Valet parking fried my clutch !!!

[mmasse]

I know I should know better than leaving my car to valet parking, but my company is paying for parking and they only used this one @%#!@(^

Things started very bad. The first day I left the car ('02 C4S manual), they crashed it and damaged the bumper. it seems that they are using the "touching method" to park cars. All the way until it touches the wall.

I complained and they finally accepted to cover expenses, but they required to take the car to their own garage. I could imagined this guys racing my car for 3 days around NY, so I decided to have it fixed on my own...and now the clutch

I left car there yesterday and when I picked it up the clutch was slipping like crazy. Now, according to my understanding the clutch will not magically burned. I had no signals at all of clutch slipping before, and suddenly it is completely fried??!!!!

Now, I am not sure what to do. I know that if I go and tell them, they will never recognized it. It was already a battle to make them recognized the bumper crash, even when the bumper was coincidentally full of paint of the same color of their own wall. So, I came with the idea of putting a hidden camera and keep sending the car there for a couple of days, and see if I catch the m...f...

Now, I could just switch parking, which will imply not only to never recover the cost of the repair, but to also have to pay for it every month. I thought that if I make a strong case they will stop messing around with my car!!

Now, since I am a little be heated with the issue, I would like to get your opinions on this.

Thanks in advance.

[RexNoctu]

Maybe get a GPS tracker like people use for their teenagers, maybe even one tied into the ignition system so you could kill it remotely. Track them driving it around one afternoon then kill it on them when they are away from the garage. Then go ask for you car and act surprised when they can't deliver it right away.

[mmasse]

Well, I am not sure they even take it out of the garage. My assumption was they just play tire burning inside. It is an underground garage so GPS will not work, I guess. ..but thanks for the input

[ben parrish]

uhhh. I don't think it is possible to burn the clutch up by only parking it; that said, are you sure it hasn't gone for a joy ride? Ever check the mileage prior to turning it over and when you get it back? I can't help but think about Feris Buhler's Day Off.
How many miles on the car and current clutch?
Ben

[mmasse]

The car has 38,000 miles. I really don't think it is normal wearing. The slipping was from morning to evenning, and it has never slipped before. That's why my guessing is they were trying to burn the tires, withou knowing that in the C4S you will most certainly burn the clutch before any rubber gets to the floor!!!

To your point, no I have not checked the miles, and I will definetly keep it in mind for the future.

[ben parrish]

Clutch should last a lot longer that 38k. Any video cameras in the garage? You could always retain an attorney, file suit and get the tape from the cameras to show what happened.
Just a thought.
sorry for the troubles,
Ben

[Rusty Heap]

I highly doubt Vinny Barbarino sat there trying to fry tire in the garage.......but who knows.

I'd be buying them coffee and donuts and give the parking garage guys tips saying, be gentle with my baby.

[KCTarga3.2]

I have friends that have been valets. They stories they have told me are reason enough for me to never valet my cars - unless they keep it out front. I can gaurantee you that they have taken your car out for a joy ride - unless there are a lot nicer cars to play with there. Picture Ferris Buelers Day off. Also, if you ever do valet, walk around your car to check it out before you take it back. If not, once you accept the keys back they are not liable for any damages. Look on the back of the ticket stub. Does your garage have security cameras you could check?

[Befree]

A young valet guy in Las Vegas tried to shift into 1 st gear without using the clutch, this was the last time I use valet or drove my car where there is no self parking...... and if they know how to drive stick-shift they think they are Jackie Ickx...
In your case I would get a lawyer

[mmasse]

befree, sorry for the stupid question...but what kind of lawyer will take care of this. I just moved into the US and I have never deal with this before. any advice/recommendation will be greatly appreciatted. I am in NY city

Btw, tha parking I am referring is on 39th Street and Park Ave, in NYC...STAY AWAY FROM IT!!!

[twistoffat]

Anybody who´s ever seen Ferris Buellers day off knows "never leave you pride and joy in the hands of a Valet"
YouTube - Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Ferrari Scenes

[gregk1]

the valet must of had it in like 3rd gear and slip the hell out of it maby up hill to the next level of the garage many kids now days don't have a clue with a stick
you should be able to smell a clutch stink around the trans area or alot of clutch dust ??

[Joe V]

First time I got a ride in a P-car was thanks to a valet attendant I knew. We only went around the block at legal speeds, but it told me that they really don't have a high regard for our toys.

[yelcab1]

put in a camera, and about $10 woth of change somewhere. It will catch the bums, and they will be very keen to settle with you about the clutch too.

[David]

I used to be a teenage valet at a nice hotel. Never give a Porsche to a valet.

It was fun drifting 944's and 911's up the parking garage

I hate to admit it, but back then I had to use the hand brake to smoothly pull away on the hotel's inclined driveway in a clutch cable 911.

[RWebb]

"Now, I am not sure what to do."

1. Go there and look for video cams.
2. Call the Manager and tell him what happened; but nothing more. He will BS you. Do NOT agree for them to 'fix' it or have anyone they know 'fix' it.
3. Next, contact an attorney and have them send a demand letter and notice of intent to sue. This will include both events. Tell the atty if they have video cams or not.

- You made a huge mistake letting a varlet touch your car. Do not compound that by trying to handle it yourself. You need a professional, an an aggressive one. You will need to cough up ~ $100 for the letter, and that might end it right there. Otherwise, it will be expensive for you, but the varlets may wind up paying that expense.

[mmasse]

RWebb

The problem is that I can not access the parking, so i don't know if they have cameras.

it is one of this parkings in which you turn the key at the door, they put your can in an elevator and...bye bye. Underground it is big though, since they have access from both sides of the street, so i guess I have their own racing track down there. That's why i was thinking about collecting some eveidence with a hidden camera.

[JeremyD]

zoombak.com

[the_webbster]

Take the train...?

[mmasse]

Originally Posted by the_webbster

Take the train...?

I never thought about this!!! This is a very clever comment, you must be a valet parking guy