Taxi company from Sanford

[dave5282]

Hi,

We were originally going to drive from Sanford airport to our Hotel at LBV, however a change of plan now means we wont be getting a rental car.

So...

Can anyone recommend a good taxi firm to get us from the airport to our hotel and back again, we have checked out 20+ websites, but we dont know which are any good

Thankyou

[jon_burrows]

Have you had a look at the sites sponsor Quicksilver. Have a look here (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=66) in the transport section.

[tajainaz]

You'll probably want a towncar service rather than taxi. Taxis charge by time and distance; towncars are a fixed fee.

Quicksilver, a site sponsor, has many excellent reviews from UOG members. We always seem to rent a car, but certainly would use their services if circumstances warranted!

[dave5282]

Cheers guys, It was just that Quicksilver seem to be 30 Dollars or so more expensive than the rest for equivaent packages (ie grocery stop etc).
Maybe they are worth it, I just dont know?

[Whitequeen]

I've used Happy Limo and had excellent service.:thumbs:

[dave5282]

Just checked out Happy-limo, there prices seem very reasonable, they are definatelly topping the list so far!
Thankyou,
any more recommendations...

[Whitequeen]

Tiffany Towncars is another one. I haven't used them but Keith has and they usually get the thumbs up.:thumbs:

[Quicksilver]

Cheers guys, It was just that Quicksilver seem to be 30 Dollars or so more expensive than the rest for equivaent packages (ie grocery stop etc).
Maybe they are worth it, I just dont know?

Hello dave,

Just a side note when comparing rates.

Our rates DO include all tolls, fees, and airport surcharges. We also do not charge for car seats and/or boosters, and we do not have any early or late pick-up fees.

Some of our competitors add all those fees on top of their online listed rate.

Best regards,

Gregory Nicolas.
:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

[Keith]

Tiffany Towncars is another one. I haven't used them but Keith has and they usually get the thumbs up.:thumbs:

As WQ says I've used quicksilver and tiffany towncars.

In my opinion, both offer an equal service. Both include all fees, booster seats free, both monitor the flight and won't charge for early/late arrivals. Both include free grocery stops.

Another note when comparing rates on the websites though.... with tiffany the price you see is the price you pay but then it's upto you to tip the driver. With quicksilver, when you get the quote it will have 20% compulsory gratuity added on to the price you see on the website.

It's upto you which method you prefer but I don't agree with compulsory gratutities and so prefer the Tiffany way of doing things.

Either company has been reliable for me and I've heard good things about happy limo but never used them.

Keith

[OKWTink]

Ummmm...not to sound really stupid, but here goes anyway.

Compulsory gratuity? :unsure: By definition, a gratuity is something given of one's own free will; not required, not madatory; definitely not compulsory.

Adding a fee to a quoted charge and requiring someone to pay that above the quoted charge is definitely compulsory, but is NOT a gratuity.

Just wanted to make that clear as we in the US are quite often difficult to follow with our tipping "customs."

[Quicksilver]

Hello everyone,

Here is Gregory from Quicksilver. We have changed our gratuity policy for international clients about 1 year ago. This measure was against my will, but it had to be done to keep my business and my drivers receiving what is right.
I will not say It isn't a delicate issue, sure it is, but I just wish you all to understand it is nothing personal, on the contrary. I'm sure most members here are educated enough to understand the diferrence in culture and always tipped accordingly. But unfortunatelly not all are members here or at other UK based discussion forums (where this information would be explained by the members - "How to tip a driver in the US").

Below an extract of a friendly discussion I had not long ago.
Here is part of my answer to this tipping issue we are having to face now.


I believe you did not really understand why this was applied a while back. Let me try to explain in more detail.

Our drivers are our most important asset in the company. Unhappy drivers will in the end hurt the company and most of all the customer service they provide.

Again, I agree with what you say, but I'm not in the position to explain to all clients coming from countries where tipping is not the same as here how it works. (remember, this is not only for the UK, but most of Europe, South America, and Asia)
We tried in the past saying it was customary to tip approx. 20% for this type of service, but more than half of international clients where not tipping accordingly. And I don't mean 10% or 15%, but only $5.00 or NOTHING!
(even for transfers from Sanford that cost $190.00)

Tip in the US is not only customary but it is a HUGE part of the salary for service employees (believe it or not about 50% of their total income).

The 20% tip is also being charged to all Sanford airport arrivals, Port Canaveral trips, out of town transfers and all Limousine reservations. Again for the same reason, even from Americans.

I would love to leave it to the client to decide how much to give, but truth be told, I can't not jeopardize my drivers income just to satisfy a few. I must be realistic and risk loosing good clients like you because of it.:sigh:

20% is the least a driver should get, even with a just average service. For excellent service it is, in my line of work, customary to receive even more.

Remember, even though we charge taxi rates, we offer clean luxury vehicles, with dressed up drivers, meet and greet, stops for groceries and etc.. I can not have a client, because of cultural differences, not paying what is expected. Sorry.

Below another answer I gave to try and explain our reasons for the 20% gratuity for our international clients:

I realize I'm taking the opportunity for the client to give less than 20% if they are unhappy with the service, but again, they always can tip more if the service is great, which usually is.
Also, if a client has a complaint or had a problem with the service the first thing I do is refund their money, tip included!!!
I took a long time training those drivers, and a driver which gives less than what I expect (I do call back 10% of my clients to survey the drivers) will be fired, easy as that.
I will not keep a driver who had more than 1 customer complaining about him. That's the only way I can be sure my drivers DO deserve the 20%.
I would be OK if the tips weren't always 20%, but close to it. But sorry, like I said above, getting $5.00 or nothing for 3 hours worth of service was getting to be ridiculous and even I was embarrassed for the drivers.
I had, more than once, drivers complaining to me that this way they would not work, and that I should compensate them myself. Well, of course this is not even a possibility with the low rates we have.

Again I must reinforce I DO agree with you and I believe that is the way it should be. Tips should always be an option. But I really rather have a good driver in my company (which is the same as saying a driver with a steady income) than not adding tip for international clients.

You mentioned restaurants. Well, many restaurants have a compulsory gratuity for tables with 6 or more guests here in the US. I believe it falls into the same reason, a lot of work for the waiter with too much risk of a small tip.
A waiter takes more time to wait on 6, 7 or 8 people, the time to "feed" everyone is longer and people with big tables tend to stay a lot longer. So the restaurants, probably a long time ago by employee pressure, decided to include gratuity in the bill.
So, it is not only a question of who the client is, where he is from, but the reason me and the restaurants add gratuity is the same, making the employee happy depending on the circumstances.

And finaly:

Even though gratuity should be an option and only given to compensate a good service, in the US it changed meaning a long time ago. Everyone knowing a waiter gets only $3.00 an hour (compared to $6.00 which is the approximate minimum wage) they tips not only because they liked the service and/or food, they also automatically tip because they know the waiter is getting a lot less than most people get by the hour. It got to a point here that it is no longer only for good service but to pay the waiters survival. It works about the same in the limo business. My drivers get approx. $5.00 an hour and expect to make a minimum $5.00 more in tips, which usually adds up in the day. Some tip more some less, but in the overall it's fair ($10.00 an hour to drive a car). Well, imagine if a driver gets nothing 5, 10 times a week. Multiply by 50 weeks, an average of $3.750.00 a year (enough to pay for a good private school for your kid). That is where it gets very complicated. Even if explained to an international customer it is customary to tip 20% they do not realize it means a lot more than just a few dollars if they "think" the service was not very good. If each one expects a SUPER service to tip the 20%, they can think, well, the service was ok, let's give him $5.00 instead.

All this goes full circle. A restaurant is able to charge for a dish a certain price because he pays the waiter a certain amount per hour. I'm able to charge you $90.00 for a luxury sedan (less than a taxi cab) also because I only pay my drivers $5.00 an hour. You might say, raise their salary. Well, I would love to, but them my transfers would be what they should be for a luxury service, $185.00 for a round trip (Carey, a big worldwide company charges about that), or Mears at $120.00 to $130.00 for a round trip (with 100% subcontracted work force).


Sorry for the extended post, but those emails were written yesterday, out of my heart, written fast and with passion. I know this is a polemic matter and me posting this is the only way I saw to explain my reasons and to make sure all wdisneyw members understand we will always be here for you, offering the best service in town. I lost count of how many members used us already with 99% good reviews, so I hope, even with this new policy, you'll continue to support us who have been supporting this boards for the last +- 3 years.

My best regards to all,

Gregory Nicolas.

[Quicksilver]

Hi,

Me again....:rotfl:

just found this posted on another WDW Discussion Forum:

"The general rule of thumb for good service is 20% of the fare. It's also customary to tip $1-2 for each bag they handle depending on weight.

I would add a couple dollars to each airport trip, plus tip for bags, and for the middle leg I think you are good other than bag handling.

Keep in mind that tip *might* be already included--check to be sure--in which case you only need tip for baggage handling.

Also, if they make a grocery stop for you it's customary to add $5 to your tip for their "wait time."

Have a great holiday!"

Thought that could clarify things a bit more, and also confirm what I said before that 20% is pretty much a minimum expected gratuity by the drivers plus what ever extra work they do other than driving and being friendly and proffessional and courteous, and, and, and (i.e. bags, grocery stops, and etc...). I hope you all can forgive me I had to generalize and charge the 20% to all international arrivals, but I REALLY had no alternatives. You have always been my best customers, and I wish it would stay the same way.

My best regards,

Gregory Nicolas.

[Debbie2]

As you know I'm just back from WDW and used Quicksilver on two separate occasions. I also used the service back in 2004. I can highly recommend them :thumbs:

I did notice the difference this time that I was quoted the fare and the gratuity but to be honest I was pleased about it as I knew what was expected (and it was no different to what I would have willingly paid and did pay in 2004). I just accept the gratuity business as part and parcel of a trip to US, just as you would accept a custom from any country you visited.

Quicksilver do not just provide what we would call a 'taxi' from A-B it is a whole service. The vehicles are immaculate, the drivers are uniformed, they are always punctual, friendly and polite and will accommodate any last minute changes without a fuss.

We had three different drivers this year and they were all extremely professional and friendly..thanks again Gregory

[dave5282]

Hi Guys.
Just a quick note to say that I understand the tipping culture, and that I didnt question the morality of it. I was just looking for a recommendation at a good price. I appologise if this has lead to things being misconstrued.

Anywho, I have the top three recommendations to choose from at this stage.

Tiffanytowncars
Quicksilver
Happylimos

So I will sit down this weekend and get something sorted. Thanks for your help!!

[Keith]

Hi Guys.
Just a quick note to say that I understand the tipping culture, and that I didnt question the morality of it. I was just looking for a recommendation at a good price. I appologise if this has lead to things being misconstrued.


Hi Dave!

Don't worry at all! Absolutely valid and proper question :thumbs:

[Quicksilver]

Hi Guys.
Just a quick note to say that I understand the tipping culture, and that I didnt question the morality of it. I was just looking for a recommendation at a good price. I appologise if this has lead to things being misconstrued.

Anywho, I have the top three recommendations to choose from at this stage.

Tiffanytowncars
Quicksilver
Happylimos

So I will sit down this weekend and get something sorted. Thanks for your help!!

Hello Dave,

No one will think that, rest assured. I pretty much hijacked your thread with my long posts...:rotfl:

Best regards,

Gregory Nicolas.

[plutomad]

I liked quicksliver (we used them for the first time in april). We had Andre all the time we prebooked quicksliver. He was lovely (goodlooking!) prompt and friendly.

[Debbie2]

mmm funny that... I noticed they were good 'eye candy' too :D