Do you guys valet your car?

[captainaudio]

Self parking your car does not guarantee that you will not return to a damaged car. I have never had an issue vallet parking but have had several cars damaged in parking lots. I park far away where it is unlikely that someone will park next t9 me and still have had car damaged`

[Prossx]

A local tire shop asked how to put the DCT in park.

[georgere]

No

[Sassicaia]

I recently stayed at a hotel for 40 nights and valeted my car 2-3 times a day each day.

Zero issues.

[Kooch]

I had dinner last week at a small restaurant in the north end of Boston that had valet. I pulled up and tipped the guy $20 when I handed him the key. He moved the valet sign and parked me at the curb in front. Was able to watch the car the whole time.

Then again, the week before at my office I valeted. When I left that day I noticed the things i left in my passenger seat were moved to the rear. Then I had a random coworker approach me the next day and told me not to let them valet my car. Apparently he was in a meeting in a room overlooking the parking lot and saw my car being driven around and around the lot. Then watched them park, swap drivers and continue. I had another employee mention he saw similar things in the past.

No damage but seems like the whole valet thing is a mixed bag.

[NoMoreAudi]

Originally Posted by Kooch

I had dinner last week at a small restaurant in the north end of Boston that had valet. I pulled up and tipped the guy $20 when I handed him the key. He moved the valet sign and parked me at the curb in front. Was able to watch the car the whole time.

Then again, the week before at my office I valeted. When I left that day I noticed the things i left in my passenger seat were moved to the rear. Then I had a random coworker approach me the next day and told me not to let them valet my car. Apparently he was in a meeting in a room overlooking the parking lot and saw my car being driven around and around the lot. Then watched them park, swap drivers and continue. I had another employee mention he saw similar things in the past.

No damage but seems like the whole valet thing is a mixed bag.

It's hard to ask for compensation because how do you assign value to some asshat joyriding your car? If they didn't crash it, you come across as douchebag because nothing was "damaged."

If they do mess up your car, you have to prove the damage was already there... and they will leave that to you. In short, avoid the headache and situation entirely and self-park or uber. It's just getting harder and harder to own nice things.

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by NoMoreAudi

It's hard to ask for compensation because how do you assign value to some asshat joyriding your car? If they didn't crash it, you come across as douchebag because nothing was "damaged."

If they do mess up your car, you have to prove the damage was already there... and they will leave that to you. In short, avoid the headache and situation entirely and self-park or uber. It's just getting harder and harder to own nice things.

Dash cam

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by Kooch

I had dinner last week at a small restaurant in the north end of Boston that had valet. I pulled up and tipped the guy $20 when I handed him the key. He moved the valet sign and parked me at the curb in front. Was able to watch the car the whole time.

Then again, the week before at my office I valeted. When I left that day I noticed the things i left in my passenger seat were moved to the rear. Then I had a random coworker approach me the next day and told me not to let them valet my car. Apparently he was in a meeting in a room overlooking the parking lot and saw my car being driven around and around the lot. Then watched them park, swap drivers and continue. I had another employee mention he saw similar things in the past.

No damage but seems like the whole valet thing is a mixed bag.

Why dont u keep track of miles ? I note the mileage down when i drop car off at dealership and dont valet at all.

[tropicalypso]

I valet... because they end up parking the car in front of the restaurants that my wife and I frequent.

Beats parking it among strangers who may or may not care about dinging your door.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by tropicalypso

I valet... because they end up parking the car in front of the restaurants that my wife and I frequent.

Beats parking it among strangers who may or may not care about dinging your door.

My sentiments exactly!

[REDEV217342]

Never. I wouldn't let those prepubescent clowns valet my rental car.

[WoodKnuckle]

Nuff Said!

PS: I posted this before!

[KevinM]

@

[cipri]

Originally Posted by NoMoreAudi

Any personal horror stories with your BMW? Curious to know what you guys have experienced. I see articles that pop up on the news or Jalopnik every now and then and it makes me nervous...

I never valet my cars

[jmg]

I was a valet in my younger years. I treated the cars with respect, but others not so much. One guy even wrecked a Porsche trying to "drift" in the parking garage. Idiot. I don't valet if I can help it. So far there were only 2 times it couldn't be helped and I was forced to valet. Just do an inspection, if they damage it, they will pay for it so what's it to me?

[Wills2]

I love the US, if that question was asked in the UK it would mean do you clean your car, it's rare to have valet parking in the UK unless you're staying at a top London hotel.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I love the US, if that question was asked in the UK it would mean do you clean your car, it's rare to have valet parking in the UK unless you're staying at a top London hotel.

All of us car guys here hate it. I guess its seen as a "classy" service offered by nice restaurants and hotels here but its more of a nuisance in my mind. Im perfectly happy to park my own car and be on my way.

[captainaudio]

Self parking does not mean your car will not get damaged.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

Self parking does not mean your car will not get damaged.

So a 92 Geriatric (that shouldn't even have a license) goes on a tear and that makes self parking unsafe?

Come on man that's a feeble argument no?

Strategic parking (corner spots where idiots can't back into you) are WAY safer then Valet. Period

I did a quick google search of Valet Parking Fails. There is a plethora of vids.

I get the whole Manhattan thing you got going on but Valet Parking sucks unless you grease the shit out of the attendant and even that isn't a guarantee.

[SMGCFP]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

All of us car guys here hate it. I guess its seen as a "classy" service offered by nice restaurants and hotels here but its more of a nuisance in my mind. Im perfectly happy to park my own car and be on my way.

What makes a car guy? I think I'm a car guy. I'm not insulted, but there are people who like cars who will valet, automatic wash it, let the dealer wash it, etc. Like things, love your family. I like my M4, but it's just a car. To each their own. I think it's valid that some of you won't/don't valet your cars. To think people who do aren't car guys. Seems a bit judgmental.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by SMGCFP

What makes a car guy? I think I'm a car guy. I'm not insulted, but there are people who like cars who will valet, automatic wash it, let the dealer wash it, etc. Like things, love your family. I like my M4, but it's just a car. To each their own. I think it's valid that some of you won't/don't valet your cars. To think people who do aren't car guys. Seems a bit judgmental.

Sheesh it was just an innocent post in response to our friend across the pond.

I valet my car when I have to, but I certainly prefer not to. I didnt say you cant be a car guy and valet your car, I just said we dont like it (which most dont)

[tropicalypso]

Funny story about a recent valet experience...

I was about to go into the restaurant, but I first wanted to hear my M3 start up and watch it drive off.

After a minute of waiting, I realized that something wasn't right...

So I walked back down to the valet, and the guy was sitting in the driver's seat with his hands in the air, utterly clueless as to how to drive it (its a DCT).

I asked him "you know what you're doing?" and he looked down at the ground, and said "no", lol.

Luckily, an older valet came rushing in and said "I've driven these before".

The ended up parking it 20 feet away in front of the restaurant. By itself. Under a spotlight.