Who Valets?

**SLKman** · 07-09-2008

Starting a thread about this since we were leading into it on another thread.

Do you valet your car?

If so, How much do you usually tip?

Aren't you worried about your car in the hands of a stanger?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I just can't bring myself to let someone else drive and park it.

SLKman

V8SLK · 07-09-2008

i have, once in my life and it was last Friday. i attended memorial services for my uncle (George Carlin's publicist who ironically died the day after Carlin). anyway, the reception after was at the Beverly Hills hotel. the options were park a mile or more away or use the valet. since my car was one of the lower end cars there, i really wasn't concerned about the valet doing a Ferris Beuller with it; pulling in directly behind me were an SL55 and a Lambo. the fee was $12, all i had was a $20, so the kid got a 66% tip...

**kungfudevil** · 07-09-2008

Never! I don't even let someone else wash my car (not even the dealership where I got my car!)

**etyu** · 07-09-2008

Rarely maybe once or twice as a non-valet parking was not available.

**etyu** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kungfudevil

...I don't even let someone else wash my car (not even the dealership where I got my car!)

Same here.

**Tummy** · 07-09-2008

I valet park a lot at hotels. We always tip $2.00 when retrieving your car, not when parking it.

My thinking is that it's only car and I'll probably replace it in a couple years (1-10 years). I haven't had any problems. Most of the time valets don't have time to mess with anything and there are usually a lot more expensive cars than our SLKs.

Wallance · 07-09-2008

i did once with my slk... dining at this restaurant where i couldn't find a parking myself so i had to valet it. Bad experience tho... i had my windows open so i could hear the beeping sound when he drove away with my parking brake on... and of course i could not stop him but hope that he KNOWS STH is wrong and put my hand brake down. that was before i put any mod on my cars, so i was less worry about my rims being curb and body kit. I don't think i will do it again with the slk.

**Dave54** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kungfudevil

Never! I don't even let someone else wash my car (not even the dealership where I got my car!)

I feel the same way about the SLK. However I will valet our BMW. I tip $2 to $5 when I pick it up. Sometimes more depending on the circumstances

**UK-C200** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tummy

I valet park a lot at hotels. We always tip $2.00 when retrieving your car, not when parking it.

My thinking is that it's only car and I'll probably replace it in a couple years (1-10 years). I haven't had any problems. Most of the time valets don't have time to mess with anything and there are usually a lot more expensive cars than our SLKs.

Same here - a lot at hotels, and sometimes at restaurants as well; so far, no horror stories. If I remember, I stick the transmission in "C" - no good reason other than to see if it's changed

I also tip on the way out, $2 to $5 depending on my mood. If I'm in a hotel for a while, I usually ask the guys to stick it somewhere where the doors won't get dinged - the main reason I valet at hotels in the first place. A$$holes on both sides of you with rental cars they could give a crap about worry me - I've seen guys throw the doors open and leave dings that made me cringe. As mentioned before, most of the places I'm valeting have cars of equal or greater value than my SLK, so....

**-1-** · 07-09-2008

Obviously, I have no class. I don't move in those circles. Seriously, never been in a position to use a valet. I would prefer to avoid if the occasion ever occurred. The less I entrust my vehicles to other, the better.

**alroumi** · 07-09-2008

I usually pay for the valet fee, park the car myself and take the keys with me.

**Gabus** · 07-09-2008

No probs for me, We don't have that system in Norway

mtiede · 07-09-2008

I wouldn't if I had any other reasonable option. Only one time I can remember with the SLK 320. Mount Washington hotel. I drove and parked it myself. Pulled up beside a Lambo or something. Started to get out and walk to the hotel when the valets came running at me and said I was parking in the valet area. Oops

I moved further away but felt better not letting someone else goof something up.

FallintoCouture · 07-10-2008

I've always let them valet my car at the mall, but like others have said my cars were among the cheapest, and they only give priority parking to Lambos or celebs... IMO, it's cheaper for me to deal with someone driving my car into the closest parking lot than having to go up four levels of a garage at one of the busiest malls in the country. When I do this, it costs $5-15 depending on the season and there is no tipping, but if I'm somewhere like the hospital where it's complimentary, I'll tip $5 or whatever I have on me.

**carver** · 07-10-2008

I rarely use the valet services simply because I'm bad about keeping too many things that have value in my car where they would be easy to take.

That was the story with my other car. With the SLK (which is new for me), there isn't really room to keep much in it so I shouldn't have that reason with it. I suspect once I get over the new car paranoia I'll be fine with the occasional valet parking if conditions warrant it.

**DesignoSLK** · 07-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabus

No probs for me, We don't have that system in Norway

...ditto for Germany.

And I never used it in the States, either...too cheap/don't want someone I don't know driving my car/need the exersize.

**SLKCop** · 07-11-2008

I spent a few days in San Antonio a couple weeks ago and my only option was park half a mile away and walk or valet, so I chose not to walk. No problems with valet and I tip anywhere between $3 and $5 only when picking up, not dropping off.

Makes me wonder, now, if they would take better care of it if I tipped when dropping off??

**Tummy** · 07-11-2008

I have more confidence that the valets will not ding our doors getting in and out of the car, than people who self park, especially those with rental cars. Parks, resorts / beach hotels are especially bad since often there are children getting into cars and they have no idea about banging doors. Don't get me started about people who own minivans with children...

I haven't had a valet take anything from a car, but I hide my spare change just in case. I also sometimes write down the odometer reading before giving it to them if I have time. When I give my car to the valets at the dealer, I take out my EZPass / toll tag, iPod, and my spare change bag.

One other thing I do at hotels is take the blade out of the smartkey, which turns it into a valet key and locks the consoles. That keeps my iPod and MB Bluetooth thing safe. Makes it hard for them to attach the valet tag though.

mtiede · 07-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tummy

...One other thing I do at hotels is take the blade out of the smartkey, which turns it into a valet key and locks the consoles. ...

I thought that was not true on the R171 models. I will have to recheck. I don't think I tried pulling the metal key out and testing.

**dsb** · 07-12-2008

I haven't used a valet with my SLK and probably never will. I really dont have fear of them driving aggressively or dinging doors. I have a much bigger concern of someone curbing the wheels or catching the front spoiler on a curb. I don't want to deal with that headache.

07-09-2008	#1 (permalink)
SLKman Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Texas Vehicle: 2000 Copper Designo Sport Posts: 1,063 Country: Thanks: 261 Thanked 73 Times in 35 Posts	Who Valets? Starting a thread about this since we were leading into it on another thread. Do you valet your car? If so, How much do you usually tip? Aren't you worried about your car in the hands of a stanger? Inquiring minds want to know. I just can't bring myself to let someone else drive and park it. SLKman __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 2000 SLK230 copper Designo Sport To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-09-2008	#3 (permalink)
kungfudevil Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Vehicle: '06 SLK55 Posts: 108 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 11 Times in 3 Posts	Never! I don't even let someone else wash my car (not even the dealership where I got my car!) __________________ .........lost.........

07-09-2008	#4 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,306 Country: Thanks: 381 Thanked 283 Times in 174 Posts	Rarely maybe once or twice as a non-valet parking was not available. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

07-09-2008	#10 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,231 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	Obviously, I have no class. I don't move in those circles. Seriously, never been in a position to use a valet. I would prefer to avoid if the occasion ever occurred. The less I entrust my vehicles to other, the better. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

07-09-2008	#11 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,288 Country: Thanks: 298 Thanked 233 Times in 147 Posts	I usually pay for the valet fee, park the car myself and take the keys with me. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

07-09-2008	#2 (permalink)
V8SLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Home of the brave Vehicle: 05 SLK55 AMG Posts: 1,071 Country: Thanks: 40 Thanked 48 Times in 26 Posts	i have, once in my life and it was last Friday. i attended memorial services for my uncle (George Carlin's publicist who ironically died the day after Carlin). anyway, the reception after was at the Beverly Hills hotel. the options were park a mile or more away or use the valet. since my car was one of the lower end cars there, i really wasn't concerned about the valet doing a Ferris Beuller with it; pulling in directly behind me were an SL55 and a Lambo. the fee was $12, all i had was a $20, so the kid got a 66% tip...

07-09-2008	#6 (permalink)
Tummy Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: EWR / CLE Vehicle: 2005 SLK350, 2004 Infiniti FX45 Posts: 284 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	I valet park a lot at hotels. We always tip $2.00 when retrieving your car, not when parking it. My thinking is that it's only car and I'll probably replace it in a couple years (1-10 years). I haven't had any problems. Most of the time valets don't have time to mess with anything and there are usually a lot more expensive cars than our SLKs.

07-09-2008	#7 (permalink)
Wallance Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver Vehicle: SLK350 Posts: 158 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	i did once with my slk... dining at this restaurant where i couldn't find a parking myself so i had to valet it. Bad experience tho... i had my windows open so i could hear the beeping sound when he drove away with my parking brake on... and of course i could not stop him but hope that he KNOWS STH is wrong and put my hand brake down. that was before i put any mod on my cars, so i was less worry about my rims being curb and body kit. I don't think i will do it again with the slk.

07-09-2008	#12 (permalink)
Gabus Elite SLK World Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Søgne Vehicle: 96 SLK 230K Other Toys: Volvo L3314N Posts: 437 Country: Thanks: 18 Thanked 66 Times in 47 Posts	No probs for me, We don't have that system in Norway __________________ Gabus The Rolls Royce is the Mercedes amongst cars To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-09-2008	#13 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,645 Thanks: 102 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	I wouldn't if I had any other reasonable option. Only one time I can remember with the SLK 320. Mount Washington hotel. I drove and parked it myself. Pulled up beside a Lambo or something. Started to get out and walk to the hotel when the valets came running at me and said I was parking in the valet area. Oops I moved further away but felt better not letting someone else goof something up.

07-10-2008	#14 (permalink)
FallintoCouture SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ Vehicle: Alabaster White 2005 SLK350 Other Toys: Firemist Red 2001 SLK320 & Black 2005 CLK320 - R.I.P. :-( Posts: 19 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've always let them valet my car at the mall, but like others have said my cars were among the cheapest, and they only give priority parking to Lambos or celebs... IMO, it's cheaper for me to deal with someone driving my car into the closest parking lot than having to go up four levels of a garage at one of the busiest malls in the country. When I do this, it costs $5-15 depending on the season and there is no tipping, but if I'm somewhere like the hospital where it's complimentary, I'll tip $5 or whatever I have on me.

07-10-2008	#15 (permalink)
carver SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado - USA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 350 Posts: 72 Country: Thanks: 17 Thanked 28 Times in 11 Posts	I rarely use the valet services simply because I'm bad about keeping too many things that have value in my car where they would be easy to take. That was the story with my other car. With the SLK (which is new for me), there isn't really room to keep much in it so I shouldn't have that reason with it. I suspect once I get over the new car paranoia I'll be fine with the occasional valet parking if conditions warrant it.

07-11-2008	#17 (permalink)
SLKCop Click it or Ticket! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burleson, Texas Vehicle: Black/Black 2002 SLK-230 Kompressor [6MT] Other Toys: 2007 Toyota Tundra Posts: 369 Country: Thanks: 85 Thanked 103 Times in 58 Posts	I spent a few days in San Antonio a couple weeks ago and my only option was park half a mile away and walk or valet, so I chose not to walk. No problems with valet and I tip anywhere between $3 and $5 only when picking up, not dropping off. Makes me wonder, now, if they would take better care of it if I tipped when dropping off?? __________________ Mike 2002 Black SLK-230 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-11-2008	#18 (permalink)
Tummy Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: EWR / CLE Vehicle: 2005 SLK350, 2004 Infiniti FX45 Posts: 284 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 42 Times in 24 Posts	I have more confidence that the valets will not ding our doors getting in and out of the car, than people who self park, especially those with rental cars. Parks, resorts / beach hotels are especially bad since often there are children getting into cars and they have no idea about banging doors. Don't get me started about people who own minivans with children... I haven't had a valet take anything from a car, but I hide my spare change just in case. I also sometimes write down the odometer reading before giving it to them if I have time. When I give my car to the valets at the dealer, I take out my EZPass / toll tag, iPod, and my spare change bag. One other thing I do at hotels is take the blade out of the smartkey, which turns it into a valet key and locks the consoles. That keeps my iPod and MB Bluetooth thing safe. Makes it hard for them to attach the valet tag though.

07-12-2008	#20 (permalink)
dsb Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: '06 slk55 Posts: 1,176 Country: Thanks: 67 Thanked 121 Times in 42 Posts	I haven't used a valet with my SLK and probably never will. I really dont have fear of them driving aggressively or dinging doors. I have a much bigger concern of someone curbing the wheels or catching the front spoiler on a curb. I don't want to deal with that headache. __________________ SOLD! 06 Mercedes Benz SLK55 Caspian Blue / Black & Ash *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

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