I know people have voiced their opinions about valet parking before, but I had to ask a related question: How often after you get your car back from valet parking do you notice that "excessive" miles have been put on your car? I was in downtown Portland last night for a birthday party at the hip/chic Nines Hotel, pulled up and valet parked. Of course they asked if I wanted to leave the car up front (for essentially double the standard valet cost) or standard valet service. Well, I didn't want to leave my car at the curb (it's just at the side of a busy street - no fancy driveway here) so I told them to standard park it. Before we leave, I take mental note of the mileage on the car.

When the wife and I get back into the car and drive off, I notice that FIVE miles have been put on the car since I handed it over to the valets. Mind you we're in downtown, and I'm sure that the parking structure is no more than 2-3 blocks away, TOPS.

Anyone else notice this? Drives me nuts. Makes me not want to take the car to nice places, but then why have the car (well besides driving it LOL).

 

Did you mention this to the Valet or did you just let it go?

 

The valet stories are so common that my feeling is that if i can't park the Porsche myself I will drive the Honda Civic .

 

+1, I NEVER valet my cars unless I'm in my SUV or minivan. Sometimes I park it myself in front of the establishment and pay the valet boy to watch my car but never give them the keys.

 

I had already pulled away before I noticed the mileage difference.

 

Sad, but I just might have to take this approach. Silly me thinking valets at a nice place would be more respectful. But then again, I guess they're not employed by the hotel - they're always subcontracted out it seems.

 

I think the worst part about valets beyond the typical horror stories (joy rides, car damage, theft, etc) is that most people would rather park their own cars themselves. A good example of this might be to examine how many people actually park the cars themselves when both choices are offered . My thoughts don't just apply to those who have nice cars . i don't even like to hand my Honda to a valet . Even if he is careful and the car is fine it's still handing the keys to someone else who sweats, sneezes, picks his nose and possibly even farts in the car .

 

Reminds me of when I was in college and a close friend of mine was a valet for an upscale beach restaurant. He told me about one night one of his co-workers parked a Porsche closest to the sand/water with the windows down as valets often do. A rogue wave came up and flooded the car. Needless to say the owner had a costly dinner. Valets are paid so little I would never trust them with my Porsche and avoid them at all costs with my other cars.

On a side note, my friend got to drive all kinds of cars as a valet...Ferrari's, Lambo's, Porsche's...and he swore that Porsche was the best. He went on to buy a Boxster S and later a 911 so I know he wasn't lying.

 

Same...except if I know there will be a valet, I drive my wife's Merc wagon. For that matter I think I trust the valet's more than my wife, which is why I don't let her drive either of my cars.

 

One trick, if you can remember to do it, is to have a pad and pen handy and just before you hand the car over to the valet, let them see you write down the mileage. It's an obvious ploy, but it at least lets them know that you're paying attention.

Personally, I'm with the others that stated if valet parking is the only option, take the daily driver.

 

I just pass the valet parkers they know whats up

 

I never wanted to come across as the guy that wouldn't let the valet park the car but after recently having the windshield cracked (and the host of problems that has created) and a scratch on the rear bumper I am reconsidering my position.

 

I guess let me give you a bit of info from the other side. In college I valeted for a few bars & clubs that brought in some nice cars. If they have a distance to travel to get to the lot be very certain that some drivers will step on it and enjoy the drive without any regard for your car. But we already knew that didn't we?

I am not going to play like I didn't do it and I was the best Valet out there. I had my share of a few cars that I reved up and pushed it a bit. I wasn't reckless but at the same time I did love the feeling of driving Porsches and other high line cars. Heck I was only 17 years old and being a car guy, I was in heaven.

I will say that that my co workers weren't as nice as I was. I saw some fishtails and peel outs every week.

Given that information the only time I give my car to Valet is when the car is being parked in the same lot that I am in and they can't go anywhere. If it's in downtown, etc where they have to go to a remote lot then I don't trust them with my car. First of all my car is too low and without them caring they will slam it into the ground.

 

After hearing just this small sampling of experiences and opinions, I think I am going to forgo valets with my 911. Funny thing is my wife was even telling me "you're just asking for the valets to drive your car around" yesterday when I was *****ing about this. I'll just take my sedate BMW instead... or like lowpue, I'll just take my wife's SUV.

 

Scoper: I, too, am in the Portland area and have witnessed some terrible valet practices at the Nines. We had a work function there one night, and two of my coworkers had there cars wrecked, I think they were parking incidents, and noticeably damaged by the valet. During the same night, one of my other coworkers had his iPod stolen out of his console. Needless to say, I wont be using their valet. I don't even use the free valet for Porsche owners at Bridgeport Village.