Christmas Special - VHA Silver Service Melbourne - CBD to Airport $63 Only, Plus Other Offers

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VHA Silver Service

• 

  RockyRaccoon on 23/12/2013 - 06:25

  +1

  Doh

  Tired of non reliable Taxis ? We are too !!

  According to the Social Media Credible statements test

  Would one really be tired of a competitors reliability issues that benefits your business???

• 

  RubenM on 23/12/2013 - 07:13

  +4

  "unreliable"

  So your price is still more expensive than taxis, even with the special? Where is the deal?

  • 

    Marketingniksrulz @ VHA Silver Service on 23/12/2013 - 09:37

    -1

    This is the cheapest Chauffeur hire Car special for airport transfer in the industry and we will beat any company who can even match this price.

    • 

      tightarse on 23/12/2013 - 09:54

      This is the cheapest Chauffeur hire Car special for airport transfer in the industry and we will beat any company who can even match this price.

      Smacks of anger & desperation.

      • 

        Marketingniksrulz @ VHA Silver Service on 23/12/2013 - 10:07

        -5

        We are not sure why do you have such negative opinion for every comment that we make. You don't really have to use the service if you are not happy.

        We think you probably had a bad Start for the day. That's fine if this makes you feel better by passing anger on to us.

      • 

        pmupsinep on 23/12/2013 - 10:36

        +5

        If you're going to use a bargain website to spam your Holden taxi at rates more expensive than a taxi, then be prepared to get hammered.

      • 

        tightarse on 23/12/2013 - 10:42

        +2

        don't really have to use the service if you are not happy.

        As I said previously, no intention of ever using your service. This post to me is just a quick way for you to get some advertising for your 'company' on the cheap.

        We think you probably had a bad Start for the day.

        Really? It was a great day until I read your 'bargain'. Remember, you're the one bagging taxis as non-reliable and implying they stink, not me!

        So unless you have a bargain to offer, you need to be prepared to cop a pasting as this is a bargain website, not the yellow pages.

      • 

        poxy001 on 23/12/2013 - 11:16

        As a like for like service this is a good deal. A taxi from my house is $90 and is inferior to this service and ones like it.

        Case closed.

      • 

        pmupsinep on 23/12/2013 - 12:20

        +1

        As a like for like service this is a good deal. A taxi from my house is $90 and is inferior to this service and ones like it.
        Case closed.

        Is your house in the Melbourne CBD? Because that's what this deal is for.

        Invalid price comparison.
        Case closed.

  • 

    bibendum73au on 24/12/2013 - 02:52

    Are you really comparing a Chauffeur driven Caprice to a standard Taxi?

    • 

      MrZ on 24/12/2013 - 02:55

      Many standard taxis are Caprices, and they cost the same as any other taxi.

• 

  hello007 on 23/12/2013 - 07:47

  +13

  No deal.

  The cheapest true OzBargain way from Melbourne City airport is train from Southern Cross Station to Broadmeadows rail station.

  Then take the 901 Smartbus to Melbourne Airport.

  The service takes about 15 to 20 minutes longer than the monopoly airport shuttle bus or taxis and is vastly cheaper at about $5 each way using a Myki card.

  I have used it multiple times going to and from Melbourne. It's efficient, clean, safe, on time.

  Just aim to get to the airport nice and early. Check in and relax and you will have no problems.

  The orange Smartbus arrives and departs from the ground floor bus stop at the front of Qantas and jetstar domestic arrivals.

  See timetables at www.ptv.vic.gov.au

  If the limo taxi company can do airport fares less than $5 then that would be a bargain.

  But they'd tell me I'm dreaming!

  • 

    arcticmonkey on 23/12/2013 - 08:08

    +1

    Thanks for that helpful advice.

    I think the Skybus is a blatant ripoff and so is parking at the airport so may try your option.

    • 

      SydBargainer on 23/12/2013 - 08:32

      +1

      every time I have to use Skybus I become engorged with rage! Thanks hello007!!

  • 

    11112007 on 23/12/2013 - 09:03

    4 hours from Frankston to Airport on the 901… i think i feel for the bus driver more than anyone taking the service there!

• 

  hello007 on 23/12/2013 - 08:31

  +1

  Here's the 901 Smartbus route details for bus to and from Melbourne Airport to Broadmeadows Station:

  http://ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/7531

  Train timetables from Broadmeadows station to Melbourne CBD:

  http://ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables/linemain/3

  Study the above timetables before you book flights so U can arrange comfortable transfers well in time for flights.

  I usually fly out of Melbourne at night allowing plenty of time to get to Airport.

  Public transport from Sydney Airport is usually easy. Either on the bus or a short stroll to Mascot rail station to avoid ridiculous bank monopoly $12 gate fees at the airport rail stations.

  For international flights from Sydney just take the easy walk from Wolli Creek Station.

• 

  SydBargainer on 23/12/2013 - 08:36

  Will def do the quick stroll's next time I have to meet someone/pick someone up etc…

• 

  pepsicles on 23/12/2013 - 08:36

  Last year my girlfriend and I were in Melbourne and we were late to catch our train to make it to the airport so we ran to the taxi stand and grabbed a taxi. We were quoted about $40 from Werribee to Tullamarine. Guy was great, knew we were rushed and stressed so he did everything he could to get us there as fast as possible.

  Might have also helped that I was constantly tracking our movement on my phone while I sat in the front seat so there wasn't any funny business.

  But yeah, $63 is way expensive.

• 

  tightarse on 23/12/2013 - 08:42

  +3

  Tired of non reliable Taxis ? We are too !!

  Love the sarcasm. Why would you be at all concerned about non-reliable taxis? And in what sense is $63 acceptable? I'd rather walk to the airport than have anything to do with any taxi service, and airport parking for that matter. hello007 summed it up nicely. Fail to see any bargain here.

  • 

    Marketingniksrulz @ VHA Silver Service on 23/12/2013 - 09:27

    +1

    Taxi fares range from $53 to $65 for a normal trip considering no or minimal traffic.
    We think that Hire Cars don't stink and provide a more professional service when compared to taxis but you are boss of your own opinion.
    We charge fixed prices regardless of traffic and that's why our clients love to travel with us.

    • 

      tightarse on 23/12/2013 - 09:57

      +2

      We think that Hire Cars don't stink

      If you think your hire cars don't stink, that's a worry in itself. Any using the word stink is very unprofessional and arrogant.

• 

  chickenchipsgravy on 23/12/2013 - 09:10

  +3

  unprofessional website, excessive credit card charges, misleading pricing structure exclusive of GST, no deal. if youre in need for a VHA/B vehicle, i recommend 1300pickup.

  • 

    Marketingniksrulz @ VHA Silver Service on 23/12/2013 - 09:33

    +1

    Thank you for your reply. I would like to clarify few things.
    The website is still a work in progress so we accept that criticism.

    Credit card charges and gst exclusive pricing are standard across the industry.
    For this special, there is no credit card surcharge for MasterCard and Visa.
    Updated- NO Surcharge for PayPal.

    2.4% for Amex and Diners which is what merchants pay so we are not ripping anyone.

    Also, Do you think Referring another service before trying us is fair ?

    • 

      chickenchipsgravy on 23/12/2013 - 11:13

      +3

      it was constructive feed back, not a criticism. if your merchant charge is 2.4% for premium cards, why are you an additional charging 5%? im not 100% but i also believe it is illegal to advertise pricing in Australia that excludes taxes.

      to your question, yes it is fair to fellow ozbargain'ers to recommend an alternative service where the below penny pinching does not occur.

      from your website:

      ** Toll and parking charges extra where applicable.
      ** Domestic Pickups are $6 for upto 30 minutes parking
      ** International Pickups are $15 for upto 60 minutes parking

      There is 7% surcharge for Amex and Diners. Mastercard and Visa inccur 0% surcharge when paid upfront.

      The princes below DO NOT include GST of 10%.

      • 

        accessdenied on 23/12/2013 - 11:44

        +1

        Correction… Amex charges are 7% not 5. thats outrageous. And rep how do you justify that you do not rip anyone when you charge 3 times the fees you are charged. Get your head right mate. and start calculating if you want to run a successful business

      • 

        bibendum73au on 24/12/2013 - 02:51

        Probably takes into account the $30-40 per month account fee plus machine costs, plus $299 setup fees for the merchant facility.
        Same reason I charge 6% and that just covers my Amex costs (I calculated it as it is against the law to charge more than the fee's cost you in Australia)

    • 

      arcticmonkey on 23/12/2013 - 11:37

      What's wrong with him referring another service? Are you afraid of competition?

      Besides, I don't think the public photo you are using is befitting of a professional driver.

• 

  hello007 on 23/12/2013 - 09:25

  An additional point.

  Melbourne's public transport operates solely using Myki tap on and off cards.

  If you arrive at Melbourne Airport and don't have a Myki card explain this to the Smartbus driver and ask him/her if you can buy one at Broad meadows rail station.

  I have never had that request refused.

  At Broadneadows the Myki card will cost a one-off non-refundable $7. You then load credit on the card using cash or eftpos at the Myki machine.

  Station staff can advise the amount. Usually about $5 one way to the city.

  See www.ptv.vic.gov.au for details on Myki and pricing. There's peak, off peak and weekend discounts.

  • 

    chickenchipsgravy on 23/12/2013 - 09:27

    +5

    great advice hello007 but its not exactly equal comparing public transit to a personal driver

  • 

    arcticmonkey on 23/12/2013 - 11:35

    +1

    "At Broadneadows the Myki card will cost a one-off non-refundable $7"

    It's absolute bulls*** that you have to pay a non refundable fee of $7 for a card. In London, you use the card and get the fee back when you return it.

    Public transport has been a disgrace in Melbourne since Kennett/the Liberals privitised it.

• 

  hello007 on 23/12/2013 - 09:30

  An additional point.

  Melbourne's public transport operates solely using Myki tap on and off cards.

  If you arrive at Melbourne Airport and don't have a Myki card explain this to the Smartbus driver and ask him/her if you can buy one at Broad meadows rail station.

  I have never had that request refused.

  At Broadneadows the Myki card will cost a one-off non-refundable $7. You then load credit on the card using cash or eftpos at the Myki machine.

  Station staff can advise the amount. Usually about $5 one way to the city.

  See www.ptv.vic.gov.au for details on Myki and pricing. There's peak, off peak and weekend discounts.

  • 

    Bargain4U on 23/12/2013 - 11:53

    +1

    Myki machines were recently installed inside the terminals. You can also buy a myki Visitor Pack from SkyBus stand.

• 

  hello007 on 23/12/2013 - 09:38

  +1

  Point accepted phat-dave.

  But it depends on how you do your needs and wants analysis.

  Some people for time and other reasons need all the trimmings of a personal driver.

  I manage my time to actively save $$$, (like a true OzBargainer) and seek out safe, convenient timely ways of getting from Point A to point B.

  Australia's airports, including Melbourne, are strangled by often unjustifiable, historically licensed, transport monopolies that feather the nests of already wealthy shareholders like major banks.

  So any option like the Smartbus and rail service that provides genuine price competition while delivering good service should be supported and well patronised to ensure its survival.

  The alternative is ever increasing fares and the only winners are the big bank shareholders.

  • 

    11112007 on 23/12/2013 - 10:13

    The alternative is getting a friend or family to drive you…. depending on circumstance this may cost you $0!

    • 

      bibendum73au on 24/12/2013 - 02:55

      Except the costs for tolls, fuel, wear & tear, and time incurred by your friend/family if you value their time as nothing.

• 

  voteoften on 23/12/2013 - 11:07

  I have used VHA shuttle many many times and have always been impressed with the swrvj e. They take us directly to our door in south bank and this is such a co.pletely fabulous service.

  I am interested in trying thus train And smart bus combo however. I will tell my family who lives in me lb to check it out when they come over to Perth on boxing bay.

  ThNks for the hint.

  • 

    Bargain4U on 23/12/2013 - 12:00

    +1

    Might need a new keyboard mate.

    • 

      voteoften on 23/12/2013 - 12:12

      Yes. I do a crap job with my phone.

  • 

    dr_ rusko on 23/12/2013 - 22:40

    -1

    i gave you a +1 b/c I appreciate the real life assessment of their service
    (plus I cant imagine why someone would neg your comment - i think it adds to determining whether this is a bargain or not - unless they were negging your spelling - if that is this case then I feel for you - I was neva good at de speling)

    in saying this - I dont think I would ever use this service…but thanks for your contribution

• 

  andy19363 on 23/12/2013 - 12:30

  +2

  Ozbargain can be so confusing at times…..

  Two people in this thread actually have used the service…. both say it's a good deal
  Angry mob who have never used the service…. think it's a terrible deal

  who to believe?….

  • 

    tightarse on 23/12/2013 - 12:33

    +1

    Angry mob who have never used the service

    Who's angry?

    • 

      pmupsinep on 23/12/2013 - 12:40

      +1

      His full stop key.

• 

  Tcm9669 on 23/12/2013 - 14:46

  I read every single comment on this thread. I found it super hilarious!

  Personally for me, a bargain is, if I am travelling for personal reasons I get my father to drive me with this company van (Free petrol, personal driver, awesome service) $0 for me or anyone else

  Second, if it's a business trip my company will pay for the taxi. $0 for me

  I personally would not rely much on public transport (I would have to catch vline and metro trains and it's a lot of hassle) but if planned beforehand and you have plenty of time to travel, you can't beat the price! Would cost more in petrol only (if a friend or relative is dropping you off) than a 2 hour myki trip.

  • 

    daydream on 23/12/2013 - 16:50

    Your dad will drive us to the airport for $0? Thanks what's his number? ;-)

    • 

      whytd on 23/12/2013 - 17:01

      +1 to seeing your dad's free taxi service on OZB.

      • 

        Tcm9669 on 24/12/2013 - 10:28

        Yeah sure haha. Let me get the T&C sorted out first LOL

• 

  MrZ on 23/12/2013 - 16:51

  What's the difference between a normal Caprice taxi and a VHA "silver service" Caprice?

• 

  whytd on 23/12/2013 - 16:59

  Judging by the bargain, as well as the prices on your website - it's not that great.

• 

  apey2000 on 23/12/2013 - 19:06

  First of all, your prices are higher than your average TAXI, so at face value this is not a bargain.

  Having said that I am sure your services are way better than your average TAXI, which you clearly use to justify your price.

  However, TAXI services in Melbourne are simply abominable. Dirty, smelly cars.. driven by people that often have no idea where they are going or the language their customer speaks. It's so bad, it's shameful.

  So, charging a premium price for a level of service which we should expect by default in a developed country such as Australia is not a bargain. Yes, it's an option for people that are willing to pay more to get reasonable service. But a bargain it is not!

  Not to mention that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to deliver a standard of service above your average TAXI driver, so you should not be asking / expecting rocket scientist hourly rates.

  That's a negative from me!

• 

  MrZ on 23/12/2013 - 22:46

  If you take this VHA service and you've got a bunch of big suitcases, you'll realize that the boots on these Caprices are hopelessly small, especially with the big LPG tank taking up space. If you have a lot of luggage, you're better off getting a Falcon wagon taxi.

  • 

    pmupsinep on 23/12/2013 - 23:18

    If you have a lot of luggage, you're better off getting a Falcon wagon taxi.

    But the rep says taxi's stink and are unreliable.

  • 

    bibendum73au on 24/12/2013 - 02:59

    +1

    Caprice will take 2x 75cm suitcases plus carryon bags. Gas tank is under floor. On what planet is the boot of the WM Caprice "hopelessly small"??

• 

  scoobydoobeedoo on 23/12/2013 - 23:43

  -3

  Thanks Nick for this afternoon pickup to the airport.

  Overall I was happy with the service, even sent me a sms when he arrived early. I wouldn't hesitate to use him again when I get back to Melbourne.

  • 

    apey2000 on 24/12/2013 - 02:47

    +1

    You must really be chuffed, given you've created your account and posted your first post.. away from home… just to support your TAXI driver. Well done champ! Awesome 'bargin' !!!

    Nick - give this guy a free ride! Oh wait, you probably already have!

    Fail!

  • 

    bibendum73au on 24/12/2013 - 03:03

    +3

    How did the passenger know about the special and OzBargain when the account was only created less than 4 hours ago??
    I really hope this isnt the owner/operator posting their own review?

    scoobydoobeedoo user profile
    Member Since 3 hours 25 min
    Last Seen 3 hours 13 min
    Location Melbourne

    As a side note a motor repairer in WA was recently fined $25k for fake online reviews.

  • 

    scoobydoobeedoo on 24/12/2013 - 07:04

    -1

    I check on ozbargain for years and only now have I decided to register to post my review. I was merely posting MY opinion of his service yesterday. You're not entitled to believe and listen to my opinion, nor more so to register a username to use ozbargain. At least I gave a review after using the service rather people ranting without actually trying.

    • 

      pmupsinep on 24/12/2013 - 11:53

      Now you've finally signed up we look forward to more reviews from you on various products and services posted on here! Cheers mate!