Valets, don't let them drive

[4AU4LIFE]

So my wife takes a trip down to Orlando this past weekend. I stay home to watch 12hrs of college football.
She and some friends go to downtown and want to get out and walk around but find nowhere to park. So they finally decide to valet.
After their evening of having a good time they come back to get car. While waiting for it to be pulled up she starts to make small talk with one of them.
Her: So, what is your favorite car you've driven
Him: Wow, that is a good question
Her: I'm sure you've driven just about every one of them
Him: Yeah pretty much
Her: So any stand out
Him: Well, you'll probably laugh but I really would have to say the NSX!
Her: Really, why?
Him: Easy to drive, comfortable, beautiful to look at
Her: Hmmm
Then her friend pipes up and asks: Did you get on it.
Him: BIG SMILE :biggrin: :biggrin: (you know what that means)

Just a friendly reminder.....DON'T VALET YOUR CAR !!!!!


disclaimer; I know there have been threads already about this subject but I thought a refresher might be in order.

 

[SugoiNSX]

I always valet my car but I park it myself and even take the keys with me. I always get the best parking in house and don't have to worry about door dings or some punk driving my car around.

 

[RON98]

lol.... why would you let anyone touch your baby?

I know i would not let anyone take my woman out for a "spin".... why would the NSX be any different?

Valets = human = will trash a car if its not theirs

If i was a valet.... everyone better watch out. I'll take 4/32 of an inch off your rear tires between pickup to drop off.... and i wont even add a mile to your odometer

Silly silly man :biggrin:

 

[4AU4LIFE]

I guess I should've also noted one thing. She didn't take our NSX.

 

[redshift]

I'm always careful with Valets as well. I had a friend who used to be one and he has told me many horror stories. I always park my own car in that situation and I've never had a problem not getting a spot out front.

 

[steveny]

After having a brand new truck dented I no longer valet.
BTW they denied they dented the truck and refused to pay.

 

[clr1024]

In Orlando if I valet downtown I have them valet at the street level, that way I get the keys back and I can keep an eye on my car if I want.

where did your wife go out?

 

[bjmills]

If i was a valet.... everyone better watch out. I'll take 4/32 of an inch off your rear tires between pickup to drop off.

Is there *anybody* left in the world who, even though they aren't paid well, would still respect others' property? Or does everyone share the above attitude? I like to think there are decent people left. Perhaps I am just naiive.

 

[Mike-san]

I always valet my car but I park it myself and even take the keys with me. I always get the best parking in house and don't have to worry about door dings or some punk driving my car around.

How do you handle this w/ the valet ? Do you say-"Don't worry, I'll park it because the cluth is acting funny." -and them tip them anyway ? Your idea sounds great, but I'm thinking that they might get pissed that you don't trust them and proceed to park the next car they park in such a way that you get a door ding anyway ? Suggestions ?

 

[arfnsx]

Well I have to chime in for a minute. I am a owner of a Parking Company with a division for valet parking. Obviously I would like to say that my guys are trained the best and with how they treat the customer. I explain to them that if they respect and treat the customer A++, then they will get the same in return in the form of a tip. In addition most of my accounts have cameras on the parking lots so I know if they leave the lot of if they are hot dogging it through the lot. (It really helps me against claims)

A simple way to make a valet happy is to give him $5 on the way in and $5 on the way out. That will ensure you will have a prime space up front and they will not pull a Ferris Bueller on your NSX.

 

[steveny]

Well I have to chime in for a minute. I am a owner of a Parking Company with a division for valet parking. Obviously I would like to say that my guys are trained the best and with how they treat the customer. I explain to them that if they respect and treat the customer A++, then they will get the same in return in the form of a tip. In addition most of my accounts have cameras on the parking lots so I know if they leave the lot of if they are hot dogging it through the lot. (It really helps me against claims)

A simple way to make a valet happy is to give him $5 on the way in and $5 on the way out. That will ensure you will have a prime space up front and they will not pull a Ferris Bueller on your NSX.

I am really not a fan of the "pay for your trust" type of business.

You have cameras but would you release the tape if it was not in your favor? Most companies would not.

If I owned a car worth more than 150k I would have hidden cameras installed in the car and a recording device in the trunk. This way there would be no challenging a claim I had.

 

[Mike-san]

Well I have to chime in for a minute. I am a owner of a Parking Company with a division for valet parking. Obviously I would like to say that my guys are trained the best and with how they treat the customer. I explain to them that if they respect and treat the customer A++, then they will get the same in return in the form of a tip. In addition most of my accounts have cameras on the parking lots so I know if they leave the lot of if they are hot dogging it through the lot. (It really helps me against claims)

A simple way to make a valet happy is to give him $5 on the way in and $5 on the way out. That will ensure you will have a prime space up front and they will not pull a Ferris Bueller on your NSX.

I know I'll sound cheap, but isn't $5 the first time sufficient ? For the record, my friends who club hop more than I do say that proper valet etiquette is $2 at the end of the night when they return your car.

 

[arfnsx]

Well as you know everything is on a case by case basis. If you feel comfortable then let the valet park your vehicle. It also depends on the tpye of parking lot/restaurant you are at. If you are at a 5star restaurant, then you would hope the valets are more trustworthy than those in a bar district where you know as soon as you turn around, they are going to steal your change or peel out in your car.

In terms of my camera, I will certainly show someone the tapes. If we did it, then gladly I will pay. I have bodyshops and rental car places to make the incident as bothersome as possible. It is better for me to pay 500 or 1000 to fix a car than it is for that person to bark up a storm with the restaurant owner.

 

[arfnsx]

I know I'll sound cheap, but isn't $5 the first time sufficient ? For the record, my friends who club hop more than I do say that proper valet etiquette is $2 at the end of the night when they return your car.

It depends on what car you are driving. If you are driving and NSX or higher profile car then $10 is not too much to protect your car but if you are in a basic honda or toyota, then $2-3 is fine.

 

[redshift]

How do you handle this w/ the valet ? Do you say-"Don't worry, I'll park it because the cluth is acting funny." -and them tip them anyway ? Your idea sounds great, but I'm thinking that they might get pissed that you don't trust them and proceed to park the next car they park in such a way that you get a door ding anyway ? Suggestions ?

Usually the valet will ask me if I want to park it myself. The one time that the valet did not ask, I said, "Don't worry, I'll park it. Where do you want me to put it?" There was no apparent animosity. :smile:

 

[bjmills]

It depends on what car you are driving. If you are driving and NSX or higher profile car then $10 is not too much to protect your car but if you are in a basic honda or toyota, then $2-3 is fine.

Is that discrepancy based on a perceived ability to pay? Or will your employees try to stop theft or vandalism if they've received $10 but not do so if they only received $2?

 

[NSX~PERT]

I valed my car on south beach once, parked it myself right upfront and kept the keys. The car is so low the valet guys parked an escallade infront of mine when th eowner went to pull out later that night he hit my front bumper since he didnt even see a car behind him. Moral of the story even if you park it yourself make sure u park it where something similar ot my situation doesnt happen Good thing hte damage was minimal and took only some re-painting the front bumper no body work.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

I have a very bad experience with Valet. Without any financial or property damage, thank god.

First, I admit that I don't like stranger driving my car, period. Even if it's an automatic car... So I don't have much intereaction with Valet.

I went to the casino nearby my home, this is a rather small casino and they don't have valet most of the time. So me and Freelance201 just circling the parking lot and try to find a spot in a well litted area. One of them approached me, and knocked on my window. (ok, finger print on my window, my pet peeve.) I rolled it down, and the guy said, "nice car",

I went "thanks",

He: Hey you want to park right in front of the main door? If you give me a good tip, I'll move this truck out for you......

HUH?? I was thinking, is that his own truck, or someone already tipped him to park there??? In fact I'm already a little ticked off, he asked me so specifically for the good tip.... I mean, I worked many years in various diff. types of cust. service, if you want a good compensation, you should do whatever makes your customer happy first then asking first.

I told him, NO thanks.

Then he goes, "what, you driving such a nice car and you can't afford to pay me??"

"Not interested", then I just moved on and park elsewhere.

Then as I drove off, Freelance201 happened to walk by them and hearing they said, loudly, "papa's money".....

I take that as a compliment since I probably look too young and they are jealous... I thought of walking up there and give them a lecture, or at least compliant to the Casino floor/manager/security, whoever that is... But then I thought, why would I want to spend my time to "teach" them and help them get paid better in future?? I hate to see people that way, but they are just idiot.

 

[Ben]

Remember this thread?

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28381

 

[redshift]

I know I'll sound cheap, but isn't $5 the first time sufficient ? For the record, my friends who club hop more than I do say that proper valet etiquette is $2 at the end of the night when they return your car.

$2.00 is proper if they have to bring your car to you. If you park out front, expect to pay $10-$20 upfront but you don't have to tip when you leave.

 

[RON98]

Is there *anybody* left in the world who, even though they aren't paid well, would still respect others' property? Or does everyone share the above attitude? I like to think there are decent people left. Perhaps I am just naiive.

People and untrust worthy and that is their nature. You are naiive. Kids dont work the valet jobs for the tips. There are many other jobs that tip better. They do it for the cars.. why drive a car at 5mph when you can let her rip at 60...? Also just the general people touching my car is just too much. You can let everyone park your car, dent it, curb it, take it for a spin.... me... no. I'll park at the other end of the parking lots away from all the crazies and walk over.

I just read this tread here,

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28381

the questions is WHY valet your car when you DONT HAVE TO?!

Taking down milage is really nothing. The valet can still take it out back and do a nasty burn out. rip up you clutch and tires.

 

[kam3ham3]

My brother-in-law used to work at a valet back in the day. He would tell me that he and his buddies would take EVERYTHING that was left behind. Spare change, CD's, cigarettes, even jackets. Not only that but it was at a hotel. If they knew that you were going to be there for the night, they would take your car HOME and take a nap if they were tired. Now my little brother works at a valet. I wonder what he's up to!!!

 

[Mike-san]

It depends on what car you are driving. If you are driving and NSX or higher profile car then $10 is not too much to protect your car but if you are in a basic honda or toyota, then $2-3 is fine.

Re: The NSX and dating

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by xsn
You have a 12 year old Honda that costs less than a new mid-level SUV. It is a good car (hey I have one too), but get over yourself. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[Rathemacher]

I was a Valet in College for a few different restaurants and loved every second of it. I never wrecked scraped, scatched, or curbed a car and I probably drove a few thousand different cars. I drove Porsches, Ferrari's, Vette's, M5's, etc. Did I floor all the cars? (NO) Did I ever floor a car? (YES but I can truthfully only remember 1 time) I did chirp the tires while starting off on accident a few times in a few different cars. I was even told by a few guys to floor the cars when pulling away!!!

Believe it or not all Valet's are bad, I treat my cars worse than I or anyone I worked with treated someone elses car! Thats what they were made to do right? Drive it!!! Drop a Valet a $10 or $20 when you park it and he'll put it right by the door or let you put it there yourself. Ask me how I know this!!! :biggrin:

 

[Rathemacher]

People and untrust worthy and that is their nature. You are naiive. Kids dont work the valet jobs for the tips. There are many other jobs that tip better. They do it for the cars.. why drive a car at 5mph when you can let her rip at 60...? Also just the general people touching my car is just too much. You can let everyone park your car, dent it, curb it, take it for a spin.... me... no. I'll park at the other end of the parking lots away from all the crazies and walk over.

I just read this tread here,

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28381

the questions is WHY valet your car when you DONT HAVE TO?!

Taking down milage is really nothing. The valet can still take it out back and do a nasty burn out. rip up you clutch and tires.

Where are you guys going out & Valeting at??? Usually the Valet parking lots are less than a block away.