50-50

Those are your odds of picking a limousine company with a Better Business Bureau rating of either A or B according to my informal survey of the bbb.org website I just concluded.

Grouped with other "Transportation Services" providers, I found 49 local limousine companies listed within a 10 mile radius of zip code 95864. Of those, 18 had a rating of A (including Luxury Limousines!), 8 had a B rating, 19 were listed but had failed to supply the BBB with information to rate them, and 4 (including some of the largest in terms of fleet size) received an F grade, largely due to their failure to respond to consumer complaints.

If you look further, 5 of the 49 limousine companies (including this one), had taken the extra steps to become an "Accredited Business". All 5 of us had A ratings. That means if you take these 5 out of the general population of limo companies, you have less than a 50% chance of getting a business with an A or B rating, and in fact have almost a 10% chance of choosing a company with an F rating.

The bottom line seems to be clear - checking out a potential limousine company can prevent a decision you may later regret.

Dream Wedding Show is this Sunday

The last major wedding show of this season happens this Sunday at Cal Expo. Admission is only $10, and includes three different bridal fashion shows. The first show begins at 10:15, and the exhibits are open from 11 - 4.

Please visit both are cars which will be located outside between the buildings, as well as our booth, which is right inside the door of Building 2 - which is actually the first building that contains exhibits. In other words, you really can't miss us, nor should you, as we will be offering specially priced limousine wedding packages that are designed to fit your budget.

KCRA A List

I want to thank everyone who has so far voted for us as the Best Limousine service in Sacramento, and especially those who have left such great praise for our cars, service and chauffeurs.

If you would like to vote for us, simply follow this link.

Savor Sonoma Valley

On March 21st & 22nd, 18 wineries will be participating in the "Savor Sonoma Valley". This event features barrel tastings of the wineries latest vintages for only $55 per person. The admission price also includes food provided by some of Sonoma's best restaurants.

If you have not made it over to Sonoma, it is well worth the extra few minutes it takes to get there from Sacramento. Some of our favorite wineries there are Chateau St. Jean (as much for their grounds as for their wonderful wines!), Kaz (most fun I have had in a barn in years!) and Blackstone (I don't like sweet wines - except for their Malvasia Bianca - last time we were there, we brought home three cases!).

For more information about this event, click here.

Moving Day!

We moved to a new location today - 910 Striker Ave. Suite D. Sriker is just north of the intersection of 80 & Northgate. The new location includes a 7000 square foot warehouse and 500 square feet of offices. Our phone numbers did not change, and we will be fully operational in the morning.

Once we are completely settled in, we will be hosting an open house. Check back here for details.

Furlough Friday video

Here is a video as seen on Fox 40 of our Furlough Friday promotion with KHTK.

Luxury Limousines announces award for environmental perfomance

Our commitment to run environmentally conscious transportation company is starting to receive recognition. We recently received the Green Ride Global Award for Environmental Excellence for Overall Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction. In the last year, we have achieved a 10% reduction in our emissions by increasing our fleets fuel efficiency, reducing our electrical consumption and by adding a hybrid vehicle to our fleet.

Here is a link to the full press release.

Furlough Friday Get-a-Ways

Tomorrow is the first of our Furlough Friday's promotion with Sports 1140's Rise Guys. Furloughed workers from the state or for that matter anyone who is out of work can qualify for a day of golfing and great food, and maybe even a little networking that just might lead somewhere down the line.

For more information, check out KHTK's website.

Want to ride like the Pres?

Well, now you to can be safe from land mines, hand grenades and even 7.62 millimeter Full Metal Jacket rounds designed to pierce armour. Base models start at just over $200,000, but if you want "The Big O" (my term, not theirs), you will need to add a comma and a zero to the price tag!

If you are interested, here is a link to the manufacturer's press release announcing the vehicle as well as to their website. Or simply check out this video of a recent Toyota Tundra conversion - I especially like the road spikes that always land upright!

Correction on my blog post regarding Thunder Valley Buses

Yesterday I blogged about a Sacramento Bee article which stated that 10 of 13 buses owned by Thunder Valley Casino had been taken out of service due to violations found during a CHP inspection. Today however, the Bee has corrected its story as the buses in question were not in fact owned by the casino buy by "six or seven " charter companies and not the casino.

Today's article goes on to detail some of the 74 violations that were found. These included:

1. Cracked wheels
2. Loose lug nuts
3. Brake deficiencies
4. And in one case, finding that the emergency exit had been wired shut with a clothes hanger

Interestingly, the link to the prior Bee article discloses there error, while the online version of today's article does not mention it. I guess that passes for journalistic integrity these days.

Thunder Valley Bus Fleet Fails CHP Inspection

Just a month ago, I blogged about how we had passed our annual CHP inspection. Unfortunately, Thunder Valley Casino's fleet apparently wasn't as well maintained.

According to today's Sacramento Bee, 10 of their 13 buses were ordered off the road after an inspection last week. The Bee goes on to state that there were a total of 74 violations. The number and severity of the violations is somewhat surprising, as I would have thought that after last year's horrific bus accident that involved another casino, all of the local casinos would have immediately had their fleets reinspected.

The Bureaucrats at SFO are at it again!

I previously blogged about how hard and expensive it is to get our cars licensed to pick up passengers at the San Francisco Airport. In addition under rules just passed, limousine companies are now allowed to put their logos on their cars. However, the logos can be no more than six inches wide by two inches long. In other words, when looking to identify our cars, passengers would need a telescope!

While I am not a big fan of having our company name plastered all over our cars (see how we do it in the accompanying picture), I really don't see why it is anyone's business, especially an airport to attempt to regulate an independent business in such a manner.

Valentine's Day

I just checked the schedule, and we still have some cars available for Valentine's Day on Saturday. If you want to surprise your sweetheart, there is no better way than to do so than have her answer an unexpected knock on the door to find a chauffeur and a limo awaiting her.

Our cars always come stocked with either a bottle of Champagne or Sparkling Cider. In addition for Valentine's Day, we will also provide a dozen roses of the color of your choice.

Congratulations Shannon W!

Shannon was the winner of our grand prize drawing at today's Bridal Expo at The Radisson.

As the winner, Shannon will receive four hours of free limousine service to use in connection with her upcoming wedding this May. For your chance to win this same package, simply visit our booth at the upcoming Dream Wedding Show at Cal Expo on March 1st.

Bridal Expo

I just got back from the Bridal Expo at the Radisson. In addition to meeting potential customers, these expos are a great place to meet other wedding professionals.

The top picture is of David Rowen, one of our favorite wedding photographers. We have had the privilege of working with him on several weddings in the past, and hope to so again very soon. The middle features Gaby & Mimi from Mimi and Company, providers of exquisite lines and chair covers and the bottom picture is of Erin, Jason and Candice of Fresh & Quick Catering.

Bridal Shows!

Tomorrow is the 2nd of at least five wedding shows that Luxury Limousines in be participating in. The show tomorrow is the Bridal Expo and is being held at the Radisson. It is sponsored by the Association for Wedding Professionals and runs from noon to 5PM. For more information including a list of exhibitors, check our the show's site by clicking here.

The next show will be the Dream Wedding Show on March 1st. This show is held at Cal Expo, and although it will be much larger than tomorrow's Bridal Expo. However, all of the exhibitors are by invitation only. This show opens at 11AM and runs through 4PM, and will feature three different Bridal Fashion Shows.

On March 8th at 12:30, David Girard Vineyards will host a wedding workshop. This event promises to be very intimate, and of course will have the added benefit of being held a beautiful winery, that just might be the perfect spot for your wedding.

On March 15th, our Friends at Dynamite Weddings will host a hands-on workshop at the Tsakopoulos Library Gallery from 10AM to 4PM. Once again, vendors at this show are by invitation only.

Stuck In Lodi Again!

If John Fogarty happens to find himself "Stuck In Lodi Again", he might not be in such a hurry to leave town. The reason? One word - WINE!

The Lodi Appellation, which was first recognized in 1986, now grows 18% of all of California's wine grape production. In other words, you might not have realized at the time, but chances are that have drank from grapes grown in this region.

To check it out yourself, we suggest you attend the 12th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend coming up on the 14th and 15th. Over 40 wineries will be participating and tickets are only $35 if purchased in advance. For more information check out their website here.

Our environmental fooprint continues to shrink!

We just received our Third Quarter Environmental Sustainability Report from Green Ride Global. The report shows our fleet related Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions have decreased year to date by 10%, even while our mileage has increased by 72%.

In addition, we have also increased our average miles per gallon from 13.2 in the third quarter of 2007 to 16.7 MPG in the third quarter of 2008. This is a whooping 26% improvement!

Luxury Limousines is the only Sacramento area transportation company to belong to Green Ride Global and its worldwide referral network of environmentally conscious limousine providers. If you would like to review a copy of our report, or would like to know more about our environmental efforts, please contact our office.

Tom Daschle Video

I don't usually cross post between my two blogs, but this Tom Daschle video touches both. Unless you are an Arizona Cardinals fan and have still not recovered from Sunday, you probably know by now that former Senator Daschle had to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health & Human Services because of tax issues, including failing to report income from the free use of a car and driver.

What you may not know and what I find as extremely ironic, is that Mr. Daschle actually made a 1986 campaign video in which he declines the use of a limousine and rather drives himself to work in his old beater - a smoke belching (and environmentally unfriendly) 1971 Pontiac. Here is the video:

Valentine's day reminder

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and if you don't have your dinner plans already, you may find that your favorite restaurant is already booked up. However, never fear, as Luxx Limo has you covered!

We have partnered with Arden Hills Club & Spa to offer a luxurious spa package which includes a couples massage, dinner at Mangos, a night in The Villas and limousine transportation from your home to Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa with a return on Sunday morning.

Just call our office at 489-5899 or email lisa@luxxlimo.com to make your reservation.

Winter Wine & Food Festival Roundup

Here we are on our way to last night's Winter Wine & Food Festival which was held for the benefit of the Make a Wish Foundation.

Over 100 wineries and restaurants participated, including some of the best that Northern California has to offer. Wineries included Silver Oak and its sister winery Twomey, Harbison and much to my particular delight, Gemstone. Restaurants included Chris Webber's Center Court, Hawks and Morton's which furnished the food for the VIP Area during the live auction.

Speaking of the live auction, we donated four limousine rides. Each of these were combined with dinner and wine at one of the area's leading restaurants. These four auction items raised over $10,000 for the organization. Make a Wish did not have final numbers, but judging from the attendance and the spirited live auction bidding, they are hopeful of exceeding there expectations, which considering the economy, is a very good thing!