I just got back from Parkbar in Milwaukee. I saw something that is not right. A valet left a Bonneville in reverse and it backed into the owner's silver Mercedes s500's door. Just a few minutes earlier, he tried to start it and the engine was already running, grinded the starter. I was in the line at the time and everyone was like wtf! Only minor damage was done and he didn't think anything of it. Be careful of valets.

 

in some place, valet parking is very scary...

 

I avoid valets at all costs. I slip them some cash and park it myself. It always works.

 

A friend of ours got their brand new 4Runner stolen from their driveway at home. No glass from a broken window. The cops said this often happens if you've valet parked. They can make an impression of the key ... look in your glove box for your registration and see where you live. They know if you have an alarm. They bring their key to your house, hop in your car, and drive it away.

This may not be as big an issue now with the immobilizer chip, but ever since that happened, I've really tried to avoid valet, and if I do use them, make sure there are no identifying documents in your car (or lock the compartment and make sure to give them the valet key).

 

I'm told the new Honda keys can't be copied. Just after I got my S, 12/99, i did an incredibly stupid thing. We were doing an environmental inspection of a property in a very run down part of Long Beach. I set my briefcase down on the sidewalk and walked across the street to take photos. Boof, it vanished. My keys were inside. I raced home to get the spare key, then back to Pasadena and was told by my friend who own's Antrim's Security that he coundn't duplicate the key, it is computer-matched to the car. It took Pasadena Honda almost two days to duplicate the key. Apparently, they struggled somewhat with the software.

 

This whole valet parking thing puzzles me a bit.
The idea of giving my car to a guy on poor wages, hence poor motivation fills me with dread
It's bad enough leaving it at the dealer for a day.
Are cars really so difficult to park

 

If I need to park the car up close I will ask the valet attendant if I can pay (with a tip) to park in one of the valet spots. They have never said no to me.

 

never trust a valet....

 

There are lots of places in LA where the choice is either Valet or street. While many of them may let you park the car yourself, but they'll want your keys so they can move it if they have to. This is mostly at places where they don't use spaces but just basically shove as many cars as they can into a small area so they may have to move yours to get another one out.

Raptor's got the right idea - slip them some $$ but ask them to keep it up front. Good valets usually have a handful of parking spots that are close to them and visible from the street - they get more $$ to put cars there, and the establishment looks classy for having Lambo's and 'Rarri's out front.

 

no valet parking for me please.
nobody drives my car but me.
i want to keep my key and my money in my pocket.
thank you very much