Tipping a Valet at a parking garage

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?

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.

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

I tip when I return to get the car not when I leave it to them to park. What garage is this?



scohrdarkshadow said:

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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?

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msulinski said:

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.



Alan K C said:

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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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.



scohrdarkshadow said:

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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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.

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.



idfnl said:

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

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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.



JayJay said:

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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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.

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.



scohrdarkshadow said:

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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imatlas said:

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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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.