I hate Valet parking

[Wakebrad]

Around here, valet parking isn't typically a necessity. I can understand the need for it if there is a lack of parking or the need to fit cars in a tight lot and possibly stack the spaces.

But I see more and more businesses offering valet parking where you just drop your car off and they park it in the spot right in front of the place you want to park in the first place. It's freaking ridiculous. I'm going to pay you to park my car in a spot where I was going to park in the first place? This also makes parking more difficult for everyone else as more often than not, half to all of the spaces in the lot are marked for valet and you have to park in BFE if you don't want to be taken for another $5 to $20.

This is not a service, it is a way to gouge you for more money. Drop-off is usually pretty convenient but pick up always takes FOREVER. Most of the time you can see your car sitting there but you have to wait for the d-bag valet guy who looks drugged up to retrieve 3 other cars before he carelessly drives your car as fast as he can through a maze of obstacles at ludicrous speed. It takes exponentially longer than walking to your car and driving off.

You never know if those guys are honest and are going to jack whatever you have in the car, or take it for a joyride. Usually it's at night and you couldn't identify nicks and dings if you wanted. There's also no recourse if you did find something because there would be no way to prove it. What do they care if they ding your door on the way to load the next car in line?

I have no respect for people who do this for a living or places who find it necessary to gouge their customers.

[/rant]

[actiondcpd]

I agree. Valet parking sucks.

[timmy]

agree 100%

I make it a point NOT to use valet.

In most cases it is the restaurant/business taking advantage of people wanting to buy status, much like expensive purses/shoes/watches

[Nauty]

I agree, not a fan of the valet. There's also nothing more awkward then pulling up to a valet and seeing that the valet guy is an old college friend from 20 years ago. Obviously things haven't gone well for him if he's still valeting cars. What kind of tip do you give him?

[ky1e]

$20 for valet parking?!?! Never heard of anything that pricey except some clubs in South Beach.

[Bowen]

Nauty, give him a life tip, like "Drugs are bad," then turn it into a lesson for your kids.

[marcg]

No, HATE is reserved for the legal theft that occurs from TOW TRUCK drivers.

I valet parked back in college, I found it was good money for a college/student.

This was a fancy steak house/restaurant and the parking was free and we worked on tips only. You were not forced into taking it, we used the furthest row back so we weren't taking all the spots.
We were insured up to $1 millon, after parking thousands of cars I never had 1 damage complaint.
Theft complaints were non-existent as well.
Not once was any sort of joy riding done.

[htownbdr]

There are certain times that 20 parking goes a long way. For example, I have been using the same guys at the galleria for years. Over time, it gets to where they know me, my wife and our cars. So, if we drive up and there is a long line to drop off, they will walk to us and take our car. Same goes for pick up. You can call it status, I call it convienance and the peace of mind to know my car is taken care of.

But, I don't do that at all places. Just at places I frequent or think look a little suspect. At a suspect place, if you give them a 20 they will usually park it up front and hand you back your keys.

Another place where a 20 goes a long way is if you are at a concert, rodeo etc and those people usually have the road going up front blocked off. if you slip them a 10 or 20 through the window, they will usually move the rope and let you park up front.

As a disclaimer, there are not many things I am anal over. But, Cars are one of them so it is a fairly big deal to me on where they are parked. And not that anyone likes dings, I think I take my hated for them to a whole new level. So, the extra money is worth it to me.

[ChrisG]

This thread got me thinking of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

[Jeff206]

If the car is not waiting for you when you leave the establishment, that is just chitty valet. Good places around here will notify the valets when your getting ready to leave and they have the car waiting.

[ohsix]

I share your hate. I don't mind valets or paying them when they are needed, but I hate pulling up to a hotel to check in and having to valet a car because all the close spots are reserved for valet parking. Most of the time, I'm just checking in and planning on leaving after dropping my stuff off at my room.

I've been to the Houston Galleria a few times and there's gated, paid parking just outside Tiffany's and a short walk from the door. I've always parked there. Unless it's cold or raining, I don't mind walking an extra 30 yards and parking my own car when I know I'm going to be walking 1+ miles around inside.

The only place I appreciate valets are places where there is no reasonably close parking available.

[J_DOGG]

Valet is kind of common here in Bean town - I agree it's a waste of money and time but at some places it's the only way you are getting in cuz their is NO on street parking and they own the only lot for miles.

I'm always worried they are going to steal my stuff but when you really think about it my stuff (self made CD's) is prob worthless to someone else.
The change in the cup holder is worth more to them - I have never had a problem.


One time I parked my Jeep at the airport for a week in the secured parking lot I paid extra for to find every single coin removed from my vehicle..Go figure.
Over all I have had real good luck with not getting stuff stolen from me - I drove jeeps for years so that just gets you in the habit of not keeping anything of value in your vehicle.


Don't hate on the poor college kid just tryn to make some snaps - hate on the restaurant for forcing this on people for no need.

[htownbdr]

ohsix, with that lot you are going to get moms in their oversized mercedes or SUV carrying their three kids and all their crap they bought that day open their door and slam it into mine with no regard for other peoples stuff whatsoever. No thanks. Did I mention I REALLY hate door dings.

[Wakebrad]

marcg, sounds like at your place it wasn't a problem, I don't mind that scenario. That is actually a service.

But for the most part it just seems like valet guys are shady. It's all part of the same model. They probably work for a company who goes around and pitches this to businesses.

Last week I was at the mall, yes they have valet at the mall here. Multiple locations in fact. I bet they were taking up about 30% of the mall parking with valet (Northpark for you Dallas people). The rest of the mall parking was full except for the ample spots available in valet. I tried to sneak past the valet guys and park there but the valet guy starts trucking it back to tell me not to. Can't let me get by without getting his cut. I fled the scene before he could talk down to me for trying to park in what should be a public spot. I'm just really getting fed up with it.

[pet575]

Until last month, I had to valet in my office's parking garage every day for the past 5+ years. It was great for the first 2 years, until the guy who'd been running the garage for 40+ years retired. They brought in two young kids whose dad was the new manager of the garage and they sucked. They never were around and you had to wait for 10-15 minutes for your car. If a decent looking female was in line anywhere, you knew she was going to the front of the line (not that I'm against taking care of decent looking females by any means) even if you'd been there for 15 minutes waiting.

I used to drive a 1991 Dodge Stealth RT/TT that was in GREAT shape. Within a month, they had completely worn the clutch out of the vehicle by not knowing how to drive a stick, holding the car on inclines while waiting by using the clutch only, etc. I cringed every day they drove it away from my presence. I requested several times that they just point me to where to park it and I'd handle it but they'd have no part of that.

To top it off, they rewarded you by regularly rummaging through your glove box or storage console without making any attempt to hide it. They would also steal any change or chewing gum that you left in your vehicle with no regard.

The straw that broke the camel's back for our firm was when our biggest client's wife came in for some personal business and they pretty much pillaged her vehicle. She called and complained to our managing partner. The next day, our firm was advised that we were going to start self-parking at the garage across the street. One of the best days I've experienced here at this place.

[shaggyboarder]

I will never valet my car. Ive heard to many horror stories and have heard stories from people who work valet. No thanks.

[STANG KILLA SS]

between the big cam and big clutch, the valet wouldnt get my camaro moved 6" lol, theyd just have to give the keys back
yearly vehicle inspections are always fun

[marcg]

It must be pretty bad these days if they are hiring guys who can't even handle a stick shift on a sports car.
Nicest car I parked was a very high end Ferrari, no problems with the stick shift/clutch on that thing.
I did have one Arab guy who had an automatic Rolls Royce who said it was way "too complicated to drive" Anyways he gave me money to park it himself in the valet section.

One thing I must say: People driving average cars tipped far better than the aholes in the high end cars. It was a scene that played out night after night.

[NKCrider]

i wouldnt ever valet my truck, they would probably grind the hell outta my fenders this my tires cuz they try to crank the wheel all the way to get it into a spot

[DCdave56]

You guys are weird, valet is the coolest thing on the planet, I've never had problems and I love the convenience, it's worth the $5. Your car is more likely to get damaged in the public parking with careless people everywhere...

[_bruky]

I hate valet. I use it on exclusive occasions, but like most people I cringe when the tweaker drop-out takes my $100k+ piece of dingable, dentable, electronically sensitive machinery into their hands.