One of the worst experiences that an individual can have is reserving a limo for a special occasion and getting ripped off by the limo company. Not only does this have the ability to ruin what is supposed to be a wonderful day, but may end up costing the individual a great deal of money as well.
So what should you do if you are ripped off by a limo company?
There are certain steps that you can take to recover your money, if not your time.
- If you have used a credit card to reserve your limo reservation and your credit card has been charged for the full amount of the service, even though no services have been provided, you may be able to have your credit card company reverse the charges to your credit card.
You will have to inform the credit card company of the fraudulent charge as soon as possible to ensure that your rights under the credit card agreement are protected.
- Do not ever make a reservation with a limo company that requires cash only, as it is very difficult to prove where the cash has gone if it ever comes into dispute.
- Individuals that are hiring a limo service should read all of the terms and conditions of the service prior to making the reservation.
Most reputable limo rental companies have an online website where consumers can see the rates for different services and read the terms and conditions of service.
- If the company does not have a website, ask the customer service representative if you would be able to come and get a copy of their terms and conditions prior to making the reservation.
- If they say no or that they do not have one, be wary. If they are not willing to give or mail you a printed copy of their terms and conditions, it may be because they have no intention of providing the services that you have reserved.
Legal options are also available for individuals that have been ripped off by limo companies.
The individual can take the company to small claims court in order to recover their money from the limo company. The fees for small claims court are often quite small, but it may take several weeks or months to get on the docket of the court and to have your case heard.
The details of your experience should also be forwarded to your local Better Business Bureau, so that they can look into the business practices of the company. By reporting your experience to the Better Business Bureau, you may be able to ensure that no one else goes through the experience that you had to go through.