VIP valet parking - Is this a thing now?

[Jdub679]

Yes, it's a thing here. Common for places like Newport or even in Las Vegas where people want their supercars up front. Also, ironically some people want to pay to *not* have the valet drive it to a location that isn't visible (aka the Ferris Bueller example).

By the way, was this in La Jolla? Because it's a thing there as well.

[Humdizzle]

I would never valet my Ferrari or F80. Both are lowered and the F80 has a lip. Its just asking for trouble. These guys valet stock cars 99% of the time.

[chenry]

so my point wasn't so much about valet parking in general, the cheesecake factory, sliding the valet cash etc although I've enjoyed the feedback.


the thing that got me was that it was advertised as "VIP" - the whole "VIP" thing is getting pretty funny....I recently looked into tix for a concert and VIP restroom access was an option you could pay for

again - I am very much tempted to pay the $20 and have my beater car displayed in its' full glory all day out front

[chenry]

Originally Posted by Jdub679

By the way, was this in La Jolla? Because it's a thing there as well.

you would think right? But no this was at the fashion mall (or something like that) off of the 8 about 5 miles from SDSU

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

This has been a "thing" here in my area for at least the last 5+ years.

It's a pure $$$ grab no doubt. But if you're driving a "certain car", you will be placed VIP anyway.

I am generally okay with valet and use it often. The thing that has become annoying is that EVERYWHERE you go except for say, Grocery Shopping, is using it. In other words, if you don't feel like walking in close proximity from your car to your destination, you are SOL.

Hear! Hear!
Preferential parkings used to be given to those with...


At least that's still the case in my town. Although EV spots are getting quite popular too.

[Jdub679]

Originally Posted by chenry

you would think right? But no this was at the fashion mall (or something like that) off of the 8 about 5 miles from SDSU

Oh yea, I'm familiar with that mall. Definitely one of the swankier ones for SD.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by chenry

so my point wasn't so much about valet parking in general, the cheesecake factory, sliding the valet cash etc although I've enjoyed the feedback.


the thing that got me was that it was advertised as "VIP" - the whole "VIP" thing is getting pretty funny....I recently looked into tix for a concert and VIP restroom access was an option you could pay for

again - I am very much tempted to pay the $20 and have my beater car displayed in its' full glory all day out front

Like others have said, the "VIP" parking has always been available albeit you simply skip the valet a $20 and ask them to leave it up front. Now it just sounds like they are bringing the practice above the table and giving you options.

There are those that like their car out front to show off, usually if you have an exotic of something. There are also others, like myself, who simply want the valet driving my car as little as possible (my car is a manual) and would rather pay a few more bucks for some peace of mind.

[..Rush..]

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Like others have said, the "VIP" parking has always been available albeit you simply skip the valet a $20 and ask them to leave it up front. Now it just sounds like they are bringing the practice above the table and giving you options.

There are those that like their car out front to show off, usually if you have an exotic of something. There are also others, like myself, who simply want the valet driving my car as little as possible (my car is a manual) and would rather pay a few more bucks for some peace of mind.

Valets will move a car mulltiple times as they deem fit. To shuffle spots for ingress and egress of cars. Seen that at high end restaurants. Also what stops the next driver slipping an extra fiver to move the other car to park theirs on that spot?
How about charging extra to have it parked on a spinning pedestal?
Have a spot light on it?

Quick someone come up tiered valet parking packages to capitalize on human insecurities!

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I've come across this phenomenon plenty of times. It used to be an unspoken rule where you slipped the guy something and asked him to keep it out front. Now I hear the script OP described pretty much to the word. Feels tacky.

[DarkF30]

let me guess, fashion valley mall? also after being a valet before I can definitely say I would not trust a valet driving my car.

[Danlnyc88]

You guys need to come to LA where you pay valet and then park your own car.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Jdub679

(aka the Ferris Bueller example).

.

^This. No thank you! I'll park myself.

[Alfisti]

The entire concept of valet parking annoys the fuck outta me, CANNOT STAND IT. It's slower, more expensive and you have to deal with the constant hands-out approach by anyone who goes near your fucking car.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

This is why I don't valet my cars at all.

You have to pay some unspecified sum of money to not have them "beat on" your car and this is on top of the fee already paid for parking.

I am not interested in paying someone to treat my car like a rental car to abuse...

+1. I never valet my cars... Heard too many negative stories about valets which deter me from it. Not just that, I just don't like random people in my car anyways so if I can avoid that, I will.

As far as paying more to have your car sitting up front, I had no idea that was a thing? I thought the valets usually decide what they'd like to keep up front on display...

[chenry]

Originally Posted by premier3is

As far as paying more to have your car sitting up front, I had no idea that was a thing? I thought the valets usually decide what they'd like to keep up front on display...

Me too - outside of slipping the kid some money - my surprise was that this was something that you could officially pay for.

As I've said before this really makes me want to drive my beater there, pay the uplift, and have my beater on display all day

[No one]

Tipping makes them insolent, not obliging.

[Darth One]

same as many others - it's been 'a thing' for as long as i can remember.

i've always thought, though - if you think my car is that special, you should be paying ME to leave the car up front. it's free advertising for your establishment to have a special car visible up front, plus your valet has to do much less or even no work to leave it there...

[BayE30]

I leave the m3 at home if i know i have to valet where im headed....They can valet my beater E53.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by chenry

Me too - outside of slipping the kid some money - my surprise was that this was something that you could officially pay for.

As I've said before this really makes me want to drive my beater there, pay the uplift, and have my beater on display all day

You should totally pay to showcase your beater lol. Make sure to do it when it hasn't been washed for a few weeks either, or after you run it through some mud lol.

[thebmw]

I valeted in college. Practiced driving manuals that way. I never understand why people valet. Are you too lazy to walk 50 feet? Why would you want random people driving your car? I remember a long time ago, my parents made the mistake of a valeting and the valet scratched the front bumper but never took responsibility. At places where valet is mandatory, I actually pay them to not valet my car!

[Colodano]

Back in the mid 2000s I worked at a casino where the whole town had very limited space for parking, so almost all lots were valet. Our was complimentary, they were supposed to get the ticket stamped inside but noone really cared.
We definitely parked cars closer based on their tipping habits, how long they might stay, and if the car was cool. We also paid attention to weather, so some of our better customers got parked in our garage, further away but the car would be better protected from snow or rain.
Compared to some of the other casinos, we had a small and older valet staff, so we actually treated the cars very well, and had pride in our work. There were a few guys that would circle the block until they saw me specifically, they trusted me that much with their precious rides.