A cynical reporter in Florida has written a piece lambasting valet parking and equating it to "rich" people. Read it here.
Oh, its funny, and cute, but it certainly has no basis on fact. In fact, it contradicts itself. Lets see — he makes fun of valet parking at the local supermarket, but in almost the same sentence, notes that the valet business is slow because the weather is good and folks are self parking. He complains that one feels "extorted" to valet park and then notes that its a choice, and many, who don’t want to give their cars to the valet, can easily self park "a standing broad jump away."
No where does he note that the people that self park are at risk when they leave their cars. If there is any damage they pay for it, not the parking lot or the nearby store. However if they leave their car with a valet, the Valet Company accepts full responsibility for the vehicle. Seems like a good deal to me for a few bucks and a tip.
The writer is trying to drive a wedge between the "rich" who valet park and the rest of us who slave away and park our own jalopies.
There is no mention of the valet parking operations at hospitals where the sick are helped by the service, or at senior citizen communities where some folks simply can’t walk the distance from parking to their destinations, or the "on street" valets who provide the service in neighborhoods where there simply isn’t enough convenient parking, well, I could go on and on.
Oh yes, I just got back from Las Vegas and noted that at every hotel and club, valet parking is available, and its free. Lets see — I can walk to one of the huge garages connected by tunnel and bridge to the hotel, a walk that usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, schlepping my bags, or I can what, stroll to the entrance to the hotel, hand someone my ticket and wait in air conditioned comfort while my car is brought to me. I can then tip the driver a couple of bucks and I am off, probably with some good information or directions I need. Doesn’t sound like you need to be rich to avail yourself of that little service.
JVH
One Response
I personally work for a valet company and I still think that a good, solid valet service that was trained to take care of cars will always reduce the clients/customers hassle to find parking. Of course, complimentary services only make the valet service much more enjoyable! I can even provide you a list of complimentary valet service locations for your next trip. Feel free to e-mail or check out our company site. http://www.valetinLA.com