ea327

We’re back from our latest trip. This time it wasn’t as much fun. We stayed at The Graduate Hotel in Richmond, VA. When we arrived, we were told that we could park it on the street or hand it over to a valet. The latter was the lesser of two evils, so I gave him the car. He told us it was his first day and I said he’d be on camera.
The next morning the valet brought the car to us and as I walked up to it I could immediately see some damage on the right front fender. I showed it to the valet, who filled out a claim form and told us we would be contacted by Towne Park, the valet company. After a few phone calls (had to leave voice mails) and some emails we finally got a response. They said that since their valets do an inspection on each vehicle and the damage was noted, we have no claim. The funny thing is, we didn’t see any inspection performed and we were not informed of any damage. Although the video shows that after he parked our car, the valet stood in front of it and took some selfies.
We asked Towne Park for a copy of the valet’s inspection form, but surprise! No response. We’re still perusing this, but in the meantime we won’t be staying at any Graduate hotels.
Yeah, I know. NEVER use a valet.

BTW-we did get to The Tail of the Dragon. Pictures to follow.

proexpert

The entire population lies, the truth is dead forever. Nobody is accountable for their actions anymore. It's sad but true.

HAD2HAV2

Last December 2016, our company had the annual company get together – Christmas party at 5Church in downtown Charlotte. There were two kinds of parking, valet or walking 2-3 blocks to a nearby parking garage. I didn’t feel safe walking those blocks at 10 at night and I was sure not going to hand the keys of my 2105 to some young parking attendant. I let it be known that I was not happy with the parking arrangement and didn’t show up. Needless to say I held a slight grudge. As of 2 weeks ago, I gave the company 3 months to replace me because I was retiring.

TXshaggy

^^^ Cool story bro...you taught your company a lesson!

Aerovette

I usually pay the valet to let me park my own car in their designated space. I'm about 50/50 on success with that. They just want their money.

Steve Garrett

There is NO WAY I'm letting someone else park my car......

m3incorp

I always say never to valet, even if it means staying in a different hotel or eating in a different restaurant.

red62vette

Several years ago I drove my Explorer to a work offsite at the Resort at Squaw Creek at Lake Tahoe. I gave my car to the valet to park for the night, and when I picked it up the next day the entire side of the truck was bashed in. Not just a small dent - three panels. They claimed I delivered the car like that, and when I spoke to the GM of the resort he said "I'm gonna stick with my guys on this." F***ing complete liars and scumbags, but I had no recourse.

JerryU

Recall when I brought an elderly friend for a day procedure at the local large hospital. Drove up to the entrance and they have a young man who will park the car so you can go with the person who is having the procedure. Neat free service.

I saw the young man's eyes as he thought he was going to drive the Vette! For fun, I asked if he could drive a standard shift (having no intention of allowing it anyway.) He hesitated and said NO!

robertbruce

When you let someone else park you car your are asking for trouble.

itaylorm

I regularly allow valets to park my car in reliable places. Not everyone lies. I am sorry to hear about each of these bad stories. I suspect that the lion share of experiences are different. we usually only hear about the bad ones

davidtcpa

I will usually pay extra for up front valet parking. Then I watch them park it. Never an issue, but it can become pricey depending where you go.

Kent1999

If it's valet only, we take my wife's car, or don't go at all.

Good for those who have had good luck with Valet-ing an expensive sports car, but it seems for every 1 'good' experience, there's' 10 "Ferris Bueller" experiences!

Phanni

When given the choice of parking on the street or having a 'valet' park it, why not simply say "cool, I'll simply ride with you as you park my car"..

taylosw

Vegas Valet is the only way to go. I've never had an issue and have Valet it at Santa Fe about 5 times and some Strip Casinos about 3 times. No issues and hope I never have any. It has so many cameras...3 in the front and 1 in the back..you'd be an idiot to ruin that.

Also tipping well at Santa Fe has kept me on the good side ^_^

F4 Phantom

with that 150%, Steven.

golden2husky

If I have to leave a car in the hand of a stranger (never the Vette) I pull out my phone and walk around the car and shoot a quick video of the car, making sure to capture the valet as well. No way I'm getting screwed if I can help it. Honesty, like privacy, is dead.

Former USMC

Greetings,

Personally, I would never allow anyone to park my car or even use my car (another post I read this morning). I have a friend who owns a variety of very expensive automobiles. He always parks valet, BUT he drives the car (always up front), parks the car, and only allows them to HOLD the keys. He tips very, very well, but no one ever drives his high priced supercars.

Corvettes are replaceable and most these days can be bought at or below invoice. It's a car. Many other cars cost thousands more.

As a daily driver, my expectations for the wear/tear of the car are reasonable.

If you have to use valet, take out your smart phone and take a short video of the condition, include the valet driver. There's your proof.

Semper Fi

dvilin

Fireeagle

Sad that this happens so often and even with the cameras, the hotel won't assume responsibility. There will never be a valet that ever sits in my vette let alone park it.