Most Common Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
Are your rates negotiable?
At Metropolitan Limousines, we do our best to offer everyone the "best deal" taking into consideration the type of vehicle available / requested and the level of service you deserve for your special event. Please call us at 585-259-7136 for more details.
What is your policy on alcohol in the limousine? Do you provide?
In New York State, it is unlawful for limousine operators to provide alcoholic beverages to any of their clients without possession of a liquor license. Upon doing the research, there are no Monroe County limousine operators presently carrying liquor licenses. What this means is that if there is a routine inspection done on your limousine during your special event, the limousine operator who provides you with any type of alcohol (ie champagne, liquor, etc) could compromise the limousine you had rented leaving you a) stranded and b) without a limousine.
As long as the limousine can hold an occupancy of 10 or more passengers, alcoholic beverages are allowed in the vehicle if and only if the client provides / purchases for themselves AND each passenger is either 21 years of age or older.
What are the taxes, if any, on limousine rentals?
By definition, a tax is a financial charge or other levy imposed on an individual or a legal entity by a state or a functional equivalent of a state. There are no taxes period for limousine service in this region of New York State. If any company in upstate Western New York charges you tax on your limousine rental, then they are performing an illegal operation period point blank.
Do you charge for mileage when they are driving with no passengers?
At Metropolitan Limousines, we do not charge for mileage. You are only billed for when you contracted the limousine and for any overtime or extra charges that may apply. If your pick-up and/or drop-off location is outside the local service area, we may charge a small additional fee for drive-time back and forth to our base depending on how you arrange your contract.
Do you have a minimum number of hours?
For most of our packages, our minimum is 3 consecutive hours. There is no maximum rental time limit.
Can we book your vehicles for less than 3 hours?
For special rates and quotes, please contact us at info@metlimos.com.
Are there any additional fees?
As of July 1st, 2008, we charge a 15% chauffeur gratuity fee and a 5% dispatch / detail gratuity fee. Many companies charge an additional fuel surcharge fee, but now, we have started to include this 'extra' charge in the quoted price. We encourage additional cash tips to your professional chauffeur since it is how they make their living, however, that is at your discretion.
What forms of payment do you take?
We accept cash payment, cashier's check / money order, or all major credit / debit cards with exception to American Express. No matter how you decide to pay, we require that you fill out a Credit Card Authorization Form. A major credit / debit card on file is mandatory to reserve any of our limousines.
In addition, for our corporate clients we are able to invoice your company with a monthly billing statement.
Do you offer any cash discounts?
If you pay the entire balance by cash, we do offer a 3% discount off the contracted price. [Not applicable towards all packages.]
Are your cars owned or rented or leased?
We own all of our vehicles.
What is the difference between local service area and extended service area?
Local service area includes the Greater Rochester Monroe County area [Greece, Gates, Chili, Henrietta, Brighton, Pittsford, Perinton, Fairport, Penfield, Webster, Irondequoit, and the city of Rochester]. The extended service area is anywhere outside of the local service areas' borders. Extended service areas may require an additional travel time expense which is typically a fraction of the contracted hourly limousine rental expense.
What is your cancellation policy?
At least a 25% non-refundable deposit and signed contract must be received when booking our limousines.
Proms & Weddings: If any cancellation occurs from renter's side, we keep the 25% non-refundable deposit. Any contracts cancelled within less than 2 weeks prior to the date of the event will be responsible for the full amount of the balance due.
Airport Transfers: A $ 50.00 fee will apply for all airport no-shows or cancellation with less than 2 hours notice ... This fee will be charged to your credit card on file with us.
Other Packages: Once we reserve the vehicle for your exclusive use, we cannot market that vehicle to anyone else. We will issue a gift certificate, for the full value of your payment, for your use in the future.
However, any cancellations made within 72 hours prior to your event will be held responsible for the entire balance due UNLESS we are able to book another client for the vehicle you requested on your contracted day during your times. A gift certificate in this instance will not be issued.
Limousines are employed for professional reasons, such as airport transport and other client services, and entertainment purposes like weddings, proms, concerts, regional tours, etc. But whether you rent a limousine for business or pleasure, preparation is key to having a safe and successful experience. Before you sign a contract, the Better Business Bureau suggests the following tips to make sure you get the service you want on your special day:
- It's important to know what your basic needs will be before you begin shopping for limousine service. The date and length of your event, the number of people in your party, pick-up times and the number of pick-ups necessary all help determine what type of vehicle you'll need, how long you'll need it for, and whether the company can accommodate your wishes.
- Price may factor into your decision, but keep in mind the least expensive option may not be the most reliable and efficient. This option might portray the quality of their limousines and staff; the vehicles may smell like spilt alcoholic beverages from the night or weekend before or the chauffeurs may be inexperienced and unprofessional.
- Expect a minimum hourly booking. Minimum bookings may range from a standard three hours up to eight hours for an event like the prom. Few limousine companies will rent for just one hour because of the cost of preparing the vehicles and hiring drivers.
- Understand rental costs will vary by time of year, type of vehicle, days used (weekends cost more), geographic area, and the distance traveled.
- Budget for more than one vehicle if booking for a large group. Specify the number of passengers who will be traveling, and remember it may be difficult to comfortably fit a large number of adults into one car, particularly if the occasion calls for formal attire. Limousines do come in several sizes; however, larger vehicles will cost more to rent.
- Book adequate time for your event. Do not assume you can add extra time on the day of the occasion, as many companies will have additional bookings to cover, particularly during spring and summer, peak seasons for weddings and proms.
- Allow yourself plenty of time to do your shopping. Seasonal events, such as proms and sport excursions may require several months prior to shop and reserve a limo. Weddings often require a longer reservation period.
- Check with your local BBB for reliability reports on the companies you are considering.
- Ask if the company belongs to any industry associations, such as the National Limousine Association (NLA). Members of these associations must often abide by special insurance regulations and service rules that maintain a high standard of customer care.
- Make an appointment to examine the limousines: previewing may save you disappointment on the day of your event. Inspect the vehicles inside and out. A poorly organized visit may indicate potential problems when it comes time for your occasion.
- At Metropolitan Limousines, we always provide a written contract if you choose to book with us; a company that will not supply a contract may not be confident in their ability to fulfill nor will they be obligated to serve you on your special day and may cancel on you at the last possible minute. If a contract is not presented to you on the day of booking, always request for one. Relaying your credit card information over the phone does NOT constitute necessarily as a form of booking.
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