Almost everywhere I like to dine has Valet Parking, and I was thinking on my drive home today,
'will I trust the Valet with my Cayman'?
I have no problem valet parking my BMW that hasa Steptronic trans, but my C has a 6-manual. This concerns me, and where will they park it? Jammed in between 2 other cars? Yikes the thought makes me cringe.
I do ALWAYS tip when I drop the car off as well as when I pick it up. Having been a valet parking attendant at the L.A. Airport in my younger years I have learned that the tip when you pick the car up means very little compared toa fat one when dropping it off. Well I guess I would like to know what you guys do about this kind of parking.
Aloha Russ
No way!!! I'm not letting anyone drive my baby...
I have places that we go on a regular basis and I know all the valets pretty well, but even then I don't think I could put it in their hands. Yeah I am with you Patch, no way, I will still give them the tip dropping off, but only if I can park it right up front with no hazards next to it.
Then I could just take the wife SUV and not worry about it, but darn I want to show it off!!
Aloha Russ
RussK, with my sports cars I have always given the valet at least $5 when I arrive and ask them to let me park some where in front or let me park it myself. Never had a problem and valets understand why I'm asking.
As an aside I remember in New Orleans oncewhen fake valets where taking $ to park cars at a concert and then stealing them. Creative business people.
SF,
Yes all it takes is $5 to save your car and so few people understand that. I have had people ask me 'why are you tipping now, and not when we leave?' I usually give em $5 in and $5 on the way out. It is only logical!
Aloha Russ
they should respect your property with or without $5... My girlfriend gets mad at me sometimes because I absolutely refuse to use valet... I'll just make sure to park in a highly lighted area away from other cars. I don't have any problem walking long distances if it's going to protect my property, plus the extra exercise is always good...
nahf14,
I agree with all of that, BUT there are some restaurants in downtown Waikiki where you have no choice but to use the valet. Maybe I just won't eat there anymore of take the SUV. I think I am going to treat this car better than any car I have ever owned. I am so excited about owning a Porsche once again! It has been way too long since my old 911 in 1979.
Aloha Russ
Not a chance. Part of the fun of owning such a special car is treating it special, so I will di the duties myself, come rain, fog, or chill of night.
Uber,
I saw a guy pull up to the valet at Mandarin Oriental Hotel for lunch driving his brand new Gold Lamborghini Murcielago. He and his wife get out of the car and gave it to the valet to park. The valet couldn't even figure out how to start the car! Meanwhile the owner had gone into the restaurant and the valet finally got it started and preceeded to park it between 2 other Mercedes.
Here is the clincher!! A Japanese tourist with 2 kids is walking by and asks the valet if he can get a photo of his kids IN THE CAR!!!! The 2 kids get in the front seat and the father kneels down beside the door while the valet takes a couple of photos. I was shocked!! After all this was over the owner of the car walks out to see where they parked it and I asked him about his car. He was not hesitant to tell me he just go it and it cost him close to 350K. (he said he had added some special suspension for and extra 40K). I did not tell him what the valet did, but boy was I tempted.
Aloha Russ
