Damn Valet People

No valet parking for me-period! that's why you have an "everyday" car.

 

Agreed. I just saw a few youtube videos where the stupid valets would joyride the parking lot...idiots...

and if your woman cant understand why you take her out in either your everyday beater or something more sensible, then shes not worth it.

 

I'm probably in the minority...I use Valet and
don't worry about it. It is after all just a car.

 

Your calling my baby, the love of my life, "just a car"!
You hurt her feelings.

 

I've called all my cars much worse at one time or another
and you probably have too?

 

LOL

 

Here's the number one reason why not to give your keys to a valet NO MATTER WHAT!!!
My Dad brought his 360 once to NewYork New York Hotel in Vegas. He parked the car himself out front,and told valet to keep it out front. They said no problem so he gave the keys to the valet, got a ticket, and checked in. The next morning he was walking my mom outside to get her a car to take her to Bellagio for some shopping. When he and my mom got outside the car wasn't there. He asked Valet where his car was and they said they werent sure. My Dad somehow didnt flip out and politely asked to see the manager of Valet. The manager walks out and remembered the car and asked my dad for his ticket, so that he can locate whether the car was parked in the structure. So my dad goes up to his room, pissed off, to get the valet ticket. When he gets to his door, he realizes he doesnt have his key to get in. So he happens to find a maintenence guy and explains to him that he left his key and has to get into his room to get his valet ticket. He goes on to tell the maintainence guy what happened, how valet cant find his ferrari. So the maintainence guy says to my dad, "Was it a black convertible?" My Dad, surprised, says yes and how do you know. The maintainence guy tells him he almost got ran over by a black ferrari convertible at 6:30 am when he was getting to work. He said the car was going about 60 mph out of the parking lot flying over speedbumps. So he and my dad get the Manager of the hotel, maintenence guy explains his story, they find surveilence tape, and sure enough someone got in my dad's car and took off at erratic speed. So they find the Valet that gave the keys to the driver, he says " The guy came up to me and said that's my Ferrari, so I gave him the keys." WTF. Turns out the valet didnt check a ticket, just gave away the keys. Vegas PD show up take a report. I call Lojack and try to locate the car. The car is found shortly afterwards stalled behind Aladdin, stuck in 2nd, with the keys still in the ignition. Car is transported back to LA, over 60k in damage including a new tranny, and loss of a car for 2 months. Sure enough the valet was fired, my dad sued NYNY, won the case, and now my family is no longer welcome at NYNY.

THAT IS WHY YOU DO NOT VALET YOUR CAR!!!!!!!!!!
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO IT!!!!!!!!!!

 

WOW
That really sucks
how long ago was this
Reminds me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off

 

+1... I'd rather enjoy my exotic than store it when i go out.

9 times outa 10 if you "take care" of the valet ($20+ tip) , you can park and keep keys...

 

I don't understand!! I won't let anyone drive my car, even a girlfriend. Now take a look at most valets and ask yourself if that is the kinid of person you would trust with your $200,000 posession. I never use valets with a Ferrari with the exception of the ones at the Wynn in Las Vegas for obvious reasons.

 

That one exception will cost you. You think the valets have any connection or training by the Ferrari dealer?

 

did insurance give your dad a new ferrari or did he have to keep the abused/stolen one once it was fixed?

 

Oh, and I bet you so wanted to go back too!

If you have to valet bring your digital camera and take a picture of the odometer and another of the car...and make sure the valet see you

 

I went to a resteurant years ago. My car at the time had a kit on it. Gave the valet the keys and saw him park it. By the time we left the car was in a different spot. No miles were put on it, but when they got in and out of the car, there shoes would kick the side skirts and scratch them. I didnt realize this till about a week later when I was washing it.

I cant believe some of the other stories. Man that sucks

 

I having been a valet at the Montage for quite some time have a lot of experience when it comes to this. The most important thing to remember is don't be a jerk and don't be pushy. If you are reasonable and nice, most valets will go out of there way to make you happy. In addition to that give them incentive, valets work for tips, if you flash cash and be nice an agreement can usually be reached so both parties are happy. Let them know if you want it kept up top, let them know if you want to park it, let them know if you keeping the keys is a must, but be nice about it. I have gone out of my way to help people with "special" vehicles if they are decent.
Just so you know the reason Valets usually insist on having the keys if the car is out front "staged" is in case it needs to be moved in an emergency of some kind, believe you me they do happen.
A lot of people bring up the issue of they don't know how to drive the car properly. Yes, a lot of valets are not the best stick drivers or familiar with exotic cars. However, at high end places there are usually a few valets or doormen who are. What guests don't often see is that for old, difficult to drive, or very expensive cars, doormen will radio certain valets to take them. Often times two valets will get in the car if it is going into the garage. This is not because they are going on a joy ride, but instead so when they get down into the garage one acts as a spotter.
End of the day, if you do not feel comfortable don't take the Ferrari or if you do take it park it somewhere yourself. If you are at a high end place like St. Regis, Four Seasons or Montage. Your car is in good hands whether you stage it, the valets/doormen do, or if it is taken into the garage.

 

I'm with you... even with the 1 in 1000 chance some crazy valet decides to go for a joyride you can sue... and you can improve you chances significantly by not valeting at or going to shady places. Like you said, it's just a car.

 

No offence Joe, but being a Valet is a job, and in any job you will encounter people who are rude and jerky. However, the bottom line is; as a valet person, you are getting paid to perform a specific act; "extra cash" and big smiles are always welcome, but should not be a requirement for getting good service.

My $0.02

 

WRONG!!!

The correct answer is N E V E R valet the Ferrari, EVER!!!

 

I agree with what you said here, but I try to respect the valet's unusual position of authority, even if exercising their pseudo-power may result in their being fired. While they certainly should act respectful, when you hand over the keys you are giving them a lot of power to potentially make your life very unpleasant.

I just remember the golden rule a fellow exotic owner friend of mine shared with me, "When valeting a car, remember a $20 tip is much less than $200 or more to fix a scratch or worse"

 

Hmmm...why? If I'm with them, I have no problem (if I trust them). I actually have no problem teaching someone to drive stick on my Mondial because it's so much more forgiving than any Toyota/Honda/etc.

 

What about just giving the valet the keys and then keep the alarm key fob. They will have the keys...but it won't start???

just a thought...probably not good for the emergencies mentioned earlier...

 

I know I don't have a Ferrari but...

I have the latest version of LoJack on my car and I have a transponder on my keychain that will call my cellphone, and house phone if the car is started without the transponder inside the car. It's an Early prevention. So when I valet I take the transponder with me and I get a call if my car is started. It doesn't really eliminate anything from happening but I will know if the car is moved..

 

Would you guys feel the same if it was your Enzo FXX, Ferrari 275, Bugatti Veyron, or McLaren F1?

 

Real simple guys. You drive by the valets, park the car out front, and then when they run up to you while you're getting out you give the guy a $20. Works every time. By the way, you never give them the keys.