Lesson learned about valet parking!

[Dimitry]

....do it yourself

Last weekend a few friends and I went out to the local tavern and I chose to valet park. When I come out, to my horror I see my Genesis's bumper sitting on the curb (diagonal parking) I let the valet pull it out slowly and sure enough, that scratching sound was loud enough. The bottom end of the bumper on the right side was all rashed and scratched up.

The valet company is a third party service for the local pubs and bars, so I had the valet call the operator/owner of the valet company. He came and gave me his information. I got the a estimates this week, from dealerships to independent shops - all ranging in the high 400's to mid 500's. When I contacted him, he had "his guy" that has worked on all sorts of vehicles come out and give an estimate of 250 to fix it. He wouldn't want to pay a dime more for it. I obviously want it to be done at a dealership, because I don't want to come after someone thats not there two years down the line when my lease-end inspection shows a job that needs to be redone.

I touched base with an on-duty officer in the district and he took down all my information and their information the day of the incident. I'll be proceeding with a police report and touching base with my insurance agent to see what my options are in that avenue, but from what I have been told, it's a pretty open and shut case.

So lesson learned: valet park in front of whatever avenue you go to, yourself

 

[Wordman]

I sympathize. I'd had my Genny about a month and had it valet parked in Newport Beach, CA, for my company's holiday party. Unfortunately, there was no option of self-parking - not unusual for that area.

When I got it back, I failed to notice a dime-sized graze on the right rear bumper rubber strip. Now I have a black spot on my white car. Nothing that a bit of touch-up paint won't fix, but your warning of valet parking is very pertinent!

 

[dataguy]

Ouch! It's sad when you'd rather self-park than valet because of fear of damage, especially when one of the main purposes of valet is to free you from the hassles of self-parking.

Edmund's Confessions of a Parking Valet article is a good read, though it will probably make you want to park in BFE and walk...

 

[The Doctor]

....do it yourself

Last weekend a few friends and I went out to the local tavern and I chose to valet park. When I come out, to my horror I see my Genesis's bumper sitting on the curb (diagonal parking) I let the valet pull it out slowly and sure enough, that scratching sound was loud enough. The bottom end of the bumper on the right side was all rashed and scratched up.

The valet company is a third party service for the local pubs and bars, so I had the valet call the operator/owner of the valet company. He came and gave me his information. I got the a estimates this week, from dealerships to independent shops - all ranging in the high 400's to mid 500's. When I contacted him, he had "his guy" that has worked on all sorts of vehicles come out and give an estimate of 250 to fix it. He wouldn't want to pay a dime more for it. I obviously want it to be done at a dealership, because I don't want to come after someone thats not there two years down the line when my lease-end inspection shows a job that needs to be redone.

I touched base with an on-duty officer in the district and he took down all my information and their information the day of the incident. I'll be proceeding with a police report and touching base with my insurance agent to see what my options are in that avenue, but from what I have been told, it's a pretty open and shut case.

So lesson learned: valet park in front of whatever avenue you go to, yourself

I think someone is trying to be cheap here. If he refuses to have the dealership do it, lawyer and that will be end of story

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Don't these valet companies have some sort of disclaimer that states they're not responsible for anything? That's why I don't use them...

 

[LLT]

I think someone is trying to be cheap here. If he refuses to have the dealership do it, lawyer and that will be end of story

That's often the natural response. If you're in it for principle alone, that's definitely the way to go. If you're in it to get your money's worth, an attorney isn't (usually) going to be of much use. It's going to cost a couple of hundred just to get an attorney to send a nastygram, let alone to fight it. A better solution for such a small amount (relatively) is small claims court, but it's still a hassle.

I would push the issue a little further, explain you're not comfortable with "some guy" that you want the area restored to factory quality by a franchised dealership. If it were me and the guy continues to be difficult, I'd take the $250 and consider it yet another one of life's learning experiences. It's a shame things have to be that way, but life is too short to spend it fighting with bottom feeders who don't own their responsibilities.

Sorry to hear of the damage - I hope it works out for you.

 

[Mixmaster Mikey]

Just call your insurance company, they will have the fight for you.

 

[MarkF001]

If you go through insurance you'll still pay the deductable and there is no garaunte they will quickly pay the dealership price. Going with a lawyer will rack up his fees from what you get. might be best ( from a practical point, not a moral one ) to take his offer, and either pay the differance or put it aside for when the lease inspection happens.

 

[BigElm]

This belongs in Lounge....

 

[crupp]

I had a similiar experience with valet parking in Chattanooga Tenn. I had scratches on my front bumper after leaving the car with then They claimed they did not do it. I actually just gave up after a month (which is what they want). A local high end body shop quoted me $300 to fix. Word to the wise before dropping off your car walk around it with the valet and hav him note any damage, then do the same when you pick up. My brother was a valet in school and said they were consistently dinging cars when parking them. Sometimes the walk may be worth it.

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