Valet Anyone?
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 505
Likes: 6
From: Dover De
Valet Anyone?
So I used Valet for the first time with the vette on Sunday and Monday. The experiance was very pleasant. I was very nervious, but once I saw the car in the lot and it was parked next to a flower bed and in front of the building and no one parked within 10 ft of the car I was happy.
I took the radio head off, locked the glove and console up, gave them my ignition key and I held on to the fob. My wife said I was crazy for being so nervious.
I got the car back and everything was fine, no damage and nothing stolen, milage was the same. I tipped the guy and called it a day.
I was wondering who here uses Valet?
I took the radio head off, locked the glove and console up, gave them my ignition key and I held on to the fob. My wife said I was crazy for being so nervious.
I got the car back and everything was fine, no damage and nothing stolen, milage was the same. I tipped the guy and called it a day.
I was wondering who here uses Valet?
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Sorry, but no way I am going to let some valet service drive my car. 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,065
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From: Central Ma
While I would avoid at all costs, I had to once at a very nice hotel in Boston. I spoke with them ahead of time and had no issues. I made myself very clear.
The other thing that was a nice surprise were all the positive comments about my car as there were plenty of much more expensive cars around.
Zaino =
The other thing that was a nice surprise were all the positive comments about my car as there were plenty of much more expensive cars around.
Zaino =
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,058
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
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if i am forced into a "valet" situation, i always ask to park it myself up front and tell the guy it will be worth his while. down here in so florida, that's not a particularly unusual event. most of the places that you might find yourself in that position WANT your car parked up front along with the ferraris, maseratis, bentleys, etc. they all think the same way and take the same action if it can't be avoided. for the most part however when i know that will be the deal, i drive one of my other cars that night, lol.
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Washington
I live in Seattle and, a few years ago, for my wife's birthday, I took her to a very up scale restaurant. The valet greeted us up front, helped us out of the car and my wife and I went inside to enjoy a wonderfull dinner. 1 1/2 to 2 hours later, we walk out to the valet station only to find that they cannot find our car key. Come to find out, the key was left in the ignition with the motor running the whole time we were inside. Hmmm, should I tip these guys or not. I think not
. Lession? Never will I use a valet again.
. Lession? Never will I use a valet again.
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Some months back a piece aired on our local news, St. Louis, MO, about the valets at a Hotel parking lot taking cars out for "joyrides". They videotaped themselves doing donuts, drifting, burnouts, FULL accelerations, and 360's around cement pillars. Some of it is even done INSIDE the parking garage. Idiots posted it on youtube and were caught. So no, I do not use valet.
P.S. They did not discriminate. Porsche, Chevy, Dodge etc etc
*DISCLAIMER - If you have a weak stomach skip :40 - :46.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yew0qj32Vs
P.S. They did not discriminate. Porsche, Chevy, Dodge etc etc
*DISCLAIMER - If you have a weak stomach skip :40 - :46.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yew0qj32Vs
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 586
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From: Glendale CA
Never valet
I've had "friends" who'd worked in valet and told me stories of how they drove 'em like they stole 'em
....some friends huh 
......When the guys asks to valet (like at a party or club), I tell them I'll park it myself in the valet spot. I still pay them the tip, but hang on to the keys
I've had "friends" who'd worked in valet and told me stories of how they drove 'em like they stole 'em
....some friends huh ......When the guys asks to valet (like at a party or club), I tell them I'll park it myself in the valet spot. I still pay them the tip, but hang on to the keys
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Still the Fastest (still running) Stock Bottom End Blown LS1/ 2010 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Hamilton, NJ
I valet parked cars for years when I was younger. If it was a halfway decent car, and we didnt get a tip up front, you dont want to know what we did to those cars...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
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From: Los Angeles California
Some places I go, self-parking is not an option. I've been to quite a few places where it's valet only. My friend from my car club works at one of the places as a Valet and he has a Vette so I trust him with my car. He also lets me self park anyway sometimes.
I'm ALWAYS nervous when I have to hand my keys off to the valet. I've gotten my car back with new scratches and I'm always curious if they're out joy-riding my car. I also don't trust them to treat the car right from an interior POV. Scratches in my seat, missing the key hole and scratching the key plate, scratching the shift ball, crunching syncros, etc...
Always makes me sweat.
I'm ALWAYS nervous when I have to hand my keys off to the valet. I've gotten my car back with new scratches and I'm always curious if they're out joy-riding my car. I also don't trust them to treat the car right from an interior POV. Scratches in my seat, missing the key hole and scratching the key plate, scratching the shift ball, crunching syncros, etc...
Always makes me sweat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I've never tipped up front. Didn't even realize you do that. I usually tip well when I get my car though... So basically what you're saying is that I'm tipping them after they potentially have already screwed up my car?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 8
From: Still the Fastest (still running) Stock Bottom End Blown LS1/ 2010 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Hamilton, NJ
Yep... Exactly. Tip up front was just a guarantee that we wouldnt touch it other than park it up front, close. no tip... good luck! That was 15 years ago... Im sure nothing has changed..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Thanks for the advice! Believe me this will come in handy big time for me since there's a lot of places here in Los Angeles that don't have self parking. (What a load of crap. LOL)
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