TERMS & CONDITIONS

 

We do try very hard to make every occasion as memorable and enjoyable as possible, but, unfortunately things can go wrong with vintage cars and in our business, when things do go wrong, the disappointment factor is truly enormous.  In all cases we will do our best to minimise the effects of any such problems.  The following Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings and may only be varied by SMG Wedding Cars in writing.  Bookings are accepted only on condition that the Hirer understands and accepts these Terms and Conditions and that payment of the deposit signifies such full and unconditional acceptance by the Hirer.

 

1.  Viewing and Booking

(a) Viewing of our cars is encouraged and is by appointment only (usually evenings and weekends) as the vehicles are under cover and someone has to be present.  They could also potentially be out on hire and we would not like you to have a wasted journey.

 

(b) Should you wish to book one or more of our cars, a quotation will be provided.  Once we have received your deposit (by cash, cheque - cheques are subject to clearance, or card payment), we will confirm your booking in writing and send you a receipt.  The car(s) concerned will then be held for you.  The booking is not considered 'confirmed' until a deposit (£50.00 per vehicle) has been paid.

IMPORTANT - We are frequently receiving several enquiries for the same wedding dates.  As some people are not immediately getting back to us, we now have no option but to accept the first deposit produced.  So, to avoid disappointment, please pay your deposit as soon as possible to secure our car(s) for your special day.

(c) The deposit is non-refundable, unless another client books the same date and cars after your cancellation [see 3.(a)].

(d) If you change from two cars to one, the £50.00 deposit for the cancelled car is non-refundable unless we get a booking for the car you have cancelled.

(e) Any changes or additions to journeys not discussed at the time of booking will incur extra charges.  Prices for our services are quoted on information given at the time of booking.

(f) Full contact is to be kept at all times by both parties, especially with regard to change of address and contact telephone numbers.

 

2.  Payment Terms

(a) As mentioned in section 1.(b), the deposit to be paid for each vehicle is £50.00.  This is to be paid at the time of booking (not enquiry).  A vehicle is not considered to be 'held' for any booking until that deposit is received and the booking is thereby 'confirmed'.  A confirmation letter and receipt will then be sent to you.  The balance of payment will be due seven weeks before the date of your ceremony for which a reminder will be sent.  On receipt of the balance, a letter and receipt will be sent to you confirming all details of the booking, any changes to the details must be notified to us without delay.

(b) Unless the outstanding balance is paid seven weeks prior to the hire date, we will consider the booking is cancelled with any deposit paid forfeited and the car(s) released for other bookings.

(c) For 'last minute' bookings (any time within seven weeks of the hire date) the full balance must be paid straight away. [See 3.(a) below for cancellation terms].

 

3.  Cancellation

(a) In the event of a cancellation by you, of the hire at any time within the seven week period up to the agreed date of hire, 100% of the monies paid will be forfeited, unless another client books the same car on the same date.  Outstanding hire fees will only be paid back to you once we have received full payment from the replacement client.

(b) In the rare event of a cancellation by SMG Wedding Cars, all monies paid will be refunded to you.  No further compensation will be made or paid and no liability will be accepted by SMG Wedding Cars for any consequential loss.

 

4.  Vehicles

(a)  Whilst we operate a small fleet of very desirable classic cars we maintain them to the best of our ability in first class condition, possibly a mechanical incident, accident, or other problem may occur at a most inconvenient time and prevent the requested car from completing the hire.  In these cases, either the best possible substitute vehicle will be provided at our cost (by preference, it will be another classic car, but this may not be possible in all cases) in order to complete the hire, or we will return any prepaid deposits and/or part or full hire charges.

(b) No further compensation will be made or paid and no liability will be accepted by SMG Wedding Cars for any consequential loss.

(c) If the interruption occurs after commencement of the hire , we will do everything we can to get you to the required destination on time, but sometimes even with the best will in the world, the impossible is not achievable.  Again, no further compensation will be made or paid and no liability will be accepted by SMG Wedding Cars for any consequential loss or disappointment.

 

5.  Safety and Comfort

(a) The age of our cars means that some seat belts are not fitted.  We do not have any small child restraint or baby seat facilities.  Children are advised to use seat belts where these are fitted.

(b) Our Bentley S1, though highly maintained has only modest heating or cooling facilities.

(c) Our cars are groomed thoroughly prior to hire, but no liability can be accepted for clothing stained or marked by road grime, oil or grease - however unlikely this may be - from any part of the vehicle.  We do advise you to be aware that running engine exhausts emit oily black water and that rubber tyres may also mark clothing.

 

6.  Delays

(a) We are not responsible for Acts of God, traffic delays or delays caused by our clients.

(b) No responsibility will be accepted for restrictions relating to vehicle access at any location.

 

7.  Driving

(a) The chauffeur will use his/her judgement to drive at reasonable speeds appropriate to the prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions and will not exceed 60 mph on the open road, or 30mph in built-up areas.

(b) The vehicles in our fleet are insured only for our chauffeurs.  No other person may drive the vehicles under any circumstances.

(c) The chauffeur has the last word on route and timings undertaken, in accordance with road, traffic and weather conditions.  If you request an alternate route during the journey and this subsequently leads to late arrival at your destination, we will not be held responsible.

 

8.  Behaviour

(a) The client will be held responsible for any and all damage to vehicles and/or equipment if caused by them or any of their guests.

(b) Smoking, eating and drug taking is prohibited in any of our vehicles.

(c) Drinking in our vehicles is permitted at the sole discretion of the chauffeur, but not whilst the vehicle is in motion.

(d) Clients will be held responsible for the conduct of any and all passengers in the vehicles at all times.

(e) We reserve the right to immediately terminate any or all services to unruly and/or abusive passengers, or anybody who in our opinion, is unfit to travel.

(f) The person placing the order or signing the booking form is considered to be the Hirer and accepts all responsibility as to the conduct of any passengers.

(g) It is the client's responsibility to insure his/her own personal effects and those of any guests.

 

9.  Our Commitment to Privacy

Your privacy is important to us; we adhere to the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998.  We use the information you provide about yourself when placing a query or booking, only to complete that query or booking.  We do not share this information with outside parties.  During the vehicle hire, any conversations overhead by our chauffeurs inside the vehicles are totally confidential and never disclosed to third parties.

 

Your rights:

In addition to SMG Wedding Cars safeguards, your personal data is protected in the UK by the Data Protection Act.  This provides - amongst other things, that the data we hold on you should be processed lawfully and fairly.  It should be accurate, relevant and not excessive.  The information should, where necessary, be kept up to date and not retained for longer than is necessary.  It should be kept securely to prevent unauthorised access by other people.