[ds968]

a story of particular interest for those in L.A. where even the drive-in fast food places offer valet service [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_cont...-parking-valet/

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[94SilverCab]

The LAST time I allowed a valet to park my 968 was at La Veranda in Philadelphia (Please take note!). I wrote down the mileage as I got out. When I returned my car was very warm and had an additional 13 miles on it. I complained to Management and they denied it, but they did pick up the parking (Big #%$^& Deal).

Now when I drive into a valet parking I just say " I LOVE my wife, and she doesn't drive this car, no chance you're going to, where would you like me to put it?"

Jay

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Sears]

I absolutely loathe valet parking. It is such a rip-off. My biggest issue is that some places will absolutely refuse to let you self-park in their lot. I've gotten in yelling matches over it (after asking nicely to self-park first). It's frustrating b/c often there aren't other options nearby, here in Atlanta at least.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Johannvb]

Valet parking is nearly unheard of here in Europe, you will only see it at some upmarket hotels with space issues. But I use the exact same line as Jay, and it's true too!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

i have the same love/hate relationship with valet parking as everybody else - i've seen some very real damage from some of them - i've also had great experiences with others - i've hired services on many occasions for a number of different events - they are very different in how each company operates and the level of quality, so the interviewing process can be daunting - restaurant valets are the worst - hotel valets are marginally better (the employees are often union)

in the end, it's a crap shoot though

valet tip#1 - write the mileage down on the ticket before letting them take the car

valet tip#2 - pull the driver side seat fuse (then they can't monkey with your seat, can't get comfortable, and probably won't drive it anywhere)

valet tip#3 - remove the stereo face plate (then they can't monkey with that, and it also says "go away")

valet tip #4 - set the temp to something really uncomfortable (the time for it to change makes it less likely they will drive the car)

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Scott Collins]

ds968: Thanks for that article. This thread has me remembering the wonderous experience of owning a car in Center City Philadelphia.

When I lived in Philly, I spent hours thinking of ways to prevent another theft of my car. I did not yet have the 968, but was planning for the day. I figured that the best way would be to prevent anyone from being able to sit in the driver seat. (Along with a kill switch for the fuel pump, and a battery cut-off switch. The kill switch would be under the moulding in the trunk.) To that end, I surmised that if I could devise a way to have the seat-back lock in the extreme forward position, it would be impossible to even get into the position to not only drive the car or slide-hammer the ignition, but also to even turn the wheels and pull it up straight onto a flat bed.

the other option was to have a "quick-release" steering wheel and remove it and take it with me. This way, a would-be thief would need to have a spare steering wheel, or a pair of vice grips to drive the car.

There is a restaurant in Philly called the "Chart House". It's along the Delaware river. We used to go there for Sunday brunch. They had a militant group of valet parkers who would not take no for an answer. "Restaurant policy", they would say... They wanted $10 to park my car in their open lot, no further than 100 feet from the door. Absurd! So I just would drop everyone off, tell them "I'm not staying", then go park around the corner. I'm sure they saw me walking back through the lot.

Oh how is miss Philly.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[ds968]

So I spent $ 8 for the below pictured key fob just to mess with the L.A. Hotels' parking valet dudes.  When you drop the car off the key is in the ignition, mostly obscured by the steering wheel, and besides, little attention is given to the fob while driving it in the parking spot . Even when they bring the key back and hang it on the numbered hook inside that big box by the station its so automatic, it hardly gets noticed.  HOWEVER.. when they take the key to pick up your car, the real fun begins ..     Cut to the scene :   valet coming back from the parking lot somewhat puzzled and concerned ;  " - uhh, sir, do you have a Bugatti ?  "    With also a slight concern in your voice you reply : "  yes, a blue 2014 Veyron.  Why, is anything wrong ? "     Oh, the entertainment value a mere $ 8 can bring you..    :lol:

 

   

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Ryan]

I was doing business at a casino (no really) and stopped by to drop something off. I pulled up and told them I would be right back and not to move my car. I had the sunroof panel removed as it was a nice day. When I came out in less than 10 minutes my car was gone. They had parked it and worse...they had put the sunroof panel back in. When I got in the car there were broken plastic pieces on the floor and I noticed they had snapped off the guides for the sunroof. I had to end up fixing it myself. What a pain.... 

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Bulti]

And some people wonder why they get shot :-))

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[lbpesq]

A few years agoi, I was attending a meeting in SoCal and my wife and I stayed at an upscale hotel near the Santa Monica/Venice border.  They had valet parking.  We asked for the car to go out to dinner.  I watched as the valet drove up in my 968 with the handbrake still raised!  I immediately asked for the manager, pointed it out, and received an apology and free parking (big deal).  Luckily, it hadn't moved too far and there was no apparent damage.  No one has driven the car but me, my mechanic, and my body shop guy ever since.

 

Bill

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[cosimo]

There is one big deterent to valet parking the 968, most of the valet people don't know how to drive a stick shift car. Soory for all you Tiptronic cars.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.