. you owe it to the rest of us to tell us the name of the company.

Does anyone have the name of a reputable company?

 

[goofy4tink]

First of all...no one really 'owes' any of us anything here. Yes, it's always helpful to know what companies are using good business practices and what ones are not. But no one 'has' to tell us that info. BUT....and please understand where I am coming from when I say what I'm going to say.....if someone chooses not to let everyone else know the name of a company, it tends to lack credence. But it is always up to the poster what they want to post.

There are many reputable companies in Orlando. I personally have used FL Tours with good results as well as Tiffany Towncar. Both provided fine service. I had an issue or two with each one, but nothing that really impacted the service overall. Others will chime in with their favorites I'm sure.

 

[Lewisc]

Internet discussion boards are about sharing information. A poster who asks for suggestions on how to get their money back does have an obligation to share information in exchange for getting information but also an obligation to also provide information.

It's possible the OP used one of the banned companies.

The company was wrong when the driver didn't either wait or get another driver to cover. The company was wrong when they didn't provide a credit card refund. Should have provided the refund the instant the OP called, if not sooner.

Yes it was the companies fault. You gave them your flight number. The fact that the company told you it was your fault suggests this is a company to avoid. The fact that you'll finally get your money back isn't relevant.

 

[goofy4tink]

Internet discussion boards are about sharing information. A poster who asks for suggestions on how to get their money back does have an obligation to share information in exchange for getting information but also an obligation to also provide information.

It's possible the OP used one of the banned companies.

The company was wrong when the driver didn't either wait or get another driver to cover. The company was wrong when they didn't provide a credit card refund. Should have provided the refund the instant the OP called, if not sooner.

Yes it was the companies fault. You gave them your flight number. The fact that the company told you it was your fault suggests this is a company to avoid. The fact that you'll finally get your money back isn't relevant.

In theory, I totally agree. But, no one 'owes' anyone anything. I don't think it's an obligation either. They asked for advice as to how to handle things. Perhaps they wanted to be sure to give the company the benefit of the doubt before posting the company name..which isn't such a bad thing. BUT...the company was wrong to begin with.
So...here's hoping the issue is taken care of. And perhaps the OP will come back and share the company name with us. I always want to hear the good as well as the bad about companies we are thinking of using.

 

[cm8]

In theory, I totally agree. But, no one 'owes' anyone anything. I don't think it's an obligation either. They asked for advice as to how to handle things. Perhaps they wanted to be sure to give the company the benefit of the doubt before posting the company name..which isn't such a bad thing. BUT...the company was wrong to begin with.
So...here's hoping the issue is taken care of. And perhaps the OP will come back and share the company name with us. I always want to hear the good as well as the bad about companies we are thinking of using.

 

[pintamino]

When I've prepaid towncars (generally traveling on business) as well as shuttles, I've still always had to sign a receipt when they dropped me off (generally the driver is trying to get you to add a tip here). You might be able to ask the company which didn't provide the service to produce the receipt with your signature -- which obviously they wouldn't be able to, therefore giving you proof of not having recieved the service? Just an idea...