Proms

 Limo Transportation - Since 1988 -
the Capital Region Area of New York State's Most Reputable Transportations Service

Capital Region area's only local Transportation Broker 
We constantly strive for a touch of class with all transportation!
  Albany, Delmar, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Troy, Rensselaer, Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs

Reminder of refund policy:   No refund once any vehicle is accepted.
All deposits are non-refundable.    We have a $175 processing fee on all proms.

Vehicles are machines....if there is a breakdown - or machine not operating correctly -
we do all possible to obtain substitute vehicles.   Again, No Refund once any vehicle is accepted.
 

Section 1    Intro
Section 2    Parents & Student Info - Parents/Students mutual patience -Block Party - Reserve Early
Section 3    NYS Law re Alcohol/Smoking  and A Touch of Class Policy

Albany County Stop-DWI Program  message to Prom students & parents:
                                 "Create memories, not regrets.  Celebrate sober."  

Section 4    Procedure for Reserving Vehicles - Non-refundable Deposits/Payments/Cancellation/Refunds
Section 5    Prom Transportation Choices -  Most popular are the Bus/Coaches, 10 Psgr Limos, 6 Psgr SUVs/Vans & 4 Psgr. Sedans
Section 6    Complete Prom Quote Form -at bottom of page.   Necessary to obtain  quote. - Doesn't reserve vehicle. 
Section 7    Reminders and  Copy of Contract
Section 8:  Ideas on how to bring in extra Prom $$$

Teacher and Student Prom Organizers:  Call 438-4753 if you need a prom speaker at your school.  Party Experts:   Contact us if you need help planning  Proms, Homecoming events  and Teacher Retirement Parties.       Interns:  A Touch of Class Limos & Marketing always needs office interns and/or Community Service Volunteers for our bridal shows.    Call Maria Lanides, Show Manager, at 438-4753  for further info.

Fun reading for Mom & daughter -  Short Story by Maria Lanides -
"An Almost Magical Prom Night" -

______________ -

Section 1:  Intro -
                            1980s        -  Limo popularity grew -and more and more students used limos for proms.
                            1990s       -   By the late 90's more SUVs ordered than limos. 
                            2001-2005 - Students realized  it was OK to use any type of vehicle for their prom!                        
                            2006-2007 - more and more large groups decide on affordable 20, 30, 46 and 52 psg. coach/buses.
                            2006             Yellow School Bus gained popularity - Ask Parents to supply lots of Balloons!
                            2008-2010 -  Bus/coaches  very popular for Proms..........affordable 2 x 2 seating
                                                  no more climbing over others to get to your seat!
                                                  20, 30 , 46 and 54 passenger size buses.  

                                                  Prom  15, 20, 30, 46 psg  Party Buses available   -
                                                 
                                                 Convert any bus - even a Yellow School Bus  in to a  Party Bus
                                                 Bring a portable Strobe light and create a spectacular Party Bus Experience!

A Touch of Class Limos, everyone at your school, and all parents wish students  a fun and safe prom night!   To make sure parents/students alike have all the necessary info and...to save time....  It is best to forward all  necessary info obtained in order to book  a Prom vehicle - to everyone  in your Prom Vehicle.    

 During Prom Season - because so many students drove themselves during the 50s - everyone dreaded the Monday  news reports announcing  the devastating news of those prom students who died during a car crash on the previous weekend.   Sometimes students were lucky and only had broken arms and legs - others were not so lucky.     Limos became more popular in the 70's as a means of transportation for prom students.    Students knew how to drive carefully but they love to jibber-jabber with everyone in the vehicle on a prom night and don't always put all their attention to driving.    Parents do the same when they are with their friends on NYE and other occasions.   Adults use a designated driver or reserve limos/vans/SUVs/sedans when they go out to celebrate so they don't drink and drive. 

After 9/11, the limo industry went through many changes.    Corporate used more vans/SUVs/sedans rather than limos and prom students started to do the same.   In 2002 students started to order SUVs and Vans for Prom Night.     SUVs enjoyed a rapid growth in popularity nationwide.     In 2005, students used as many SUVs as they did  limos.   In 2006 bus/coach became popular for Prom Nights.   In 2007 - SUV use decreased and bus/coach transportation for proms increased.      In recent years,  students realized BUS/COACHES cost less per student than any other vehicle and that still holds true today.     Today - students will use a variety of vehicles for their proms such as:  sedans, 6 psg SUVs,  vans,  limos, bus/coaches and Party buses!   Bus/Coaches are comfy/comfortable with 2 by 2 seating, DVD players and cost less than Party Buses.   
Add an assortment of colored balloons and a few Strobe Lights and you have a Party Bus!

Remember - vehicles transport you to/from prom - and you don't spend the whole night in the vehicle of choice!  Don't over-burden friends/family with high costs!

Your friends and you -  create the Prom Memory!

Section 2:  Parents & Student Info   
First step for students/parents - to make it easier - forward all Prom vehicle info to those in your group!

PARENTS...do you know where your students are going???  Are there parents or other chaperones at each location before and after the prom???   Often students don't realize they are going to "un-chaperoned parties"!    Be patient with students...   it takes time for all of them to talk with one another to decide where they are going and what they will be doing.   Most students have never reserved a vehicle before and they do need your guidance.    Ask schools to release prom information ASAP (date, time, and location).

STUDENTS...do you realize the hurt you cause for your parents and to yourselves by not being where you are supposed to be???    Be patient with Parents...When your parents start asking questions on what you will be doing - talk with them - and ask them to help you with vehicle choices and reservations.   Remember - It is normal for parents to want to know where you'll be.   Avoid  problems/arguments....keep parents posted on all  plans - including Prom Plans!

Pre-Prom Block Party:  We gladly pick-up all passengers at their homes.  However, to save time, we suggest arranging for a Pre-Prom block party at one of the passengers homes.  Everyone can contribute little sandwiches, dips, chips and soda.   Remember  - parents & students want to have the memories captured in photos.....and having everyone at one location will give you extra time for photos for everyone!!!

We realize that students want to get to their proms as soon as possible, but pictures are a very important part of your evening. Be patient with your parents.

RESERVE  LIMOS  EARLY.  There are never enough SUVs and limos on any given Prom Night.  Four weeks notice required for prom contract cancellations.  Refunds where justified are given in service credits only.   Ask parents to call your school and ask office to release prom information ASAP (date, time, and location).
 

Section 3: NYS Law re Alcohol/Smoking  and A Touch of Class Policy
Non Alcoholic Champagne  -  In past years, parents have asked us to supply non-alcoholic champagne with fluted champagne glasses so students can pretend they are having real champagne.   Students are bubbly enough and can look forward to a fun and memorable prom night without having any liquid refreshments in prom limos.  In the past, we did served sodas, but there were too many occasions where prom gowns were stained and/or students spiked the sodas with alcohol.  We now have a "no liquid refreshments" policy in our prom vehicles and no one has reported problems because of "thirst".

Vehicles do not stop at stores for students.... 

NYS Law - No smoking  in vehicles
Chewing gum is not allowed in our limos.   It ruins, carpet, tuxedo and beautiful dresses!
 No liquid refreshments allowed with students under 21 years old.    No alcohol allowed anywhere in our vehicles! 
A Touch of Class Policy strongly upholds NYS Law.

PROM NIGHT IS an important  MILESTONE IN YOUR LIFE - follow rules and you will have great memories!
Duffel & Other bags go in the trunk.     Chauffeur may hand check/feel the outside of all bags prior to leaving each home.



Section 4:  Procedure for Reserving Vehicles -  Deposits/Payments/Cancellation/Refunds
After you complete a quote form and submit to us -  we will email you back a quote, and copy of our Prom Contract.    After you receive our Quote - if you want to reserve vehicle....then complete a contract   and fax/email us Prom Contract.

If you decide to reserve a vehicle with us for your Prom  Contract Must be filled out and emailed or faxed to our office.   Fax # at top of contract.    No cash refund without four weeks advance notice of cancellation.   Refunds if justified are given only in service credits.

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to hold prom vehicle.  After deposit is paid, it is best to divide up balance due and collect at least $25 per week  from each passenger until all funds have been collected from every student.   On prom night, students should have the amount for driver and gas ready to give on arrival   Specified amount will be given by office.   Deposit amount is deducted from cost per student.  Drivers always appreciate extra gratuity and students may give extra at final drop off location.  A Gas surcharge of  4-8% will be applied .  Surcharge amount determined by pick-up/drop-off locations and type of vehicle.

SEND/or bring in  FULL PAYMENT  AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  Do not delay getting your deposit and full payment in to the office.  Credit cards must be swiped in office.  Checks are accepted up to four (4) weeks prior to prom date.   Remember to show Prom date on all checks.   Cash is also accepted.

Our mid 90's Limos are always parked near 181 N. Main Ave and we encourage customers to drive by to see them.   As for the Bentley.......Always email or call for appointment ahead of time as we always keep the Bentley inside the garage.

The following Prom Night information should be sent to A Touch of Class Limos at least 10 days prior to Prom night.

1.   All directions for all pick up locations in order.   All Map Quest Directions to all pick up/drop off points as well as destinations must be emailed to office at least 1 week in advance. 

 2.  All pick up, arrival and end times (for pickup, walk in, prom, after prom party) must be emailed to office...... at least 10 days in advance.   

Note:   On occasion, we arrive late due to conditions beyond our control such as:  traffic/weather/previous wedding client running late.   WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GET TO PROM STUDENTS ON TIME.   Leave ample time after vehicle arrives.....for travel.......to all pick up locations.....and whatever else students are doing prior to walk in or prom.     No cash refund if less than four weeks notice to cancel vehicle.    $100 Service Processing fee  is non refundable at any time.   

__________________

Section 5: PROM TRANSPORTATION CHOICES -   Large bus/coaches more popular than limos!

 

Proms have many expenses. Discuss with family and friends   which method of transportation puts the least amount of pressure on everyone’s budget.  

Bus/coaches  VERY POPULAR - COST LESS per student.   - Cozy 2 by 2 seating.......DVD Player  - Bus/coaches are easier to get in and out.   No climbing over anyone to get to your seat!

Bus/coaches  very popular ..........20, 30 , 47 and 54 passenger size buses.   

 TOO MANY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE THEIR PROMS ON THE SAME DATES.   Therefore availability of limos are limited.    Often, there are more than 12 school  proms on the same night  and this is why there are never enough limos on any given prom night!

Using 2 SUV's for one group very popular in recent years & costs less than 1 large SUV or Limo.    We offer 6 passenger + driver size SUVs and Vans.  For large groups we "caboose" more than one vehicle together.  To caboose - means we take 2 or more vehicles and move everywhere together....one behind the other.

Lincoln Town Car Superstretch  - white
 Late model as well as Older "Retro" Rounded style - mid 90's ten psg. 120” super stretched limos.  

 

1963 Rolls Royce Bentley Austin Princess - white  (local only)  (Will know by April  1 -if available for 2010)
 Last model Rolls & Bentley built together. Seats 2-3 couples depending on weight of individuals.

_____________________
 

Section 6:   Quote Form