PSA: Valet companies DO get permits to charge for metered spots

[TechBoyJK]

I have a 9-5 job, and it only pays once per month (salary)

I just moved to the city (st. louis, downtown loft district) and my salary barely covers my living costs. So I decided to find something fun on the side.

My friend does Valet, but its for nightclubs not hotels or stuff like that. He normally works a club that is right outside my loft building, so I often go down there and hang out with him. The amount of tail and attention he gets from women is insane, not to mention he can make anywhere from $100 to $400 in a 6 hour shift.

I decided to take a shot at it.

I started last Friday night (not this just recently passed Friday, the friday before)

It was a busy night, and I worked with another friend of mine. 9:30p-3:30a, and walked home with just under $200. I got 3 phone numbers too.

So again, last night, I worked the same club. Wasn't nearly as busy, but I still walked out with $110.

Anywho, just so everyone knows:

The valet company I work for has a permit for almost the entire block on the club facing side. So even if there is a meter, if it says "valet" you can't just pull up your car, say "you can't charge me, there is a meter I only have to pay a quarter."

and when I say, actually, these spots are reserved Valet, Don't say "fuck you come make me pay"

Lastly, "when I say actually, we have a permit for these spots, even if you pay the meter it doesn't matter you need to pay our valet charge. We paid for a permit with the city, and we have a right to park whom we choose in these spots. It's $20 to park here"

Don't say "fuck your permit, I'm not paying you shit and if you fuck with my car I'll kick your ass"

Because sometimes, the Valet company is owned by a city Cop, and he paid for a permit to have those spots. And sometimes, just after you leave your car, another On-Duty cop who is friends with the cop who owns the valet company, might just take the valet's side on the matter. And realize you just jipped the valet company out of a prime VIP spot that they could charge $20 a pop for

And that cop might write you two parking tickets, and a ticket for not having a front license plate. And call a towing company.

 

[waggy]

thats why the goverment should nto be giving away public parking to a business.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: waggy
thats why the goverment should nto be giving away public parking to a business.

there was plently of public parking that was available. several lots just down the street.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: waggy
thats why the goverment should nto be giving away public parking to a business.

there was plently of public parking that was available. several lots just down the street.

so?

the city should not be giving out public parking to private business. having more parking down the street does nto change that.

your example is a perfect reason why.

 

[RKS]

Thank you for the great insight. Please post any other epiphany you may have had.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: waggy
thats why the goverment should nto be giving away public parking to a business.

there was plently of public parking that was available. several lots just down the street.

so?

the city should not be giving out public parking to private business. having more parking down the street does nto change that.

your example is a perfect reason why.

what about the non-profit bike ride that had all parking meters for 2 miles of stretch down the road? every single meter said "PERMIT: NO PARKING"

edit: anywho, im not arguing your point. bottom line is we had a permit, and you shouldn't be an ass and tell someone to fuck their city sanctioned permit.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: waggy
thats why the goverment should nto be giving away public parking to a business.

there was plently of public parking that was available. several lots just down the street.

so?

the city should not be giving out public parking to private business. having more parking down the street does nto change that.

your example is a perfect reason why.

what about the non-profit bike ride that had all parking meters for 2 miles of stretch down the road? every single meter said "PERMIT: NO PARKING"

i think the non-profit part would tell you why its diffrent right?

one is makeign a profit off what the taxpayers already paid for and should have a right to use withotu paying more. the other is for a hnon-profit charity (i would guess since non-profit).



edit: and the city shouldnt be an ass and say fuck ya you already paid taxes now pay more for a private business to make money of it.

 

[Wuffsunie]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: waggy
thats why the goverment should nto be giving away public parking to a business.

there was plently of public parking that was available. several lots just down the street.

so?

the city should not be giving out public parking to private business. having more parking down the street does nto change that.

your example is a perfect reason why.

what about the non-profit bike ride that had all parking meters for 2 miles of stretch down the road? every single meter said "PERMIT: NO PARKING"

i think the non-profit part would tell you why its diffrent right?

one is makeign a profit off what the taxpayers already paid for and should have a right to use withotu paying more. the other is for a hnon-profit charity (i would guess since non-profit).



edit: and the city shouldnt be an ass and say fuck ya you already paid taxes now pay more for a private business to make money of it.

The city probably went for it because the club offered up more for the meters than the city could make at it's standard rate for the night. So the city would be making a profit, thus theoretically relieving the citizens of taxes in the future.

 

[sygyzy]

Good advice aside, I think it's ridiculous that people in very low positions of worth/power find ghetto ways of stickin' it to those who might be higher in the chain. Those are not the perfect terms to describe someone and no, I don't think a person who parks valet is any "less" important than his/her clients. My point is, it's so lame that people who dine out, go to the mechanics, or get their cars parked have to kiss these people's asses to makes sure they don't spit in your food, "replace" a part you don't need, or "accidentally" scratch your car.

 

[andylawcc]

basic econ: supply and demand: if you don't like it, don't come to this club or park further.

now it's a different story if you live near the club and you have to park on the same streets.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Good advice aside, I think it's ridiculous that people in very low positions of worth/power find ghetto ways of stickin' it to those who might be higher in the chain. Those are not the perfect terms to describe someone and no, I don't think a person who parks valet is any "less" important than his/her clients. My point is, it's so lame that people who dine out, go to the mechanics, or get their cars parked have to kiss these people's asses to makes sure they don't spit in your food, "replace" a part you don't need, or "accidentally" scratch your car.

That's like saying you shouldn't have to "kiss ass" to your loan officer, the person interviewing you for a job, the doctor, or a judge.

You should just be nice to anyone doing a service for you.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Good advice aside, I think it's ridiculous that people in very low positions of worth/power find ghetto ways of stickin' it to those who might be higher in the chain. Those are not the perfect terms to describe someone and no, I don't think a person who parks valet is any "less" important than his/her clients. My point is, it's so lame that people who dine out, go to the mechanics, or get their cars parked have to kiss these people's asses to makes sure they don't spit in your food, "replace" a part you don't need, or "accidentally" scratch your car.

That's like saying you shouldn't have to "kiss ass" to your loan officer, the person interviewing you for a job, the doctor, or a judge.

You should just be nice to anyone doing a service for you.

i guess sygyzy just wants to point out the phoniness in the rather contradicting situation where the customer have to please the service-provider.

to sygyzy: in the perfect world, there is no evil.

 

[theeedude]

Only one I've seen here in CA is where valet takes one or two spots that are directly next to the entrance of the building doing the event as no parking so they can pull the cars up. I've never heard of the valet taking up a whole block of metered parking and charging $20 to park in a city spot. Sounds like corruption to me. If someone were to stand up and seriously challenge it in court, the whole operation would fold like a house of cards, and probably some people would go to jail.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
I just moved to the city (st. louis, downtown loft district) and my salary barely covers my living costs. So I decided to find something fun on the side.

I guess you should have taken our advice when you started the apartment threads and was told to find a cheaper place.

 

[ICRS]

Which is why you use a blue placard. Blue placard means you can park any where on the streets fro free.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: ICRS
Which is why you use a blue placard. Blue placard means you can park any where on the streets fro free.

Not true, or at least not true in MOST states.

Kahleeforneeya's law sez:

"Parking privileges for DP placard, DP plates or DV plates

In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol).
Next to a blue curb authorized for handicap parking.
Next to a green curb (green curbs indicate limited time parking) for as long as you wish. There is no time limit with a DP placard, DP license plates, or DV license plates.
In an on-street metered parking space at no charge.
In an area that indicates it requires a resident or merchant permit.

You cannot park:

In spaces marked with a crosshatched pattern next to a parking space with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). These spaces are for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access.
Next to red curbs, which indicate no stopping, standing, or parking.
Next to yellow curbs, which are for commercial vehicles to load and unload passengers or freight.
Next to white curbs, which are for loading and unloading passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox."

I have a "blue preferred parking pass," and from experience, they do NOT permit you to park at a metered spot that has been reserved by a valet parking company.
In essence, those companies "rent" the spaces from the city, giving them exclusive rights.

I don't like that parking spots paid for by my (and your) tax dollars can be used by a private company to generate revenue, but...many cities still do it.
(I think they should have to contract with a parking lot, parking garage, etc.)

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: waggy
thats why the goverment should nto be giving away public parking to a business.

there was plently of public parking that was available. several lots just down the street.

I work as a valet, happens all the time, I show them the permit. Get them towed. I laugh.

 

[CycloWizard]

Welcome to the STL. Be careful whose car you get towed here because you very well might get shot. In fact, don't even look at anyone the wrong way or you'll end up on the side of the highway for Monday morning rush hour.

Which club are you working at? I don't get down there all that often, but I assume you're in the area of Washington Ave?

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Only one I've seen here in CA is where valet takes one or two spots that are directly next to the entrance of the building doing the event as no parking so they can pull the cars up. I've never heard of the valet taking up a whole block of metered parking and charging $20 to park in a city spot. Sounds like corruption to me. If someone were to stand up and seriously challenge it in court, the whole operation would fold like a house of cards, and probably some people would go to jail.

Runs off to contact the local media.

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Only one I've seen here in CA is where valet takes one or two spots that are directly next to the entrance of the building doing the event as no parking so they can pull the cars up. I've never heard of the valet taking up a whole block of metered parking and charging $20 to park in a city spot. Sounds like corruption to me. If someone were to stand up and seriously challenge it in court, the whole operation would fold like a house of cards, and probably some people would go to jail.

Just another example of police protecting and serving their own wallet.

 

[Gibson486]

That's a realization that people in boston came to about 6 years ago....

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: ICRS
Which is why you use a blue placard. Blue placard means you can park any where on the streets fro free.

Not true, or at least not true in MOST states.

Kahleeforneeya's law sez:

"Parking privileges for DP placard, DP plates or DV plates

In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol).
Next to a blue curb authorized for handicap parking.
Next to a green curb (green curbs indicate limited time parking) for as long as you wish. There is no time limit with a DP placard, DP license plates, or DV license plates.
In an on-street metered parking space at no charge.
In an area that indicates it requires a resident or merchant permit.

You cannot park:

In spaces marked with a crosshatched pattern next to a parking space with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). These spaces are for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access.
Next to red curbs, which indicate no stopping, standing, or parking.
Next to yellow curbs, which are for commercial vehicles to load and unload passengers or freight.
Next to white curbs, which are for loading and unloading passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox."

I have a "blue preferred parking pass," and from experience, they do NOT permit you to park at a metered spot that has been reserved by a valet parking company.
In essence, those companies "rent" the spaces from the city, giving them exclusive rights.

I don't like that parking spots paid for by my (and your) tax dollars can be used by a private company to generate revenue, but...many cities still do it.
(I think they should have to contract with a parking lot, parking garage, etc.)

if our tax dollars does in fact pay for the parking space and the maintenance thereof, why are you ok with the city charging parking at all? you contradict yourself. the fact is, those parking spaces are put in by the city with your tax dollars to generate revenue thereby charging fewer taxes to its citizens overall. revenue, hence if they can generate more revenue by renting it out to a valet company, why would you complain?

 

[nerp]

I'd be interested in seeing the permit. And then I'd want to know how much the permit costs, where the money goes in the municipal budget and how many other permits are in use in the city.

 

[abaez]

This is not the case in Downtown L.A. - some of those seedy valet bastards (with a home depot wood valet box thing and no uniforms) think they own the blocks. If you have a permit to take public street parking SHOW IT TO ME. Otherwise, screw off. Putting orange cones in the spot does not make it yours.

It's the same way with film crews and them shutting down entire blocks. The cost of completely shutting down an entire city block is a crapton of money, so most don't do it and have to keep the public sidewalk open. Most of the times they are cool, but a couple of times they say the sidewalk is closed when it really isn't, and they just don't want people walking through their stuff. In downtown this happens daily, and you simply just have to ask for the permit and they let you through.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Only one I've seen here in CA is where valet takes one or two spots that are directly next to the entrance of the building doing the event as no parking so they can pull the cars up. I've never heard of the valet taking up a whole block of metered parking and charging $20 to park in a city spot. Sounds like corruption to me. If someone were to stand up and seriously challenge it in court, the whole operation would fold like a house of cards, and probably some people would go to jail.

Oh? Because every night in Hollywood, clubs and restaurants, after six, get the curb in front of their building for 200 feet in each direction for valet parking and loser queues.

Fail.