There was a rather heated thread on the GH Shenzhen thread last year about the Concierge that set up a "private ride" for a customer that was similar to yours. Seems he got charged a ton, and then just handed off to a private guy. I'm sure that it's similar to much of the world, where the Concierge gets a good chunk of money for handing customers off like that.

If Wendy did indeed set up such a transfer for a customer, it's doubtful that she'd want it posted on FT, and get in trouble for it.

And at the border crossing, no need to haul stuff up stairs. There is an elevator, when you first come in from the taxi dropoff area. Near the bathrooms. Slow as hell, but better than lugging stuff around.

I've never used the FC carriage. Just get a seat, and that's all you need, really. This isn't a 18 hour train ride in India.