Anybody else here decline valet parking?

[Phokus]

No, I wouldn't let anyone else drive our 'going out' car. The instructions alone would scare them...

"This key unlocks the steering and this key switches the electrical system on. Once the electrical system is on, retard the timing control 10 degrees, switch the fuel pump to "AUTO", turn the electrical system key to the "CRANK" position, hit the gas pedal twice and then turn on the "IGNITION" switch to start. Once the engine starts adjust the timing control to advance the timing 10 degrees."

"To use the vertical gate shifter..."

I'll just park it myself.

wtf do you drive

 

[Red Squirrel]

Never been to a place that had it. I thought it was just in the movies that this was a thing.

I'd be kinda reluctant though. I don't have a high end car or anything, but still. I don't like the idea of giving my keys (which also have my house keys and other stuff on them) to someone else.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I used to valet in college so any time I have a chance to valet I do so and tip them when handing off the car and getting it back.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Places that have valet only piss me off. I don't need someone to park my car. I don't need a front grand entrance. I need to get my fat ass up and walk to the door instead of trying to burn the least amount of calories as possible.

And moreso, I fucking hate tipping people for doing their job.

 

[1sikbITCH]

I drive a classic car, so I don't like other people touching it. Nobody else is getting behind the wheel of my 1997 Geo Metro but me dammit!!

That, and I generally hate places that have valet parking and will avoid them whenever possible.

You should drive the Geo and keep the classic car in the garage. I always drive a beater too when I'm out in traffic. That way I don't have to care if I hit something.

 

[TridenT]

I think I've only had my car valet parked one time. Little weird but it was at Facebook's campus in Menlo Park. Only did it because there was no other option. Also, it's a civic and there are Maserati's that the guy could've fucked around with. Why toy with a civic, ya know? (dat vtec doe)

 

[MongGrel]

Avoid them myself.

They had parking prior to getting there rather than to going up to the valet at the country club for the wifes Christmas party this year fortunately.

 

[JoeBleed]

I dont drive a fancy car but I've witnessed valets grind my gears and stall my car attempting (manual transmission) to move the car to its parking place.

for the same first reason you gave is the main reason i don't do it. however i stayed at a hotel in a historic district and the parking area wasn't at the hotel so they used a valet service. i'd still rather park my own car but they were a bit insistent. I didn't know the area so i gave them my key. went to check in and the valet guy came in and asked me to drive my car for him. apparently they only had one person that could drive a manual and he was off that day. so i parked my own car with him in the passenger seat telling me where to go and park.

If i was a snobbish ass that insisted on valet parking, this would have been bad. considering the hotel and area, i was a bit surprised they didn't have more people that could drive a manual. But i do very much appreciate them not attempting to do it when they know they can't.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I gladly pay for valet if its under $10. Parking in LA is a bitch.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

I'll do valet if it's an area I don't know, rather than drive around looking for street parking or a lot. Besides it's rarely more than a few bucks and often free.

 

[OutHouse]

There are some downtown hotels where you pretty much have no choice.

yea i discovered this while on a business trip to downtown Philly a couple of years ago.

 

[smackababy]

Why on earth would I avoid valet parking? Worst case scenario, they fuck up my car and I have to get another...

 

[ElFenix]

Valet when lots are full and they're running to a remote lot. No valet when there are spaces.

The restaurant critic here once moved ran over a valet's traffic cone to park in a space in a restaurant's empty lot. Valet couldn't legitimately tow him because he was a customer of the restaurant so was within the usage of the lot.

 

[TheSlamma]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxWmdQwacMo

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Also just a PSA, all vallet in Vegas is free. Don't know why people even bother self parking there.

 

[Oyeve]

Simple, if you have manual, don't valet Park. Hardly anyone learns stick.

 

[John Connor]

I never had the luxury of valet parking.

 

[Elganja]

depends what car I'm in...

if I'm in the gtr/viper and parking is difficult to find... I'll usually pay the valet, but park the car myself and keep the keys

if i'm in my q50 or truck, I let them park it ... don't really care what happens to them (q50 is a lease and the truck has many scratches/dents already)