Avant-Garde Limousine This limo company used dissipative price quoting methods and lies Internet and San Diego, California

I had contacted a number of different limo services for a Temecula wine country tour for approx. 10 people for the date of October 8, 2007. The time slot was to be from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (6 hours).

Avant-Garde Limousine, LLC- California, CA had contacted me in return over the internet with this quote: 2005 Super-Stretch Limousine, Lincoln Towncar (White)(Ref: Wht Lincoln 10 pax)
360.00 TOTAL: (6 hours at 60 per/hr + 0% gratuity)

I wrote back with this request: Please inform me of any and all additional fees that will be required for this service. Following that, I once again was given the same price quote as above. This was looking like my best deal. All the other limo services either were charging more per hour with no gratuity or were adding on a particular price for the gratuity.

I was now thinking that Avant-Grade does not charge for a gratuity. After all what is 0% gratuity especially when everyone else puts a price number there if they charge. Right?
360.00 TOTAL! (note: TOTAL!)

Here is some more of the personal response I had from the company through email: Even if you have already reserved with another limo company, we invite you to call our office within 72 hours to compare and receive our discounted, customized packages we are offering our clients just for using Limos.com! MENTION DISCOUNT CODE #! We are also members of the Better Business Bureau and National Limousine Association. * We recommend that you reserve your limo ASAP since companies will sell out very quickly for that particular week. There are usually no costs required to reserve our limousines, and we are open 24 hours a day. CALL NOW #

Just so that I provide all details on the company side, this is something else that was added: Thank you for using Limos.com to find a limo for your event. Estimates provided here are NON-BINDING and based on information you provided via Limos.com. Actual cost may vary based on vehicle availability, date of service, time of year, & total travel time. Limos.com is not responsible for estimate compliance from its advertisers.

But, almost all (if not all) companies include this type (the above) of disclaimer regarding 'NON-BINDING estimates and such. 'Cover your butt' disclosures are not always used to hide behind deceptive practices. But, if your wanting to be dishonest....?

So as to make sure of the price, my husband gives a call to Avant-Garde Limousine, LLC- California, CA and the following is what ensued:
The fact that Avant Guard actually did not have a 0% gratuity but actually added a 20% gratuity was only mentioned when my husband called to set up the reservation. The man on the phone (for Avant Guard) tried to say that they had nothing to do with the fact that it was listed as 0% gratuity, that the web site company was to BLAME. Over the 15 or 20 minute dispute that my husband had with man on the phone at Avant Guard, my husband caught him lying on more than one occasion.

To continue with the phone conversation:
The man on the phone for Avant Guard was quick to point out that the web site (limos.com) reads:
Estimates provided here are NON-BINDING and based on information you provided via Limos.com. Actual cost may vary based on vehicle availability, date of service, time of year, & total travel time.

The end of the phone call:
When my husband had called for a quote using a code for a discount, he was told that the discount price was $65 an hour, normally $75 an hour. When my husband said that we got a quote from them on-line for $60 an hour, the guy began to hide behind the fact that the site states that that quote is non-binding. No one else that I had contacted, tried to use those sorts of tactics.

I see that as just another attempt at using legal ease to be misleading and dishonest. All the other limo services I contacted stood behind their quotes. Obviously the others were more expensive and that was why I attempted to do service with Avant Guard. But, as it turns out, I got a better deal with another service that was honest with me. There was no way I would use the services of Avant Guard even if they were lower in price because they are dishonest. They can not be trusted. They go beyond the normal questionable practices that some other shady companies use.

They thought they had me cornered into using them but, there was no way I was going to let them do that to me. I hope to alert others to such tactics so that they will not fall victim to such deceptive practices.

Thus far I have come across at least one other person who has dwelt with Avant Guard and found them to be dishonest about honoring their quotes as well: http://www.yellowpages.com/info-SP18747379/Avant-Garde-Limousine-LLC/reviews

I suspect that Avant Guard limo service is one with limos.com. When I finally found Avant Guard web address ( http://www.avant-garde-limo.com/contact.html ) I see that the way to contact Avant Guard by way of email is at limocharters.com and that company is also a part of limos.com

The Limousine company I did do business was (I think) a one man show and I was so very happy with his honesty and service: Shawn Mandolesi - 619 857-5379 - A Cut Above Limousines - www.acalimousines.com
If you live in the greater San Diego, CA area, you might consider contacting him. And no, I do not have any affiliation with him or his company and I do not receive anything for recommending his service beyond my wanting to see (the one whom I perceive to be) 'the good guy' get the recognition.

Option
San Diego, California
U.S.A.