“Booked a minibus for 12 people at 00:15 to get from North Wales back to Chester after a wedding for £210, nobody turned up and I couldn't get a hold of the driver or anyone at SMC. After an hour I had to make other arrangements. Got in touch with SMC the Monday afterwards but could only file a complaint email. Then had to wait 18 days to get a refund, at which point I was told the reason was that 'the driver read the job sheet incorrectly'. Extremely poor customer service, professionalism and an apparent lack of empathy.”
“Unreliable and irresponsible
Avoid booking with SMC coaches as they are careless with their organisation and handling of customers.
I booked with SMC coaches in September 2021 for my wedding in June 2022, with the request to transport my wedding guests from Worcester City Centre to the wedding venue.
I was in communication with SMC between this time and even called 3 days before my wedding to double-check details.
However, due to their poor planning and carelessness, they cancelled less than 48 hours before my wedding, citing a broken-down coach and giving two drivers leave.
They offered no more than a poor apology and a refund. They didn’t take responsibility for their mistakes, citing it was out of their control which is a lie.
SMC showed no consideration for their poor organisation and didn’t offer any help in resolving the issue.
I would not book with SMC coaches as their service and organisation are extremely poor.”
“I am absolutely gobsmacked at the experience I have had with this company.
Our minibus cancelled the day before we were due to travel. Every single alternative company I rang to try and book another minibus were not the slightest bit surprised when I gave them the name 'SMC'.
Reading the reviews now I realise I should have avoided this company completely.
I will never use them again, the amount of stress and upset they have caused me today is not worth it.”
“Book this company to take 21 people, including 2 disabled people, 1 in a wheelchair, to Aintree races course on national day and collect us at the end of the evening, took us there OK, but we're a no show for the return journey, wouldn't take our calls or answer are texts on the day, we had to get friends to collect our 2 disabled guests and the rest got trains and taxis after waiting 4 hours, totally ruined the day, stay away from this company. Total rip off.”
“If I could give zero stars I would. Left my party stranded on their return journey from the Grand National at Aintree 2022. Ruined what was a fab day. We have two disabled passengers as well, one in a wheelchair. 3 hours to make our own way home. Would only refund return journey which didn't cover all our additional expenses.”
“Terrible experience. Do not use this company. The mini bus had no luggage space for 13 girls.
On the way we asked the driver to stop for toilet break and he drove straight pass services.
Return bus just did not turn up at all leaving us all stranded. We then had to pay for train journey home having already paid over £600 for the bus. It has been a huge hassle since to get any sort of compensation from SMC instead of them doing the right thing and giving us at least half the money back.
Stay well away.”
“Such a disappointment after 8 years of co-working with this company. They just decided to take my 900 pounds (full booking payment) for the service that was never provided because of the emergency and force major that happened 3 weeks before the date of the booking. I never recommend to pay in advance as they require.
They will ask for full payment for the services they provide in advance. Not a problem! but should anything happen, like a world event for example, Pandemic, War and you are unable to fulfil the contract. Unlike many companies who are sympathetic to such circumstances and at least refund something of YOUR money. Not this company. You won't see a penny. Especially if you are a foreign visitor and have little chance of demanding money back for a school trip for children. Shame on them! They are not even willing to discuss the situation. Don't give these people your money. You will never see a penny of it again.”
“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.”
“Avoid this company like the plague, our party booked this so called coach firm to take 36 golfers to Dumfries for the weekend, after being mithered about giving driver details (in order to book him into the hotel), eventually less than 24 hours before we were due to leave, the company made contact and cancelled the coach, stating we haven’t got a driver, pathetic excuse and weekend ruined. I can see us having to employ a solicitor to get our money back.
DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY”
“Absolutely terrible experience! Driver turned up he was unable to shut the mini bus boot so we had to put the suitcases on our lap. He was unsure how to start the mini bus and changed lanes without indicating several times on the motorway leading to other Motorists having to swerve to avoid crashing. He shouted at us that we must give him money for a toll charge despite having paid upfront. He also had to use our google maps as he didn’t know the way”
“Booked with them for a guild outing could have got a bus for the same cost locally but was told all their bookings they give a percentage to charity.
They new the bus was for ladies between the agars of 70 - 95 so when we were told due to the pandemic we would have to isolate I immediately contacted the company, this was 72days before our outing. They initially wrote saying that we were not due any monies and when I directed them to their own cancellation terms which showed we were due our money refunded. Since then have been knocked from pillar to post.
PLEASE ALL BE WARY OF THIS COMPANY we are still awaiting our monies which should be refunded to our ladies over £200”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
