Chauffeurs - what's the deal?
Discussion
Burchill said:
Interesting thread, thanks to those sharing their insights.
I don't think any of us think that in any way Julian,and respect you're integrity.JulianPH said:
One final thing, in my posts here I am not trying to be boastful
For what it's worth, I don't think your posts come across as boastful in the slightest!magooagain said:
Burchill said:
Interesting thread, thanks to those sharing their insights.
I don't think any of us think that in any way Julian,and respect you're integrity.JulianPH said:
One final thing, in my posts here I am not trying to be boastful
For what it's worth, I don't think your posts come across as boastful in the slightest!
JulianPH said:
Its the same as saying you have a housekeeper when in really you have a cleaning lady who come in for a few hours a week and (like the driver above) works for many other people.
Slightly off-topic but we hired a full-time housekeeper a few years ago. Great decision. She does ironing, tidying (cleaning is done once a week by a team of cleaners who blitz the place), school pick up, gardening (she loves the ride-on mower), walking the dogs and anything else that needs doing. She painted the hallway the other day (it needed a little bit of touching up). If I throw a shirt in the laundry basket, it is washed ironed and back in my cupboard usually the next day.I think my wife chose very well. The (English) woman we hired is hard-working and self-motivated (if we haven't given her something to do, she'll set herself a task). Her previous job was in a poultry farm so she regards the job as a massive upgrade.
We give her a pension (but defined contribution rather than defined benefit).
Wish we'd done it years ago rather than having nannies who didn't do much when the kids were at school and gardeners who wouldn't do anything in the house.
for those who were asking about private house staff/drivers:
https://www.greycoatlumleys.co.uk/
they have provided staff for some acquaintances and have a wide variety of jobs for the wealthy. drivers rarely only drive though.
https://www.greycoatlumleys.co.uk/
they have provided staff for some acquaintances and have a wide variety of jobs for the wealthy. drivers rarely only drive though.
AstonZagato said:
Slightly off-topic but we hired a full-time housekeeper a few years ago. Great decision. She does ironing, tidying (cleaning is done once a week by a team of cleaners who blitz the place), school pick up, gardening (she loves the ride-on mower), walking the dogs and anything else that needs doing. She painted the hallway the other day (it needed a little bit of touching up). If I throw a shirt in the laundry basket, it is washed ironed and back in my cupboard usually the next day.
She sounds just like a part time housekeeper I had several years ago. It would be an incredibly remarkable coincidence, but her name is not Lizzie is it?!She left me for a full time live in position with a family but it didn't pan out well (we kept in touch). At the time I didn't want or need this.
If you have her full time you are very lucky, but I think that would be too much of a stretch in coincidence!
singlecoil said:
pidsy said:
drivers rarely only drive though.
Indeed. Many chauffeurs will be the husband of a couple, he will also be mowing the lawn and doing handyman stuff while his wife looks after the house, living in a cottage on the estate. Can be a great job.It can be a great job and over time you just become part of the family whilst you are at work. My 12 year old daughter rushes past me to give our driver a big hug first (and should know better
) 48k said:
Really interesting post, thank you.
Have you got any links to those V Class vehicle leases? I'm just daydreaming and trying to spec up my ideal V class limo but can't find any online configurator for a UK car and can't find any mention of exec packs for it, and the list price of the most expensive AMG car is only about 55K with 700/month lease with maintenance. Just daydreaming not trying to pick holes in your excellent post.
Exec pack is for the S-Class not the V. I don't have direct links, I haven't had the need to recently, although normally it works out more beneficial to buy V-Class rather than lease as the residuals are so strong. There are a number of Mercedes dealers who cater to the trade and order new cars on spec so you can call them up and typically get chauffeur spec cars within a couple of weeks (unless it is a new new model release say the S-Class in 2013).Have you got any links to those V Class vehicle leases? I'm just daydreaming and trying to spec up my ideal V class limo but can't find any online configurator for a UK car and can't find any mention of exec packs for it, and the list price of the most expensive AMG car is only about 55K with 700/month lease with maintenance. Just daydreaming not trying to pick holes in your excellent post.
There's not a lot you can do to V-Class tbh, Sport option gives you nappa leather then add extra long wheels base which I think gives you electric doors and parking sensors, eight seats. You can add an upgraded sound system. Panoramic roof was always available only on LWB, not XLWB which rules it out for a lot of chauffeurs.
You can get the AMG one, internally not really any different but just has the body kit outside.
If you buy one the best time to sell it is in April before the Arab visitors arrive and Wimbledon / Ascot. Safest spec is XLWB & 8 seats in black or silver, it'll always hold value to Chauffeurs in the used market then.
If you want something really special Google Klassen V-Class. They are German coach builders that do stretched Maybachs / G Wagon loads of stuff. A kitted out V from them is about £200k
JulianPH said:
AstonZagato said:
Slightly off-topic but we hired a full-time housekeeper a few years ago. Great decision. She does ironing, tidying (cleaning is done once a week by a team of cleaners who blitz the place), school pick up, gardening (she loves the ride-on mower), walking the dogs and anything else that needs doing. She painted the hallway the other day (it needed a little bit of touching up). If I throw a shirt in the laundry basket, it is washed ironed and back in my cupboard usually the next day.
She sounds just like a part time housekeeper I had several years ago. It would be an incredibly remarkable coincidence, but her name is not Lizzie is it?!She left me for a full time live in position with a family but it didn't pan out well (we kept in touch). At the time I didn't want or need this.
If you have her full time you are very lucky, but I think that would be too much of a stretch in coincidence!
JulianPH said:
Very true. Whilst corporate drivers do - in the main - only drive (and wait!), drivers for private families turn their hand to whatever needs doing.
It can be a great job and over time you just become part of the family whilst you are at work. My 12 year old daughter rushes past me to give our driver a big hug first (and should know better )
Couldn't agree more.It can be a great job and over time you just become part of the family whilst you are at work. My 12 year old daughter rushes past me to give our driver a big hug first (and should know better
) Whilst chauffeuring for a private family the driving was just a bit part, the role could go off in any given direction at any time. When in full residence there could be up to 16 family members, and a fleet of 10 cars, that had to be kept in A1 condition and fully fuelled. Before this the pool room may need cleaning, hoover, dust etc, bins out on a Tuesday, errands for the housekeeper and maids which was mainly food and supply shopping and then the general moving of furniture and antiques around the 11 bedroom property.
Once this was done and if there was a gap I might also help the gardeners and stable staff if I could. It was a manic job most of the time with some bonkers hours but if I'm honest I really enjoyed it.
Although from the Middle East all family members were polite and most were very nice and relaxed and all were a first name basis. I seemed to be well trusted by the family and was trusted to drive any family member male or female regardless of age.
Sadly it was only seasonal, there was talk of a full time role but the guy who controlled the UK money side of this, only wanted to pay an annual salary of 25k. Great at his job but sadly a total arse with no man management skills.
One of the grandsons did hint at eventually setting up full time in the UK and asked if I would be interested if he did?
I know he would pay a decent wage and because he goes about things in much a similar way as certain decent posters on this thread, I'd work for him tomorrow.
JulianPH said:
Very true. Whilst corporate drivers do - in the main - only drive (and wait!), drivers for private families turn their hand to whatever needs doing.
It can be a great job and over time you just become part of the family whilst you are at work. My 12 year old daughter rushes past me to give our driver a big hug first (and should know better )
You have a swimming pool... and a Chauffeur your daughter adores... It can be a great job and over time you just become part of the family whilst you are at work. My 12 year old daughter rushes past me to give our driver a big hug first (and should know better
) 
Does he also teach her on how to compete better in Swimming, does he have a drink problem and will he pick up the guns if she ever gets kidnapped?? Love that film
Edited by hyphen on Tuesday 16th January 11:04
grumpy52 said:
I have heard the tale of when Sheikh Yamani was over doing the oil negotiations back in the 70s/80's he had a new Rolls with a driver and 2 Special Branch officers as protection.
At the end of the negotiations he handed the special branch officers Rolex watches each ( which they couldn't keep ) and handed his driver the papers for the Rolls Royce .
They driver went on to run a successful business using the Rolls .
When I was in the RAF I was tasked to drive a member of the Saudi Royal family for a couple of weeks, he bought me a very nice watch and put me up in the Dorchester if he had an early start the next day to save me driving home.At the end of the negotiations he handed the special branch officers Rolex watches each ( which they couldn't keep ) and handed his driver the papers for the Rolls Royce .
They driver went on to run a successful business using the Rolls .
I also spent a few weeks driving a prominent MP and he didnt even say thank you once and seemed to enjoy making my life as awkward as possible.
liner33 said:
I also spent a few weeks driving a prominent MP and he didnt even say thank you once and seemed to enjoy making my life as awkward as possible.
Sounds familiar! Does he live just outside Cambridge?I had the misfortune of this particular MP, now a Lord for 1 day as he had published another Novel.
Never again. Man is a complete
!!hyphen said:
You have a swimming pool... and a Chauffeur your daughter adores... Does he also teach her on how to compete better in Swimming, does he have a drink problem and will he pick up the guns if she ever gets kidnapped??
Love that film
I give up, which film is it?! Does he also teach her on how to compete better in Swimming, does he have a drink problem and will he pick up the guns if she ever gets kidnapped?? Love that film
Edited by hyphen on Tuesday 16th January 11:04
(And yes, I think he would pick up the guns!)
JulianPH said:
hyphen said:
You have a swimming pool... and a Chauffeur your daughter adores... Does he also teach her on how to compete better in Swimming, does he have a drink problem and will he pick up the guns if she ever gets kidnapped??
Love that film
I give up, which film is it?! Does he also teach her on how to compete better in Swimming, does he have a drink problem and will he pick up the guns if she ever gets kidnapped?? Love that film
Edited by hyphen on Tuesday 16th January 11:04
(And yes, I think he would pick up the guns!)
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