Book Your Holiday Shopping with a New York Limousine Service

The holidays are coming up. Are you ready to do your holiday shopping? If the idea of traveling into the city to do your Christmas and holiday shopping leaves you frazzled and out of the holiday spirit, consider booking a car and driver with a New York limousine service to deal with the traffic and parking for you. Imagine being picked up at your home by a liveried driver in a comfortable luxury car, dropped off at your favorite shopping spots and driven home in style – with your holiday shopping done and out of the way. If the whole idea seems unbearably hoity-toity and expensive, think of it as a holiday gift to yourself.

Whether you live in New York City or in one of the outlying suburbs, you know how much of a hassle it is to drive into the city to hit the shops on Fifth Avenue and other trendy spots. By the time you finish totaling up the tolls, gas and parking fees, you’ve probably added well over $100 to your gift tab for the day – and left yourself with all the frustrations of traffic lights, congestion and finding a parking garage within walking distance of the stores you want to shop.

Taking public transportation into the city for extended holiday shopping isn’t much better – and in some ways, it’s even worse. You get to struggle with all of your packages and wrestle them on and off trains and buses. That severely limits the amount of shopping you can do – and you’re still paying all those fares to get into the city and around.

Booking a holiday shopping trip with a NYC limo service may cost you a bit more than public transportation, but there are other advantages that make up for the cost. You’ll have a car and driver at your disposal. You’ll be picked up at home, and dropped at the door of the shops you want to visit – and you’ll have the trunk to hold all of your purchases while you continue your shopping, have some lunch and finish off the day with more shopping. You’ll be riding in luxurious comfort, and can even arrange to have cold or hot drinks and snacks served while you’re en route to and from your shopping excursion.

Talk to a New York limousine service about special deals on holiday shopping packages. In many cases, you can cut the cost of your day by booking a limo for 6 or 8 people and sharing your afternoon with a group of friends. You can turn the afternoon into a holiday excursion, complete with catering, cocktails and visits to all of your favorite shopping destinations. You’ll be surprised how affordable a New York limo service is when you split the cost among a group of friends. You may enjoy it so much that your chauffeured shopping trip may become a treasured holiday tradition.

How Not to Rent a New York LimousineLimousine

If you’re like most people, you don’t rent a limousine every day. Many New York limousine companies know this and will take full advantage of your inexperience with the industry, so it’s helpful to know what’s standard in the New York luxury car service market and what you can and should expect. These tips can help you when dealing with a New York limousine company and ensure that you have a good experience.

Don’t Rent a Limousine Sight Unseen

A “10-passenger limousine” doesn’t tell you much about the actual car that will be picking you up. Many smaller NY limo companies use older model limousines that may not be up to snuff. Ask about the specific make, model and year of the limo the company will provide, and ask for photos of it so that you can see it. If possible, see the car in person so that you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.

Don’t Choose a New York Limo on Price Alone

There are some great bargains out there, no doubt, but in general, you do get what you pay for. On the other hand, paying a premium for your limo rental isn’t a guarantee of a better experience. Definitely price-shop for the best deal, but make sure you know exactly what is included in each price quote so that you’re comparing Lincolns to Lincolns.

Don’t Accept the Set Price without Negotiating

You can often negotiate a better price or get a few extras thrown in if you know how to ask in the right way. If you’ve got a quote from one New York luxury car service that includes champagne and a red carpet for considerably more than the price you’re quoted by another car service, ask the lower-priced company how much they’d charge to provide the same service. There’s a good chance you can get the red carpet and bubbly at a lower price if the limo company is trying to make a deal.

Don’t Book Your Limo Without Knowing All the Terms

Make sure that you read the full contract with the limo company before you sign it to avoid unpleasant surprises when it’s time to settle up. The contract should set out the hourly cost for overtime, the cancelation policy, any insurance terms and any additional charges for which you may be liable.

Booking a luxury car through a New York limousine service can add so much to your special day. Make sure that you do your homework on the limo company to ensure that your experience with the limo company is a great one.