vallet parking?

it depends on the restaurant, but yes. Valets usually have driven a Ferrari or 2 in their time. Also if you tell them to keep it up front and give them a good tip on the way in there is no problem.

 

Never!

Here's an old thread on the subject.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74023&highlight=valet

 

+10000000

 

A story for the valets. They get a bad rap sometimes. I valeted my car at a restaurant in Scottsdale, when I came out I even saw the valet ask a passerby to not touch the car and the car was just how I left only looking beautiful next to a couple others.
I promise if you give the valet enough money you dont have to worry about a thing. It'll be where you left it, maybe a few feet away.
I guess if you go to a restaurant or hotel where you worry about the valets.... dont go there or dont take the car there.

 

i think the valet person understands the value of the car and wouldn't mind if you parked it yourself...at least thats been my experince...no one ever parks my cars except me..and i never had a problem with any valet company.......MO

 

I agree. I always ask politely and give them a generous gratuity. I've never been turned down when asking to park my own car.

 

Well, I've had two valets wreck my wifes brand new Lexus, and my Mercedes. One fessed-up and payed for the repair from one of the best paint shops in town. The other, I didn't notice 'til I got home and had to fight with them, but finally they paid.

I don't let anyone valet my cars anymore. I was a valet part time while in college and was so careful with people cars that I just assumed I would be treated the same. Sorry to say that just isn't the case, for the most part. Also, there was a special on Dateline a year or so back talking about people getting stuff ripped off, cars being driven around town, on and on.

 

"It's money that matters, in the USA".. Gary Newman

 

I ask to park upfront and keep the keys, if they say no, I go somewhere else.

 

The last time a valet touched one of mine they didn't set the parking brake or put it in gear and it rolled into a limo, so no more valet for me.

 

Sign me up for this program

 

Randy Newman. Gary Neuman sang "Cars"

-dsd

 

I read the last thread about using valet and decided to give a good tip upon arrival at one of the big hotels in Vegas. I was there for SEMA. They parked the car for me and told me they had wide spaces for cars like my 430. Seemed okay until the brought my car back. No damage or anything and it was as clean as when I left it. The kicker was that the valet asked if he could help with my luggage. When he went to the back of the car to lift the engine cover I knew he had no experience with these cars. Mine is a 3 peddle car so I doubt there was any problem but I can imagine an F1.

No more valet.

 

If it were a Bentley or AMG Mercedes, with an automatic - of course. These guys are mostly honest young college students who are just trying to make a living through their senior year.

However, with the Testarossa -

I would not want either myself or the honest young college fella to have the bad Karma of chipping one of those gear teeth.

I am pretty sure they would feel the same way about it.

 

It's just plain stupid to let a valet drive your Ferrari!!! I had a valet wrap my old Lexus 470 suv around a pole. I didnt notice it until I got home. It was on the passenger side. I drove right back there and went insane till he fessed up. The main guy took my number, came up to my house took the truck and returned it a week later completely repaired to perfection. I NEVER let valets drive my Ferrari, but they can park my benz or Range Rover. With the Ferrari I simply offer them 20 bucks to let me park it up front and keep the keys. If they dont let me then I find a spot on my own.

 

That must have been a pretty good party, at least...

 

Thanks for pointing that out! Im a HUGE Randy Newman fan. Gary Neuman is a one hit wonder, which is fine, but he ain't no Randy Newman!

 

Valet is the exception not the rule here in NJ, so I don't have a lot of experience w/the issue, but I'd tip the valet and park it myself. There is one local restaurant that has a couple of self-park spaces in front and I've occasionally snagged one of those. I don't think the valets are all that disappointed about it.

I wonder whether it's even fair to assume that a valet knows how to drive a stick - let alone an F1.

 

I have done a little valet time myself. It is my understanding that it is required that you know how to drive stick to be a valet in most places... however, the F! would be a different story.

That said, most valets are honest and good people. However, I would not allow someone to drive my ferrari, were I privileged enough to own one. Give the guy a good tip and let him sit in it with you while you park and most will be very happy.

 

Great idea !

 

"Give the guy a good tip and let him sit in it with you while you park and most will be very happy."

This was my experience the one time Valet parking was required for my HIGH mileage 328 LOL.

Turns out he didn't know how to drive 5-spd anyway.

 

Well, I guess I should chime in here... I was a valet in Las Vegas for 4 years, at 5 different strip hotel/casino's (3 at 1 time for a while).
I cant speak for the average night club or restaurant in average towns, but in Las Vegas, Valet is THE hardest job to get, and even harder to keep. EVERY valet here can drive a stick, and believe me, with all the different cars that have F1 type paddle shift now, they can handle those too... those guys are very used to dealing with high-end and exotic cars. If by chance you were greeted by a driver that wasnt comfortable with your F1, they would call another driver over to take it. Heres a few tips, at least for valet parking in Vegas...

#1 look for a line or a small area with other expensive cars, just pull into that area and park your car, if a parker doesn't approach you, seek one out and point out your car, give them at least a $20 and your car wont move. You may be required to leave the keys, but trust me, nobody will go near your car or move it unless there is an emergency reason.
#2 Valet is NEVER ''full'' no matter what the sign says, there is always room for your Ferrari, and another $25 in the valet's pocket.
#3 If you have to pull into a receiving lane with everyone else, give the parker a $20 and simple ask him to ''leave it up front'', and they will.
#4 If you have any worries, just ask for ''the lead''... that person will have AT LEAST 10-12 years of experience, and will make sure your car is handled in the safest way possible, and will deal with your car in any way you request, if you give him/her $20.

No matter how the economy changes, somehow the par gratuity for valet has not changed since the 60's... 90% of people still think $1 is an acceptable tip. What they dont realize (or care about) is that $1 is split by everyone on that shift. No valet is gonna go the extra mile for the dime he gets out of that whopping dollar... so a $20 bill will absolutely get you the VIP treatment. Anything beyond a $20 may earn you immediate legendary status!

Lastly, if you spend more than 2-3 hours in the place (especially on a busy weekend night), an extra bone on the way out is appropriate... valet's can only make money if they can roll parking spots over frequently. If your car has sat there all night, that $20 starts to look more like $2. If a valet is kind enough to accomidate your wishes, be kind enough to show your appreciation.

 

+1
I find it a lot easier to valet my cars when I see a CGT or another Ferrari there. In Utah there are certain places that you can take your cars and some that I would never.
and Money does speak, loud. I stick to a $20 on the way in and on the way out. The valets learn your name real quick and respect you.

 

You are a KING to the Vallet boys!