If a limo driver got lost and made you late, should you get a partial refund?
By gapeach65
@gapeach65 (805)
United States
April 29, 2007 5:34pm CST
My son went to his Senior prom last night. The limousine driver picked them up a little late, he was supposed to pick them up at 6, he didn't show up until about 20 after, their dinner reservations were for 7, so they cut that real close. We assumed all was going fine, until 10 PM, my son called and asked his step dad for directions to the prom, because the limo driver was lost, and that they had been driving around for an hour. The whole group spent the night at one of the other kids house, so when he got home, I asked if they ever made it to the prom, he told me yes after the hour and a half ride around town, lost. I told him that if he got me the name and number from the company I would call and discuss this with the owner and try to at least get them a partial refund. These kids paid for the limo themselves, with their own money, including the $100 deposit that my son paid. In my opinion, if you're driving a limousine, you should know your way around, find out where you're going first (which he was told where they were going) and have the route mapped out, and if nothing else have a way to find out where you're going, he had a cell phone, I don't understand why he didn't call his office for directions or the place where the prom was. He had plenty of time while they were at dinner to figure it out if he didn't know where he was going, if nothing else, if he knew another driver that was heading there, he could have followed them. I just couldn't believe that happened when my son called. I explained to my son, that although they had a long unexpected ride around town, and probably had fun riding around, the driver in my opinion (and that of others I have told this story to) didn't do his job, they almost missed their prom, as it ended at midnight, and pictures stopped being taken at 11:30. What would you do in this situation? If a limo driver got lost and got you to your destination late, would you ask for a refund (or at least a partial one) and do you think you should get a refund?
2 people like this
12 responses
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
30 Apr 07
We had a very similar situation when my husband & were married. As my mother-in-law is disabled & partially blind, we knew she wouldn't be able to walk from the Registery Office to the Reception (a hotel).
So my husband organised booking a taxi for her. ven this was fraught with difficulties, when he had to explain over the phone that we were getting married at 5.00pm, not 5.00 am!!
After the actual wedding, we saw that my MIL, hag got into her taxi, & my husband explained wher to go (about 500 metrs down the road).
The rest of us walked.
After getting our drinks & sitting around, we realised that my MIL had not arrived. People were sent out the front to look. My husband rang the taxi service. I panicked & told the Hotel owner that we had a missing 80 year old.
30 minutes passed, & she turned up in this taxi. The taxi driver had gone to the northern suburbs, for what should have been a 3 minute trip.
What an idiot! We only paid for the short distance.
@gapeach65 (805)
• United States
30 Apr 07
That's awful to have happen. I hope she was ok after such an ordeal, and what a horrible thing to have happen on such a special day. Thanks for the response.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
29 Apr 07
I would think they should give you some money back. Now if id was for something were it would cost you money to be late, such as missing a plane, then I would insist or even sue to get refunded.
1 person likes this
@immadismom (475)
• United States
29 Apr 07
That is horrible. You definitely need to ask for a refund. When a limo is reserved and hired, it is expected that it will arrive on time, and also know how to get where it is supposed to take you. That is what they are being paid for! And as for the driver, they normally expect to be tipped, however, in a case like this, a tip would not be deserved due to the poor service. I would call that company up and ask for a refund for sure.
1 person likes this
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
29 Apr 07
Not just a partial refund, I would be asking for the whole refund.
The limousine driver was late so it's not nobody elses fault, but the driver and the company should refund you back your money and not just half of it, it should be the whole amount given back.
So, yes I would be calling and asking for a refund and if they refuse then I would take it to court. It may seem crazy to take something like this to court, but I know someone that did, but it wasn't for a prom, it was for a wedding and they were late by 2 hrs! They ended up winning and got their full refund back.
1 person likes this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
29 Apr 07
Wow Peach, this is sad for the kids. You only get one shot at events such as this, now its over never to be had the same way again. I would hold the limo company responsible,You are perfectly justified. Not only a refund but compensation for what the children lost here, either in the limo service being extended for free to another event or what ever the company should work out. You will need to look over the contract carefully that the kids had with the company there might already be provisions made for something like this.
Ouch hon, I am really sorry that this happened to the kids. Good luck with it let us know how it works out for you.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
30 Apr 07
Yes I would ask for a refund because he didn't do his job as you said, If the driver didn't know the route he should have gotten directions and he had enough time when they were in the resturant eating If you don't complain then somebody else will. I think he should be reimbursed his money. Yeah it would be fun driving around in a limo and exciting but that still doesn't excuse this person..leave it up to a man not to pull over somewhere and ask for directions. This limo driver needs to get a gps or something.
@lissaj (532)
• United States
30 Apr 07
A limo drive is hired(not at a cheap rate either) to drive you somewhere. He/She should know where they are going, how to get there, and alternate routes in case of construction, accident, road closed whatever. And being late to pick you up, not acceptable. I would definitely call the company and ask for a partial refund.
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
30 Apr 07
This is really bad. When u pay good money you expect the driver to atleast get the way right. he should have checked it out before even picking them up. The prom is something that just happens once and you should definately ask for a refund. i would be furious.
@prestocaro (1252)
• United States
2 May 07
Yes and yes. This actually happened to a friend of mine recently. The driver arrived almost an hour late with his girlfriend riding in the passenger seat! Then he dropped us off downtown and when we called to let him know to pick us up -- he had parked in a "limo corral" -- he still took 20 minutes to get there. He was only a few blocks away, but it was raining and since we'd payed for a limo we decided to wait. My friend called and complained and got a partial refund. A lot of those companies don't have consistent, regular drivers. The driver not calling himself and asking for directions really bothers me! I would be pissed and I hope your son gets at least a partial refund.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
1 May 07
I would have called the company immediately and asked for another driver. There was once I got up a cab and the driver claims he knows the way but ended up I had to call my colleague to direct the way, I paid the driver my normal fare instead of what was in the meter. Nowadays, I often asked the driver and if he sounds hesitant, I would confirm he really knows the way and I would ask to alight once I am not convinced he knows the way. I would not want to be late or taken for a ride and then demand for a partial refund. It's too much of a hazzle to claim later on :P
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
30 Apr 07
I don't think a partial refund would be enough for the prom. I would have thought any decent limo service would have had a GPS system installed, and no professional would behave tha way, period. It is totally inexcusable.
