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Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Thursday, December 16th, 2010
These next few weeks are very exciting in Arizona because we are again in the spotlight!The whole nation will get to see how we live in December and January when it is a balmy 72 degrees.
 We are getting a lot of calls from these bowl game participants fans and they are ready to party in the desert. They have all heard about those strict DUI laws and are looking for transportation to the games and related events. Limos and party buses are booking up quickly and I wanted to at least relay some info to some of you who may be looking to rent a limousine in Phoenix or a party bus in Scottsdale or if you want to rent a party bus to the Fiesta Bowl to tailgate in.
I wrote a blog last year warning clients about limo and party bus companies in Arizona who were not in compliance with local city, state or federal laws. These companies don’t carry the proper insurance, they are running unsafe vehicles but when you cut all those corners you can offer great prices to clients. Well, I wrote the blog the day after last years Fiesta Bowl explaining a major issue that occurred at the game.
The name of the blog was “Fiesta Bowl Surprise” and what had happened was after dropping off clients at the game DOT officers had a commercial vehicle enforcement stop for almost every party bus, limo, van, etc. at the game. Needless to say, I believe it was 11 vehicles impounded and 1 driver arrested. All of those clients were now stranded at the game and my phone started ringing off the hook with desperate people with large groups needing a ride home. It was a really unfortunate situation because everyone that we work with as well as ourselves were sold out.
Those great deals didn’t turn out to be so great. Please heed my warning, and look into whomever you choose for limo service while in Phoenix, Scottsdale, etc.
Platinum Ride Limousines has an excellent reputation with all of the regulatory departments in our state and we work very hard not only to be compliant but to make other operators aware of new state and city laws.
We are a longtime member of our local Arizona Limousine Association, the National Limousine Association. My brother Joe and I have held several board positions on the Arizona Limousine Association as well. Platinum Rides has also been rated as a “TOP 10” limousine company for several years now. In addition to this, we have an A rating with the BBB.
I hope you all have a wonderful stay in our great state and wish you a happy holiday.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: BCS Championship transportation, Fiesta Bowl transportation, Insight Bowl transportation, limos arizona, limos in phoenix, limos in Scottsdale
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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010
The Best Limo Drivers
People call us day and night looking for pricing and availability for their weddings,birthdays,night out,etc
Clients typically focus on price first and vehicle second,they rarely ask about our great drivers and the great service we provide week in and week out.
When renting a limo in Phoenix all of these things are important however,I feel very strongly that great service and fantastic drivers are a more important piece to the puzzle.
 Jack the Phoenix Limo Driver The way I see it, anybody can go out and buy a limo or party bus in Arizona and start driving people around town. That guy can go out and buy the fanciest limo and even give you a great price over the phone but can he deliver you great service?
Most times the answer is no and the reason is, because they don’t have the knowledge, experience or the passion to provide great consistant service.
First, there is knowledge, sure that guy can buy a limo get a phone number and start driving people around but he would be breaking the laws that govern limousines in Arizona. There are permits needed for the airport, insurance regulations, weights and measures requirements, DOT requirements, and so on and so on.
Next, experience, being prepared and having the support of a team to help the driver perform a great service, knowing what to do when challenges arise. You can have the coolest limo or party bus in the world but a lousy driver with no experience how to handle situations that arise can ruin that clients event.
Don’t believe me, google bad limo reviews and see what appears. You will read some horror stories about drivers who torment their clients, have no idea what they are doing or where they are going and more importantly are total unsafe drivers. Then you will read about all of the vehicle issues breakdowns, things not working, etc…
I am sure all of those clients thought they were getting a great deal but instead signed up for a nightmare limo ride. The really sad thing is you are held hostage at that point because you have a group of people you have planned this great event for and your mistake cannot be fixed to save the event.
Be careful and do your homework, check limousine and party bus reviews of the company you are considering. That isn’t enough, you can also check the BBB and see what their rating is with them. Unfortunately, companies can hide bad reviews by asking the website to not post any reviews good or bad or they simply change the name and add a new listing with a fresh start. There are several ways to hide or minimize poor reviews but if that company would just put in the effort they would not have to worry about such things.
Lastly, you have to have passion for the transportation biz. This is critical because it takes a lot of effort to provide a great vehicle, great drivers and great service for every reservation. It is a lot of late nights and early mornings driving, cleaning, checking paperwork, etc… be prepared to provide a great experience for guests.
As I said before, your driver can make or break your event and Platinum Ride Limos & Party Buses is fortunate to have a great crew of chauffeurs ready to serve you.
We all have one goal and that is to do a great job for you and I am proud to say we have done that for almost 10 years now. We want to do a great job for you.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: bachelorette party limos, limo companies, limo rentals arizona, limos in phoenix, limos in Scottsdale, limousine transportation in Arizona, party bus in Phoenix, party bus in Scottsdale, Wedding Limos
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Monday, November 22nd, 2010
So Monday is a funny day in the limo biz.Every Monday we get calls from clients telling us they had a great time but I lost my cell phone can you look for it in the limo or party bus.It never fails I remember one time A bunch of the Cardinals cheer leaders had rented a limo in Phoenix(rough job but it’s a living)and after I had dropped them off and was on my way back to the office I heard a funny sound.
There were like a dozen cell phones going off with all different ring tones. I couldn’t help but laugh. Then when I got back to the yard I found them all and put them in the office while I cleaned the limo. After getting done with my cleaning I went back in the office it was about 3:30am and those phones were still going off.
I decided to answer them and let the person know that we had their phone and to come down and pick it up on Monday. Well a lot of the calls were the cheer leaders boyfriends looking for their ladies. I simply told them to let their girlfriends know we had their phones and to call me.
Monday morning all of the girls called and I told them all to come down at 5:00pm to pick up the phones. Then I got all of the chauffeurs together and had them come down to the office to WATCH THE PARADE!
 Cardinal Cheer Leaders get a Limo in Phoenix It was great, all of these hotties coming down 1 by 1 to get their phones. The drivers loved it and we all had a great laugh even the girls that came down. All work and no fun makes Frankie a dull boy.
So give us a call and reserve a limo in Phoenix area so you can lose your cell phone too! Just kidding and to all of my readers have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: limo rentals arizona, limos in phoenix, limos in Scottsdale, party bus in Phoenix, party bus in Scottsdale
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Monday, November 8th, 2010
Need a limousine for your wedding?
I remember looking for a limousine for my wedding, before I started this company of course. So I understand when potential clients call and are hesitant to make a reservation.
I remember asking the same questions and saying the same things I hear everyday:
* “We just need a ride to the reception and it’s only a couple of miles away.”
* “I just need a transfer for my bride and I after the reception, I don’t need a limo for the whole night.”
So I try to be sympathetic to client when they call. Let’s face it after all the money they have already spent on the wedding and everything that goes with it the last thing they want to do is spend money on the limousine.
 Arizona Wedding That is a decision you will have to make, whether or not having that comfort on the biggest day of your life is worth it. There are a lot of pro’s to having your transportation handled by a professional on your wedding day and there is really only one con and that is the cost.
It really is affordable, we have packages for weddings in Arizona that start under $300.00. In the grand scheme of things it really is worth it to have that added piece of mind on your wedding day.
Please give us a call and at least get a better idea of what your transportation needs are so you can make that decision of whether or not a limousine is something you would choose to do.
I want you to know that your wedding is special to us and that we are going to do a great job for you and your guests.
Signing off,
Frankie
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Monday, October 25th, 2010
Here is a recent email we received regarding our limo and party bus service:
“Joey, I have to say we had the BEST DRIVER for our activity. Frank was polite, fun, flexible and really an AWESOME representative for your company. He helped to make our very special day run smoothly and I could not appreciate it more. I know the next time I am in Arizona Platinum Ride Limo service is the only service I will use especially if Frank is the driver… Thank you so much.
Dawn”
 Bachelorette Parties in Arizona This was a bachelorette limo party in Arizona that I had the privilege of driving. It was a 12 hour, day long event! What a great group of ladies, they were all from New Orleans and it just so happens the bride got married the same day the Cardinals played the Saints out here at University of Phoenix Stadium. I gave them a lot of grief the whole day about how we would beat down their Saints and we did!
They were a great group and the event was so well planned out by Dawn. They did the spa thing, then they went off to an exotic dancing instructional class and lastly they went out to a jazz club in central Phoenix to the wee hours of the morning. These girls wore me out, but they were such a pleasure to serve.
Dawn I want to thank you very much for trusting Platinum Ride Limousine Arizona with your special day and for trusting us with your guests. It was my sincere pleasure and please remember my Cards beat those Saints on your girls wedding day.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: bachelor party limos, bachelorette party limos, limo companies, limos in phoenix, limos in Scottsdale, Wedding Limos
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Thursday, September 16th, 2010
If you want the cheapest limo or party bus I can get you the number to several companies in town that are cheaper than Platinum Ride Limos & Party Buses.
 Platinum's Chrysler 300 Does it surprise you that I say that?
We tell clients all the time that we know we aren’t the cheapest limousine company in town. In today’s economy you can imagine that it is a cut throat market. There are guys out there quoting prices that are ridiculously cheap and the truth is it’s too good to be true. The fact is they know by the time you figure it out it’ll be too late. They will be there to pick you up and you will have your guests and there won’t be anything you can do about the 20 year old, smoking, clanking party bus that arrived for your big night out.
At this point you concede the mistake you have made and make the best of it right? That’s until it breaks down on the freeway and now you’re all dressed up with no place to go. Now you are stuck in a crappy 20 year old puke-wagon waiting for a tow truck. What a nightmare right!
Unfortunately, it happens don’t let it happen to you.
Here are some suggestions that will help:
- Ask the year, make and model of the vehicle (they might say it’s a new conversion which isn’t the answer, you want to know the year of the limo or party bus)
- Ask to view the vehicle at their office location (a reputable company should have viewing hours for potential clients)(pics on a website always look good)
- Pay with a credit card (if they demand cash that’s a RED FLAG)
- Look for reviews online (past clients will tell you about their experience and shed some light on the reputation of that company)
Platinum Ride Limos & Party Buses has been in business for almost 10 years now and is family owned and operated. We have the newest fleet of limousines and party buses in the valley. We have also been rated as a “TOP 10 OPERATOR” for the entire time we’ve been in business. “A” rating with the BBB and no bad reviews online. We have an excellent reputation for providing great service.
 Party Bus in Arizona  Party Bus Interior I want you to know that we intend to earn your trust and respect. We’re gonna do a great job for you.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: limo companies, limo company, limo company reviews, limo rentals arizona, limos arizona, limos in phoenix, party bus in Phoenix, party bus in Scottsdale, Phoenix Limo Companies
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Homecoming dances are coming up and we are getting a ton of email requests for limos and party buses here in phoenix. This is the time of year when I try to give some good advice to students and parents looking for prices for transportation to the school dance.
- Call 7-10 limousine companies in the phoenix metro area.
- Look for online reviews, previous clients are the best way to judge a company you are considering.
- When calling don’t focus on the price, ask about the company how long have they been in business, what year are the vehicles in their fleet, can you go down and take a look at the vehicles, etc…
- Use a credit card to make your reservation! If you don’t, ask yourself what your going to do if the company does not show up?
- Most reputable companies will have you sign a contract or terms and conditions agreement. This is good for both you and the company you have chosen. Everything should be in writing so you are all on the same page.
 Recent school dance After you have made your calls and checked online reviews you should be down to a couple of companies. Ask yourself if the prices you had been getting and the pricing of the companies you have left to choose from are in line with the others. When you make these calls you should have a decent idea of the ballpark price.
If a price seems too good to be true (RED FLAG) If the company won’t let you see the vehicle (RED FLAG) If the company requires cash (RED FLAG) If you see a company with no reviews on line (RED FLAG)
Take you time and be diligent in your search because if you aren’t, or simply choose the cheapest limo company you may be disappointed when they don’t show up, or show up late, or show up in an old junky limo or party bus, or the driver shows up in a polo shirt and jeans, or any number of things. It happens more often than you may think and you will be the one who has to explain what happened to those kids and their parents.
Platinum Ride Limos & Party Buses has been in business for almost 10 years now. We have been ranked as a “TOP 10” operator almost that entire time. If you look online you are going to see a ton of great reviews from our past clients, I am not aware of any bad reviews online.
Google our name, (Platinum Ride Limousines Phoenix reviews or Platinum Party Bus phoenix reviews) and you can search through.
Everyone here wants the same thing, for our guests to have a great experience with us and we have been successful because of our dedication to the service we provide.
I hope you will give us the opportunity to serve you, we are gonna do a great job for you.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: graduation limos, limos in phoenix, limos in Scottsdale, limos phoenix, limousines arizona, party bus in Phoenix, party bus in Scottsdale
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Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Most people that call Joe and I have never reserved a limousine or party bus before. They call several companies and get a bunch of prices. Then they look through their notes and don’t know who they talked to or what kind of vehicles the prices they got were for.
It’s rather confusing and frustrating I know.
Here are some questions the limo company should ask you:
 coolest limo interiors
- What day and times are you looking for service?
- What’s the occasion?
- How many passengers will there be?
Here are some questions you should be asking:
- What type of limousine or party bus are you giving me a quote for?
- What year is the vehicle?
- How long has your company been in the transportation business?
- What type of insurance do you have?
- Do you do background checks and drug screens on the drivers?
- What can I expect if I reserve a limousine with your company?
- Can I come down and see the vehicles in your fleet?
- Is your company a member of any associations?
Use the answers to these questions to weed out the good from the bad. Then go online and look for reviews of the companies you are considering. You can find reviews on for companies at google local business center, insider pages.com, phoenix.citysearch.com and limos.com.
Reputation matters because it goes to the heart of every question you should ask a potential company.
My brother Joe and I have been doing this for almost 10 years now and I want you all to know something:
We are gonna do a great job for you.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: limo companies, limo company reviews, Wedding Limos
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Thursday, July 15th, 2010
I get a call from my brother last week and he tells me he saw a trailer on TRU TV for a reality show about LIMO BOB. Limo Bob is a character who owns a limo company in Chicago and he is crazy.
He is the Mr. T of our industry, gold chains and all. Well we watched it and I have to say it was one of the dumbest things I have ever watched on TV and I have 4 kids, I watch stupid stuff on TV all the time.
There were several story lines in the show that are just not believable. In every story Limo Bob’s wife rushes into his office and out of breath tells him there is a last minute occasion and the client needs a limo ASAP!!!
Like they are some kind of superhero Limo Company coming to the rescue.
Then he summons a driver and the LIMO BOB machine goes full throttle to make it to the last minute run. From that point craziness ensues, at one point a SWEET 16 birthday party trashes the limo and LIMO BOB comes to the drivers rescue and a fight breaks out where the stretch Chrysler 300 limo gets the windshield bashed in by the client and her dad with a baseball bat. LIMO BOB and his henchmen wrestle the clients and demand payment.
Another story line was a birthday party where clients booked an H2 Hummer Limo and it was full of cross dressers getting frisky with the driver. Hey, I don’t judge, money’s green no matter what you’re wearing or who you date, I always say.
This limo company even offers what they refer to as a “MIDGET MATRE’DEE” Which is a little person running up and down the aisle of the limo serving drinks.
I can tell you first hand that this business has thrown me for a loop over the years and I can spin you some limo stories you wouldn’t believe, but that show was totally over the top. This show makes limo guys look bad “NOT REALITY, ACTUALITY” is the TRU TV motto but there isn’t anything actual or real about it.
Call me and reserve a Phoenix limo and I’ll tell you a story that is real.
Signing off,
Frankie
Tags: limo company, limo rentals arizona, limos in Scottsdale, limos phoenix, limousine company, party bus in Phoenix, sweet 16 limo, Wedding Limos
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Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
It is another hot July and that is when the mass exodus out of Phoenix begins. My brother Joey and I are stuck here running the limo biz.
Are you still stuck here too? Maybe you are boycotting California and staying in town? LOL
If you are looking for a great deal on a limo rental or party bus rental, now is the time to call Platinum Ride Limos & Party Buses. Our summer rates for limos rentals in Arizona and party bus rentals in Arizona are the lowest they will be all year.
If you are going to a concert, or hitting the clubs in Scottsdale get your group together and all pitch in for a limo night on the town.
Have a Stay-cation, enjoy all the great venues we have right here in town. We have great restaurants, clubs, and venues that also have great deals for all us locals.
We look forward to serving you and remember people that no matter who you are and what you do to live thrive and survive, there are still some things that make us all the same, you, me, them everybody, everybody!
(Movie: Blues Brothers)
Signing off, Frankie
Tags: limos arizona, limos phoenix, limousines arizona, limousines phoenix
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