VH Cars: the way to go or unnecessary splurge?

[boomy]

I'm using VH Cars to/from MEL on regular basis and always hear funny stories from drivers about customers being creative about hiding the fact they use VH Cars from their boss/company.

That made me wonder if its really such a splurge to use this service. I always looked at it as the "smart" way to travel to/from the airport and here is why:
A regular taxi fare from MEL to CBD is ~60$ depends on time and traffic (between 7.30-9.30am it's much more).
VH from MEL to CBD is fix rate of 75$
(on a "regular" Holden, not luxury car).
So,spending extra 15$ for 30-45 min ride, clean car, professional service and saving the wait at the taxi rank just make sense to me.

Also, when the chauffeur picks me up from my place in the morning I sometimes ask him to stop for 15 min at my office in the CBD to pick up some documents and it only cost me 10$ extra. Tried to do it with a taxi before and they always asked me to pay the fare to CBD in advance and sometimes they left without waiting for me to return.

So, every time I see the long queues at the taxi rank and the chauffeurs standing near by whispering "need a car?" I wonder why not more people use VH Cars.

 

[toowongman]

Not a splurge. Worth every cent. We latched onto an owner-operator with a few cars who only charges Oakleigh <> MEL $100. The car is either a BMW 745iL, or the large Holden. Sit back, enjoy the heated seat, make some calls in total quiet, can breathe, no fvcking about with rogue drivers, and after a long day it's just great to see the man waiting for us at the luggage belt to drive me home. Total win. Or if we can't be bothered picking up the mother from the airport, we send out a car and pay COD. Win-win.

 

[Isochronous]

I use 1300pickup. Always works well for me, although Airport to Malvern is $100.

I need to be able to pay cabcharge - anyone know an operator who will do the same trip for the same price or so but in a car better than a Holden Caprice/Ford Fairlane? (I'm thinking German cars, naturally)

 

[oz74]

Wife and I always use VH cars when where going away for a reasonable time, just find it really works!

We love that the driver turns up at the time agreed, knows where he's going and is able to have a decent conversation with us.

All this for the same price as a normal cab and we get a new merc that doesn't smell.

 

[LadyC]

Any driver/company recommendations? Or do you find they are all equally reliable?

 

[oz74]

Very happy to give you the number of the guy that my wife and I use lady c, a fellow AFF'er gave it to me! Lol.

Just pm me if you would like it. Where in melb btw.

 

[boomy]

Any driver/company recommendations? Or do you find they are all equally reliable?

Most if them are very reliable. You just need to choose one main contact and he/she will make sure to "codeshare" your itinerary so there will always be someone available to pick you up. Even if you call at the last minute before you're boarding, there will always be someone ready to meet you when you land.

 

[Mal]

I'm using VH Cars to/from MEL on regular basis and always hear funny stories from drivers about customers being creative about hiding the fact they use VH Cars from their boss/company.

Some companies have policies preventing the use of Cabcharge for "premium" car services.

 

[lovestotravel]

use these guys in Melbourne and have never been let down

VHA Chauffeured Cars Melbourne, Chauffeur Driven Car for Corporate Events and Airport Transfers - Southern Cross VHA

Priced very well and as they have a booking centre, you are not relying on 1 driver only.

No BMW/Audi's in the fleet though and the only Merc is a people mover