Valet Parking: If you do use valet, when do you tip?
 

If you decide to use the services of a valet attendant, do you tip him to park your 911 or do you tip him after he retrieves it?

I want to tip the guy parking it so that he looks after it well. Often times it's not the same guy retrieving your car as the one who parked it, so then I feel compelled to tip the guy who retrieves it too. Yet, I feel I should tip only after I've gotten my car back in right order.

How do you guys handle this?

I tip afterwards. If you like, you can tip a few dollars to the guy parking the car, then tip the guy who brings it back.

I think they tend to share the tips at the end of the night.......might be worth asking them.

Don't valet the 911. Then no need to tip both beforehand and after.

But I suppose if you're going to valet something you cherish (like your 911), then it's worth your while to pay twice. ;)

Since there's essentially no self parking in mid-town Manhattan garages, I have selected one and stuck with it over the years. I drive in once or twice a week and tip a couple of dollars on the way in then generously on the way out. Occasionally when it's cold I bring coffee or when it's brutally hot, Gatorade. As a result, my P-car has never seen the elevator and is always right there in front when I need it.

Normally, I tip when they bring the car. When I say normally, I mean when I'm NOT driving the 911.

I only have two experiences with valeting the 911. The second one was the other night (see earlier post).

The other place was a restaurant I knew and I asked the attendant if I could park it myself and he happily agreed. It must be a common request because I noticed that the position on the key board meant something because it was a different guy when I left and he just handed me the keys. In that case I tipped the first guy well. The second guy went on to the next customer as soon as he handed me the keys.

I used to work for a valet company back in high school...The fancy sports cars always got abused... Avoid the valet, unless there really is no alternative.

We went for dinner last night. One valet attendant, same guy going in as leaving. $8 posted rate for valet parking. I asked the guy "do I pay you now or pay you later?" "Later" was the answer.

The parkade is just up the coble stone drive. There's nowhere really for joy riding. I got my 911 back in good order.

+911

If you must, tip when you leave. Depending on the lot, some places have a "premier" area for sports cars/exotics right out front. Tell the valet there is a $10-20 in it for them if they'll let YOU park your car there and you don't have to worry about joy rides. Most valets do not pool tips.

I worked valet in college for 3 years in OH. From my experience, I would say park it your self and pay the man up front to do so. If you tip him enough, you can ask to hold on to your keys. If they want to hold your key, it shouldnt be a problem either way. Now if you do decide to let the valet park your car, I would tip more beforehand and little afterwards. The may think twice not to abuse the hell out of it, but who knows.... My advice is to not valet your 911 unless you have to, and even then try to valet it yourself up front and to hold on to the key. This means instead of 10 bucks to valet, it was like 40 or 50 for a VIP spot. Also, it helps to speak with the guy valeting your car, get to know him a little and chat it up. This some time helps keep the valet from thinking about doing something stupid with your car. That's just my $0.02.

We always pooled tips where I worked. Some places do it differently though...

A friend's son valets cars at a fancy local restaurant. Has a guy with several nice cars (Lambo, AMG, Panamera) who gives the valet half a $20 bill when he leaves the car and the other half when he gets it back after dinner.

I tip few dollars to the guy parking the car then finally when picking up. Only the Mbz never the 911

Make sure they can drive a 911, I used valet 1 time and they couldnt get the 915 in gear , it was funny.

Sure it is a 911 we are taking out of for dinner, but really, is it worth more than a new Camry or Accord? Why is everyone so afraid of having it parked but will gladly take another car.....

I see the same things on threads when folks are worried about getting the 16x6 inch 125 dollar fuch scratched at the tire shop.....

I'd think twice about having a new GT3 valet parked, but certainly not a mid 80's 911..... :)

Somewhere on Hamilton street?? :)

The Lift on Bayshore Drive (Waterfront). It's more of a paving stone actually than cobble stone road.

If you pronounce it "Poursh-a", no one else drives it. If you pronounce it "poursh-UHHHH" then you can compare it to a new Camry or Accord. Whenever I park my Poursh-a I always turn around and give it a second look.