Bride seeks refund as Carpe Diem Limousine appears to close

The Regina-based limousine service that once proposed taking over the Saskatchewan Transportation Company appears to be shutting down.

An online ad began circulating last week, showing both Carpe Diem Limousine Service and its fleet of vehicles up for sale. The ad has since been removed, leaving many of its customers confused and frustrated.

“There’s just a lot going on that does not make me have a lot of confidence or faith,” Caillin Rodonets explained. “All I want is my money back.”

A Regina Kijiji ad, showing Carpe Diem Limousine Service and its fleet vehicles up for sale, was active on March 14, 2018. (Caillin Rodonets/Submitted)

Rodonets and her fiancé, Matthew Grosse, paid $1,325.25 for limo service to and from their upcoming wedding back in December.

Upon seeing the online ad, Rodonets called to confirm their reservation and was told there was no proof of the booking in the Carpe Diem system.

Now, there’s the possibility they’ve lost both their wedding day transportation and their cash.

“That’s money that our parents had given us to help plan this wedding. I don’t appreciate that that’s money our parents worked hard for and now it’s gone,” said Rodonets. “The way that we’re planning this wedding, we could stretch that $1,300 a very, very, very far way — it’s huge for us.”

Carpe Diem owner Derrick Engen admitted via telephone he’s unsure of when — or if — they’ll be refunded.

“That’s something we’re still working on,” he said. “That part I don’t have an answer to.”

Engen explained there have been some recent challenges with an employee and lawyers are involved.

While he may not be able to offer reimbursements, he maintains his company is “alive and well in Saskatchewan” and it’s “fully functional and willing to provide all services” couples expect on their wedding days.

According to Engen, Carpe Diem has around 200 wedding parties booked this season.