Yes we usually do. It's not any different than any other chances you take in life. We make sure that they have only the car key ........I've seen the video's of valets speeding up ramps etc but never actually seen it happen. I think most people value their jobs enough to play by the rules...and then again.........there's always an idiot in the bunch.

I don't go anywhere that I offered that service. I would if it was offered, I would probably glance at the the mileage before and after. I do that when I leave a car in the repair shop.

I think I'm safe. I can't imagine any valet taking my Ford Focus for a joyride.

No we never have.

Sue

We've used valet parking at hotels quite a few times, with no worries....

No one would ever want to take our old falling apart clunker of a van for a joy ride! hahaha

Not in our vehicle. One girl told me she broke the heater knob off on a cold night. She had the air conditioner going full blast. She didn't tell the people what she had done.

When we are Vegas at a hotel, we use the valet. It's nice on those 116 degree days.

We do in Vegas always~~~they turn the AC on when they get in the car so it is going when we get in love it. My DH hates to use it ever~~~I will use it at certain resturants~~my older DD uses it always everywhere she goes, she got spoiled when she was preggers using it.

yes, guess the only time is when we go to our doctor visits. They are located in a large hospital so its very convenient for us.

Some places don't have any parking except valet. I'd rather park my own car, but if there's no choice then I will use it.

Yes, at the casino and in Vegas.

Never Ever. But we don't even lend our cars to friends or family. I don't even let my DD drive my car--nor do I want to drive other's cars. My husband works way too hard for our money, cars cost too much these days... for me to let anyone but us drive them. Only exception would be when we take them in for service, I guess.

The first time I did it was last weekend when we were in Ottawa. It was a rental, but if I could afford valet parking I wouldn't mind handing my keys over to a the valet. If they damaged it or anything I would get compensation from the hotel.

I used it last weekend because we went to a party at the casino in Hull. The parking lot was full and it was freezing out and I couldn't find anywhere to park. So I got valet parking and it was fantastic!! $22 well spent, the vehicle was toasty warm when we got it back because it was parked in a heated garage. Much better than being in the parking lot at -10�.

We sometimes do at different casinos. One large one in ORE was nice and unusual. The people who take your luggage in park your car. The man was so nice, that we asked for him when we checked out. He helped me (DH cannot lift heavy stuff) unpack and repack. But we don't leave anything valuable, like money, medicine etc.

I use it at our hospital here. Valet parking is a nice service the hospital provides free of charge and the valets are not allowed to accept tips. It is especially nice in cold or otherwise inclement weather.
A friend in CA, who drives a Porsche, always uses valet parking at restaurants and hotels. I tease him if we have to wait very long for them to bring his car and I tell him the valet is joyriding around town and they are phoning him to bring the car back. LOL. You should see the valets outrun each other to park the car when he drives up.
Valet parking services are well insured and their drivers are thoroughly screened. My friend hires valets to park guest cars when he has a wedding in his backyard.

In the seventies we watched valets drive peoples cars, and decided to never let the drive ours. It was in Hollywood, at a club, where they hypnotized people. Watching the valets drive was almost better than the show we paid for.

Moni

There's valet parking at the hospital where I get my dialysis. I used it last week for the first time in 3 years.We had a big snowstorm and I just didn't want to walk from the lot to the hospital. It cost $3.50.. I sat with the attendant for a while.He had a Russian accent and also spoke Spanish and English to the customers.Interesting someone who knows 3 languages has such a crummy job.

As part of a remodel one of our hospitals has valet parking...maybe free, but I have only been a visitor there. Not sure I would use it, as handicapped parking is very close by. Jannie...our computer fixer guy is from Romania and speaks several languages (and is 6'6" and gorgeous, shaved head and all) and soo very grateful to be in the USA and have a job! Speaks English so perfectly, too.

I also used the valet parking when my DH was in the hospital.
It was so convenient, parking was one less thing to worry about.

Nev-ah! So far, at least.

Actually, though Central Library, in a mall downtown, validates our ticket for 2 hours of parking in the garage, I usually park (free) on the street, about 4 blocks away and walk over. If they don't need to pay my parking fee - maybe they can offer a smidgeon more (more valuable) service.

They say that exercise, of which I get too little, especially in winter, is good for one's constitution.

ole joyful

The hospital we use has valet parking for the day surgery patients - heck yeah, we use it. It's free for the surgery patients, easier for the family member, and easier on the orderlies taking the patient back to the car. It's right in front of the entrance. I've used that 6 times in the last three years with DH's various surgeries.

I've used it at hotels, too, when I know I'm just going to be in the hotel and not needing to drive daily.

Sometimes. It's usually weather or distance related. I see it popping up more places as the Baby Boomers age.

We leave ONLY the ignition key when we use a valet or have the car in for servicing, and we remove the gizmo to our garage door. (Never wanted to put that information into the car's 'memory' for this reason.)

I know valets have used our cars for R & R at times. The radio volume will be turned way up when we get the car back. The Jags have better sound systems than we have in our house, and the seats are comfy. Grateful to smell no strange odors or see the odometer with too many miles on it. You have to *know* a valet will see how fast he can accelerate a supercharged or 12-cyl. engine. Not going *far*, just *fast*.

I have at times. Once or twice during business travel when I deemed it would be unsafe to park far away and cart my stuff in the dark in a strange (to me) city.

If I have to pay to park and the cost for valet parking is within a dollar or two. I have been to a few shows at our local casino, and used the free valet parking there. It saves having to feed the meter outside, or leave the car on what I consider to be a dangerous area. In that case, the parking costs only the tip, and I do tip the valet.

Especially since they have taken the keys to my 1994 Ford Escort without once acting like it was any less than a luxury car LOL.

If I drove a very expensive car or something I might think twice though.

Dances.

Yep, always use it at the hospital and also at the country club here in town. If we are at a hotel we usually do as well.

We use the valet parking at VA all the time. It's free (except for tip) and it's right at the front door where they keep the wheelchairs. Very handy for us. Nobody'd take our car joy riding with the scooter lift and handicap plates on it anyway. :-)

I use valet parking at large hotels,at the race track and in larger cities when dining out. Some of our hospitals have it too.

We have shopping malls with valet parking. I think it's ridiculous to need valet parking when you are going shopping at Target or "dining" at some carp chain restaurant like Cheezey Factory.

Except during Xmas the valet lots are 3/4 empty and d traffic is redirected making it inconvenient for us normal thinking people.

Never heard of hospitals having valet parking before, must be nice! Out hospitals don't even have covered garages, just parking lots.

sure, I've used it and will again.

Our hospital used to have valet parking. It was sooo nice,
especially since it is very hard to find parking there.
but they stopped the practice when they tightened their belts.

I've never heard of hospitals with valet parking either. That would be a great service. I have to admit to never having used it but then again, I don't go anywhere that has it.

Never go anyplace that has it. Too bad Target and the like don't offer it as a free service!

No hospital around here that I know of uses it either. Could be a nice thing though.

I avoid valet parking whenever possible. Once in Chicago, I had some things taken from my car at a valet parking garage.

Yes, whenever possible.

I have no issues with valet parking and use it whenever it's more convenient then parking myself and walking. I don't see where it's much different then handing your keys and car over to a parking attendant at a garage.

Our hospital's valet parking was born out of a huge need for it. It is in a very busy area and there is literally no parking except on the streets which angered the residents living there. The parking lots are up steep hills and often people were unable to walk the hills. If the close in lots are full I opt for valet parking. The 'fee' is really a tip that goes to the hospital auxiliary for whatever fund they are supporting that month so it is a win/win for all involved.

Like most, I've used it occasionally.

It would have been interesting to hear from the other perspective... if someone on the KT had ever worked as a valet!

Jannie,
do you mind if I email you? I noticed you go to dialysis. My Dh is new to this, and I have a couple of questions.

We used it at the IU Med Center in Indianapolis,while taking my Mom for appointments/treatments... Best $5 ever spent... Not a hilly area, but a part of the Indiana University - Purdue University Regional Campus and between the students and hospitals in the area -- parking is difficult, at the very least! If you think your hospital/outpatient center should have valet service -- suggest it. And tell them where valet service is being utilized. Hospitals are for-profit and it's a competitive world... let them know it's a service worth offering!

Absolutely! I choose to not live in fear...living can actually be a lot of fun!