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Tipping a Valet at a parking garage

post #1 of 31
1/8/13 at 11:51pm
Thread Starter 
Obviously one would tip a valet at a hostel, restaurant etc. But in San Francisco, the usual parking garage I use to see my tailor is now forcing everybody to utilize a valet (probably so they can stack more cars in what is a very tight garage). I've been hesitant to tip the valet because
a)I'm only paying about $3.50 for parking, and it doesn't make sense in my mind to tip 75-90% of the base price and I'd likely go elsewhere than pay $7 for 30min of parking
b) They're not picking up my car off the street, I still have to drive my car into the 2nd floor of the damn garage and stack it behind another car, and
c) It's a parking garage

That being said is there any rule one way or the other?
Edited by scohrdarkshadow - 1/9/13 at 2:34am
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post #2 of 31
1/9/13 at 12:54am

if it bothers you then spend the money.

 If you dont want to then dont.

It appears to disturb you so next time just give the guy $1-$2.

its like buying him a soda.

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post #3 of 31
1/9/13 at 3:39am
This sounds like a parking garage in manhattan. I've never tipped at one if those (maybe I should be?).
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post #4 of 31
1/9/13 at 7:28am
I tip when I return to get the car not when I leave it to them to park. What garage is this?
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post #5 of 31
1/9/13 at 8:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scohrdarkshadow View Post

...
b) They're not picking up my car off the street, I still have to drive my car into the 2nd floor of the damn garage and stack it behind another car, and
c) It's a parking garage
That being said is there any rule one way or the other?
Quote:
Originally Posted by msulinski View Post

This sounds like a parking garage in manhattan. I've never tipped at one if those (maybe I should be?).

Tipping in full-service garages is customary, but far from universal. I usually tip a buck or two (in Manhattan, for context), when I pick up the car.
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post #6 of 31
1/9/13 at 8:52am
I always tip a buck or 2 when i pick up my car here in NY, regardless in how long I parked for. I also tip the guy to fill up my tank. The only time I felt weird with tipping the valet was in Flushing. I pulled into an restaurant's empty parking lot, passed the valet guys, they didn't even say hi or ask for key. After dinner, as I was getting into my car, they asked for $2... talk about service. And I was driving a decent car. Oh, and tipping the car wash here in NY is another thing.
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post #7 of 31
1/9/13 at 8:55am

I refuse to tip the valet in most situations where I am forced to valet, unless it is the type of upscale establishment where you can assume it will be the case. It just seems like such a racket to me when I go somewhere and they wont let me park my own damn car. 

 

 

That, and I'm cheap.

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post #8 of 31
1/9/13 at 9:52am
There are a few restaurants here that attempt to force you to valet. The thing is, because many restaurants have ample parking around them on the street or in the parking lot, I just drive past the valet guys, park it myself, and then strut into the restaurant.

In cases where valet is my only option, I tip when the car is returned.
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post #9 of 31
1/9/13 at 12:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan K C View Post

I always tip a buck or 2 when i pick up my car here in NY, regardless in how long I parked for. I also tip the guy to fill up my tank. The only time I felt weird with tipping the valet was in Flushing. I pulled into an restaurant's empty parking lot, passed the valet guys, they didn't even say hi or ask for key. After dinner, as I was getting into my car, they asked for $2... talk about service. And I was driving a decent car. Oh, and tipping the car wash here in NY is another thing.

They stopped having full service gas stations in my area before I even learned to drive lol
It's the Ellis and O'Farell garage.
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post #10 of 31
1/9/13 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scohrdarkshadow View Post

They stopped having full service gas stations in my area before I even learned to drive lol
It's the Ellis and O'Farell garage.

In NJ its mandatory and I wont fill up in that state.

Around garages, if they park the car its $1. I dont really like people in my cars so I always to prefer to park myself if I can, its not the $.

I've seen restaurants recently charging $20 to valet. People are crazy.
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post #11 of 31
1/9/13 at 1:01pm
Ellis & O'Farrell has had valets for years, at least on the lower floors. I usually give them $1 - $2 when I pick up my car, it's a low wage job that involves breathing car exhaust all day and I don't want a disgruntled employee banging up my car.
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post #12 of 31
1/9/13 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by idfnl View Post

In NJ its mandatory and I wont fill up in that state.
I've learned to avoid getting gas in NJ as well. On my recent trip through those parts, I made sure I had enough gas upon leaving Pennsylvania and enough to get my back to that state so I wouldn't have to purchase gas in NJ. A couple or so years ago I got gas in NJ, but didn't know about the union policy. The gas station attendant was a complete jerk. Never again.
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post #13 of 31
1/9/13 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJay View Post

A couple or so years ago I got gas in NJ, but didn't know about the union policy. The gas station attendant was a complete jerk. Never again.

That's exactly what happened to me. I didnt know and told him I wanted to pump my own gas and got a bad attitude.
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post #14 of 31
1/9/13 at 1:26pm
One of the several jobs I held simultaneously in undergrad was that of valet at one of Detroit's most famous and upscale places. I'd work the lunch crowd between classes and a weekend night if I needed the extra cash. Given I was a valet I tip well. I also tip up front and request to be parked right by the door as I know how often cars get bumped out back and out of sight. Not sure if that works in a parking garage as I've never used one with a valet.
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post #15 of 31
1/9/13 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scohrdarkshadow View Post

They stopped having full service gas stations in my area before I even learned to drive lol
It's the Ellis and O'Farell garage.

Quote:
Originally Posted by imatlas View Post

Ellis & O'Farrell has had valets for years, at least on the lower floors. I usually give them $1 - $2 when I pick up my car, it's a low wage job that involves breathing car exhaust all day and I don't want a disgruntled employee banging up my car.

I thought they had it in the mid level floors for valet. Valet is one of the reasons I do not park my car there. Sutter Street Garage is my choice.
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