Monday, 13 December 2010

What does it take to make a good Executive Car Hire Company?

There is no shortage of Executive Car Hire companies in London, and with any industry it can sometimes be difficult to separate the best from the rest. To the unsuspecting customer who’s looking for the cheapest deal they may fall foul of a lack of service, expensive optional extras and maybe even un-serviced and potentially dangerous cars.

It’s therefore important that you do your homework when looking for an executive car hire company and you don’t just jump into the bed with the first one you find at the cheapest price.

So what makes a good Executive Car Hire Company – here is our shortlist.

1. Regular Vehicle Maintenance. It’s the responsibility of the car hire company to make sure that all vehicles are safe and sound. But its not only the engine and safety aspects that need to be maintained, but the interior of the cars aswell. After all, an executive car is supposed to be luxurious!

2. PCO stands for 'Public Carriage Office'. Every Chauffeur carrying a passenger has to have a PCO licence which shows that the driver has taken a criminal record’s check and has a knowledge of his way around London. To obtain a PCO licence, the chauffeur also has to undertake a medical examination to confirm his level of fitness and his capability of doing the job.

3. The fleet of cars that are available for hire. Take a close look at what cars the company has available for hire. Some fleets might be more luxurious than others and pricing might reflect that. Think about your needs before committing to a booking

4. GPS Tracking. Many Executive Car Hire companies now use GPS tracking in their vehicles so that the location can be monitored at all times. This is great for peace of mind and family safety.

5. Do they have a web site? If so, is it precise and clearly advertising the products and services available. Is the pricing clearly marked and do they let you book online? A good web site shows that the company is forward thinking and honest in their business

Of course, there are many other factors that make an Executive Car Hire Company a good one – things like how the chauffeurs are dressed and the punctuality of the cars and many factors can be a matter of opinion.

Choosing the right Limousine service can make your night special

The Limousine is a popular choice of vehicle when it comes to car hire, especially for special occasions such as prom nights, company parties, celebrations and weddings.

It might not seem like something that would make or break a night out, but choosing the right Limousine service can be crucial to making sure it starts and ends well. When you book a chauffeur driven Limousine it can be easy to look for the cheapest option but its important to consider that a cheap limousine service isn’t always a good limousine service.

When booking your Limo, you should take into account the number of people that will be joining you because Limousines are not ‘one size fits all’. They come in various different shapes and sizes from 8 to 14 seaters. One of the easiest way to check that your hire car has enough space is to look on the service providers web site, where they will usually provide a breakdown of what you get for your money with each vehicle.

One of the other things to check when you book your Limo is that if certain services are included or do you have to pay an extra fee.

For example, do you get a Mini Bar and in-car entertainment? Very important questions to ask to ensure that your night out starts in full swing from the moment you get in the car!

One of the best ways to check that you have everything you need included in the price is to book the Limo in advance and ask questions at the time of the booking. You should never take for granted that services are included, as it doesn’t hurt to ask. It is also worth calling around a couple of companies to see if you can get a better deal but where cost is concerned try not to cut too many corners and always double check to make sure what is included in the package.

Another advantage of using a chauffeur driven limousine is that, by using a reputable company, you know you are in safe hands. This is especially important when it comes to younger adults using the service for a celebration such as a Prom Night. Parents will always want their kids to be safe and Limousines are a great way to ensure that the nights end as well as they started.

So in summary, choosing the right Limousine service and executive car hire company really can make the difference between a very special night out and a night to forget. All you have to do is a little bit of homework to ensure that you are getting everything you want from your car hire whilst getting the most for your money.