What is the 20% service fee? Is that the gratuity?
Our 20 percent service fee covers the chauffeur's hourly wage and the professional cleaning of the vehicle. Our chauffeurs are paid hourly and we leave gratuity between the client and chauffeur on the day of the event so that our clients can tip based on the service they receive. Gratuity is not mandatory, but if you enjoy the service we encourage you to take care of your chauffeur.
How much do people usually tip?
Tipping should be based on the service you receive. We encourage you to give your chauffeur a gratuity that reflects your enjoyment of their service. Like tipping your server at a nice restaurant, we usually see between 10 and 20 percent.
Do we have to tell you every stop we're going to make and are we charged extra for making extra stops?
Generally, no. If you book us for a specific time frame and are paying for the vehicle on an hourly rate, you've got us for the timeframe that you booked. You can ask your chauffeur to go wherever you'd like. Your chauffeur may decline based on our internal list of banned locations, but more than likely, we are happy to oblige.
If, however, you've booked a vehicle to a Detroit sporting event (Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, Pistons, etc), we'd need to know before-hand. We'll make stops along the way to Detroit at rest areas, as needed. If you'd like to stop to pick up more people along the way, there probably won't be a charge unless it's way out of the way and is going to extend the time it takes us to get to the game or back from the game. We would need to know where you'd like to stop before-hand.
How much do I have to put down to book a vehicle?
We ask for a down payment of roughly 1/3 of the total contract value. We may also ask for a deposit for incidentals, which will be refunded after the trip assuming there is no damage to the vehicle.
If you are going to see a Detroit sporting event and we are getting the tickets for you, we follow the ticket payment proceedures of the team that you are going to see. We will let you know exactly what the down payment is for the tickets you're booking over the phone (generally 1/2 up front and the remaining balance 30 days before the game).
When do I have to pay the rest?
There are 3 ways to take care of your remaining balance:
- With a check made payable to "Affordable Limousine". The check needs to be in our office 10 business days prior to the event date so that it has time to clear the bank.
- With a credit card over the phone. We can take a credit card over the phone up to the business day before the event.
- In cash. If you'd like to pay the remaining balance in cash, you must bring it into our office, during regular business hours, no later than the day before the event. Alternatively, you can bring your payment to our office the Friday before your event, if it falls on a Sunday or Monday. We are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
We do not accept checks or credit cards on the day of the event.
What if I need to cancel?
If you cancel within 48 hours of making a booking, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel greater than 30 days from the event date, we will refund half of the deposit amount. If you cancel less than 30 days before the event, the deposit is forfeit.
Can you get tickets to the game for us?
Yes. We have connections at the Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings. You can either let us know the seats you'd like or the price range you'd like to stay in and we'll call our rep and give you some options. Each team has their own minimum number of tickets to get the group discount (usually 15). We don't mark up the tickets; we turn them around to you at cost.
Can we smoke in the vehicle?
Absolutely not. If someone smokes in the vehicle, there is a $250 fine and it must be put out immediately. If smoking continues, the ride will be terminated, the $250 fee will be charged, and no money will be refunded. Ask your chauffeur and they will gladly find a place to stop the vehicle so that you can get out and smoke.
What about vaping?
We follow the same rules for the use of vaporizers as we do for smoking; the use of vaporizers is prohibited in the vehicle. Ask your chauffeur and they will gladly find a place to stop the vehicle so that you can get out and vape.
Can we drink in the vehicle?
Anyone who is 21 or over may partake of alcoholic beverages in our vehicles. Underage drinking is not permitted under any circumstances and will result in the trip being terminated early with no refund given.
Can we bring Jell-O and Pudding shots?
We do not allow Jell-O or Pudding shots. This includes "soaked gummy bears."
Do you have any buses with poles?
No. None of our vehicles have poles for dancing.
Can we just rent the bus and have my friend drive?
No. All of our chauffeurs are initially, and randomly, drug and alcohol tested, trained, have an excellent driving record, and are held to a very high standard of presentation and performance. Our insurance company will not allow us to have anyone drive our vehicles who is not on our insurance policy.
What comes in the vehicle?
Unless otherwise requested, all of our vehicles come stocked with cups, napkins, and ice. Almost all of our vehicles have a stereo with an auxiliary input (headphone jack) and bluetooth. For other details about the individual vehicles, please call us in the office or view our fleet and click on the link to more information next to each vehicle.
Can I hook my phone up to play music?
Yes. All the vehicles have a stereo CD player with an auxiliary input (headphone jack) and bluetooth. Please be aware that if you connect via bluetooth, you'll need to keep your device within a moderate proximity to the stereo for optimum performance.
When should I book?
Now. We work on a first come, first serve basis. If you want to lock in a specific vehicle, that should be done while it is still available. If you wait, we may book that vehicle out for your desired time frame.
I saw a limousine driver wearing a polo shirt and jeans. Was that you guys?
That wasn't us. Our chauffeurs wear classic chauffeur attire. Black dress shoes, black slacks, white or black button up shirt, tie or bow tie, black vest or sport jacket, and optional chauffeur cap. Your chauffeur will be presentable and professional.
Do you provide alcohol?
We do not have a liquor license, so we cannot provide alcohol. You are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages into our vehicles providing that anyone who partakes of them is 21 years of age or older. Please see the question above regarding Jello-O and Pudding shots. We do NOT allow Jell-O or Pudding shots, including "soaked gummy bears".
Are your vehicles insured?
Yes, we are fully licensed and insured.
I booked for 3pm. It's 2:30pm and I'm ready to load coolers into the vehicle. Why isn't it here yet?
If you book a reservation for 3pm, we will be there by 3pm. We may arrive sooner, but are contracted for the time on the contract. If we arrive sooner, ask your chauffeur if you may begin loading the vehicle. Otherwise, expect us to be there by the contracted time on the reservation. If you need us to be there earlier, please book your reservation for the time you need us there.
What if we decide in the middle of the trip that we want to go longer?
We aim to please. Ask your chauffeur if you can do overtime. If we can, we will. The rate for overtime in that vehicle is in a binder that the chauffeur has access to. The reasons we may not be able to do overtime are:
- The vehicle has another trip following yours
- The chauffeur has another trip following yours
- The chauffeur has run out of hours s/he can legally drive
Commercial Drivers License holders can legally drive 10 hours on any given day. If your chauffeur has reached that limit, we will not be able to do overtime.
Can we bring a keg?
Unfortunately, no. We have recently stopped allowing kegs in all of our vehicles. As our fleet has gotten nicer, we've become more cognizant of how kegs, regardless of their level of care, ruin the floors in our vehicles.
Are there seatbelts in the vehicles? I have a child seat I'd like to secure.
We fall under similar rules to a school bus, wherein children of any age are not required to be in a car seat. That said, some people would still prefer that their children be secured in such a manner. If this is the case, please contact the office to ensure that we book you in a vehicle with seatbelts. Many of our vehicles have seatbelts, but not all of them do. The office staff will be able to help you with this.