[Biorin]

Manhattan garages, there's no way to avoid valet. I'm not a huge valet fan, but I'd rather valet than spend 3 hours circling the block to look for street parking. Better the valet polish my knob than have a random stranger ram me repeatedly in the bumper...

[TheHouseWon]

Only as a last resort because I don't like paying 10-15 usd for someone to park my car. It is a costly and lazy move.

[BwoodBMW]

Originally Posted by TheHouseWon

Only as a last resort because I don't like paying 10-15 usd for someone to park my car. It is a costly and lazy move.

You know... I actually disagree (sometimes). For example: If i'm out with the wife and we have reservations at a nice restaurant, $10 to save me up to 30 minutes of time and frustration is a deal. I'm not sure how you value your time but at least in areas around LA I'd ALWAYS pay $10 to avoid frustrations and grab an extra 20 minutes relaxing with her at a restaurant. Hell I'm already paying a babysitter $20/hr while we are gone so if it takes me 30 minutes to find parking it could cost me $10 anyways.

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by Biorin

Manhattan garages, there's no way to avoid valet. I'm not a huge valet fan, but I'd rather valet than spend 3 hours circling the block to look for street parking. Better the valet polish my knob than have a random stranger ram me repeatedly in the bumper...

If you play your cards right, could get both. May or may not be volunteering.

Inb4 as catcher - pitching only.

[TheHouseWon]

Originally Posted by BwoodBMW

You know... I actually disagree (sometimes). For example: If i'm out with the wife and we have reservations at a nice restaurant, $10 to save me up to 30 minutes of time and frustration is a deal. I'm not sure how you value your time but at least in areas around LA I'd ALWAYS pay $10 to avoid frustrations and grab an extra 20 minutes relaxing with her at a restaurant. Hell I'm already paying a babysitter $20/hr while we are gone so if it takes me 30 minutes to find parking it could cost me $10 anyways.

True, depends on the restaurant. If they have self park options I will choose that every time. If it's downtown, I will choose the $1 per hour lot and walk an extra couple blocks. It's not always a time value of money issue with me. I see myself as a lazy prick, but not others, if I park my beast in front of a restaurant and walk 10 steps into the restaurant. I also don't trust people with my car, and I hate paying a tax for the privilege of going to that restaurant.

[1LRM3]

Originally Posted by infamousdiz

only at the casino like Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun but they usually leave out for everyone to see because it is a higher end car

slip the guys an extra amount of your choice and they will not only let you park the car but also right in front of the door .... perfect set up!

[1LRM3]

Originally Posted by Biorin

Manhattan garages, there's no way to avoid valet. I'm not a huge valet fan, but I'd rather valet than spend 3 hours circling the block to look for street parking. Better the valet polish my knob than have a random stranger ram me repeatedly in the bumper...

very true and never had an issue.... do it all the time.

[Stlthnmrdrd]

I dont trust valet parking, but ive never had an issue with them yet *knock on wood

[John 070]

I like being on business, and valet'ing the rental car with no fear whatsoever and giving a generous tip of $2 or $3. It's refreshing to not have to tell the valet that I could buy his family with my Citi Mastercard, I really hate to be that way, it's not who I am and my prep school did not teach me to behave in that manner.

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by John 070

I like being on business, and valet'ing the rental car with no fear whatsoever and giving a generous tip of $2 or $3. It's refreshing to not have to tell the valet that I could buy his family with my Citi Mastercard, I really hate to be that way, it's not who I am and my prep school did not teach me to behave in that manner.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

not serious at all, the PANYNJ story was true with the sunglasses, because the cop was an outright d*** and as much as I respect LE, he was out of line. Otherwise, I don't treat others like that and have never had a butler etc., unlike my wife and my in-laws...

[gjkolio]

The $15 valet fee is not the issue, having your carbon fiber splitters damaged or having your expensive wheels curbed is what scares me the most.I have talked to wheel repair shops in south Fla and it happens quite often.

[RMNB]

Haven't been anywhere to valet my car in a while however I would be a little reluctant. Far too anal with the condition of my cars plus those knuckle heads seem to screw up something. Certainly on the other end of being cheap, quite the opposite actually-don't understand it- but to each his own. It's just money. When you run out make more-nuff said.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by Biorin

Manhattan garages, there's no way to avoid valet. I'm not a huge valet fan, but I'd rather valet than spend 3 hours circling the block to look for street parking. Better the valet polish my knob than have a random stranger ram me repeatedly in the bumper...

what the..

[Mywifes335]

Yes because I live in a city.

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

No offense, because I own them too, but if you're BMW is a "higher end car", then you are at the wrong damn casinos.

I was just in Vegas, I didn't see a lot of high end cars hanging out at the Wynn or encore, a lot Amg G wagons. There were one or 2 but a lot less then anticipated. Can't fit much luggage in a 458, and the ride comfort is to be desired in any super car.

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by 1LRM3

slip the guys an extra amount of your choice and they will not only let you park the car but also right in front of the door .... perfect set up!

Indeed I do, gives you easy access when you forget things

[David70]

Originally Posted by TheHouseWon

Only as a last resort because I don't like paying 10-15 usd for someone to park my car. It is a costly and lazy move.

It depends. Generally I do agree and when a hotel has both I chose self parking (most of the time I find the overall process easier and cheaper). But sometimes when out for a nice dinner, driving around in circles trying to find a garage, then having to walk a couple of blocks so I can save $10 on a $150 dinner outing doesn't make a lot of sense. Add in bad weather and it can make even less sense.

Then I sometimes wonder which way I am more likely to have damage, park in the small dark garage where the spots are minimized to increase the number, at a slope, and risk door dings, park on the street and hope the next guy can get in and out without hitting my bumper or leave it with the valet who 99% of the time really just wants to park and get cars quickly, a large part of his pay is tips and is really doing a job that is easy to avoid any problems.

[Maestro]

I never Valet my car, did it for same reasons most people already sited. However, some places I have gone to diner you are better off letting them park it otherwise you maybe waiting and looking for a spot for a while.

The new rule today, if they have Valet and the wife is in the car I let them park it. Got tied of the wife thinking I am cheap. Drive a nice car and can not afford to pay someone to park the car, that goes over well.

Now I been valeting my car at the airport. I place near the airport will drive you to the airport in your car, help you unload at the curb, then take the car back and park it for you. If you want they will detail and do other maintenance if you like. On the return trip you send them a text as you are landing or on the ground and when you exit the airport your car is waiting at the curb and you just drive off, the best part they per day cost are lower than most of the other places you park yourself and get shuttled to the airport.

I have been doing this for a number of years and never had an issue, except ever once in a while the driver does not know how to drive manual so I usually ask before I let them get in the car and ask for a different driver. I can not tell how this service as saved me. Never have to worry about finding a parking spot or waiting a long time for shuttle bus or when I come home late and not worry about having to find the car or digging it out of snow.

[dauble2k5]

I've only used the hotel valet once in the E92 only because it was late, the wife and I had been driving most of the day, were exhausted and didn't know the area. I've valet'd her Honda twice in Chicago. Once without incident, the second time they backed it into a spot and let the cement wall tell them when to stop. A few scuffs, but nothing too noticeable.

I avoid it if I can, but sometimes I have to remind myself it's just a car. It's dear to me, but there are more important things in my life than my car.

[jaye944]

oh always......... it's the only way to drive

Originally Posted by kanvas

Like the title states, do you?

Maybe it's because I really cherish my car, but I don't trust anyone else with my car. Giving my keys to someone to drive it off and park it at an unknown location to me is simply terrifying. If I carpool with my friends and we end up at a restaurant that offers VALET ONLY parking, I drop off my friends and go around the block and find street parking. Some of them don't understand my reasoning, following up with a "Just valet the car.." with a flustered tone.

Am I the only one?

[jaye944]

DOH DOH


only if I'm parking at the Ritz, or a 4Star Marriott