to valet or not to valet, that is the question.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by CountD

They certainly aren't negligent here in California.

Yes they are...

Hotel Intercontinental (nicest/priciest hotel at the time...same one that The Whiz worked at), driving girlfriends Mercedes to her company Christmas party. Several $$ in quarters in the ashtray (her parking meter money)...gone the next morning.

The only "professional" valets I knew were at the Hotel Del. Some were reportedly pulling down $80k, so were extra courteous/careful as to not kill the golden goose.

[rinverso]

ok ok, i understand the many reasons not to valet now.......but isn't it give you a rise when you and your date wait and have the valet pull up with your baby, while everybody waiting drools, waiting for their toyota.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by rinverso

ok ok, i understand the many reasons not to valet now.......but isn't it give you a rise when you and your date wait and have the valet pull up with your baby, while everybody waiting drools, waiting for their toyota.

Toyota? Where are you dining, Red Lobster?

[rinverso]

are there red lobster's in palm beach? haha.....maybe it was a lexus, and yes they were still drooling. matter of fact we went down to the basel art show in miami last weekend, and actually saw a new maseratti owner checking it out.

[Danny_Ocean]

C'mon down to JB's On The Beach or Ocean's 234 (Deerfield Beach) on a Sat. night. Damn valet lot looks like a Lambo dealership...(be sure your date is wearing Guido repellant).

[CountD]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

Yes they are...

Hotel Intercontinental (nicest/priciest hotel at the time...same one that The Whiz worked at), driving girlfriends Mercedes to her company Christmas party. Several $$ in quarters in the ashtray (her parking meter money)...gone the next morning.

The only "professional" valets I knew were at the Hotel Del. Some were reportedly pulling down $80k, so were extra courteous/careful as to not kill the golden goose.

So a couple quarters in the ash tray are gone. They probably wanted to play Donkey Kong...

The valet at the Hotel Del now costs $21 just for a couple of hours, and I had to wait 5 minutes last time for them to park my car - so I self parked it. 80K - no, it's closer to 45, but still...

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by CountD

80K - no, it's closer to 45, but still...

No, it was $80k...in the early 90's. I have no reason not to believe the guy. I knew him personally. The "senior" valets worked weekends & holidays, allowing them to rake in significant tips. 7 cars/hr. @ $5 tip = $80k.

But, as with everything else, everything in Calif. is superior, including your honest & trustworthy 915 shifting valets...

[David]

When I was a valet I somewhat dreaded the air cooled Porsches. I loved them but dreaded stalling in front of the owner with the slight slope of the hotel's driveway. My solution? A little handbrake while pulling away. I did take a Targa sildeways up the the parking garage once

So the best tip I ever got was $20 and this was back in the mid 80's. It was a nice pickup but all the guy had was $20's. I was very grateful. Fast forward a couple decades to a few days ago. I take a girl to a nice restaurant with all the Porsche's and Mercedes parked up front and we're in the pickup. I go to tip the valet and all I have are $20's....

[whiz05403]

Originally Posted by CountD

So a couple quarters in the ash tray are gone. They probably wanted to play Donkey Kong...

The valet at the Hotel Del now costs $21 just for a couple of hours, and I had to wait 5 minutes last time for them to park my car - so I self parked it. 80K - no, it's closer to 45, but still...

Hey now!! We may have had fun on the job, but to my knowledge no one was a thief. (unless you were a regular who did not tip, then all bets are off!!)

Another good piece of advice: If you are going to use the Valet, tip him VERY well. Things change drastically when you stiff.!! Don't stiff! Tip before and after.

[Jerome74911S]

Even my occasional Porsche mechanic has crunched the gears of my 915, and one time he offered to deliver the car back to me after doing some work - the car pulled up with his son driving! I didn't authorize this.

And, the son complained that he had a hard time getting the trans into various gears on the way to my house. He said that they needed to do some work to correct this. It shifted fine for me, but not so well later. . .

[H-viken]

No way. Only if it is a rental. I have too many friends who have been working as valets and I have heard some horror stories. For ex "How far do you think I can get this car to slide by slamming it in to park?"

[dshepp806]

Complete non-sequetur...NO!

Why even take the chance?

BEST!

Doyle

[tazzieman]

I have never understood your social custom you have where you have to bribe someone to do a proper job - which they are employed to do in the first place! OK , if someone has gone above and beyond the call of duty (exemplary service) - but otherwise? Weird, but I suppose no weirder than miles and gallons!

[Jakuzzi]

Originally Posted by Arne2

Never. Not with any of my cars. I generally won't go somewhere if valet is required, but if I must I'll take a cab.

That's what I do too!

[speednme1]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!...NEVER!!!! also in Spanish......NO!...

[bdisco]

Rolls Royce Rally Car - YouTube

[mikesride]

I live in a small town....no valet parking anywhere!!! Took the car to Banff a couple years ago and the hotel parking was valet only. I wasn't sure what to do, till the young man said...."uhm, sir.....I would prefer if you would drive" He sat in the passenger side and showed me where to park, also showed me how to get back into the garage to fetch my own car. That kid got a good tip!

[Sox Fan]

One of my favorite pet peeves is valet parking in suburban areas where there are plenty of places to park right there. In dense urban areas, where your car will be parked two blocks away, the concept makes sense.

In suburbia where I can walk for a minute to get my self parked car? Why would I wait 5 minutes for someone to bring it to me?

Oh yeah, ego. I will happily walk to my self parked Porsche or the BMW while the rock stars wait for their Accords to be brought to them. Style!

[Danny_Ocean]

Valet Takes Corvette on Joyride Caught on Tape - YouTube

[Joe Bob]