PINK BENTLY

If you haven’t seen a pink limousine in your area yet, give it time. All though the concept of painting something pink to draw attention isn’t a new concept, it’s definitely an exploding one in the limo industry. The craze has gone global. From the United Kingdom, Australia, Russia and back around to the U.S.A, Pink limos have invaded the world.

Are you surprised? There are plenty of people who hate the color pink, but there are just enough people who fall head over heals with the concept. Riding around in a giant pink limo will get you plenty of attention and people nowadays crave just that. The pink limo is not limited to just a wild bachelorette party. They are extremely popular for weddings, cotillions, nights-on-the-town, proms, sweet sixteen’s, parades, theme parties and special events.

We’ve seen just about everything painted pink. Pink Hummers, pink Range Rovers, pink buses, pink navigators, pink town cars and many more. A pink limo in your fleet is the ultimate prize. It will draw attention to the rest of your vehicles and raise eyebrows everywhere it goes. If branding is important to you, be sure to brand your existence with a pink limo. If you are considering a pink limousine in your area and you are a bit nervous about the response, try running an-online vote to gage people responses. You will be amazed at the level of interest you receive.

PINK 57 CHEVY

Attention is great but working with a charity is even better. By owning a pink limousine in your local area, you will be opening yourself up to several PR opportunities. The National Breast Cancer Foundation will welcome your assistance and your local Children’s Hospital will appreciate your kind acts. Your new pink limousine is sure to bring many smiles.

1) Scenic tour – Renting a Chicago limo for a local scenic tour is highly recommended. A good limo chauffeur will know all of the great places our city has to offer while avoiding all of the traffic. Points of interest: Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Ave, Millennium Park, Buckingham Palace, Grant Park, The Willis Tower, Navy Pier and the Water Tower Place. Of course there are more but these are a few good starters.

2) The Nightlife  – Chicago’s club scene is incredible but can be lackluster if you don’t know the right spots. A Chicago limousine company will definitely get you to where you want to be. In many cases they will also be able to help find you ways in without paying for club admission. In other cases they will be able to hook up you up with the ultimate VIP bottle service. Points of interest: Excalibur, Griffin Lounge, The Underground, The Apartment and Vision.

As pushy as they maybe, there is a reason for the madness.  Limo operators nowadays have been pushed to the brink.  Customers is today’s society, “THE NEW NORM” want everything for cheaper.  Quality has taken a back seat to price and customers are looking for just about anything to get a refund.  WE MEAN ANYTHING.  If you’re an operator looking to capatilize on providing the perfect service, you had better get ready to figure out how to fund with less money for your rides.  People just aren’t willing to pay for it and there is no apperanet change on the horizon.

 CHANGE IS IN ORDER!

Limo Operators – Learn to deal with the economy and look for new opportunities to capatalize on.  They are there but you simply need to look a little harder.  Keep your overhead down and always be a smart shopper.  Don’t get discouraged if things don’t go your way at first.  You are not alone.  The moves you make should be moves for the long term. 

Customers – DON’T BE SO CHEAP.  Providng a quality service has it’s price.  Limo operators work hard to maintain their fleets.  There are countless expenses required to keep a limo in perfect working order.  If for some reason things aren’t what you expect, don’t always demand your money back.  Work with the company to find a fair solution.  Limo operators are still human.

The limo business sereves an imortant role in today’s fast paced society.  In order to make the world-go-round, it’s important to always understand both sides of the equation.

QUALIFICATIONS: Depending on what type of limousine you plan on driving, qualifications will vary. For larger SUV limousines, chauffeurs will typically need to carry a CDL with a clean driving record. In certain states, special endorsements are required to carry passengers. For smaller limousines, fewer requirements are needed but companies and cities can impose additional requirements. If you are seriously looking to become a professional limo chauffeur, simply call a local company and ask them a few questions.

GROOMING: A professional limousine chauffeur is expected to be well groomed at all times. IT’S A MUST! Most limo companies will require a uniform for work. It is not uncommon for this uniform to consist of a tuxedo or suit. Always polish your shoes and press your shirts. Cleanliness is always appreciated and be sure to always shave. Toss on a little cologne and off you go. Dress to impress.

SAFETY: A limousine chauffeur needs to be prepared for anything. Carrying human lives is an important task. If you’re not nervous at the start of your charter, you are doing something wrong. On top of general nerves, your customers expect a smooth ride while they enjoy the amenities of your limo. Never ride the brakes and never use your cell phone unnecessarily. Be aware of limo gazers; depending on what you are driving, you can rest assure that someone is trying to take pictures or video. Sometimes they like to cause traffic delays. Just grin and bare it…

Lastly, be prepared to enjoy your job. You will meet a variety of different people, such as celebrities, business owners and wild passengers. Keep your ears open and listen to what people have to say. You will be mildly surprised on who you will meet and what you may learn. Keep a recent copy of your MVR (motor vehicle report) handy and copy of your driver’s license. GOOD LUCK!

OVERSEAS CONTRIBUTIONS

Other than their hire limo verbiage, the overseas market has made a few serious contributions to the limousine industry.  As a matter of fact, the entire limo concept was developed in a little province of France called Limoges.  The limo business has been in existence since the 1700’s.  The concept of chauffeured transportation was developed for the wealthy.  The uses of horse drawn carriages laced in gold and decorated in lavish dressings were designed as a status symbol.  These carriages were only pulled by the finest of animals.

PINK LIMOS and EXOTIC LIMOS

The hire limousine industry is not limited to horse drawn carriages and standard transportation.  In Europe there has always been a quest for unique and out of the ordinary rides.  The Pink Limo made its emergence in the U.K. and remains the standard.  They paint just about everything pink and have started a global trend.  Although they weren’t the first to paint a limo pink, the hire limousine services in Europe are wild and crazy.  You will now find a pink ride just about anywhere in the world.  From Russia to Chicago, you will stumble upon pink Hummers, Range Rovers, Aspens, Infinities and buses.

Another recognizable contribution was the Ferrari Limousine.  A popular U.K. company had a vision to build a (6) passenger custom Ferrari Limo out of a special carbon fiber.  The doors open up gull wing style and the interior resembles the original sporty look of the Ferrari.  The original color was black but it has recently been changed to Red.  Now that the limo business is a global trend, who knows what the next major machine will be…A limo jet?

THE INTERNET

The number one factor that has altered the way a limo company is ran is the internet. Marketing on the web is almost essential when it comes to generating revenue. If you don’t maintain a website about your company, you are basically dead in the water. Search engine giants have created a feeding frenzy for competition and advertising. Now with hand held media, the market is shifting to simpler websites with information now. Dispatching, reservations, financing and bookkeeping are all done on-line.

LIMOUSINE MANUFACTURING

With newer machinery, state-of-the-art technology, advanced electronics and crazy limo builders, the limos created today are from another world. Have you been inside some of these vehicles lately? From touch screen control panels to LED specialty lighting, the interiors of some of these vehicles are intense. Equipped with large screen TVs, amazing sound systems and custom seats, the sky is the limit when it comes to building a limousine. Advanced GPS technology has given limo owners the ability to track their fancy rides anywhere in the world and keep better track of their preventative maintenance. Even custom paint jobs have been altered by the introduction of new computer technology. These computers help with color matching and color generation.

Front-Of-The-House

With the use of advanced phone equipment and computer enhanced reservation tools, running a company can be a breeze once you get over the learning curve. Information now is important to a customer looking to book your services. To close the deal, you better be ready to offer the very latest in technology. Your customers are expecting it.

General paint and black limos

There is nothing worse than seeing a black limo with tons of swirls and dull paint. First and foremost, never use brushes, old towels or anything hard to wash your limousine. Stay away from car washes unless they are touch-less and always stick around to supervise your limo being washed. Only use newer microfiber clothes and shames for drying. If your limo is extremely dirty, we recommend you pressure wash it yourself. Nobody will love your limo the way you do. Depending on the wear and tear of your surrounding elements, always treat your limo to a good wax. This will give your paint a little extra protection and bring back its original luster.

UNDERCOATING

Always undercoat your limousine! Nowadays they make some amazing products that will keep the underneath of your vehicle in mint condition. You can usually get the job done for under $200 and it’s worth every penny. Even if your area is not subject to harsh elements, undercoating your limo will extend the life of your body.

YOU’RE ENGINE

Telling you to get an oil change sounds like common sense but you would be surprised on how many limo owners don’t take this seriously. Your limos go through extensive abuse so treat it to a little pampering once in awhile. Local places like “Jiffy Lube” or “Pit Stop”, makes it convenient for you to get in and out in no time. They will look over your entire limo and give you a breakdown on the maintenance needed.

THE ULTIMATE HIRE LIMO

Renting a limousine is the only way to go when it comes to getting around town. Depending on the occasion, you will find multiple options available to you when you begin your search. The use of a limousine is a common thing not only in the U.S. but around the world. In Europe the term “Hire Limousine” is the descriptive way of renting a limo. Limo services are known as “Hire limo services”, and “Hire limos” are key terms to know overseas. No matter where you reside, renting a limo can be a pleasurable experience if you do your research.

WHERE TO LOOK

The internet is always the best place to start when you are looking for a quality service. Most companies post up-to-date photos of their fleet vehicles, price lists and policies. Be sure to compare offers and customer service. A simple phone call to the company you’re considering will tell you a great deal about them. Usually the first impression is the lasting one. A company should always be available to answer your questions and courteous at all times. Work with companies that are willing to show you their vehicles and meet them in person.

TYPES OF VEHICLES

A hire limousine comes in many different shapes and sizes. Depending on your budget, you can find just about anything your heart desires. From high-end exotics such as Hummers, Escalades, Mercedes and Porsche to more common stretch limos like the Lincoln Town Car and Sedans. For larger parties many services offer party buses which can hold up to 36 passengers. Hire limousines will vary on price depending on the type. Be sure to know what you are willing to spend before calling around. Remember that there is a price for quality so never just settle for the cheapest one.

HIRE CHAUFFEUR

THE CHAUFFEUR

A hire limousine chauffeur is an important part of the final equation. A good company will assure their chauffeurs are trained professionals. They should dress to impress and know there way around without inconveniencing you at any time. A smooth ride is always nice and friendly smile never hurts. Ask the company you are considering about their chauffeur polices.

Lastly, be sure to enjoy your ride and always demand the best from your hire limousine company.

AIRPORT TRANSFER

When people go to and from the airport via chauffeured transportation, often times it is referred to as an airport transfer. The airport can be a tricky endeavor and utilizing the service of a professional company is a smart choice. With so many things that can go wrong such as traffic delays, wrong turns and canceled flights, there is no reason to risk missing your next flight.

RIDE IN STYLE

For your next airport transfer, you may want to consider some of the many options available to you. Limos nowadays are equipped with features you may have never known existed. From onboard internet access, satellite TV, spacious seating, private bars, touch screen climate control and much more. All you have to do is ask. Popular airport transfer vehicles are Lincoln Town Cars, Escalades, Excursions, Shuttle buses, Vans and Taxis.

WHAT SHOULD I PAY?

A simple airport transfer is a relatively affordable expense. Depending on how far you are from the airport, will determine the bottom dollar you pay. Be aware of extra charges such as additional luggage, pick-ups, tolls, airport taxes and holiday rates. Most limo companies offer reduced rates for repeat customers and don’t hesitate to ask about company specials. You won’t know unless you ask.

AVOID THE BAD TRIP!

Have you ever been in the back of a chauffeured vehicle with a crazy driver? It’s not a pleasant experience. How about a driver that doesn’t speak your language or a vehicle with terrible odors such as cigarette smoke and must? What if your driver never shows up? These are all things that can be avoided by spending a little extra time and doing a bit of research on the company you plan on hiring for your next airport transfer. Don’t always settle for the cheapest price. It will be worth your while in the long run to pay a little extra and request that upgraded service.