i with of 6speed from years ago, some of your responses are comical and not in a good way

 

Hmm, maybe I'm just spoiled, but I get all those exact same benefits with my debit card through usaa (yes, including mc protection and the ability to have usaa reverse charges, etc.) I'm retired military so I've never been stationed anywhere near a usaa location in texas, but then again usaa is one of the best banks anywhere! Unlike most here, I can't walk into the corner bank and get access to my savings, checking, etc., the debit card is the lifeline to my bank, and usaa understands that which, is why they're such a great bank.

 

my best guess is that if the valet took credit or debit cards, this thread wouldn't exist

 

English works a little better.

USAA is HANDS DOWN the best company I have done business with. I have all my accounts through them.

 

I have a debit card.

Oh and: *dad's

 

I like your sig - F355 money pit edition, lol. When my bro and I were in school we planned on eventually getting a 911 turbo and F355 between us. Well I have the 911 turbo but knowing what I know now the dream of the F355 is over...

 

Wow, you don't see these kind of threads on RL...

 

Haven't read past the first couple posts, so I don't know what direction this thread has taken. But if I take the Porsche, its always $20 for the valet and they always put it up front. Common courtesy. If I take my VW, its $5 and they can park it wherever. I don't change the amount for the type of restaurant.

 

I always tell valet my clutch is bad and I'll park it on a spot they want me to then I'll hand over the key with $10. Usually the car is upfront. No tip on pick up.

In NYC, I give $10 with key, pay the parking fee then an additional $5 at pick up.

That being said, I only valet if I don't have a choice. I don't want anyone driving the mistress. Also, I don't need to inspect the car before I leave if I parked it with no valet service.

 

I don't go to places that make you park via a valet. Does not matter what I am driving, I worked my way through school in the restaurant business.

 

Tip. "To insure promptness" is how I look at it. Regardless if it's a meal or parking, a good tip upfront is insurance for great service. $20 in Houston for front row if valet usually parks the cars in the back. If all the cars are up front I think $5-$10 is reasonable.

 

I know what you mean, My best HS job was valet parker at a Wedding venue. I learned, and taught many a co-worker how to drive a stick on the car you valet parked.


Never beat on anyone's are intentionally, but in hind site I would not like my car used as a teaching mule either.


Back when I was in HS, guys would give is 5 bucks to park in front unobstructed and take their keys so they could leave when they wanted to leave and not worry about anything. We were really happy with 5 bucks and that was 1984.


Also got a lot of guys in Tuxedos who said no wallet, sorry, some of those guys gave bridge tokens that were worth about 2-2.50 at the time.


Hard to sell, but my Dad used them so I took them for an equal buck when we split tips and doubled my money at home. Terrible I know. Hey he used them anyway.

 

Even though this is an old thread, I felt I had to share my thoughts and experience. A good tip does not always assure good service. Back in the late 80’s when $20 could buy something I valeted my 928S at a bar/restaurant in Boston by asking the valet if he could leave it out front and he said yes so I gave him $20 with the key in my pocket. As I was going into the bar he said that I had to leave the key because it was parked in a fire zone and in the event of a fire or emergency they would have to move it. It made sense because it was in a no parking zone with yellow painted curbs. I reluctantly gave him the key. About 2 hours later and a couple of margaritas I notice a lot of blue lights out front. An employee comes into the bar and yells out “Does anyone here own a black Porsche 928”. I get up and go outside to see what’s going on. I take one look at the car and observe damage to the passenger rear quarter and bumper. The valet took it for a joy ride. If I valet my car I park it out front and take the key and give them my cell number if it has to be moved. As far as how much to tip, in the suburbs $10 and in the city $20. If I don’t have the cash when I pull in I let the valet know it and tell him I’ll take care of him when I leave and I make sure I do. They usually pool their tips. Whenever I leave a tip it brings me back to the days when I was a waiter, bartender or cab driver and didn’t have two nickels to rub together and relied on tips to make ends meet.