“Disgusting state of affairs. September 2nd 2018 Party of eight left high and dry with no transport to get us from Peterborough to Birmingham. It was a Sunday no way to contact company and the 'driver' who rang me an hour beforehand just wouldn't answer the phone until way past the pick up time to tell me that there would be no journey, he wasn't going to pick us up. No explanation or apology. On the Monday I contacted the company for a full refund as is my legal right only to be told a cock and bull story about the driver being killed on his way to pick us up! (Yeah the guy I spoke to after the pick up time). I had to keep asking for a full refund for 10 days! Finally got it and it was sent from two different banks one in Manchester and one in London in two payments. Dodgy if you ask me. I have reported this company to Trading Standards who I understand will be investigating them. Do not use!”
“PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY
They are merely an Agent for Operators. When things go wrong they don't want to know.
We booked a mini-bus for a hen do. Unsure as to whether we needed 14 or15 seats, they assured us this did not matter as a 16 seater would be provided. On the day of pick-up a 14 seat bus arrived which meant we were a seat short. The drivers solution was for us all to squeeze on. As a group we were not happy about doing this and one party member decided to make her own arrangements, which meant further cost for her and she arrived later than the rest of the group. Upon return from our trip I made contact with SMC - by email because they will not speak to you by phone if you are complaining - they advised that their operator did not have time to pick up the bigger mini-bus so came in a smaller one, but had offered a taxi for the additional passenger. Firstly, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN, we were NOT offered a separate taxi, and secondly the drivers solution was a safety hazard, but he wasn't bothered. It makes me think what are the quality of the Operators SMC use? They refuse to advise who the Operator is.
My dispute with SMC went nowhere, they offered £25 off a future booking, which to the lady who had to make her own way there at her own expense, is of no use. And quite frankly I very much doubt we would ever make a future booking through SMC.
Stay away - you have been warned. Lots of similar stories on various review sites.”
“I booked a coach after read this trust review but please do not believe this review. It is absolutely horrible story. They don't care for customer. I am working for tour agent for 10years. There was no bus and driver waiting on pick up time of airport. I tried to contact them hundred of times to bus driver which was given by smc coach hire . I realized they pass me wrong driver contact number and he don't know about job.
then Hours later Finally one of bus driver contact me. He was going to airport but do not want to see us in airport. He want to meet on near airport then Our group walking with road with big luggages and musical instruments they visit to Manchester for the concert. Bus driver don't know about job and don't know my request
I don't think this Trustpilot review is write by actual customer.”
“The biggest bunch of cowboys. Totally dishonest, unreliable with the most appalling customer service. Do not use unless you want your guests to be left stranded and having to hire expensive taxis.”
“Rapacious company......booked for stag....£395. Cancelled due to non essential travel concerns from government. Gave them 6 days notice....which in current state of the nation is decent Terms and conditions dictated we received no refund despite a willingness to forfeit deposit. Book with this company at your pearl.”
“I have used this company many of times and they have been great, unfortunately the last time we used them it wasn’t as good.
30 of us was left in liverpool town centre at 2 am in the freezing cold storm dennis waiting for our driver, i kept calling the number no answer.. i called another number and got told to get taxi’s and a refund will be processed.
10 people got 2 taxi’s costing £75 each, the rest of us was waiting in the takeaway for the rest of the taxi’s to come.
45 minutes late our coach turned up and all the driver said is its illegal to answer my phone, yes i get that but if you knew a road was closed and there was a lot of traffic causing you to be late, pull over and give us a heads up.
SMC Coach hire have not stuck to their word and refunded the cost of taxi’s.. as the coach driver is not accepting liability they have offered us half the money as a gesture of good will.
Will not use again after this experience.”
“Hi Team,
A big thank you to you all at SMC coach hire for your overall excellent service when I hired a minibus to take a party of 16 to Ascot.
You and your colleague, Jake, made the booking process so simple, streamlined, cost-effective and friendly. Customer service at its very best 5 stars.
There were many favourable comments too about the driving of our driver, Terry. Who throughout both journeys showed a consistently high awareness of passenger safety and comfort. No throwing us around on bends, no late braking, no aggressive acceleration just excellent driving skills throughout. (We experienced this in the past using other companies)
The bus was spotless and arrival/departure prompt and at the times agreed. The coach also had a number of features WiFi which was great.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend SMC coach hire to anyone looking to hire a coach or minibus and look forward to doing business with you again in the future.
Kind regards
Jimmy Nash”
“I recently used SMC for a day trip and I couldn't be happier! The staff were super helpful & the service was affordable. I would highly reccomend to anyone requiring transport.”
“We had a great time on our trip and it was mainly because the transport service we used was excellent. The driver was on time and was friendly. The customer service was also great and really put our mind at ease. I will definitely be booking again.”
“I booked these for a party for my friends visiting from abroad, the service was as you say in france tres good
The return journey back from the bingo hall was quicker as the driver knew the area really well - 5 stars”
“Blessing to the team at smc. We had a great day out in Great Yarmouth our driver was very patient with us. Our church take trips each year and we take the whole family. God bless”
“What a wonderful company, start to finish. They were so helpful and considerate, and their price for the service was a lot better than any other coach company out there. Special thank you to the bookings team for putting up with all my queries in the build up to the booking date.”
“Massive thanks to our driver Seb for taking us noisy lot on our Christmas doo. We paid for an executive Mercedes which was lovely it had leather seats and USB chargers for our phones. Seb arrived 5 minutes early so we didn't miss our dinner booking. Also, Johnathan in the office was really nice and helped when I was making the booking 10 out of 10 :-)”
“Absolutely disgusting service we have just been on a weekend hen the driver who came Craig was very rude apparently we only requested a 14 seater when my niece went to show him the email confirming 15 passangers he thought it was ok for us to squeeze in we said we weren't happy but he clearly stated not his problem nothing he can do and at no time was it said he could offer a taxi why would we let our friends husband come and collect her if a taxi was on offer he soon changed his attitude once he knew she was sorted but personally felt he was rude and obnoxious even worse service was to follow when we asked for our friend to be reimbursed her fuel costs this was dismissed as not being their problem I really feel the service provided was disgusting and the after service just as bad my niece wasnt after a refund for the trip just for the 1 passengers fuel costs it's ok that we were an hour late and minus a seat as this apparently is acceptable customer service I seriously wouldn't recommend them”
