Limousines: Arrive in Style
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The limousine, also called the limo, has come to be associated with luxury, glamour and style. It is used by
the government to transport the highest officials of the country. It is used by celebrities riding to red carpet
events. It is used by millionaires, business tycoons, rock stars. If you’re important, you arrive in a limousine—
and before you’ve even stepped out of the car, you’ve already made a grand entrance.
Even if you’re not a politician, celebrity, or important CEO, limousine hire enables you to borrow that high
luxury life even for a few hours. It is often used in weddings, important gala nights, or as an upmarket
competitor to taxicabs. And for every occasion, there are a number of limousine models that can be used.
The Lincoln Limousine
The Lincoln Limousine is like a large, long sedan, which gives the person riding in the backseat a great deal
of comfortable legroom. Sometimes, additional seats are attached directly behind the driver, facing rearward.
About five people can be seated in the back of the Lincoln Limousine, and two more with the driver.
However, most of the newer models do not have the additional seats, replacing them instead with video
equipment like televisions and video players, as well as a fully-stocked bar.
The Stretch Limo
When you’ve got a chauffeur, parking is never a problem—and good thing, too. The stretch limo, a popular
model for partygoers who want to make a grand, Hollywood style entrance, is extremely long. The seats are
arranged alongside the length of the car, perpendicular to the driver. This allows groups of people to sit
facing each other, making it easier to talk and perhaps even make a toast with the complimentary
champagne. There is only one door, unlike other models which have multiple doors for the multiple rows of
seats
Winton Six Limousine
This classic car isn’t actually a true limousine, but a circa 1915 luxury vehicle that’s a cross between a sedan
and a bus. It has multiple doors, with an area for carrying passengers’ baggage. Because of its vintage feel
and Old World charm, it still has a sense of glamour and luxury, further heightened by its rarity. It is
sometimes called a “Jammer” and was once used to transport railroad passangers; today, it is the vehicle of
choice of royalty in traditional processions. Ride it, and feel like a king.
Exotic custom limousines
You can actually hire the ultimate stretch limo, customized with luxury features. Some of these customizations
employ cars like the Audi, BMW, Hummer, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz and Rollys Royce, although the more
popular vehicles that are converted are the Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac DTS, Hummer H2, and the Lincoln
Navigator. The typical additions are security features like armoring and bullet proof glass, as well as
entertainment systems and even the occasional Jacuzzi.
Party bus
When it’s a large party—too large for a standard limousine—you can hire a party bus. This can comfortably
seat 20 or more people, and can let you hold an event right in the vehicle (as opposed to just using it to drive
to one). Features often include surround sound systems, a DVD player, plasma televisions, disco and strobe
lights, and even smoke machines. Party buses are very popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties,
proms, and tourist excursions. Some rent it for a special and unique birthday celebration.
Looking for a stretch limousine to rent need not be a trial-and-error or hit-and- miss ordeal; not if one is
equipped with the right questions to ask. Here are some basic things one needs to know when planning to
hire a stretch limousine for a special event. Most important of all, no two limousine operators are alike.
Different limousine companies weigh service features differently—one may emphasize chauffeur courtesy,
while another may emphasize top-of-the-line vehicles. Either way, one can gain an insight into the manner a
company goes about its business operation by simply gauging how responsive and professional they are in
their approach. One may assess for instance how long it takes for a limousine company to respond after one
completes an online inquiry form. One may also examine how correctly the requirements and specifications
on the order have been interpreted, as well as whether the quotation is professional or simply a dismissive
one-liner that doesn’t provide much information.
Likewise, a telephone inquiry can also provide insight into the manner a limousine operator may handle its
customers by simply probing whether the call is answered professionally and promptly. Professionalism is a
strong measure of reliability and can deliver a sense of trust on the client. Most importantly, politeness in
answering calls can add a sense of rapport to a client.
Websites can also be a source of information about the level of professionalism of the stretch limousine
rental company you are planning to do business with. Company websites can provide hints regarding
professionalism as well as the company’s commitment to providing satisfactory service to its clients. See
whether a fixed line number or just a mobile phone number is provided as contact information on the
website. Also examine whether the website includes the name of the company or just the name of an
individual, and whether it also provides a physical contact address, or just a P.O. Box number, or no address
at all. These indicators, albeit not absolutely definitive of a company’s professionalism, should serve as
critical decision markers. Because the limousines are a crucial facet of the rent, one should also check if the
website presents images of the stretch limousine vehicles of the fleet. Scrutinize these images and see if
they are generic pictures.
If one comes across a broker who offers in securing quotations from a limousine company on your behalf, it
should be considered whether one will end up paying a premium price for the convenience of using a
middleman, as most limousine companies pay for each inquiry they receive from the broker, or a percentage
of the hire value. Naturally, some of these brokers would describe their respective limousine operators as
approved or accredited. To avoid the pitfall of bluffs, one should then ask what guarantees does the
accreditation process provide a client. One needs to bear in mind that relying on a third party to perform the
sniffing out limousine deals implies the risk of dealing with two entities with which one may not have a
previous experience.
Lastly, when searching for a stretch limousine for a special event, reliability is important. Stretch limousines
are expensive to service and repair which inevitably results in some operators attempting to delay repairs
until the last possible moment. Unfortunately poorly maintained limousines are notoriously undependable.
While it may be reasonable for one to expect that the limousine company is diligent in such concerns, it does
not necessarily follow that they are. In many cases a cheap rent in actual fact results in a cheap service.
