Parking
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 875
Likes: 73
From: NW Arkansas
I'm another "no valet, ever" type. I have never had a situation where there wasn't an alternative.
Last year, when my car was just a few weeks old, I booked a hotel in downtown Austin that had only a valet garage attached. I'd made a non-cancellable reservation so when I found that detail out I called ahead. I explained to the gentleman on the phone that I wasn't comfortable having someone park my manual transmission, brand new expensive car. He told me he would tell the valets to let me self-park.
When I arrived, the valets knew who I was and and set aside a prime spot with in and out privileges, they were very nice about it. In the end, they didn't even charge me for it, although I tipped the guy who led me to the spot the first time. As I was being checked out by the hotel manager, he noticed my name and it turned out he was the one I spoke to on the phone. I gave them a great Trip Advisor review for accomodating me.
Last year, when my car was just a few weeks old, I booked a hotel in downtown Austin that had only a valet garage attached. I'd made a non-cancellable reservation so when I found that detail out I called ahead. I explained to the gentleman on the phone that I wasn't comfortable having someone park my manual transmission, brand new expensive car. He told me he would tell the valets to let me self-park.
When I arrived, the valets knew who I was and and set aside a prime spot with in and out privileges, they were very nice about it. In the end, they didn't even charge me for it, although I tipped the guy who led me to the spot the first time. As I was being checked out by the hotel manager, he noticed my name and it turned out he was the one I spoke to on the phone. I gave them a great Trip Advisor review for accomodating me.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 741
From: NYC
I will avoid valet whenever possible, but I live in NYC and parking garages and parking attendants are pretty hard to avoid if you want to drive anywhere.
Here is my plan of attack:
1) Stick to the same garages. I have probable 5 or so garages throughout Manhattan that I use regularly for their respective neighborhoods. The attendants get to know you pretty quickly (especially with a distinctive car) and will go out of their way to take care of me.
2) Ask to park yourself, if possible.
3) Tip well when you drop off the car. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but $10 goes a long way.
4) As you tip point to a spot up front and ask them to put it right THERE. Be specific. A "leave it up front somewhere" leaves plenty of room for interpretation / parking close to others.
5) If its a garage or attendant I don't know, without calling their attention to it (so as not to seem like a jerk who doesn't trust them) I use my phone to take a picture of the gauge cluster as I get out. I'm careful to have the photo show the mileage at drop off and the inside of the garage through the windshield. The photos have a capture time stamp embedded in the EXIF info of the file. With that info and the garage ticket I can tell if excessive mileage or abuse was put on the car under their care.
This has worked well for me so far.
Here is my plan of attack:
1) Stick to the same garages. I have probable 5 or so garages throughout Manhattan that I use regularly for their respective neighborhoods. The attendants get to know you pretty quickly (especially with a distinctive car) and will go out of their way to take care of me.
2) Ask to park yourself, if possible.
3) Tip well when you drop off the car. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but $10 goes a long way.
4) As you tip point to a spot up front and ask them to put it right THERE. Be specific. A "leave it up front somewhere" leaves plenty of room for interpretation / parking close to others.
5) If its a garage or attendant I don't know, without calling their attention to it (so as not to seem like a jerk who doesn't trust them) I use my phone to take a picture of the gauge cluster as I get out. I'm careful to have the photo show the mileage at drop off and the inside of the garage through the windshield. The photos have a capture time stamp embedded in the EXIF info of the file. With that info and the garage ticket I can tell if excessive mileage or abuse was put on the car under their care.
This has worked well for me so far.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
I will avoid valet whenever possible, but I live in NYC and parking garages and parking attendants are pretty hard to avoid if you want to drive anywhere.
Here is my plan of attack:
1) Stick to the same garages. I have probable 5 or so garages throughout Manhattan that I use regularly for their respective neighborhoods. The attendants get to know you pretty quickly (especially with a distinctive car) and will go out of their way to take care of me.
2) Ask to park yourself, if possible.
3) Tip well when you drop off the car. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but $10 goes a long way.
4) As you tip point to a spot up front and ask them to put it right THERE. Be specific. A "leave it up front somewhere" leaves plenty of room for interpretation / parking close to others.
5) If its a garage or attendant I don't know, without calling their attention to it (so as not to seem like a jerk who doesn't trust them) I use my phone to take a picture of the gauge cluster as I get out. I'm careful to have the photo show the mileage at drop off and the inside of the garage through the windshield. The photos have a capture time stamp embedded in the EXIF info of the file. With that info and the garage ticket I can tell if excessive mileage or abuse was put on the car under their care.
This has worked well for me so far.
Here is my plan of attack:
1) Stick to the same garages. I have probable 5 or so garages throughout Manhattan that I use regularly for their respective neighborhoods. The attendants get to know you pretty quickly (especially with a distinctive car) and will go out of their way to take care of me.
2) Ask to park yourself, if possible.
3) Tip well when you drop off the car. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but $10 goes a long way.
4) As you tip point to a spot up front and ask them to put it right THERE. Be specific. A "leave it up front somewhere" leaves plenty of room for interpretation / parking close to others.
5) If its a garage or attendant I don't know, without calling their attention to it (so as not to seem like a jerk who doesn't trust them) I use my phone to take a picture of the gauge cluster as I get out. I'm careful to have the photo show the mileage at drop off and the inside of the garage through the windshield. The photos have a capture time stamp embedded in the EXIF info of the file. With that info and the garage ticket I can tell if excessive mileage or abuse was put on the car under their care.
This has worked well for me so far.
What is the liability for valet service?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 500
Likes: 19
From: Miami FL
I have an Idea for Porsche regarding this conundrum!
In the PCM system Porsche should have a Valet option that you should be able to activate with a passcode, the car would then have its revs limited to 4000rpm and speed limited to 60 mph (or another of your choosing).
I have Ferris Buller's Day Off nightmares!!!!
In the PCM system Porsche should have a Valet option that you should be able to activate with a passcode, the car would then have its revs limited to 4000rpm and speed limited to 60 mph (or another of your choosing).
I have Ferris Buller's Day Off nightmares!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 1,116
From: Canada
I have an Idea for Porsche regarding this conundrum!
In the PCM system Porsche should have a Valet option that you should be able to activate with a passcode, the car would then have its revs limited to 4000rpm and speed limited to 60 mph (or another of your choosing).
I have Ferris Buller's Day Off nightmares!!!!
In the PCM system Porsche should have a Valet option that you should be able to activate with a passcode, the car would then have its revs limited to 4000rpm and speed limited to 60 mph (or another of your choosing).
I have Ferris Buller's Day Off nightmares!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 2
From: CA, NM
I worked for a valet company back in the day. There is a huge hassle when a car gets damaged. Everyone loses.
Tip before and park it yourself. Anyone who won't let you do that is up to some sketchy stuff. There is no reason for that not to be an option.
Tip before and park it yourself. Anyone who won't let you do that is up to some sketchy stuff. There is no reason for that not to be an option.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 830
Likes: 3
From: Eastern PA
Valet our new Explorer in NYC one night, got it back it looked OK. Went to pay the NJ-into-PA toll and only the top coin was left in the despenser in the glove compartment. It WAS full of coins before the valet got ahold of it.
So my spidey senses were tingling..................when I got home I checked the car over carefully and found the new spare tire (full size) was missing. For the sake of safety in case of a flat tire thank goodness I checked, but the NYC police or the valet did nothing to compensate the loss, they told me to contact my insurance co.
Suggestion: If you do valet, check your tire repair kit is intact, easy to steal, easy to miss.
So my spidey senses were tingling..................when I got home I checked the car over carefully and found the new spare tire (full size) was missing. For the sake of safety in case of a flat tire thank goodness I checked, but the NYC police or the valet did nothing to compensate the loss, they told me to contact my insurance co.
Suggestion: If you do valet, check your tire repair kit is intact, easy to steal, easy to miss.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 249
Likes: 5
From: Pacific Northwest
Do we really think these valets are professionals...NOT?
Practically speaking, our electric parking brake they have never experienced. Just say advanced technology, let me do it...no extra tip required ( if they chime in I know it has an electric brake then let 'em have at it, but I'd be very shocked.)
Practically speaking, our electric parking brake they have never experienced. Just say advanced technology, let me do it...no extra tip required ( if they chime in I know it has an electric brake then let 'em have at it, but I'd be very shocked.)
Where do you live that you've never seen one?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,131
Likes: 2,636
From: Pac NW
Why not just leave a GoPro or other dashcam in plain sight, something that features a blinking LED that suggests that it's always recording? If I were a valet, that's the last car I'd mess with.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 511
Likes: 14
I Manhattan I suggest you walk them around the car, explain that you afraid it will get dented, and give them $5 to "look after it". Then tip them again when you take it out. In 10 years of parking Pcars there I never had a problem.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 511
Likes: 14
I Manhattan I suggest you walk them around the car, explain that you're afraid it will get dented, and give them $5 to "look after it". Then tip them again when you take it out. In 10 years of parking Pcars there I never had a problem.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 830
Likes: 3
From: Eastern PA
Hehe.........Right out of Ferris Beuler's Day Off, "It's amazing what a finnski will do to a guys attitude".