ComplaintsforVeterans Limo

• Initial Complaint

  06/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 22nd May 2022 my wife made a reservation online with Veterans Limo (VL) to pick me up from flight Southwest 4043 arriving at Tampa airport at 8.00 am on 5/23/2022. The flight was on time and the driver of an unmarked car approached me outside the airport shortly after 08.25 am, stated that he was with VL and put my luggage in the trunk. Shortly before we left the driver had a cell-phone call and then told me that I had to pay "an emissions surcharge" of $20. In spite of my protests he said that he would not take me, unless I paid him despite the fact that VL had been paid $65.00 when my reservation was made. When I insisted that it was nonsense he gave me his cell-phone to talk with his manager, who only repeated that I would not be taken unless I gave the driver $20. I was quite angry but also very tired (I am 86 y) so i agreed but the driver then said that it had to be cash As I did not have $20 on me, he suggested that we stop at a bank teller machine and withdraw some. We subsequently stopped at the Publix on Walsingham Rd. where I withdrew $40.00 and gave him $20.00. He did not offer me a receipt but continued to my destination in the Shipwatch Communuty near Indian Rocks beach. I am certain that the' Emissions Surcharge" was a fabrication and that I was de-frauded of $20. I have called VR twice but was told on the first occasion that the owner purportedly 'Carlos' would call back, which he has not and on the second occasion that 'Carlos' was in Puerto Rico on vacation. to

  Business response

  08/25/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 7, 2022/06/27) */ This response was taken verbally by the BBB: When the reservation was filled out on line it was noted that the consumer would pay the tip in cash so this was not added on to their billing. Consumer Response /* (3000, 9, 2022/06/27) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Both the driver and the 'Dispatcher' insisted thatthe additional$20 was -in their words - "An emissions surcharge" . My wife subsequently informed me that Veterans Limo telephoned her, as I was sitting in the car ar the airport, that I was refusing to pay a tip of $20. They made no mention to her of an 'emissions surcharge" and did not tell me that it was a $20 tip that they wanted from me, in advance of even starting the journey. Had they told me that it was a tip of $20 that they wanted, in advance, I would have told them that it was unethical to do so. Veterans Limo quite clearly coerced me into giving them $20 on the basis of a false statement that it was to pay a presumably Stae requirement. This business behaved disgracefully and should not be allowed to operate out of Tampa Airport. At the very least BBB should ensure that this incident goes on record and is available to warn other travellers who are searching for a limo to meet them at Tampa Airport. at Tampa Airport.

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