Outstanding and cheap limo service in SYD

[DeKa]

Do they charge 10% over and above their website quotes when using credit cards?

They use Live Taxi EPay (like Cabcharge terminal) so yes. When you request a quote, they reply with the price and the email has something stating that the price is for cash payments and card payments are subject to 10% surcharge.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Can anyone recommend a car service from Brisbane airport traveling to the sunshine coast region?

I hope this isnt too late a reply for you, but Drron and I have been using Little Mountain Limos for years. Tony is super and always on time !!

Sunshine Coast Limousines :: Little Mountain Limousines

 

[DeKa]

My advice to forum members regarding Towncars has changed. I now recommend against using Towncars if you need an on-time pickup. They forgot to pick me up this morning for a booking made weeks ago, which I confirmed by email a few days ago. They acknowledged the confirmation by email.

This is not the first time they've let me down so I will no longer use them.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

They use Live Taxi EPay (like Cabcharge terminal) so yes. When you request a quote, they reply with the price and the email has something stating that the price is for cash payments and card payments are subject to 10% surcharge.

I used them in February to get from the Sydney CBD to the airport at 5pm... I figured that the peak hour traffic at that time would make the Towncars fare cheaper than an actual cab... Having allowed up to an hour to get to the airport, the driver got us there in 20 minutes flat, and went a completely different way than I've been before - he obviously knew how to avoid the traffic!

As to their credit card terminal, they now have standard Westpac EFTPOS terminals, which is programmed to surcharge 10% on transactions (just shows up as "merch surcharge" on the receipt, while the rest looks like a normal EFTPOS receipt - not a taxi-specific one)... This being the case, I'm kind of disappointed that they continue to surcharge if they no longer use the Live Taxi EPay system, - as the terminal that my card was charged through was owned by Towncars, and the merchant name that appeared on my account was Towncars (not Cabcharge/CabFare/TaxiEPay etc etc)... they have basically programmed the terminal to match the Cabcharge fee, but simply pocket the bulk of the money recovered (as opposed to a normal taxi situation where Cabcharge retains the entire fee, or other systems like CabFare where the driver gets part of the 10/11%)... if they really wanted to attract frequent travelers, they really should lower the surcharge to a more realistic amount, as there is no "need" for them to charge so much (other than to gouge customers).

 

[moa999]

Agree its a gouge, but they do have the initial equipment, GPRS/3G connection etc.. to pay for - it is more than a simple wired terminal.

However not happy with the change of merchant name to Towncars - got questioned by my expense controller!!

 

[koonyaflyer]

I always pre pay my Town Cars bookings, which saves me the 10% surcharge, and makes the drop off faster.I use them at least twice a week and have yet to have a problem.I don't use their web form, make the bookings by email ... And advise them to precharge.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

True, although this is the same as any other business offering credit card facilities.. Some use EFTPOS machines that utilise a dedicated phone line (which has to be paid for on top of the terminal rental fee), others use GPRS/3G models that negate the need for a phone line, but are more expensive... Assuming a general rental cost of $30/mo for the terminal, the 10% surcharge on just 6x$50 transactions in one month is enough to cover the rental fee!!! ... and we can safely assume that they would have more than 6 transactions a month (not to mention the added convenience for the drivers and the company for the money to be automatically deposited into their accounts, rather than having to reconcile cash or visit banks frequently - a convenience that would surely only increase if the surcharge were reduced/removed, as more people would actually use the facility).

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I always pre pay my Town Cars bookings, which saves me the 10% surcharge, and makes the drop off faster.I use them at least twice a week and have yet to have a problem.I don't use their web form, make the bookings by email ... And advise them to precharge.

I was not aware that this was an option! ... I'll have to remember that for next time!

 

[obrienja]

I know this is an old(ish) thread but I wanted to add another data point in favour of TownCars. I used them this morning for a 415am pickup from the innerwest to the Sydney International airport. The driver who has the franchise for Annandale (Scott) was polite, on time, and all the other things you'd want in a car service. The car was a G6/G6E, new, clean and the cost was $69.

 

[Blackswan]

Thanks for reviving this thread. I'm off to Sydney next week, and I don't want to endure the line up for a cab. I'll give them a go, and see what they're like.

 

[DeKa]

I still won't touch them again. 3 missed pick ups is unacceptable.

 

[Blackswan]

Used them today. Had a text as soon as I switched my mobile on from my driver informing me that she was waiting in the Limo area. Very impressed with the service.

Very nice lady, had a good chat into the city.