MnDOT offers tips on renting limousines, party buses for events

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Spring time brings a variety of events such as proms, graduations, weddings and outdoor sporting events. It’s the time of year when people rent buses, limousines and other passenger vehicles to get to their destinations. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has some tips about renting vehicles so the trip is safe.

“One of the best things to remember is to never book with a company that can’t show you their licensing and insurance credentials,” said Becky Ellinghuysen, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, which licenses and regulates more than 400 limousine operators and 350 passenger carriers in the state.

Ellinghuysen said limousine and party bus renters should check with MnDOT to make sure the operator is properly licensed and has the proper levels of insurance. MnDOT can also provide the carrier’s safety rating. All for-hire motor carriers of passengers and limousine service providers are required to carry commercial insurance and be registered with the state. To verify the information, call MnDOT’s Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations at 651-366-6330.

Once a company is chosen, potential renters should ask the company to see copies of the vehicle’s most recent annual vehicle inspection report, limousine or motor carrier of passenger certificate, and the cab card for each vehicle.

In the limousine industry, the quality and price of the services doesn’t always go hand in hand. Cheapest is not always the best option. The limousine or bus may not meet expectations. Persons should always ask to see the vehicle they are renting prior to signing a contract with the operator.

Other tips for choosing a safe and licensed limo/bus operator:

·         Shop for the best company. Contact MnDOT to get the company’s safety rating. Book only with companies that have a satisfactory rating. The rating indicates that the vehicles have been inspected and that the operator has safety management practices in place to ensure safe drivers and vehicles are being used.

·         Choose your ride. Figure out exactly how many people will be in your group. This will help to determine the type of vehicle you need. Ask the company to show you the specific vehicle you will be renting.

·         Get a signed contract. Reliable and professional services will provide a signed service contract.

·         Read the contract carefully. The contract should include terms such as cost, deposit required, refund and tip policies, pick-up and drop-off times, arrival and departure locations, specific type of limo requested, and services expected. 

Ellinghuysen also reminds renters that alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be consumed by or in the possession of a minor. Drivers typically monitor passengers to make certain that alcohol is not being used by a minor. If alcoholic beverages are found, the driver may choose to return the passengers to their original pick-up location.

MnDOT, along with local law enforcement, routinely conduct inspections of limousines and buses during special events, Ellinghuysen added.  For questions, contact MnDOT’s Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations at 651-215-6330.

BBB Offers Tips for Hiring a Professional Organizer

Burnsville, Minnesota – March 26 – The start of spring and the promise of warmer weather to come kindles enthusiasm in many people to create more organized living and work spaces But when it comes time to actually do the work, we realize organization takes more patience than some of us have and a professional organizer might be helpful. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota ® (BBB) offers tips to home and business owners before hiring someone to come into their space to sort through valuables and confidential paperwork. 

The following tips were compiled by Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota in consultation with the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)-Minnesota Chapter:

·         Check out companies at bbb.org before signing a contract.

·         Ask the organizer if they are a member of NAPO MN and about their credentials, experience and training.

·         Find out if the organizer is insured.

·         Ask the organizer to explain their process so you can gain a clear understanding of what they do and how they go about doing it.

·         Ask how you can best prepare for a professional organizer to come to your home or workplace. Find out specifically what the organizer needs from you (you may need to commit personal time to get your home prepared for the organization process).

·         Ask about the fee structure – is it by the job or by the hour?  Be clear about your budget and do not sign any contracts until you fully understand what is or isn’t included in the service.

·         Ask for clarification on what their services include, for example, purchasing of supplies for the organization process.

·         Think about what kind of person you want to work with (example: will you work best in a drill sergeant environment or with someone who treats you like a friend?). Ask the potential organizer about their style.

·         Ask for an estimate on how long the projects you have in mind will take to complete. Inquire about what might change/modify the timeline.

·         Find out how the organizer disposes of items removed from your home or office and if there are additional fees (are the items recycled, donated, shredded?). Make sure you feel comfortable with the plan – especially if items are personal or confidential in nature.

·         You can also visit napomn.com to review their code of ethics and to search for an organizer.

BBB Offers Tips to Black Friday Shoppers

Burnsville, Minnesota– November 19, 2014 –The Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner, and some retailers have already announced at least some of their Black Friday deals. Though more and more stores are opening their doors to shoppers on Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving – Black Friday – will remain one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is offering advice for people making plans to capitalize on Black Friday savings offers.

“Though the impact of Black Friday shopping might be at least somewhat diluted with some stores opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day, we still believe it will be a day where many folks will focus their holiday shopping – and bargain-hunting – efforts,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota.

The National Retail Federation forecasts that holiday sales will increase by more than 4% this year. As always, retailers will compete feverishly to get shoppers to visit their stores – and their websites! Whether you’ll be doing your holiday shopping on Black Friday or beyond, be sure to keep these BBB tips in mind to help ensure a satisfactory experience:

·         Research the company. Visit bbb.org or call 800-646-6222 to obtain free Business Reviews. Remember, BBB Business Reviews have been optimized for smartphones.

·         Getting the real deal.  Do you know if a sale is really a sale?  Many times companies boast “70 percent off,” but 70 percent off what? It always pays to comparison shop. If a company is advertising a “Going out of Business” sale, don’t automatically assume they are offering the best prices in town. Take the time to check prices on the same items at other stores. 

·         Search for Black Friday Ads Ahead of Time. Some retailers have ‘gone for it,’ announcing their Black Friday specials well in advance of Friday, November 28. Newspapers often have coupons that outline store discounts for Black Friday, and some specials are posted on the Internet. By keeping your eyes open and nose to the ground, you can sniff out deals others might miss.

·         Return policies, restocking fees and refunds.  Ask for the store’s return policy before you make your purchase. Companies are not required to give you your money back, but they need to post their return policy prominently near the cashier. Also, always ask about restocking fees, and save your receipts in one place so you don’t lose them.  Many companies will require you to produce a receipt for a return. Ask for a gift receipt.

·         Watch out for deals too good to be true. While many retailers offer ‘doorbusters’ – specials that are eye-opening – some websites offer suspiciously low prices on sought-after goods in an effort to entice shoppers into turning over their credit card information. Stick to trustworthy websites and look for the BBB seal and other recognized “trust marks.” Be sure to click on the seals to confirm they are valid.

·         Gift cards. Gift cards regularly top consumers’ wish lists. Federal rules govern gift card sales, and those rules state:

o   An inactivity fee cannot be charged until the card has not been used for 12 months.

o   Gift cards cannot expire for at least 5 years.

o   No more than one fee (of any kind) can be charged to the cardholder in a single month.

o   Information printed on the card must disclose fees and expiration date and provide a toll-free phone number or website where you can get more information.

o   A one-time fee can be charged when you buy the card, though this generally only applies to gift cards purchased through your credit card company – not those purchased directly from stores and restaurants.

o   If you receive a gift card, you should redeem it promptly if, possible.

Finally, consumers should keep in mind there will be many more opportunities for savings as we go through the long holiday season.