As I searched for transport options, my doubts were confirmed: most vehicle operators running grand websites are just commission agents. They don’t own the fleets they showcase. Instead, they match bookings with available vehicles from registered owners. This arrangement raised several concerns—would the vehicle be the one we selected? Would the driver be reliable? Was the vehicle in good condition?

Often, the photos shared by operators were taken when the vehicle was new, with no guarantee of its current state. Many operators avoided showing the vehicle before the trip, claiming it was parked far from the city. Even finding an operator with their own fleet proved challenging, and those who did charged steep prices.

After consulting with family, we decided that a Tempo Traveller wasn’t suitable. We started looking for a deluxe minibus with more space. Late one night, I found an operator advertising a 30-seater, semi-sleeper mini-bus with air conditioning. The photos and videos looked promising, so I contacted the operator—a woman who claimed to own the bus. She assured me the bus was in excellent condition and ideal for elderly passengers.

Despite her reassurances, I remained skeptical. My son spoke with her and was convinced by her charm and the online videos. Still, I insisted on inspecting the bus before paying in full. After many excuses—"It’s on a trip," "It’s parked outside the city"—I was finally told the bus would be in the city at 5 a.m. on the day of pickup. A sneaky way to prevent me from inspecting it.

Contd. 327. Energy, Synergy, and Company - Part 3