G37_Gio

Im a Valet and i wanted to ask my fellow G37 owners if you trust a Valet with your car?

TakmaN

I know where this thread stemmed from .

In many cases, I don't have a choice. I try to avoid if possible but if I go out to a nice restaurant that requires valet, I'll valet. My car is probably one of the cheapest they'll drive that night.

Superteeth

I would not trust a valet with my G37. In fact, I would not trust a valet with any car I drive, even my 2001 Kia Sephia. This stems more from general paranoia than anything (as you can see, the monetary value of the car I am driving is not relevant). I do not like the chances, however slim, of a valet messing something up in or on my car.

RYs06MT

iTrader: (4)

Depending where, if a high end place where their parking Benz, Porsche, Ferraris, Rolls Royce and other high end cars I wouldn't think twice about my little G37.

If it was some dinky complimentary service for like a TGIFridays or a movie theater
I wouldn't.

WillCo1

Absolutely......NOT!

I used to valet at a casino/hotel years ago.

The valets would all try to get the fast/nice vehicles to park (even though we mostly went in order). And lets just say burnouts, high acceleration and other shenanigans were quite common.

Not to mention the valets who would steal change, food, candy/gum or even pills out of customers vehicles.

Very common for a valet to take a peak in the glove box or center console.

I would rather find a safe parking spot and just walk.

RYs06MT

iTrader: (4)

^ I have a question about that, if it was that serious wouldn't all those guys with high end cars complain and stop using your service? I'm sure abuse is done but is it really that bad? Or do the owners complain and you guys just don't get fired and keep messing people's cars up? Doesn't make sense to me

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

We go to Vegas 4 to 5x a year and have used valet probably 20 times per trip so in the range of 80 to 100 valet transactions a year for the past 15 years. Never had a single issue, and although I'm sure there's probably been a couple bad apples in the group I don't have a problem using them. A couple casinos we frequent even park the G out front for easy departure. Only real gripe is many turn off the auto light switch
I guess I have faith in the valet guys, but I'm a gambler

RYs06MT

iTrader: (4)

I'm not talking about a GT mustang and a corvette. If you were messing up exotics and cars over $70k I'm sure you wouldn't last in the job long.

WillCo1

Well, just to clarify, most vehicles get parked quickly, safely and in a professional manner.

However, what i listed above is when a vehicle is parked in an unprofessional manner.

And these instances are not obvious. I mean, if someone has a bunch of change - quarters etc - how would the driver ever know if the valet stole a couple dollars worth? Same thing with gum, candy or even a bottle of pain pills in the glove-box. If the valet steals one or 2 pills out of a mostly full bottle, the driver would likely never know.

Same thing goes for burn-outs etc. How would the driver ever know? You wouldn't.

And think about cold starts first thing in the morning or when the vehicles has sat for a while. Do you really think the valet is going to start your vehicle and let it warm up for a bit before driving? Of course not. They are going to start it up and immediately put it in drive and rush it out to you.

Like I said, the vast majority of the time, it's business as usual for a valet. But there are times when a bored/angry/frustrated/overworked valet will treat your vehicle in a less than friendly manner.

WillCo1

Most high end vehicles were routinely parked right up front in the VIP spots. Vehicles probably $70k and above were parked in these spots. Literally like 30 feet from where the customer pulled up.

Usually the driver would tip 20 or 30 bucks for this. But we would mostly just do it automatically for liability issues.

We wouldn't park a Rolls with all the common beaters.

RYs06MT

iTrader: (4)

I totally understand now, so the owners with the G, stang and vette are more at risk for abuse than the rich lambo owner. I never looked at it that way. You're right their always upfront like a display. The G is probably parked next to every other average car and beaters

WillCo1

Exactly. And these are the vehicles that the valet would look forward to parking. Vettes, GT Mustangs, Lexus, BMW, AMG Benzes, etc.

It was cool to see a Bentley, Rolls, high end Porsche or Ferrari pull up, but we knew we weren't going to get to drive it. Sometimes the customer would even park their vehicle themselves in the VIP spot (with permission of the manager).

Rikter

iTrader: (7)

Nope.. but then I wouldn't go somewhere where valet is required. Generally speaking parking is free in the evenings on the street. A tip is generally expected/appreciated for valet parking and I don't see why I would have to pay to go to your restaurant/commercial location even before ordering a meal. Provide free parking for your patrons. Sure, there is the argument that you don't have to pay for valet but then would you want someone pissed off parking your car? not I.

Zimshimmy

Used to trust Valet but not anymore. My recent bad experience with Valet has taught me a good lesson - Never trust valet with any of your cars.

quakerroatmeal

iTrader: (3)

Nope I don't trust any valet. I'll ask if I could pay to self valet, or I'll just park far and walk.

Most of the time nobody finds out about the abused vehicles. Unless there was an actual accident..for the most part the owners wouldn't know.