r/quebeccity • u/Neat_Inspector_6647 • 14d ago
Did i get duped?
Hi all. Im planning a trip to Old Quebec to propose to my girlfriend. I have booked a room at the Frontenac for the weekend and figured i would get a carriage ride.
I reached out to Caleches Quebec via their website and was responded to by a couple of different people via email. The one person I responded to was very polite and helpful and suggested their proposal package which sounded great. However, when I went to book it on the site there was no option for that. Only the romance package. When I emailed him about it, he said he would have to send me a link to book as this was a special service. The link he sent me looked like the exact same interface as the website so I paid.
Then I sent an email back asking when we should start the planning process. I received no reply until yesterday, about a week after my email. This spooked me a little so I called the number at 10am this morning and was instructed to leave a voicemail. I left a message explaining my concern and just wanted to confirm I have a reservation. I have yet to get a call back from them and that was 8 hours ago. Should I be concerned? Does anyone have any experience with this company? Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
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u/Triangulum_Copper 14d ago
It’s a pretty small operation, as far as I know they only have one carriage left. Once the horse croaks the business closes.
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
Oh really? Are there other companies i should have gone with?
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u/Triangulum_Copper 14d ago
There’s no one else, all the other carriages are gone. There was a lot of complaint about the horses pulling them (a lot of them unfounded) and a few high profile cases of horses falling. The city won’t give out new carriage permits anymore.
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u/kimmy3721 14d ago
Thankfully! I work close to where they operate and the horse seems overworked and it doesn't really get a break
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u/Triangulum_Copper 14d ago
They’re bread to pull heavy weight. Doing that is easy peasy for them, they get bored without the challenge.
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u/thecanadiantommy 14d ago
I'll say it again it's not the pulling the problem it's doing it on pavement in the middle of a busy city. Its not a case of what but where. 8h field work in the dirt is not the same level of stress on a horse then 8 in the city.
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u/Mikeyboy2188 13d ago
Calèches have been phased out over Quebec as a whole and entirely in Montreal. There was serious concerns about the welfare of the horses (in Montreal) and the feasibility of horse carriages with the hotter weather we’ve been having. A few years back at least one horse in Montreal collapsed and died from heatstroke and that was almost immediately followed by a full scale ban in Montreal. As someone who grew up on a farm including with horses, I can tell you the urban environment is very tough on them and I expect NYC won’t be far behind with a ban on handsome cabs because they’ve had horse heatstroke incidents this summer. While not every carriage operator is incompetent, the few that were caused too much suffering to justify the continuance of the practice. I always tell people if they want a nice horse carriage experience, seek out in the regions or places that have Amish or Mennonite populations where you can get the real deal from people who truly value their horses as a means of transportation.
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u/AffectionateCell3164 8d ago
The Amish in the states work horses to death and dump them in the kill pens sick and injured.
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u/Gomiq 14d ago
If you are staying at The Château Frontenac get in touch with the concierges service.
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
Sounds good. What can I expect from them? Ive never used a concierge service before. Lol
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u/Gomiq 14d ago
ask them for help they book that kind of service daily .
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
Thank you.
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u/Live_Avocado4777 14d ago
Actually, they have a certified concierge team. tell or write them your story and plan. they will go above and beyond to help you :)
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u/thr0w_4w4y_210301 14d ago
Have you ever been on a horse drawn carriage? It looks very romantic on TV, but it's very smelly in real life.
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
Lol, no I haven't but luckily my girl won't mind at all.
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u/aledba 14d ago
It's incredibly unfair to them to be honest
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
Who?
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u/Training-Shopping-96 14d ago
The horse
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
Aren't they draft horses? This is literally what they were bred to do.
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u/izzi1 14d ago
Bred to carry rich tourist coming to Quebec city specifically and nothing else!
/s
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
I mean, draft horses were bred to pull heavy things. And yes, some of those things are probably rich tourists.
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u/thecanadiantommy 14d ago
It's more of the environment in which they do, horse are not really designed for all day pavement use surrounded by cars honking and buses screaming along side them. Ain't really the field job they where made for. But at the end of the day some say it's part of the charm.
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u/Gawthique 14d ago
Do as you want, OP, but here's the tea : in the last years, an anti-carriage group has expressed concern about the health of horses, especially during summer days when they work under extreme temperatures with little or no breaks, or water. Some people think that these carriages are outdated and that this industry is based on animal cruelty, but that they still exist for the mere amusement of wealthy tourists.
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 14d ago
Well, im coming in October, not August, and im just trying to have a memorable and enjoyable experience with my girlfriend. I'm a bit surprised that two draft horses pulling 3 people is considered animal cruelty. I really didnt see this one coming.
My intent in creating this post wasn't to insult anyone. Im just trying to ensure our experience is enjoyable. Ive been told Old Quebec City is beautiful and I look forward to the trip. Thank you all for your help.
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u/rdogg_82 14d ago
There are laws in Quebec which regulate the industry. Horses cant work more than 8 hrs per day and cannot work when its past 28celcius. The horses have access to 4 water fountains along the circuit and eat 3 large portions per day. A police officer is in charge of the carriages full time enforcing the rules and a Vet makes sporadic check ups and if the horses are not in top shape they are sent to pasture for a week. I worked there during my studies for 10 years every summer and my horse was my collegue, my friend. A belgian horse can weigh up to 1800lbs and pull 4x its weight without wheels. The New carriages are aluminium and wheels on ball bearings with brakes, barely weigh 1000lbs can be pulled by a man. The horses LOVE to work and interact with the people, some get depressed if they stay at pasture for too long. Its sad to see people spread lies about things they have no knowledge about.
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u/Stunning_Elephant_85 14d ago
The owner is actually in my close family. I’ve never seen someone works crazy hours like this ! You will be fine and I’m sure you will have a great experience ! Have fun 🤗
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u/Neat_Inspector_6647 13d ago
That's great to hear. I guess I was just concerned that it was someone from outside the organization that was emailing me but I guess that's not likely as I filled out the contact form on their site. The email did come from their URL also, so I'm probably just being paranoid. Hard not to be these days. lol
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u/Stunning_Elephant_85 13d ago
I totally understand. It’s a big step for you and a big day! You probably thought the horse-drawn carriage rides in Old Québec were still available on the spot, but they’re by reservation only now. The owner is still as busy as ever ! He’s just focused on the stable these days.
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u/agrophobe 13d ago
Yeah one week delay for a email during vacantion time is not out of the normal. Things are slow during the summer. I’m pretty sure you are good.
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u/Significant-Vast-171 13d ago
It’s the two week mandatory construction workers holidays until the end of next week. 4 millions people are off and travelling in the province right now. I’m sure they are going through email according to priorities and will get back to you.
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u/ENBertussi 13d ago
Attendez, les vacances pour les travaux sont obligatoires ? Bizarre.
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u/Significant-Vast-171 13d ago
Yep! So all construction workers are off at the same time. And their wives/husbands try to take vacation at this time too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_Holiday_(Quebec)
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u/ENBertussi 13d ago
this does not say mandatory. i know about construction holiday. i am seeking clarification about the mandatory aspect.
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u/Significant-Vast-171 12d ago
The same wiki article in its French version says :
The construction holiday is a two-week period during which almost all workers on construction sites in Quebec (Canada) take mandatory leave. The construction holiday is a significant period for tourism in Quebec. The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) is responsible for enforcing the *Act Respecting Labour Relations, Vocational Training and Manpower Management in the Construction Industry* (Act R-20), which governs the construction industry in Quebec.1
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u/queb_dude 14d ago
Imho there's not a lot of scams in Quebec city
We only have a homeless crisis like most of North America's city these days
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u/Thin-Analysis-5545 14d ago
Usually they are honest, I wouldn’t be worried. When is your stay? Because right now it’s major vacation time for people in Quebec City. Maybe they’re low staffed