Designated drivers are life savers. There’s no two ways about it. So, when people enlist the help of a designated driving service, it’s vital they’re getting professionals who can be trusted to get them home safely. The last thing you want to deal with is confusion about which company you’re using. It’s essential to know what to look for. It’s also important to know what to avoid. That way, you can be sure your ride is safe, legitimate and reliable.
One source of confusion is the term “Keys Please”. It’s a trademarked phrase owned by The Driving Alternative, a company based in Calgary, Alberta. This can makes things tricky for other designated driving businesses like MyDDride. You see, “Keys Please” has become somewhat of a catch-all term. It’s used by police, organizations like MADD and the public when referring to sober driving services. This is why it’s so important to understand what that term actually represents and how to tell whether a service provider is legitimate or not.
Trademark confusion can mislead the public.
Not all companies that use the phrase “Keys Please” are doing so responsibly. Again, it’s a fairly common phrase, but it is trademarked after all. Nevertheless, some designated driving service providers may capitalize on the widespread usage of this term to give the illusion that they’re the official “Keys Please” service.
While MyDDride has never used this phrase in its marketing, we have often been mistaken for the brand using this name. Keep in mind that not all companies are as compliant with trademark laws. As a result, they put the safety and reliability of your ride at risk.
Do your research to determine if a designated driving service is legitimate.
First and foremost, check the company’s licensing and insurance. Any reputable designated driving service is fully licensed and insured. Make sure the service you choose has proof of these credentials. Simply put, they are essential for both passenger safety and legal compliance.
You also want to be wary of companies that change their business names frequently or use different aliases while keeping the same website. Shady competitors might do this to cover up negative feedback or appear more established than they really are. If their stories about their years in service don’t align with their domain histories or business registrations, consider that a red flag.
Beware of copycats.
Some companies may deliberately create names that are similar to established services to confuse customers. At MyDDride, we’ve experienced this firsthand. A competitor copied 63 percent of our previous website content in an attempt to mislead consumers. This kind of behaviour not only creates confusion but also undermines your safety. It’s impossible to know what corners they may have cut elsewhere.
Not to mention, dishonest operators may take advantage of impaired customers by inflating prices unpredictably. At MyDDride, we pride ourselves on transparent and consistent pricing. It’s part of our mission statement to give you peace of mind that you won’t ever be hit with surprise fees.
We believe in honesty, transparency, integrity and respect.
The MyDDride team is dedicated to setting the gold standard for safe, luxury designated driving services in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Region. Our drivers are experienced, professional, and committed to your safety – every time. We invite you to call or text us with any questions or to book a ride at 604-283-8532. You may also fill out the form on our Contact page!