Valet Chewed Up My Wheel!

[Rudderman98]

Got out of the hospital Saturday after having a stent procedure done just to find the rear wheel of my 4 month old Equus was curbed by the hospital valet.

How do I know this? Because I'm the "A" typical guy who is very OCD about his vehicles. Just ask my Hyundai dealer.

Of course I don't notice this until I returned home. So I go to the hospital's website to send an email about my wheel just to notice the disclaimer that the hospital has NO RESPONSIBILITY for vehicle damage or theft.

Nevertheless, In will push forward to have them replace the wheel come Hell or high water!

Any ideas from our Equus bretheren who may be practicing law?

Bummed out....

 

[xiaphin]

Ouch man that sucks. Pretty decent curb rash too. Hope the valet felt/feels like shit about that one. No advice from me on how to remedy the situation but I am interested to hear what advice others might offer up.

 

[PMCErnie]

What is more important, your life or a car wheel? Knock off the stress, follow your doctor's orders and get well soon.

 

[Mark_888]

Do you have any idea if car was taken for joy ride based on miles driven? I think you will have a hard time proving who damaged the wheel in a court of law (not to mention disclaimers).

 

[Rudderman98]

What is more important, your life or a car wheel? Knock off the stress, follow your doctor's orders and get well soon.

I hear ya Ernie.

Keeping calm through this.

Thank you!

 

[Rudderman98]

Do you have any idea if car was taken for joy ride based on miles driven? I think you will have a hard time proving who damaged the wheel in a court of law (not to mention disclaimers).

No idea if the car was driven on a joy ride. When I had my Genesis, I used the valet service and never had an issue. I did notice and so did my wife, that there were smudges on both the front windows as if someone was looking inside.

My wife did mention to me that the valet said to her " let me clean up some of this trash first before I give you your car"......trash?? There is never any trash in my car.

Looks like a mute point so I'll have to buck up and look for a replacement wheel.

C'est la vie....

 

[bmbutler]

I still would be placing a call to the hospital and talking to the Administrator.

 

[dareckibmw]

That really sucks! I'd be pissed as hell. Feel sorry for you...and your car.

Too bad, you "left the scene of a crime" without noticing it, if you know what I mean.

 

[westsiderkg]

www.awrswheelrepair.com

Try these folks. I used them before on a set of wheels and they did perfect work. Be careful though, they are all independent contractors. I would also get the manager of the valet to pay for it. Should run you a couple hundred bucs to repair, but much less expense than buying a whole new wheel. Good luck!

 

[PMCErnie]

I hear ya Ernie.

Keeping calm through this.

Thank you!

... and wait until spring to get the damn thing fixed.

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[Rudderman98]

... and wait until spring to get the damn thing fixed.

LOL ok Ernie.

Thanks for watching my back.

I did find a new OEM wheel for 329.00 shipped which was less than half of what my Hyundai dealer wanted (689.00)!

http://www.hubcaphaven.com/equus_wheels.htm

I ordered it and should be here by the end of week. Can't keep my baby looking ugly for long.

My buddy from work is taking care of the wheel issue and my car for me while I'm resting from my hospital visit so no stress. He's a giant of a man with a mean temper when provoked.

I appreciate all the comments fella's and the camaraderie.

 

[Rudderman98]

That really sucks! I'd be pissed as hell. Feel sorry for you...and your car.

Too bad, you "left the scene of a crime" without noticing it, if you know what I mean.

I was a bit pissed off but had to maintain composure since I just had a new stent, #8 to be exact inserted in my left artery of my heart.

It is "just a car" and cars can be repaired. That's the risk we all take with our babies. Just need to keep calm, cope with a clear head and even temper.

I'll most definitely check my car when I go back for my doctors visit and bring pictures of the damage to show the valets what has happened and warn them that this better not happen again.

 

[Mark_888]

I'll most definitely check my car when I go back for my doctors visit and bring pictures of the damage to show the valets what has happened and warn them that this better not happen again.

Is it possible to park the car yourself at the hospital?

 

[Rudderman98]

Is it possible to park the car yourself at the hospital?

Yes.

On my next visit.

The problem was my wife had the car while I was in the hospital and she is coping with a shattered left leg injury when a guy ran a red light in downtown Seattle in April and hit her in the crosswalk. So she has to get around with a cane or walker which is difficult for her so she uses the easiest way to get around hence the valet parking this past weekend.

She has a disabled parking permit but all disabled parking at the hospital is always full.

 

[dareckibmw]

I was a bit pissed off but had to maintain composure since I just had a new stent, #8 to be exact inserted in my left artery of my heart.

It is "just a car" and cars can be repaired. That's the risk we all take with our babies. Just need to keep calm, cope with a clear head and even temper.

I'll most definitely check my car when I go back for my doctors visit and bring pictures of the damage to show the valets what has happened and warn them that this better not happen again.

Next time take the ambulance and leave your car at home, just like I did, twice

I've got #3 so far

Rest well, Sir!

 

[Rudderman98]

Next time take the ambulance and leave your car at home, just like I did, twice

I've got #3 so far

Rest well, Sir!

Funny you should say that....I did!

My wife was the one who brought the car to the hospital. Now, I can't blame her.

Only 3? You got some catching up to do my friend! But in all seriousness, lets hope not.

Be well!

 

[brfatal]

Disclaimers like those don't give a free ride for a valet company to damage your car. Usually it's meant to absolve the company that is contracting the valet company of responsibility and it can also be used to cover the valet company of fault if your car gets damaged or stolen by some other dummy while parked or in their care. However if a valet employee is the one who did it, they still have to take care of it.

You don't need to replace the wheel, you can get it fixed.

 

[RWMissouri]

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon problem. I have a new Sonata in addition to my Genesis and got that curb rash down at the local bank. I've complained and complained about the concrete curb by the drive-in bank to no avail. It was minor but when I heard the scrape I knew immediately what had happened.

This is going to be more of a problem with the low profile tires as they are almost at the same vertical position as the tire. Otherwise the tire would have signaled that the car was too close and the vehicle corrected. With the low profile tires the first sign of trouble is when that awful sound is picked up inside the vehicle. Had about a thousand miles on the Sonata when it happened. Not a happy camper.

 

[Rudderman98]

Just received a call today from the valet supervisor asking me to bring the car up to his station to file a claim. He was very polite and apologetic and wanted to know the dates of my stay in the hospital.

Let's see what transpires......

 

[ckon]

That sounds promising. Good luck - hope all turns out well.