“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”
“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.”
“Unfortunately I've had to give one star to place my review when in reality I'd give zero stars.
We booked a minibus to take 15 ladies for a weekend away, when the driver turned up (late) the driver arrived in a 14 seater minibus. The suggestion of all squashing in was turned down by us and a family member had to drive the lady the ninety minute journey to our destination.
So our complaint to SMC coach hire, in order to at least refund the family member some cost for their fuel and their time, has not been resolved.
Apparently fifteen people present and one driver, means that the driver is believed regarding the lie that a taxi was offered, to transfer the lady who wasnt able to ft on the bus.
We paid £340 for our journey, not one pound has been offered as a goodwill gesture.
If anything goes wrong, they just don't want to know. Totally unprofessional Use another company.”
“Bus broke down, told by company of bus and also agent from SMC at the time of break down ‘we’d be looked after’ only to be fobbed off. Bus was also unsafe as door couldn’t open from inside and when bus broke down it filled with smoke so was very dangerous but SMC didn’t seem to want to reply to this unsafe issue. Would avoid.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Terrible customer service. I requested a quote for an executive minibus for our wedding and was given a quote. Once I'd paid the deposit I double checked with SMC that the coach was an executive one as there was nothing on the booking confirmation to say it was. I was told that it was just an ordinary minibus and that it was my fault for not checking this before booking! Sorry but if you ask for a specific quote, you would expect the booking to be the same! Wouldn't refund my deposit. In the end we kept the booking and thankfully the minibus wasn't an old tub.”
“Communication when booking was excellent . The drivers arrived on time for both journeys for my hen party. they were polite and accommodating . I would use again and definitely recommend, Thank you”
“Used SMC Coach Hire for the first time last Saturday, 10th, for a trip to Newmarket with Leytonstone Royal British Legion. We would definitely not hesitate in booking with them again. From the first contact for a quote they are been first class. The price quoted for a 16 Seater bus was very good and any queries I had they always replied to my email within a couple of hour. Our driver Paula was very good and the minibus was spotless inside and out. One of our party was in a wheel chair and Paula couldn't of been more attentive. I would definitely recommend SMC”
“Please take my advice and book another coach company, sub standard coaches, driver did not know where he was going. When I complained I was advised that I should work out the timings of how long it takes a coach to get to the destination! They are the travel experts!! Never again. I have never written a negative review but felt compelled to save anyone from our school trip experience!”
“Sent wrong sized bus, so had to drive as well.
2 weeks to respond to complaint.
Think the bus was probably the first one ever made it was that old (driver was a nice bloke I would add).
All round rubbish service given what we paid.”
“SMC Coach Hire are the way to go if you want reliable, friendly service. Our driver was fantastic. Nothing too much trouble. Turned up on time on both occasions. His coach was sparkling clean, inside and out. All round pleasant experience. Will definitely use them again.”
“We had the pleasure of having Rebecca drive us from Harrogate to Manchester (Old Trafford) on Saturday 6 July. Rebecca was brilliant and could not have done any more for us. She was a little late to collect us but telephoned ahead to let us know she had a cracked window so went back to change the coach. All good and I was always kept informed.
The coach was clean and distributing water was a lovely touch. Rebecca collected us on time and communication went smoothly as I had Rebecca’s mobile number and she always answered.
We could not have been better looked after.”
“I would like to thank Smc for my x diavel. Excellent staff throughout the store from purchase to service and sales , very welcoming and helpful,I would recommend every time thanks”
“This company has given me probably the worst experience I have ever known in more than 20 years of coach hire. I booked through them to take a Pilgrimage Group to Gatwick airport. They supplied a coach which turned up late, was filthy dirty, and a driver who didn't know how to get to the airport when there was a motorway closure. I had to navigate him using Google maps on my phone. We only just made it to the airport in time to check in for the flight. SMC also imposed two additional charges - because I gave my home postcode instead of the pickup point when I first enquired, they charged £60 extra despite the fact that it was less than 4 miles different; then £80 extra for the return because our flights were delayed due to a ground staff strike in Italy. When I complained on return about the poor service, I found their customer service was just as poor as any other aspect of their service and they were just not interested. What they don't make clear on their website is that they are not actually a coach company but simply a booking agency, so for my trip at least they simply booked a local coach company for the job, with no control over the quality. I would not use this company again under any circumstances and would not recommend anyone else to do so.”
“Thank you so much for providing a spotless and very comfortable minibus and a flexible and happy driver for our trip to St Paul's London. It could not have been bettered. We all enjoyed the travel and the four hour journey passed quickly both ways. Richard found his way around traffic jams and couldn't have been more amenable. We will certainly use SMC again.”
