| Author | Message | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 842 Registered: 10-2001 |
I was responding to a different thread and it bounced me here! Weird...sorry! | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 840 Registered: 10-2001 |
Chains remove a major headache from the equation. No one in the Europa group has ever mentioned a broken chain; it's just unheard of. It's the most bullet proof part of the Twin Cam engine. Other cars may be different. I'd trade that for the lower weight of a belt in a street car any day. | ||
| Dave Goldman (Dave328)
Junior Member Username: Dave328 Post Number: 123 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yeah, the Ritz in New Orleans SUCKS. I had the valet pull up my then new 530i, and proceed to get out of the car with it still in gear. He jumped back in and threw it into park!!!!!! It didn't hurt anything but I did make sure to notify the hotel manager just incase. Now I never never never valet. I tip well and park myself. Dave | ||
| Frank Foster (Sparta49)
Member Username: Sparta49 Post Number: 512 Registered: 3-2001 |
John, I spoke to the adjuster handling the claim (he is in Dallas) He asked me to fax him a letter with the price of a bumper and a fair labor rate. I will do so tomorrow> If I don't receive a favorable response I will take you up on the offer of a "love letter" | ||
| Ike (Ike)
New member Username: Ike Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2003 |
at the ritz I usually get the blue ticket signed by my usual waiter and they never charge me. I've left it there till late the next day before with no charge, FWIW. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 609 Registered: 3-2002 |
Also, be VERY careful if you valet your car at the Windsor Court in New Orleans. I personally know someone who recently took out a 360 and a Murcielago for a 4 mile joy ride on the SAME NIGHT. Scary stuff * If you slip the valet guy $15 at the Ritz here in N.O. he will make sure that you are not charged the full $25 for overnight parking. | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Junior Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 221 Registered: 12-2002 |
Give a nice impression to a lady friend on the F car is another thing, but when it comes to the Valet, here is my philosophy: Never, ever, ever, (I repeat once more ever) let anybody touch the steering wheel on your F car, at least not to mine. Remember Ferris Bueller's day off movie?? Pay $50/month for a previllage parking my F cars in front of the hotel while working out. I have a key chain that separate the key and remote. I only gave the valet the key and I get to keep the remote. I have a written aggrement that nobody moved the car after I parked it unless the building is on fire. They can't open the door with the key since the alarm will go off. I get to keep the remote and have a "piece of mind" inside the health club. | ||
| Ike (Ike)
New member Username: Ike Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2003 |
I have lurked here for a while but had to register when I saw this post. I don't know if it was or not but this sounds like the Ritz Carlton in N.O. I go there quite often and have seen so many scary things done with cars there. I always pull in there and park my car against their curb, keep my keys and go up. While I don't anything as nice an a F car I still don't want them driving it. | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 600 Registered: 2-2002 |
John, go get them big guy. I can see you really appreicate insurane company adjusters. You should have been on the phone with me when the chubb group adjuster was told my new wind shield was $3950.00. What a great day. He cut the check and it is in route. Kelly | ||
| Branko Medenica (Branko)
New member Username: Branko Post Number: 30 Registered: 3-2003 |
Martin, I could not have said it any more eloquently. And so true about mentioning the 'law suit' angle. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 275 Registered: 6-2002 |
John- that's a very kind gesture, "love letter" I love it!  Best! Ben. | ||
| Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Junior Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 59 Registered: 4-2003 |
Peter is correct, I have nothing but good things to say about the Ritz Carltons I have been to!!!! John, Kodos my F-car brother!!!!!! Kodos!!!! If you ever get to NC, let my buy you a drink or ten. DrS | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 3362 Registered: 9-2001 |
nice gesture John | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4404 Registered: 5-2001 |
John, thanks for helping out a F-Chatter! Very nice! | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
Junior Member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 107 Registered: 11-2002 |
Frank: Call me. They need to pay for a new bumper and diminished value. I'll write them a love letter if you like. John W. Houghtaling, Esq. | ||
| Peter Sedlak (Peters)
Junior Member Username: Peters Post Number: 215 Registered: 1-2003 |
Valet service is worse when you park overnight. Since Valet's earn tips for every car they get to bring back, they have zero interest in warming up the car. I like nice hotels. Prior to booking, I always ask two questions: 1) Does the hotel have self service parking & 2) Are there parking spots set aside for higher-end cars. The Double Tree is very good at allowing the owner to leave their car at the front door area overnight. The same with the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Beach,CA. There are about ten spots right out front. The hotel manager likes to provide this because all of the exotics look really good in front of the hotel! | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 539 Registered: 2-2003 |
Frank, I had a similar problem with the Monarch Hotel in DC. Our E55 (despite a generous tip) came back with both front and back bumpers dented. Other than learning my lesson about ANY valet, (even ones at 5-star hotels), I simply asked to speak with the manager (of the hotel, not the garage) and told him I'd have it fixed and send them the bill. Get your own appraiser, and the body shop of your choice, and don't take no for an answer. | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Junior Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 226 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi all. Sparta49 - we have Genuine 308 bumpers (Euro spec) here at about $500 if that helps any. Also our going labour rate is around $120 in the UK. Regards. | ||
| Bryan Phillips (Bryanp)
Junior Member Username: Bryanp Post Number: 81 Registered: 8-2002 |
I almost handed my 365 over to a valet once - until it occurred to me that I would have to explain how to start it when leaving. key turn coil switch on elec. fuel pump on - wait til prime is complete accelerator taps - how may depends on temp key turn to start - hope it doesn't flood elec. fuel pump off drive hmmm, I'll park it myself, thanks. | ||
| Jere Dunham (Questioner)
Member Username: Questioner Post Number: 420 Registered: 1-2003 |
John, Remember, there are only 29 Ferrari dealers in the US and only a handful have their own body shops. Houston just built a new facility that specializes in aluminum work. It could certainly do the job on a 308. I do not believe Atlanta has a body shop and I know Dallas does not. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4397 Registered: 5-2001 |
As for Pete's comment. Pete you are somewhat right. I think you make a great point here, although some others don't think that way. However it would be hard to prove that in court, since the hand brake is referred to as an emergency brake, not a parking brake in most manuals. They would have to establish that using a emergency brake is comon and should be expected as a solution to bring a car stationary. I think that would be thrown out of court in no time if that becomes an argument. Your assessment is right however, the Limo could sue the owner of the car! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4396 Registered: 5-2001 |
...and that is why I never let a Valet touch my car, let him sit in it or even give them a key that works on the ignition or the doors of my car. They want a key to hold on to, they get the "valet Key" which is a key blank that has never been cut but hangs on this nice Ferrari Keychain. As for your trouble. The two leses cost close to $1000. Call Ferrari and ask them how much they are. Fixing the bumper properly requires a qualified glass guy. You should be able to find one in NO since they are usually where marine shops are. They will certainly not work for $ 35/h. I can not find a guy that stuccos walls for that! You have a deminished value on the car. Not much on a 308 but there certainly is one. You have a right to a rental. Does not matter if you drive your 308 daily or not, but you are entitled to get a rental 308. If they don't have one they have to upgrade you to the next higher car. Since you have access to your car daily you are entiutled to have access to a rental daily. Further you pay for a 308GTS insurance and not for a midsize rental. $1,000 is an insult. I would call them and tell them to reconsider or you will call your adjuster and sue them. The easiest way I have always encountered is to threaten with a suit. Unfortuntately this is what this country has come to. You get nothing done till you threaten or file suit! I would say you have a potential $ 3,000 damage there plus rental. You could actually insist n having the car shipped to Couch Builders in NJ, the only official Ferrari body shop. Your car could be considered a Classis and only Ferrari should be allowed to work on your car. I would use that as a negotiation tool with the insurance co. They will soon give in. And always talk to a Supervisor. When you call them ask immediately to a supervisor. If the clerk ask you if they can help you, tell them: Do you want to make a decision that will potentially cost your company $10,000 ??? always works! | ||
| Frank Foster (Sparta49)
Member Username: Sparta49 Post Number: 511 Registered: 3-2001 |
Dave, Maybe pete works for the Law Offices of "DEWEY CHEATUM AND HOWE" because of course nobody would ever think to put a 5spd in gear before walking away from it | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 627 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hah, I like Pete, Pete Peters response. Just goes to show no matter what •••• you get dealt theres always someone out there to see a different angle! I bet Pete cubed even thinks Saddams a real nice guy...what an arse! | ||
| Peter Sedlak (Peters)
Junior Member Username: Peters Post Number: 213 Registered: 1-2003 |
First lesson: Never let a valet park any car worth more than $500.... Get a fair estimate of repairs and get the restaurant's owner to agree to pay for the damages...That is what THEY are insured for if they offer valet service. If you are pleasant about it, the restaurant will work with you, you will get your car fixed right and the restaurant will probably comp you a nice dinner (if they have any class). | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 603 Registered: 3-2002 |
Houston is six hours from N.O., Dallas is 8.5 hours away, and Atlanta is about 8 hours away. | ||
| Mark Lambert (Mlambert890)
Junior Member Username: Mlambert890 Post Number: 76 Registered: 4-2002 |
I think you can safely assume that if it were a faulty parking brake, there is no way that they would have ever taken responsibility. | ||
| pete (Pete_peter)
New member Username: Pete_peter Post Number: 25 Registered: 12-2002 |
Was the parking brake on ? You know, the one that's supposed to work but never does ? If so, maybe the limo has a case against your car for having a faulty parking brake ? ? Maybe the resturant isn't to blame at all ? | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 1363 Registered: 6-2001 |
Frank: Find one of the better body shops in your town. Get an estimate from them, along with a time estimate for the time they will have the vehicle. Then find, if you can, an exotic rental agency. Get a price for a rental for a comparable machine. Don't get greedy, let them know that you generally don't use this as a daily driver, but since the car will be getting repaired for a week or so, you would like a 1, 2 day rental because that's when you would have driven the Ferrari. Lastly, was your vehicle undamaged? If so, there may be a component of "loss of value" even if the car is repaired. I'd ask a Ferrari dealer just how much that will be, if anything. The above totals what you should get from them. However, you will have to sue the aholes to get that out of them. I suggest giving them the entire package, then negotiating down, probably to the actual repair at the 1st rate store. By the way, I'm going to be in your town this weekend. Any suggestions on dinning (I'll have a rental, so I don't have to worry about the valet). Art | ||
| Paul Wehmer (Pwehmer)
Junior Member Username: Pwehmer Post Number: 135 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sorry to hear about that Frank- that sucks but at least they are accepting liability. Once when the insurance company was not playing fair I stated I would take the case to the state insurance commision. This seemed to work very well since I got a check for 95%+ of the monies I wanted in 48 hours. $1060 seems like a chump change offer for repairs. It's a Ferrari not a Yugo! If you want to fix it yourself- go for it- but I would make sure to get more $ for the claim. | ||
| Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
Junior Member Username: Tuttebenne Post Number: 76 Registered: 3-2003 |
Frank, Two points: 1. As the others suggest, get the job done by a dealer and don't use your valuable time. 2. Now that THAT's out of the way, when can I bring MY car in for service at $37.00 an hour? Seriously, sorry to hear about the mishap. I think you should let the pros fix it at the insurance company's expense. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 273 Registered: 6-2002 |
Frank- you're being kind to the resturant by not going to the newspapers and talking about the entire situation. (seriously, I'm amaxed they're handling it this lousy. It sounded like they were on top of their game at the resturant though.) Accidents doo happen, what matters is how they are resolved. Trailering the car to the Ferrari dealer of your choice (enclosed, exotic car carier transport, both ways, door-to-door) and rent yourself a 360Modena for a week. I would insist on REPLACEMENT of the bumper (no 'repair' or 'recondition' what a joke.) If they (insurance co) don't reimbruse the ENTIRE cost, call your lawyer and in 10min you will have a check. Sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for insuranse scam artists ^H^H^H^H^H companies. The claim process is basically a stupid childish little game, and if you take their first offer, THEY win (come out way ahead in $) Good luck! | ||
| John (Drstranglove)
Junior Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2003 |
There is NOT a dealer in NO????? Wow. Texas sounds a little far, how close is Atlanta from there?? DrS | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1218 Registered: 1-2002 |
Something similar happened to me at the Four Seasons Austin one freakin' month after I got my brand-new 550. Long story VERY short: I had to contact the CEO of Four Seasons Corp. in Toronto & suggest that, in a lawsuit, I would likely win ownership of his Austin hotel, for them to agree to fully pay whatever it cost an authorized dealer to fix. And they did. But it was a short fight. Thankfully, the head of security at the hotel took digital pictures of the damage right after it occurred. | ||
| noel smith (Noel)
Junior Member Username: Noel Post Number: 215 Registered: 2-2003 |
my local dealer charges $110.00 per hour. | ||
| Frank Foster (Sparta49)
Member Username: Sparta49 Post Number: 509 Registered: 3-2001 |
The nearest Ferrari dealer is in Houston I guess I could tell them I decided to have the car trailerd there, they should love that | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 351 Registered: 4-2002 |
Frankly, why do the work yourself? Have Ferrari fix it and send them the bill. They MUST pay completely or a simple call from a lawyer will work wonders. And yes, they owe you a rental car during repair. Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Frank Foster (Sparta49)
Member Username: Sparta49 Post Number: 508 Registered: 3-2001 |
I was thinking more along the lines of $75.00 hr does this seem fair? | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1146 Registered: 3-2001 |
$37 sounds like a great labor rate (if it was a Chevy Vega). I think you deserve more. | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 4051 Registered: 8-2002 |
I agree with JL. You are intitled to have your car fixed by Ferrari if need be and a rental car of a similar type. don't let them •••• you. my .02 yen Matt | ||
| Jean-Louis (Jlm348)
Member Username: Jlm348 Post Number: 531 Registered: 11-2002 |
The insurance company is just trying to mess with you. They need to have it professionally fixed, and provide you with a similiar rent-a-car for the time that you do not have you vehicle. Don't settle JLM | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4495 Registered: 12-2000 |
get a quote from an independent apraiser, not their apraiser. accidents hapen, glad they were straight forward about it. I personally don't have problems getting valet for my car most of the time. | ||
| John (Drstranglove)
Junior Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 51 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hell the labor rate here for getting my FORD fixed is $50!!!!!!! $37/hour on a Ferrari??!?!?!?!?! One word..... BULLSHIT!!!! Check the rates here: http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/HUMOR/LABOR%20RATES.gif DrS | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 373 Registered: 8-2002 |
Ohhhhhh, don't get me started. This would REALLY pi*s me off!!!!! You are entitled to whatever you can get!!! It is due to their neglegence and stupidity that your car got damaged. Diminished value, headaches, stress, etc... If you're going to do the repairs yourself, pay yourself. You can't even get someone to work on a Hundai for $37 per hour!!! | ||
| Frank Foster (Sparta49)
Member Username: Sparta49 Post Number: 507 Registered: 3-2001 |
Last saturday I took a friend out to dinner for her birthday at a restaurant located at one of New Orleans' finer hotel's on Canal Street. I gave the valet a generous tip to keep the car up front so it wouldn't have to go in the garage. Upon coming back from dinner I saw my car up front like I requested only the front bumper looked "funny" I thought it was a optical illusion as I have a Euro bumper on my 308 however upon going to collect the car the loss prevention manager greeted me and explained they had a "mishap" with my car The valet did not put it in gear and the car rolled into the back of a limo compressing both bumper shocks and imbedding the fiberglass bumper into the frame rail. They were very apologetic and gave me the claim information. The appraiser came out and quoted a price for refinishing the bumper and 2 new shocks and 2 new turn signal lenses. I really wanted the bumper replaced but refinishing is fine I guess the problem comes in in that the total est. is $1060.00 my question is since I am going to do the work my self the labor rate on the est. is at $37.00 does this seem right and is it really woth the hassel to get them to go higher on the labor? |