naadp

Want to bet? You can post a sign that says anything you want, and even put it on a little disclaimer card attached to your keys. When it comes down to it, if you own a company, you are responsible for the actions of your employees. Denying responsiblity to customers will only **** the judge off more if it goes to court.

ClayJ

I think that most of the (at least the larger, higher-end ones) resorts in Vegas are going to more video surveillance (if it's possible to have more video surveillance in Vegas!) of their valet operations because of claims, lawsuits, and rising insurance costs....
-- wonder if it will make a difference?

TNblkc230wz

This is true. You can't even sign away responsibility for gross negligent actions.

Paganis Zonda

Yekes, I’m sorry to hear about that.

I personally know the head Valet at the Casino I frequent (though, not so much for the gaming it self) I always make sure to give him a good tip, and the keys to my car. I always make sure its parked out side, out front, and under the covered entrance way. Any other place I go, I just park it myself.

Ironically, a nice resort I frequent in Vermont had a valet who decided to take a guests brand new S-55 out on a joy ride. The jackass flipped it. Apparently he thought it was ok to take it around a real steep bend in the road at 70 miles an hour, then hit the e-brake and spin the wheel to full left lock. Never the less he flipped it.

The *** is now in jail, and his poor parents have to pay for the car.


BTW, the Casino I frequent is Mohegan Sun.

GrepAwk

At some places, you just can't avoid a valet, like at a hotel in the city. I've been lucky so far. I usually lock the glove compartment and trunk with the mechanical key before going to a place where I'll be leaving my car with a valet. The valet gets the plastic key fob only.

The car usually gets left "out in front" of the restaurant or store, but right before I get out of the car, I scribble down the mileage and stick it in front of the speedometer, and a copy goes in my pocket.

I take the phone in the armrest, leave the NAV running, as it's trackable. And the radio tuned to a nice quiet classical station. I expect to find it that way when it comes back to me for a $5 tip.

I am concerned about the driver getting out of earshot and peeling out, or revving the engine just to hear the sound. I know there's a limit on revs when you are in park. But I wish the software guys at AMG had programmed the ECU for a valet mode. This would be a mode you could turn on with a password to govern the engine with a limit on RPM and/or a speed limit when driving. APR and GIAC are tuners who I have heard include valet modes in their programs for Audi's.

I also don't like to see a valet chilling to tunes in one of their customers' cars after they park it. How about feature on the radio that locks the audio to a chosen radio station or CD? Not many valets would want to hang in your car with NPR blaring from the stereo system.

Respect to all you good valets out there who are S55 fans, but don't forget, it's not your car.

Speed Thrills

It's just a personal thing but you seem to be too up tight about you cars. Would seem to be hard to enjoy them if you are worrying so much about them. I valet everywhere and have been for 12 years. There have been some problems and they were either very minor or I had the valet company pay for it. Seems the most common screw up is grinding wheels on the curb. Man I hate that.

One great thing is the keyless go. Since that came out I have been taking the keys with me after the car is parked (usually up front). I know it's unsettling thinking of some 18 year old getting the best 0-100 in your car while taking a nice amount of rubber off your PS2s. All and all it's just a car and it should be insured as to cover any majors. Got out of commerce casino last week and their was a bentley GT, bentley flying spur and gallardo all with paper plates VIPed in valet right in front of the security booth. All three cars got keyed from the rear to front bumper. My heart sank. If it's going to happen it will. Just enjoy these fine machines and let the chips fall where they may.

SoCalCLK

I had an experience a couple years ago (2001) at the Bellagio with my parent's Mobil Speedpass (remember those?) being stolen at the Valet at Bellagio, and those thieves subsequently used it to fill up 3 cars that same afternoon!

That being said, the credit card company said we were not responsible for the illegal charges, and the Bellagio comped us 1 free night at the hotel, any day and night that we wanted (New Year's, etc.). Good luck.

mand

I'm just curious, but you know in your rearview mirrors on all Mercedes, what is that little circle in the top right corner?

SoCalCLK

That is the auto-dimmer feature on our cars. At night, when someone behind you is driving with their high-beams on, the auto dimmer dims the reflective light so that you do not feel as if someone is shining a flashlight (or reflecting sunlight with a mirrir) in your face.

mand

do you think a VW Passat 2006 has that?, i know its not $100,000+, but i love this car