What Sets Four Seasons Concierge Apart From An App-Based Service?

26 Dec What Sets Four Seasons Concierge Apart From An App-Based Service?

Posted at 23:37h in Uncategorized by Sam Rubin 0 Comments

The Difference is in the Service, Reliability & Professionalism without the SURGE…

Our clients ask us daily for our thoughts on Uber, Lyft, and other TNCs. (TNC or Transportation Network Company is the legal name for companies such as Uber and Lyft).

We have 19 reasons why we think Four Seasons Concierge in Salt Lake City, Utah and Park City, Utah is superior to a TNC. Please note, every TNC has different policies, so not every reason applies to every TNC.

1. WE ARRIVE EARLY AND WAIT FOR YOU

Our goal with all our limousines and car services is to be on location and waiting 10 to 15 minutes prior to your reservation time. Then when you are ready, we can get moving. Our wait time doesn’t begin until 15 minutes after reservation time. In this aspect, we are old-fashioned and proud of it.

Conversely, TNCs are the opposite. They expect you to request a car and wait for them. There is always a risk that a car is unavailable or it’s far away. Then you need to “babysit” the car, to ensure it will arrive. You need to make sure that the vehicle is moving and eventually on the way. After that, continually monitor the vehicle to make sure it doesn’t cancel. In addition, the Driver may call you to ask your destination and decide whether or not to pick you up or cancel the ride altogether. Then finally, the Driver knows that if you are not present within 5 minutes, they will speed away to collect a cancellation fee leaving you to start the process all over again.

2. WE PROPERLY VET OUR CHAUFFEURS

Four Seasons Concierge Chauffeurs must pass a drug test and are subject to random drug tests. We do a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check with fingerprinting. We do not hire Felons or former Felons. The prospective Team Member is interviewed in person face to face with our Senior Management team. Once hired, they begin our Certified Chauffeur training program, where we ride with the employee to evaluate driving skills, spend an extensive amount of time with them with a combination of classroom and hands-on experience. We require that our employees fill out an proper IRS forms verifying their eligibility to work in the United States as a part of our pre-employment screening. Our Chauffeurs must qualify for our insurance policy with no DUI’s and 2 or less moving violations in three years.

TNC’s do NOT drug test, do NOT do FBI/TSA background checks but they DO hire former felons. TNC’s do NOT interview face to face or require any kind of driving skills evaluation or provide any continued and on-going training. It’s unclear what kind of driving record is accepted. They do NOT even check if a driver can legally work in the US. They simply require a driver’s license and an internal background check. Then they are off driving people for hire. TNC’s need millions of drivers, screening out drivers is not in their interest.

3. PROFESSIONAL CHAUFFEURS

Four Seasons Concierge Chauffeurs are full-time professional Chauffeurs who view their job as a career. They are trained, coached, supervised, and friendly. They are uniformed in a black & white suit with a tie. Our Chauffeurs truly care about the safety, comfort and overall experience that our Clients receive and are dedicated to exceeding that expectation (this is how we earn your repeat business). We like our Chauffeurs to be friendly and engage in conversation, however, they also understand that our clients may prefer not to talk or be bothered. We understand your need to get work done or just relax after a long trip. Our Chauffeurs understand the importance of keeping your affairs confidential. They are instructed to be discreet and to not discuss your private conversations with the next passenger in the vehicle, colleagues or other clients. Our Chauffeurs’ number one goal is to get you to your destination in a timely and SAFE manner. They are trained not to tailgate, drive aggressively or erratically and to obey traffic laws.

4. NO SURGE PRICING

We offer fixed flat rate prices. We do NOT charge extra for the time of day, high demand or day of the week.

After an event, TNC’s almost always charge you a surge rate for a ride. Most times the surge rate on a standard TNC is equal to or exceeds our transfer rates. The same holds true for the SLC Airport, Community Events, Concerts, Ute Football Games, Etc… TNC’s have lower rates going to SLC Airport and then the rates skyrocket for a pick up at the Airport.

5. WE PROMPTLY RETURN LOST ITEMS

We will do our best to return any lost item in a prompt manner, often same day or overnight shipping. Our Chauffeurs are trained to check the vehicle at drop off location and to inspect it for forgotten items. However, sometimes a phone or other article will slip down in a seat or elsewhere and get overlooked. Give us a call and we will make arrangements for returning your items as fast as possible.

There is no worse feeling than getting dropped off at the airport and realizing you left your phone or wallet in the car.

We have strict policies and training in place to ensure our entire team goes above and beyond to return your belongings.

Imagine doing that and that awful feeling of not knowing how to track down the random TNC driver. With a TNC, it is unlikely to get your item back in a timely manner before your flight leaves or get it back at all.

6. WE DO NOT HIRE FELONS

This speaks for itself. We are all for giving Felons a second chance, after all, they served their time, but perhaps their first job out of prison should be in a more supervised position.

It’s not responsible to send a convicted Felon to pick you up and take you to the airport for vacation while knowing your house will be unoccupied for a few days. This situation could lead to trouble and has been a huge topic in the media recently about TNC drivers.

Our goal in hiring chauffeurs is hiring quality, not quantity. This provides us the longevity to build a Career path for our team, which allows you to get familiar with them and often have the same Chauffeur over a long period of time and multiple trips.

7. NO DRIVER CANCELLATIONS

Four Seasons Concierge Chauffeurs do not cancel on you! We like to make sure we have accurate information, which is why we will call and confirm the details 24 hours prior to the reservation. Approximately 120 minutes before (as well as 24 Hours before) the scheduled pick up time, you should receive an email with with the Chauffeurs name and phone number. In addition, there will also be a text that will allow you to track the arrival of your vehicle. After you receive the text from your Chauffeur that he/she is on the way, rest assured he/she will be there.

No need to keep checking your app to make sure your driver is moving or still on route.

Of course, YOU can cancel your reservation if needed, just contact our 24/7/365 Dispatchers via text, phone or email (that right, with us you can reach a live person anytime).

Have you ever tried to call a TNC or their Dispatch Department?

8. WE ARE COMMERCIALLY LICENSED & INSURED, HAVE PERMITS AND OPERATE LEGALLY

We are licensed and regulated by the State of Utah and Park City, by complying with all fees and permits. They make sure our vehicles are properly registered and insured and that we comply with laws. We are a trusted and permitted to pick-up and drop-off at the Salt Lake City International Airport. To get a SLC Airport Badge, we must go through a lengthy application process and get approved by the City, Airport Authority and Homeland Security. In addition, all vehicles must be documented and registered with them and proper insurance is regularly checked.

TNC’s still operate in the “gray” area. Legally their vehicles should be commercially registered and insured, but few are. TNC drivers at minimum need a TNC endorsement on their insurance policies, but few do, driving up the cost of insurance costs for everyone. They are also involved in a federal antitrust lawsuit claiming they are price fixing and controlling rates and fees for their contractors.

9. WE COST LESS

Sure, when you compare a random person driving a compact economy car to our service, TNC’s are sometimes cheaper. But when you compare Four Seasons Concierge service to what they consider the same class of service (Uber/Lyft LUX SUV), we are 30 – 45% cheaper. While delivering a dynamically different experience while offering proper insurance, duty of care and a level of customer service that is unsurpassed. Our prices never surge! After most community events and pickups at the Airport there will almost always be a substantial surge price. It’s very common for Four Seasons Concierge’s cost to be less than a standard TNC.

10. WE HAVE A PHONE

That’s right, you can call us anytime. Four Seasons Concierge has a full-time team of in-house customer service representatives and dispatchers. Not an answering service, not someone in a foreign country. If you ever need to get a hold of us, we are here 24/7/365. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service in a timely manner!

You will NEVER find a phone number for a TNC and trying to contact them through the app is frustrating at best. Customer service is not in their vocabulary.

11. SPECIAL REQUESTS

For a small service charge, we can supply special requests in the vehicle. Whether you want flowers, your favorite drink or food… we can do it! Do you need the driver to run an errand while you are in a meeting… we can do it! We try to accommodate most anything you need!

12. EASE OF MIND

We email a confirmation at the time of making a reservation, when your Chauffeur is assigned, 24-hours before your ride, 2 hours before your ride, as well as a text from Chauffeur when on the way and upon arrival. You can even track your Chauffeur on the app.

Sometimes on early morning pickups, TNC cars are not available or they cancel on you. TNCs make reservations, but if there is not a car in the area to take the reservation, they do not show up.

13. NEWER LUXURY WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLES

Our majority of our luxury fleet of vehicles are less than 3 years old. We offer a diverse fleet of options including Full Size SUVs, Passenger Vans, Executive Shuttles, and even a Luxury Mini Bus. All of our fleet options are luxurious, and offer a smooth ride and offer a great amount of space. All vehicles are equipped with umbrellas, bottled water, and a professional Chauffeur.

Our vehicles are inspected and maintained on a monthly basis.

TNC vehicles are supposed to be inspected yearly, although there is no oversight or regulation here. However, going a full year with maintenance issues is a major safety issue!

TNC vehicles in Utah are up to 15 years old.

14. OUR COMFORTING AIRPORT PICK UP OPTIONS

Unlike TNC vehicles that make you cross through traffic and stand outside, we offer a variety of options when you arrive at the Airport.

With our “Meet and Greet” service, your chauffeur will greet you with a sign as you enter the baggage claim area.Watch this video for exact instructions: https://fsparkcity.com/airportinstructions. Our Chauffeur’s will be happy to assist with luggage if you have any and then walk with you to the vehicle.

With our standard “Curbside” service, just phone your Chauffeur once you have all your Luggage and they will pick you up directly outside of Baggage Claim–without having to stand outside or cross through busy traffic.

15. COMPLIMENTARY WATER

We stock each car with complimentary bottled water and an Amenity Kit (in case you are in need of a sewing kit, bleach pen, reading glasses…or something else…we have you covered!

16. CAR SEATS & BOOSTER SEATS

We offer complimentary Car Seats and Booster Seats. Just let our reservation representative know what you need!

TNC vehicles do not have these as options, so in most cases you have to bring your own–or possibly have the TNC Driver reject your ride if you do not have one yourself.

17. SNOW TIRES & AWD/4X4 Vehicles

Your safety is our top priority. During the Winter Months, all of our vehicles are equipped with Snow Tires. Often during Winter Storms, our Roads/Canyons go to “Snow Tire/Chains Required” status, and when this happens if the vehicle you are in does not have Snow Tires or Chains, they may be stopped by the Police/Highway Patrol and cited/denied access.

It’s important to note that the majority of TNC Vehicles and all Rental Cars also DO NOT have Snow Tires or provide Chains.

18. WE STILL OPEN YOUR CAR DOOR AND LOAD YOUR BAGS

Four Seasons Concierge believes that being courteous has not gone out of style! Step back and we will get the door, hold your bags and help you in/out if needed. When attending more formal events, it would be completely inappropriate not to have the door opened for you (we’re kind of old school like that). But there is a more important function here… safety. We always make sure traffic is cleared and you are safely in or out of the vehicle before closing/opening the door and finally departing.

Not surprisingly, the TNCs have had hundreds of instances where passengers have had their feet run over by their driver. Being in a hurry and carelessness should not be a part of your experience.

Our chauffeurs will also load/unload your luggage and assist in getting your bags to and from your home.

19. YOU CAN REQUEST A DRIVER

If you have a Chauffeur that you like or know, you can request that Chauffeur on a reservation. We will notate the request on the reservation and schedule accordingly subject to availability.

With a TNC, this is not possible… unless you do an “Off The Books” ride, which provide you no insurance coverage during the ride.