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Valet Park or Not?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Originally Posted by C5Vert4Jeff
The next question is, if you do decide to valet, what do you tip to have it parked up front as opposed to the parking garage?
I'm nervous about the valet but would like the attention the Vette brings. It would be neat to be waiting around with everyone else, the valet person pulls up with the Vette, everyone looks at each other, than we get to step forward.
I'm nervous about the valet but would like the attention the Vette brings. It would be neat to be waiting around with everyone else, the valet person pulls up with the Vette, everyone looks at each other, than we get to step forward.
Last edited by PUREFUN; Dec 12, 2005 at 02:50 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I used to valet in H.S... so I say 
unless it's only going 10 ft. to a spot out front. Otherwise, "Here's 10 bucks... I'll park it myself." 
unless it's only going 10 ft. to a spot out front. Otherwise, "Here's 10 bucks... I'll park it myself."
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area (Norcal) California
If it was one of those valet lots at a restaurant where they take it and park it right there in front of you, sure..no problem.
If it was a long term like you hotel guys, then i would definitely keep track of the mileage. And since i have a tuning program I would set a 1500rpm rev limit. Last thing i want is a broken valve spring or other engine damage cause someone drove it hard without warming it up.
Then there's body damage. That's a tough call. Most lots won't take responsibility for scratches and if you claim it your insurance deductible will likely cover the cost anyways.
My answer is YES, i would valet my car in most situations...
I love the beast, but it's just a Chevy in the end.
If it was a long term like you hotel guys, then i would definitely keep track of the mileage. And since i have a tuning program I would set a 1500rpm rev limit. Last thing i want is a broken valve spring or other engine damage cause someone drove it hard without warming it up.
Then there's body damage. That's a tough call. Most lots won't take responsibility for scratches and if you claim it your insurance deductible will likely cover the cost anyways.
My answer is YES, i would valet my car in most situations...
I love the beast, but it's just a Chevy in the end.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
When I was at SEMA a month ago in Vegas - I drove the Vette up from Phoenix. We stayed at one of the big hotels on the strip - and valet parking is about your only choice. I pulled up - got out of the car and spoke to the valet....it went something like this....
Him - "Are you checking in sir?"
Me - "Yes"
Him - "Are you going to be using the car in and out?"
Me - "No, I want it parked somewhere SAFE. Are you going to take good care of my car?"
Him - "That depends on how well you take care of me..."
At that point I pulled a $50 out of my pocket and said....
"Here's your tip - take good care of my pride and joy."
Before he took it out of my hand, I tore the bill in half and said...
"You'll get the other half when I pick up the car!"
He was shocked, and laughed. He called me crazy! But he parked it on the second floor where only the valets have access across 4 spaces. The car was not so much as touched until I claimed it four days later.
Oh and BTW - I gave him the other half of the $50 later that first day, because he was a nice kid and seemed trustworthy to me. I wasn't disappointed.
If you want to drive the Vette - try my thing, only I wouldn't obviously use a $50 for just dinner. Not all the valets are aholes, and they appreciate nice cars just like everyone else. Give him a $20 up front and ask him to take good care of your car. You won't be sorry!
Him - "Are you checking in sir?"
Me - "Yes"
Him - "Are you going to be using the car in and out?"
Me - "No, I want it parked somewhere SAFE. Are you going to take good care of my car?"
Him - "That depends on how well you take care of me..."
At that point I pulled a $50 out of my pocket and said....
"Here's your tip - take good care of my pride and joy."
Before he took it out of my hand, I tore the bill in half and said...
"You'll get the other half when I pick up the car!"
He was shocked, and laughed. He called me crazy! But he parked it on the second floor where only the valets have access across 4 spaces. The car was not so much as touched until I claimed it four days later.
Oh and BTW - I gave him the other half of the $50 later that first day, because he was a nice kid and seemed trustworthy to me. I wasn't disappointed.
If you want to drive the Vette - try my thing, only I wouldn't obviously use a $50 for just dinner. Not all the valets are aholes, and they appreciate nice cars just like everyone else. Give him a $20 up front and ask him to take good care of your car. You won't be sorry!
But, a great idea!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '06
Sure, I've done it. Although, it depends on where. Last time was at Morton's Steak House. They parked it right up front with a Viper and some high end Mercedes. Lot's of expensive cars at Mortons, I wasn't too worried
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
When I was at SEMA a month ago in Vegas - I drove the Vette up from Phoenix. We stayed at one of the big hotels on the strip - and valet parking is about your only choice. I pulled up - got out of the car and spoke to the valet....it went something like this....
Him - "Are you checking in sir?"
Me - "Yes"
Him - "Are you going to be using the car in and out?"
Me - "No, I want it parked somewhere SAFE. Are you going to take good care of my car?"
Him - "That depends on how well you take care of me..."
At that point I pulled a $50 out of my pocket and said....
"Here's your tip - take good care of my pride and joy."
Before he took it out of my hand, I tore the bill in half and said...
"You'll get the other half when I pick up the car!"
He was shocked, and laughed. He called me crazy! But he parked it on the second floor where only the valets have access across 4 spaces. The car was not so much as touched until I claimed it four days later.
Oh and BTW - I gave him the other half of the $50 later that first day, because he was a nice kid and seemed trustworthy to me. I wasn't disappointed.
If you want to drive the Vette - try my thing, only I wouldn't obviously use a $50 for just dinner. Not all the valets are aholes, and they appreciate nice cars just like everyone else. Give him a $20 up front and ask him to take good care of your car. You won't be sorry!
Him - "Are you checking in sir?"
Me - "Yes"
Him - "Are you going to be using the car in and out?"
Me - "No, I want it parked somewhere SAFE. Are you going to take good care of my car?"
Him - "That depends on how well you take care of me..."
At that point I pulled a $50 out of my pocket and said....
"Here's your tip - take good care of my pride and joy."
Before he took it out of my hand, I tore the bill in half and said...
"You'll get the other half when I pick up the car!"
He was shocked, and laughed. He called me crazy! But he parked it on the second floor where only the valets have access across 4 spaces. The car was not so much as touched until I claimed it four days later.
Oh and BTW - I gave him the other half of the $50 later that first day, because he was a nice kid and seemed trustworthy to me. I wasn't disappointed.
If you want to drive the Vette - try my thing, only I wouldn't obviously use a $50 for just dinner. Not all the valets are aholes, and they appreciate nice cars just like everyone else. Give him a $20 up front and ask him to take good care of your car. You won't be sorry!
... You sure your Randy and not Tony Robbins!?
Nice one though....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
The mind of The Master Motivator at work...
... You sure your Randy and not Tony Robbins!?
Nice one though....
... You sure your Randy and not Tony Robbins!?
Nice one though....You know the old saying, Dave - money talks and
walks!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
You know the old saying, Dave - money talks and walks!
walks!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
My girlfriend's son worked as a valet at a local Embassy Suites. They parked the cars down one level from the street. Since noone else parked cars where they did, they could do short acceration runs before putting in a stall. They didn't have to take the cars for joy rides, they had all their fun one level underground. Also, they were on the clock so they couldn't take cars out for rides.
I can say the parking outfit had one strict policy. You dent or scratch a car in ANY WAY and you were fired. He ended up getting fired because he accidently backed into another parked car.
Get a well taken careof 7-8 yr. old Caddy cheap (7-8k) for those 'valet nights.'
Heck, when new they sold for over $40 grand so they're generally decked out pretty nice, look impressive, have 300+ HP, ride real nice, have great 1st class seats and don't look too bad! Insurance is cheap and hwy mileage is well over 20 too.
Valets aren't too impressed with the luxury cars so they usually take good care of 'em. Besides they are so young they really don't realize the car probably cost you less than they paid for their rice-burner! Hehee...
..rickko..
I can say the parking outfit had one strict policy. You dent or scratch a car in ANY WAY and you were fired. He ended up getting fired because he accidently backed into another parked car.
Get a well taken careof 7-8 yr. old Caddy cheap (7-8k) for those 'valet nights.'
Heck, when new they sold for over $40 grand so they're generally decked out pretty nice, look impressive, have 300+ HP, ride real nice, have great 1st class seats and don't look too bad! Insurance is cheap and hwy mileage is well over 20 too.
Valets aren't too impressed with the luxury cars so they usually take good care of 'em. Besides they are so young they really don't realize the car probably cost you less than they paid for their rice-burner! Hehee...
..rickko..
Last edited by rickko; Dec 12, 2005 at 06:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
The only place I valet parked the Vette was when I stayed at a nice hotel in Dana Point.
They parked the car in front of the hotel, next to a Porsche 911 and a Maybach - and they used those museum ropes to close up the spaces. That hotel knows how to take care of their guests' sports/luxury cars.
They parked the car in front of the hotel, next to a Porsche 911 and a Maybach - and they used those museum ropes to close up the spaces. That hotel knows how to take care of their guests' sports/luxury cars.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Hollywood Hills Florida
I thank you all for your reponses. I have learned alot on this forum in the past few months I have been reading here.
My vette is not an everyday driver, so when I get a chance to take it out for a spin, I do. Besides, this is my daily driver, and it's almost impossible to park:
So,as one member quoted:
I am taking the vette out tomorrow and am hoping for the best. Wish me luck and I hope I don't come in here and say the majority of you guys were right.
My vette is not an everyday driver, so when I get a chance to take it out for a spin, I do. Besides, this is my daily driver, and it's almost impossible to park:
So,as one member quoted:
Originally Posted by Var
My answer is YES, i would valet my car in most situations...
I love the beast, but it's just a Chevy in the end.
I love the beast, but it's just a Chevy in the end.
Last edited by LivinMyDream; Dec 12, 2005 at 07:46 PM.