More horror stories:

I used to valet for a company in AL.
First, those of you who use the "it depends on the establishment" justification - it usually doesn't. Most restauraunts contract their valet service to a valet company, which may or may not be trustworthy. So, just because you like the place or know the owner doesn't mean your car is safe.
I'd never valet my car because I've seen:
-A guy drift a M5 around a 5-lane 90 at about 40mph or more.
-Guys park by "feel" rather than sight-> How much room? Just wait till you feel the bump.
-Someone from another company that was working with the company I worked with at a huge party swipe a few hundred from the console. (They searched our guys' cars even for the cash and we didn't have it. From what I remember, nothing ever happened to the guys from the other company).
-A car get a bad scratch on the side in plain view and watched the guy that did it stand in front of it when he dropped the car off and let the guy drive off (if something does happen to your car, they probably won't tell you about it)
-Some poor guy's clutch get ground like I've never heard because the valet didn't know how to drive a stick.
-Joyrides
-Doughnuts
-Burnouts

To name a few.

So, I don't care if I look cheap for parking across the street; I know what some people do with these cars.
I recommend parking it yourself if at all possible. Sleep well.

 

i park it and give the valet $20 to keep it there.

 

No do not valet the vette.

 

The best way is to NEVER hand your keys over to ANYONE!!!!!!

 

I have a buddy (who shall remain nameless, because he is on this forum occasionally) who valeted his Vette. The dimbulbs parked his pride and joy in a hashmarked no parking zone. Some retarded bimbo comes stumbling out of the club - hops into her P.O.S. and proceeds to hit his car. After she hit she tried to back out and take off, and was stopped physically by the two bouncers (off-duty Maricopa County Sheriffs Deputies). One of the two bouncers went into the club and found my buddy and told him what had happened.

He came out to confront this moron - she denied the whole thing and took off!

Bottom line.....
The Valet company assumed no responsibility even though they parked the car - illegally. The club had no liability, and the police were powerless because this happened on private property. So he got stuck with paying his deductible, any attempts to contact the moron finally resulted in her threatening to get a restraining order.....

Moral of the story - park your own car.

 

I think not...no way...no how...uhuhhh

 

John never, never valet park your vette

 

If something like this happened to me, and I couldn't get it resolved....I know what I would do........take them to court.

 

This isn't directed at your post, because I agree with you; however, I think it is interesting that so many people on here are very very quick to sh*t on the courts, judges, lawyers, etc...and to talk about how lousy the "system" is, but so many also want to sue and take stuff to court. Which is it people? Does the "system" suck...or is it where you do to get problems solved? This was a rhetorical question. There is no need for anyone to answer. I just really get a kick out of constant contradiction.

Sorry for temporarily hijacking the thread. Carry on...

 

Tip and park yourself or just take the Camry.

 

No way!

 

Never......Never.......Never.

 

Motel 6 got valet parking now?!! YEA......

Seriously, yes, I do valet parking at hotels (do a walk around every time the car is delivered!) but will never, never allow a bellman to take the luggage out. They think nothing of allowing the bags to touch the paint and we know how easily the paint scratches.

 

I know they LOVE IT when you pull up in a nice Vette.

Used a valet one time but made it worth his while to treat it right

 

What makes you think that by giving the valet a big tip he's not going to "dog it" when you walk away and are out of sight?

 

Valet.......not a chance.

 

1st of all, I will not take the other car. I got a vette to drive and enjoy it. 2nd, I will use the valet. Done it dozens of times and had no problems. Tip the guy when you drop it off and again when you pick it up.

 

It really depends on the company here on whether i valet or not. A few of my friends valet (one has a 00 FRC) so I talk to them about which guys can or can't drive. But again it really depends on the company. I know American valet has some good drivers and some not so good drivers, but if something happens then the managers on site do take care of you. If the car is in the Valet's care then they are responsible for it. They have private lots they use and the other driver should not have been there, so they failed to make her leave. I've obviously heard some stories about them. A friend of mine blipped the throttle in an SRT-10 and got the back end loose on accident. These guys have to drive so many cars in 1 night that it is difficult to adjust to every single cars throttle response and clutch, they aren't all the same surprise surprise (like I'd have to mention that to you guys) . This kid drives a 93 TT Supra every day but happened to break the back end loose of a SRT-10 but that doesn't mean he can't drive. And almost all of the managers will let you park your own car, it's basically free money to them.

 

I'd tip him/her so that I could park it myself. However, one time with a '57 Chevy Nomad I had, even with a tip the guy refused to let me park it myself. Thinking of Ferris Bueller, I left. I kinda figured what was up.