As Ray Skinners London Transfers seem to recieve constant raves on this board, I decided to take the advice and use him. Filled in the booking form on Tuesday am - no response. Sent an email Thursday - no response. Emailed again Friday--and again no response. This is not the service promised by him - nor what we keep reading about on this board. I've now rung Swiss Cottage Cars and they couldn't have been more helpful - particularly as it was such a last minute booking (I fly out on Monday). I note that there was also a recent post about Ray not getting back to people.

Swiss Cottage is if anything a better service than London Transfers. Nothing wrong with London Transfers, but there is a woman on this forum who has made it a one-person crusade to refer the whole world to Ray "and be sure to tell him Lori sent you". That is why you see so many raves here.<BR><BR>(Perhaps she has ruined them by making him too popular to handle the volume)<BR><BR>

I'm sorry Tom feels that way about me, however as I stated before if I owned a business I'd like to know who recommended my customers to me. That said, I have no idea why Ray Skinner did not answer Mary. Perhaps his computer/network provider is down. As for other companies, Patrick certainly gives Swiss Cottage Cars a lot of publicity here. I've used a company called Ambassador Cars in the past too - they were fine, but do not have a web site. I found them while staying in London.

But Lori, Patrick doesn't insist we drop his name every other day!<BR><BR>I am not the only person who has noticed and mentioned this obsession of yours to get props from Ray Skinner. <BR><BR>Don't get me wrong, I have friends who used London transfers once and were satisfied. But this CONSTANT please, please please pretty please be sure to let Ray know Lori is sending another customer to him is getting old. Can't you just say "I like London Transfers and have used them several times"<BR><BR>I would much more likely use a recommendation that comes without all the self serving aspects.

I don't personally know Lori OR Ray Skinner, but I think none of us have enough information to make assumptions about what people's motives are, based solely on what you see here printed in black and white. Lori is just as likely to have no motive other than to share a good experience or maintain an acquaintanceship with Mr Skinner by having him reminded of her name from time to time.<BR><BR>Please let's not assume that recommendations, even repeated ones, result in an ulterior payback. "Payback" can be as innocent as simply wanting to share a good resource or feeling proud or expert about a particular experience. Anyone is free to compare several recommended services, compare price quotes, or post on negative experiences as mary did.<BR><BR>I will add though that people occasionally mentioned that the hotel or car service or whatever didn't respond to an email quickly, or at all.<BR>As Lori said, computers can be down, email addresses can be typed incorrectly, the place's only email checker may be on vacation, etc. When I really want to know, I follow up with a phone call or fax. mary was short on time, so I think she was smart to pursue Swiss Cottage.

You know, Tom, you don't have to read my recommendations. And I've never said pretty please please please as you insinuate. I've made many recommendations on this forum and most are for large organizations/companies/hotels, i.e. Ticketmaster (I have probably helped their business too), The London Eye, various trainline's, etc. Also recommended very highly the Relais Bosquet Hotel (Paris) and I know several people have stayed there based on my recommendation (and the owners are Phillipe & Dora, and Frederique on the front desk is wonderful). I've also recommended various Best Western hotels in several cities, etc. but when I made a recommendation to a small company, i.e. London Transfers, I think it is good for the company to know where they got the referral from. I've also recommended Nick Price (of Price Apartments) many times on this Forum, and always say that Nick is a wonderful person to work with, and also Scala Apartments (owner is Ken Palos, a very pleasant and accommodating gentleman), they are also small companies and like to know where referrals come from. I've never gotten anything out of any of my referrals, except being treated very nicely by everyone I've done business with. Each to their own opinion, Tom.

I have no problem with people recommending copamies/hotels/sights etc on this board - after all that's what it's for - but it should also be able to be used when something unsatisfactory occurs. If you're offering email or web bookings there is no excuse for not responding in 4 days. That is not service. Nor should someone need to follow up with a phone call or fax. Mt entire trip has been organised via the net and email as was my last year trip to Venice. I am not having a go at Lori or Ray - just noting that the service offered has not been provided.

Based on recommendations from this forum (yes, probably from Lori), I booked with London Transfers online in May and received the promised confirmation within 24 hours. The service provided was everything I had hoped for. I would have no problem using Ray Skinner again or recommending him to others. I have to believe that there is a good reason why you did not receive a reply from Ray.

I stayed at one of Nick Price's apartments last year at Lori's recommendation and was very satisfied. I was happy to tell Nick that he was recommended by Lori. She helped me extensively with my first trip to London. She is only trying to help with her recommendations and I, for one, appreciate it.

My husband and I flew to London last month with our 3 children. I knew it would be easier to have a driver pick us and our luggage up then to take the train. I heard about Ray Skinner thru Lori and contacted him. He did respond with confirmation within 24 hours. I am sure there is a reason why he hasn't responded to you. Hey, maybe he takes vacations also. Needless to say, he was incredible (and extremely helpful) and I can't wait to use London-Transfers again. Lori, thanks for this great recommendation.

Thanks Sheila and Lisa for the kind words, I appreciate it.