Legal Question in Consumer Law in Rhode Island

On 2-14-11 my daughter and 20 of her friends rented a stretch limo to go from Providence to Boston for my daughters birthday. The limo was suppose to be at the house at 9:00. At 9:05 the company called and said they were going to be an hour late as they were out in Mass. somewhere. This limo company was paid $600.00 up front. Around 10:00 PM they showed up. Two of the adults on board had to stop and relieve themselves along the way. The limo driver stopped, dropped them off and then proceeded to take off on them. The other passengers on board yelled for the limo driver to stop which he finally did. On the way back from Boston the limo driver told my daughter she was going to get $100.00 back because the driver was late. They gave the limo driver a $100.00 tip. When the limo arrived home the passengers cleaned all their food wrappers, bottls and cups and placed them in a plastic trash bag. My daughter was taking the trash with her when the limo driver said leave it he would take care of it.

The next day she called the company about the $100.00 reimbursement and they denied her saying they left the limo a mess and sent her pictures. The only mess was crumbs on the floor and the trash bag that the limo driver told them to leave. She reported them to the BBB and also to Susan Hogan the problem solver on channel 10. Yesterday she received a call from the limo company saying she better call them back or they are getting their attorney involved. She is worried sick about calling them back. She did nothing wrong, The limo company screwed her over. Any advice? Should she call them back and discuss anything with them?

My daughter knows other people who have used this limo service and were not happy with their service.

Thank You. Diane Connors


Asked on 2/17/11, 4:16 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Staff General Counsel LawyersCollaborative

Any advice? Should she call them back and discuss anything with them?

My advice is do not let the limo company intimidate you - stand up for your principles.

By the same token, though, why not call the limo company back and listen to what they have to say - a recording of the call would be ideal (RI is a one-party consent state, so only one side to a telephone conversation needs to know about the recording). If they offer to refund the $100, take it and report as much to anyone that asks, so as to accurately reflect what happened and that after you complained to BBB/Channel 10, the company called and agreed to return the extra $100. If they try to intimate you or threaten you in any way, I would respond with words to the effect of, "I'm sorry you feel you need to threaten me - do what you feel you must, but you will not silence me."

For your information, LawyersCollaborative offers as a community service a Limited Engagement where one of our Staff General Counsel will spend up to an hour meeting with you (to review documents, explain procedures, and otherwise help you), for a reduced, fixed fee.

Best wishes,

Scott Summer, Staff General Counsel

LawyersCollaborative

www.lawyerscollaborative.com

401-467-7771

Note: The above information does not constitute legal advice. Unless a written Collaborative Representation Agreement has been signed, neither LawyersCollaborative nor any of its Staff General Counsel is your legal representative.

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Answered on 2/17/11, 4:32 am


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