The minibus blog has been told how a group of schoolchildren were taken to their prom in a minibus after their limousines turned up on the wrong day.
Mum Caroline Jones booked two limos to take her 16-year-old daughter Emily and 29 of her friends as a special touch for their big night.
But, the cars turned up a whole month early and because it is prom season, they could not book another one – so they ended up hiring a trusty minibus instead.
The company through which the Hummer limos were booked, has denied the error was theirs, claiming Mrs Jones booked the wrong date.
The 43-year-old, of Lisvane, Cardiff, said: “It was so disappointing.
“Unfortunately there were three major proms in Cardiff on the same night, so we couldn’t get another limo for love nor money. All the girls were looking beautiful, the boys were in their dinner suits and there they were in a minibus.”
The Hummer limos, complete with soft drinks, lights and music, were meant to drive the party around Cardiff for an hour before taking them to the Llanishen High School prom.
A £180 deposit was paid over the phone on the day of booking to Limobroker and on the night when the limousines did turn up, Mrs Jones says another £360 was taken from her credit card.
While the Limo company claim the wrong date was booked by Mrs Jones and was confirmed by two e-mails, the medical receptionist insists she booked the correct date and they received no correspondence or receipt from the company.
She has since reported the matter to trading standards.
Mrs Jones said: “I’m seriously out of pocket. The girls spent all week getting spray tans and choosing their dresses. The limo would have finished it off. It’s a major disappointment.”
Cardiff council has confirmed trading standards is investigating the matter.
A spokesman for the limo company said the mistake was on the customer’s side and they offered alternative hire on alternative days. The company advise customers to check their e-mail confirmation and to contact them if it is not received or if the details are incorrect. The spokesman added: “As per our terms and conditions agreed to at the time of booking, the card originally used as payment was debited.”
