You have a big weekend coming up and you are going to take your in laws out for a night on the town in a limo. So does this mean that you have to break the bank or can you scout around for a good deal from the limo services that are available in your area?

Let's Make a Deal!

Of course limo services have a wide variety of service packages to select from and they are well used to people like yourself who are looking for a deal. So where and how do you start your bargaining and what is a good target to shoot for when you are looking to save some money?

Maybe Cheaper than You Thought

Believe it or not, the best place to start at the top. Ask them how much their top car and driver with a complete refreshment package in the back will cost you. It may turn out that it wasn't nearly as expensive as you thought, which means that you be able to afford to splurge after all.

Looking for that Deal

If the limo services top package turns out to be out of your league, then the best thing that you can do for yourself is to come clean with them and see what they have to offer you on a shoe string. Often times they will have an older car that the are looking to get some more miles out of that they can run you around in for cheap.

Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride

Don't worry though, because even an older limousine will look and ride just great if all that you want is a ride to a restaurant and a couple of night spots. It is important to bear in mind that a ride in a limo, any limo, is always special and there is just no mistaking that "big car" ride. So have fun and enjoy your evening out and don't forget to tip the driver if he has done his or her job adequately

Over the years, procuring the services of a limousine has become more in vogue. There was a time in fact when riding in a limousine was something that was confined exclusively to the very rich. However; in recent decades, limousine services have become far more affordable and accessible, which has in turn led to marketing changes.

Reserve As Early As Possible

It really is never too early to make your reservations but you should at least reserve a week in advance. Of course, any limousine service will take your business on a moments notice but you may not get the level of quality you had in mind with regards to the service or the vehicle that you had in mind.

A Few Things to Consider

When negotiating a price there will be several things that will be taken into consideration. The age and type of vehicle and refreshments will definitely be two of them. Time of course will also be another consideration that you will have to negotiate.

Adhere to Your Contract

Be aware though that any limousine service is in the business to make money, so what you negotiate for is what you will get. What this means if you don't want to see any extra charges on your bill you will have to adhere to your agreement just as well as they do.

You Pay for What You Get

For instance, should you hire a no frills service for two hours and you request an extra hour and also get into the refreshment bar for a couple of drinks you may and most likely will change the agreement completely. Even if it was only two drinks and an extra hour, the driver will point out that the extra hour was "unscheduled overtime pay" and the "two drinks" meant you now owe for the "wet bar service package". Ouch!!

So there you are, tooling down the road in the back of a stretch limousine with some friends or business associates and all including yourself are completely oblivious to the amazing history of the limo service its self. Think about for a second. For instance, where on earth did the name "limousine" even come from?

OK Everybody...Climb in!..It's Off to Another Show!

Actually, the very first stretch limos were created in Arkansas around the 1920's and were used by big bands to cart their equipment and musicians around the club circuit in the southern part of the US. However; it wasn't long before the public took notice and wealthy private parties began to have then made for their own persona use.

Pardon Me...Do You Have Any Grey Poupon?

However; the concept of an elegantly decorated carriage with two separate compartments hearkens back to Europe in the 1700's. It was back then that the landed aristocracy could be seen traveling the bumpy byways and river roads in just this type of extended horse drawn carriage pulled by only the finest horses.

Blame it All on the French

OK. So what about the name? After all, it does have to come from somewhere. The name actually is derived from the name of a French province by the name of "Limousin". Prior to modern designer goods and designer labels, this region of France was known as the source for a wide variety of exceptionally well made luxury goods such as woven tapestries and porcelain ware.

Sounds Good to Me

Thus, the name "Limousin" grew to be synonymous for anything that was of extremely high quality. So when the first "luxury stretch vehicles" were made, lacking for a name, somehow the name "limousine" became attached to them and it has stuck ever since.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why the green carbon free trend seems to have passed over the larger vehicles that are on the road? Sure they are now operating by much tighter fuel standards but go try to rent or buy a hybrid or fully electric hummer or large customized limousine.

The Technology is Available

The problem isn't that the technology is not available. In fact, it is. Arnold Schwarzenegger for instance, recently had a Hummer converted to green technology. The real hero of this new revolution is Neil Young that recently had his classic Lincoln converted to fully electric.

An 8,000 Pound Electric Lincoln

His car weighs in at four tons or 8,000 pounds but it is a high performance vehicle that will go over 100 mph. Also, it will accelerate from zero to sixty in five and a half seconds and will go sixty miles before needing to be recharged.

A Very Expensive Conversion

The problem, is that for a limousine service to adopt this level of technology into their vehicles just isn't cost effective at this time. For instance, the motor conversion alone in these types of heavy larger vehicles costs the owner over $100,000 and that just whats under the front hood.

A Limousine With No Trunk Space

Another problem at the moment is that the batteries and hydrogen or propane tanks completely fill the space that the trunk in a limousine now occupies. This would be a big problem for people who had luggage.

Get Ready for A Green Limousine Service

So for the time being, with the cost considerations and the other problems involved such as the vanishing trunk, a fully green limousine service will just have to wait. However; all that it would take is for the cost of gasoline to shoot up to $8 per gallon and it eventually will and you be seeing green limousine services springing up.

When you are looking to help my your son or daughter's prom night extra special, have you thought about renting a limo? There are plenty of things that you can do when you are looking to make sure that your teen enjoys the prom, and renting a limo, with the space and the sheer class that goes along with it, will be sure to delight your teen, but did you also know that it could very easily be a gift for you as well?

The truth of the matter is that while their children are off to have a great night of food and dancing, their parents are often at home worried sick! Sure, you trust your child, but you may not trust the circumstances that they find themselves under. Who is driving, and how far are they going? What do you need to think about when they are off on their own? These are just a few of the worries that a parent might face, and some of them can be taken away just by hiring a limousine.

In the first place, remember that the chauffeur for the limousine is a professional driver. He or she will be behaving in a professional capacity and they will be significantly safer than if they are being driven by someone who is younger or less experienced. This alone might make your time sitting at home more comfortable and less stressed out! If you are parent who worries a great deal, hiring a professional driver is something that you need to think about, so take some time and consider what a difference this could make.

You'll also find that there is a good chance that your child is going to be going in the company of friends, and this is a great way for them to all arrive at the prom together in style. This is a good way to make the night a little more special for all of them and you'll find they will be quite happy to hang out and to see what's going on with this treat. Also keep in mind that there will be no chance of them getting lost, either.

One of the parent's prime worries when prom night rolls around is drinking and driving. You have already told your teen about drinking and driving, but why not give yourself an extra margin of safety? Every parent has nightmares about their child getting into a car with a driver who is simply not safe, and with a chauffeured limo, you'll find that this is no longer something that you have to worry about.

Getting a limousine for your children when they go to the prom is a great way to give them a little treat and to buy yourself a little peace of mind as well. While their enjoying the luxurious surroundings, you'll find that you get to sit at home a little easier, knowing that they are going to get to where they are going and back again as safely as can be!