| Author | Message | ||
| Cameron M. MacArthur (Cameron)
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Went to Aspen for a night this summer and the Hotel Jerome has underground valet. I insisted on parking it myself with the insurance excuse and they tried to counter with their own insurance excuse. Guess who won? I did. Also retrieved my car in the morning, again accompanied by the bellman. He got his tip, I got my car. Of course the 21-year-old valet claimed to have parked lots of Ferrari's...Yeah, right. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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The building address is: 168SE 1 Street. One street south of Flagler and on the corner of SE 2 Ave, which is the one that goes to brickell Bridge, 2 blocks of the Hyatt Downtown and one block of the Bank of America Tower (the feature skyscraper in Miami) find more on my website: www.2ICT.com then click on Commercial and then on the Donwtown property picture. | ||
| Octavio Mestre (Alfab4308)
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Martin, where's that building located? | ||
| NGSVDO (Azspider)
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I was a valet in high school. Let me say this, NEVER valet park your Ferrari if you are that concerned about it. I think I was a typical teenager and when I was handed the keys for the first time to a brand new Porsche 930 I couldn't resist taking it out for a spin. Fortunatly nothing happened but I was lucky. My freind who still owns the Valet company to this day could share some interesting experiences. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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Sam, I see Downtown as a sleeping diamond. It has all the downtown characteristics of other big cities. There is some interesting things happening in DTW and I am positive that it will soon get much better there. Still a place where you can rent for $1 per sq ft per month! I own the 6th floor of this building. It was build in the 20s. Nice old style and lots of charme. You can find these gems in Miami as well.  I live in Miami since 1994 and have yet to be robbed or see any crime. The worst thing that happened was two kids going into my office while everybody was out and steeling a hand full of Pennies out of a jar I have here. I drive the Ferrari everywhere. No worries. | ||
| Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
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right now, the vacancy rate in NYC and surrounds is actually negative. Everyone is looking to move and jostling for space with RE brokers /developers making out very fat and happy. Luckily I hedged and have major investments in new RE space as well. But Martin, many, many businesses are indeed moving and I love the sfla lifestyle (and women!) so depending on how some things may shake out you may find me there, how is the downtown development going... people have been speculating in RE downtown for years and with the new arean and the coming cultural center and Marriot, I hope it takes off soon...crime needs to come down and image needs to come up. I had my 308 broken into in broad daylight on a sunday afternoon at a busy mobil station while I was gassing up not too long ago...still love the big orange and I am sure they have room for one more transplanted noow yorker! Hey we now have our own billionare mayor to match our first lady senator! | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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I don't know Sam, that all sounds nuts to me. Times demand a different approach. maybe it is best to move out of the City and take the office with you. I have some office space in Downtown Miami. Parking is only $ 85.00/mo and it is safe and no tipping the elevator boy. You actually press your own botton. Move your company. | ||
| Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
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mike, thanks for the drink I could use it, I am a snowbird and should see you this winter! Here is another NYC parking story. I use to park in a park and lock (preferred by most high-end car owners - no valet) and the lot was filled with the creme-de-la-creme of cars. Now theives were able to sneak into the garage and break into the cars and steal phones steroes cars etc. so.....seeking some safety we all started trying to park in about 20 spots in a row that were in view of the lone garage employee -- the cashier in the both at the exit. Now, this is true, the garage owner learns that these spots are particulary prized so.... he chains off those spots and leases these particular two rows of "safe" spots for $150 per month more!!! Can you imagine! I agree totally with James.. here is one for you James, also NYC, my building, until recently had a elevator operator (union job- no less!) this guy drove the elevator up and down (true) it was customary (whatever that means - what rich fools starts these customs?) to tip this guy a buck to take you up to your apt.! If you did not tip, you were sure to wait on your floor buzzing away on the elevator call button for a while for this guy to take his sweet time to come pick you up. Yes I know there is the stairs which are healthier anyway but this was crazy... we now have a tenant driven elevator and I save a buck or two on my commute to the lobby (p.s. the old operator has now moved over to the freight elevator where he can shake down vendors and contractors, movers working in the building for $20 ! So everyone is happy but I bet these contractors just pass along the $20 buck charge to me somehow and I probably wind-up paying even more albeit through all the middlemen! crazy town new york. William, I will have to get some local ferrari guys together and have a manhattan ferrari meet to lure you into fun city -- maybe tavern on the green or we can all display our ferrari's in front of Pastis - the hip bistro in the meat-packing district -- maybe I can work out some charity angle for the twin towers fund. | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
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I agree with James entirely. Also, I've tried going up to clubs in Dallas and asking them here's ten bucks, can I park the car? I get... 'no'. Thing is, I don't even drive a Ferrari... yet! Its only a Honda, but yet, notta. I take great care in my car, no matter what it is, and I certainly do not want anyone driving one of my cars unless I am in the car or unless they have one and know the ins and outs of it. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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Thanks for all your input on this. Just confirmes what I have been thinking all along. I made that comment about the keys BTW. $18 for Valet is not uncommon here in SoFla as well. On SoBe you can pay $20 to keep your car on Ocean Drive more if there is a party. I hate that too. My frined always laughs because I park my car at the meter. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
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For me I use valet when looking out for my car. Most resteraunts in Dallas will have a few spaces up front for valet and all the regular parking is in the very back. Parking a Ferrari in the dark back lot will get you a citation from the F.P.S. My preference is non valet parking up front, but that doesn't happen too often. | ||
| James P. Smith (Tigermilk)
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Personally, I am morally opposed to valet parking. That's right - morally opposed. I'd rather walk 10 blocks than pay some guy $5 or more for 30 seconds of work. If one restaurant has valet parking and another doesn't, I'll go to the one that doesn't. If a restaurant has a poor parking situation, they should bend over backwards for me to go to their esablishment. Instead I have to pay them just to drive to their place? No way. It's like staying at a nice hotel and being charged $0.50 or a buck for each local phone call. Some businesses are simply cheap bastards, so I won't patronize them. I about fell off my rocker on a trip to Boston where I saw the valet charge was $18!!! What a total scam. People who actually pay this have more money than sense. | ||
| Bo Knez (Bo328)
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The last time I valeted my 328 the valet could not find the emergency brake. So he gets nervous and pops the front hood(thinking it was the emergency brake) revs the piss out of the motor and released the clutch. Hmmmmmm Last time | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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Two words about valet parking. Ferris Bueller! | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Alright Sam you have succeeded in scaring the hell out me. Halloween was a couple days ago in case you forgot.  The insurance stuff I was talking about was theft. Any cosmetic things I just eat. Par for the course. That hurts about the 308 -- painful. I will keep your advice in mind. Let me buy you a drink in Palm Beach for the 308 hood and the light stalk. | ||
| david schirmer (David)
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I think that a nice way of making sure your car doesn't get joy ridden is to ask the valet what the mileage is when he gets in the car. Then write it down on the ticket. It makes your point in a reasonable manner. I don't know if it addresses the problem of out and out theft. At least you would know how many miles your car had on it before it was stolen! | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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BTW, i never even take my 512TR into NY, always borrow my Dad's jeep for that | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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NYC is a tough town I valet my car occasionally, always pass at least a $5 to the dude. If u have to leave it a few days its good to check the milage. Wonder if u can install a switch like they had on the Vette ZR1 to limit engine power ? | ||
| Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
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mike , enjoy man..enjoy..the key is not to let the dents, dings and scrapes get to you...remember these are like race cars that look better a little banged up. yes insurance premiums are for something but most valet damage (other than theft) seems to be under the deductible and certainly in that large "hassle zone" (dents, dings, scratches, ripped interior parts, loose interior switches...the wiper problem was needless (although easily caused by the valet's knee -- if you know a 308) but caused me such a huge hassle that happened simply because I let someone PARK my car.... now if we would like to share stories about letting other people DRIVE you car I got good ones on that as well and there is a thread here about a guy's gorgeous mondial that waswrapped around a tree by a freindly driver! OH--OH One more valet horror story ( I promise) I am valet parking at a very prestigious hotel -- checking in. I have the front of the 308 open to remove some small luggage and ther is a line fo cars waiting to check in and the valet runs over ( you do get a little quicker service in a Ferrari and asks me if I am "all done here" I nodded yes not knowing what he was referring to or what was going to happen next ..well to assist me he proudly and firmly slams the front hood closed, of course, not know he has to reach in and press this tiny little button on the strut to release the hood for closing and BENDS the hood in two since the strut would not yield. MORALE..never let anyone else touch your Ferrari. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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That story makes me think twice now. But that's what insurance is for if I worry too much then I'll never enjoy the darn thing. | ||
| Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
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Mike, I think you do well in PB for a few reasons..1) it is not NYC 2) Breakers is headquarters for the Ferrari meet every year and I think they are truly trained 3)They see and appreciate these cars more in S. FLA ( another good reason for me to move down there soon) In FLA I think the valet are mostly young kids who really respect and dream about these cars and knwo how to drive them. In NYC the valet are guys who don't seem to own a car themselves and are probably in it for the theivery and the valet job simply gives them access...however, I met a very very very hot looking girl in PB not long ago who had a side business stealing cars exclusively from high end valet operations in S. FLA. when the valet was distracted she would gab the keys from the rack for teh most expensive cars closest to the door (they are almost always the first line of keys) she would simply hop iine the cars and drive off..park it in a secluded place and let the fence know where it was. She said it was just way to ez...Best (car) info I got from her -- the only thing she she couldn't steal (remember she has the keys) was a LoJack. they would retrive the car from her (safe) spot within. Yes I know she was the original "gone in 60 seconds" but you know what she was hotter and sexier than Jolee! You really got to love S. FLA!! Can't wait to get back down there this winter...signed ferrari red snowbird. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Yikes, Sam. Based on your experiences I agree not to valet in NY. That's why I trained the valets that I use. And at The Breakers -- they detail and put the car cover on for me. At The Ritz, the guy is smooth with the car and no revving etc. You can hear the car a mile away so starting and going for joy ride especially in Palm Beach is just stupid. I am always concerned about the damage to the doors and panels that is why I dictate the spot where it goes. One day my luck will run out but a scratchless car is a also a hanger queen, if we use them something will happen we all have to choose our limits. | ||
| Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
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Never valet your car -- period. It is a form of russian roulette. The damage is likely to be there and liekly to be a very very bad annoyance and under your deductible and often they are not responsible,yes , I know it is hard to belive but this is a legal question that is lengthy to go into regarding adhesion contracts etc.. anyway...Valet experiences: Mine- valet driver in 308 bashed his knee into the wiper stalk destroying the combination switch inside the steering column. result-- no wipers for a long time while I wasted time looking for a replacemnt switch - cost almost $600 for a used gt4 switch and I had to spend 3 hours repairing it..my mechanic estimated about $1000 for the repair.; bashed in the entire passenger side of my jaguar--said I brought it in that way...lawsuit resulted. Routinely park the cars so close together so they can't open the doors so they leave teh windows open in teh car and walk ontop of the cars and then climb in the windows to get in teh car...great for my convertible top. I complained about shoe dents in my hood and deck of my maserati and they told me I was a trouble maker and to get lost. My cousins experience; Brand new Lincoln navigator stolen out of valet while at cousins wedding. My girfriend's fathers expereince; brand new (just home from the dealership) 12cyl merc stolen from the valet garage (inside job of course) my friends expeience: new porsche gets taken for dates and joy rides during the week by the gargage staff. He complained... they threatened his car and his life and now simply hang out and smoke dope in his car and listen to his $5,000 stereo while the car is in the garage. No valet will ever, "warm up " your car before jackrabbiting it up the ramp at top speed all teh while grinding teh gears -- I really think they are just too damn lazy to depress teh clutch ( probably becasue they all drive with the door open and their left leg hanging out the car. -Forget car covers. I have heard much worse. admittedly this is manhattan where we pay 500 - 600/month rent for space and you MUST tip a buck each time and at least 20-50 at xmas or they simply will not bring your car up from the gargage. this is one tough town for a ferrari collector.. | ||
| stu cordova (Balataboy)
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I hesitate doing it, but I have. I also make sure I have at least a ten in my pocket. What the heck - I figure it'll make the kid's day and he'll probably talk about "the day I drove a real Ferrari and got paid for it!" for months!! | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
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Yesterday at lunch, Rob, BobD and I just pulled up and parked front and center in the valet spots, side by side. We all kept our keys and tipped the guy when we left. The last time I actually let a valet park, he was falling all over himself to take care of me. He even watched the door and had the car ready at the head of the line when I came out. No waiting! | ||
| Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
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I have a similar experience with my car. I drove to the MGM Plaza in L.A. and they have an underground parking with Valet. The attendant rather than to even try to get my keys, he asked me if I could park in front of their underground parking lobby which has several movie posters and the nice soft lights to go with them. I parked just in front of the posters and I regreted not having a camera because the TR looked much better than the stars in the posters. The TR made such a statement, wow! Something about a black TR, chrome, and soft lighting! As far as valet, I would not allow any of them to drive it anyway. Hop in if you must, but no car, no keys! | ||
| PerryTishgart (Perrytishgart)
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The best excuse..tell the valet that your insurance doesn't allow anyone else to drive the car. | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
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Martin, Someone suggested that I carry a dummy set of keys just to give to the valet. I carry a set that opens a lock to an old toolbox and my old Alfa (which I don't own anymore). The label says "1986 Ferrari 328GTS". They think they have the keys so they feel better. That and a 20 keeps the car safe. | ||
| Dave L (Davel)
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VALET? NO WAY | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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In Palm Beach at the Breakers Resort, the Ritz, and the restaurant Cafe L'Europe, I do it regularly. They are used to these cars and seem to take care. The same guys have been parking my car for a couple years now. Like Martin, they often just leave it out front. I never do it in Maryland or another state. Feel more at home doing it in Palm Beach. Hey with a DB7, a Rolls and a Diablo doing it -- what's so difficult for them with a TR. Just choose wisely and make sure you know the guys. I felt comfortable because I knew all the valet guys years before I had the TR so it wasn't a big jump for me. Now, outside of Palm Beach that's another whole story -- NO WAY !! | ||
| David Harris (Dakharris)
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My car is so cool, they just leave it out front! | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
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I pull up-let my wife out-and say to the valet "get in the passenger seat and I'll take care of you tell me where to park".I park it; slip him a $5 or 10 or 20 depending how bad the stock market is.Then I get my own car. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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I hate it when I am arriving at a building that has Valet Service only. I actually refuse to pick up one friend of mine at his building just because of that. This Valet has gotten to a point here in Miami where you have to Valet when you go to Mc Donalds. When I do the VIP Valet, where they leave the car untouched, they still want the keys. I have heard some stories where Valets have made quick copies of car keys (Ferrari is one of the easy ones) and have looked in the glow compartment and found the registration with the home address. Nothing easier, just pull up and pick up the car! So I do not like to leave the keys for the car and never let any of these 17 year olds ride my car. Ferris Buehlers day out? not in my car. How do you feel about that and how do you avoid Valets? |