Valet Parking Strategy
08-09-2003, 06:46 PM
#1
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Valet Parking Strategy
Does any have a strategy for parking their Porsche in a secure restaurant valet parking area themselves rather than have a valet parking attendant park it....I personally have a hang up about turning the keys to my Porsche to a teen-age punk that I wouldn't even trust with my lawn mower...., am I paronoid????......, what are your experiences (approaches) in dealing with this issue.....ie strategies for tipping/buying your way through the valet parking etiquette gauntlet....
Raoul in Colorado
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Raoul in Colorado
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08-10-2003, 12:54 PM
#2
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I do NOT valet park my car.
I usually tip the valet and he directs me to a good spot (usually right in front)
I have heard to many horror stories about valet parking.
I usually tip the valet and he directs me to a good spot (usually right in front)
I have heard to many horror stories about valet parking.
08-10-2003, 01:05 PM
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I don't take the Porsche to places where a wild-eyed teen will drive my car, so that's the only tip I can offer. But I think your fears are well grounded in the reported experiences of others. I've read reports of the mysterious "evaporation" of several gallons of fuel, wild drives (and speeding tickets), beer spills in the interior, and, of course, bent metal/plastic. In one case I read about, a car was totaled by a valet. I assume such cases are relatively rare, but we let the parking valets drive our SUV instead.
08-10-2003, 10:46 PM
#5
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I do valet service as part of my job.
Do not ever, ever valet your flawless Porsche. There is NO reason to take the chance. Yes, they will fix any damage, but a car has been damaged, it's been damaged.
That said, I park a LOT of cars and I'm damn good at it, and I've never so much a nicked a door against the wall in my 2 years of doing so. Every other one of my co-workers has done some significant damage. That should say enough.
We still offer self parking service in the same parkade, and it's cheaper. Last night there was a gorgeous silver 993C4S from washington parked downstairs - too bad for me it wasn't valet!
Do not ever, ever valet your flawless Porsche. There is NO reason to take the chance. Yes, they will fix any damage, but a car has been damaged, it's been damaged.
That said, I park a LOT of cars and I'm damn good at it, and I've never so much a nicked a door against the wall in my 2 years of doing so. Every other one of my co-workers has done some significant damage. That should say enough.
We still offer self parking service in the same parkade, and it's cheaper. Last night there was a gorgeous silver 993C4S from washington parked downstairs - too bad for me it wasn't valet!
08-12-2003, 11:03 AM
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My Porsche is only driven by me or my mechanic (sometimes I let my finace drive it).
I would never let a valet park my car. I park it. Then, if it gets damaged, it is my own fault. Also, I never take the car if the parking situation could be iffy.
I would never let a valet park my car. I park it. Then, if it gets damaged, it is my own fault. Also, I never take the car if the parking situation could be iffy.
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08-12-2003, 12:58 PM
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Depends on the restaurant, parking lot, etc. Like many others, if there is a valet, I will usually take another car. However, the one time I had a last minute lunch and I was driving the C4S, I tipped the valet $5 and he let me park right in front in a HUGE space next to pylons. I tipped him another $5 when I left. Seemed like a good deal to me.
08-13-2003, 01:26 PM
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Altho not restaurants, here's what's worked for me at hotels.
Drive the car yourself. If necessary take the valet with you who can direct you the the valet parking area where you might be able to select a nice wide stall between pillars.
Or, after paying valet rates they may let you self park in their valet parking area, which is also more secure.
First saw this at the Marriot in Monterey when 355 spider owners stayed in the drivers seat bc it was easier than letting valets try to figure out the paddle shift.
Drive the car yourself. If necessary take the valet with you who can direct you the the valet parking area where you might be able to select a nice wide stall between pillars.
Or, after paying valet rates they may let you self park in their valet parking area, which is also more secure.
First saw this at the Marriot in Monterey when 355 spider owners stayed in the drivers seat bc it was easier than letting valets try to figure out the paddle shift.
08-15-2003, 07:20 AM
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not a service that we get a lot in England. thank goodness!
only time it's ever been offered was at a hotel in dublin, no spotty youth but a mature well groomed door man who seemed to know what he was doing and no charge.
only time it's ever been offered was at a hotel in dublin, no spotty youth but a mature well groomed door man who seemed to know what he was doing and no charge.
08-20-2003, 06:54 AM
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There was a story of a guy in England who had a rare 928 CS or SE and dropped it off at British Airwais Parking to pick up his boss. When he came back, they said a mishap happened with the car and gave him a rental. They tried to cover up for days that they had totalled the car, crashing it against a concrete wall.
You can valet park my Saab, but you ain't going to touch the beast...
You can valet park my Saab, but you ain't going to touch the beast...
08-20-2003, 07:24 AM
#15
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We don't have a lot of valet parking in Sweden, but the only persons who drive my car is me and my mechanic and my best friends who I know can drive.
I once let one of my absolutely best friend drive my S2 since it had to me moved and I had a few drinks earlier. It was a 2 km drive and when he came back he said that is smelled funny after the drive.
He had pretty much fried the clutch since he didn't know any better. An expensive way to learn that lesson for me. I let him drive my BMW sometimes and he loves that car, it's an auto so no problem there.
I once let one of my absolutely best friend drive my S2 since it had to me moved and I had a few drinks earlier. It was a 2 km drive and when he came back he said that is smelled funny after the drive.
He had pretty much fried the clutch since he didn't know any better. An expensive way to learn that lesson for me. I let him drive my BMW sometimes and he loves that car, it's an auto so no problem there.