Tipping valet parker?
 

Do you tip the guy when you first leave your car, or just when you pick it up? Sometimes it's different guys, thus the question. Also, how much do you tip?

$2 when you pick it up.

You tip after you pick your car up. It depends on what area you're in but if you're in a big city $2.00 - $5.00 is fine. <BR><BR>

This depends on where the valet parking is. Is it a hotel or a restaurant. For hotels (which charge you $15.00 a day to keep your car there), we tip when we're picking up the car ONLY. Not when we drop off. Then I give them a dollar. For restaurant valet parking, they always charge a service charge (or is this just an L.A. thing?), and it's always something like $2.50 or $3.50, so we round it up to the next dollar. Finally, if you're going to a hotel function, where they charge you to park, when the valet comes out, we give them a buck. Figure we're already spent $5.00 just to park the stupid thing, they don't seriously think we're going to give them anything more. It's such a racket. (On the other hand, I used to wait tables, so I know something about minimum wage).

I would expect a spit shine for $5.

If I'm in SF where they charge me from $12 to $30 to valet park my car I only tip the person who delivers my car $1. If there is a reasonable parking rate, then I would tip $2 to the valet parker. I figure the tip goes to the actual person who delivers the car, but I won't tip the valet service at all. They're making plenty of money as is. Never tip the guy when you leave your car----don't know why but that's what I've learned over the years.

For the same reason I don't tip anyone until a service has been performed. Tipping in theory should be reserved for a service person going out of their way for extraordinary care or service. A gift of sorts. Unfortunately, it has become largely social custom rather than an expression of gratitude for exceptional service. Basically you are subsidizing the tipped persons employer, otherwise the tipped person would have to be paid more salary.

Round up to the next dollar? Don't tip if the hotel is charging you alot per day? I hope you folks don't go back to the same place after tipping those amounts because they will remember you. Agree hotels charge a fortune to valet, but the valet guy isn't getting wealthy. Also, I imagine the valet service owner (and a cut to the restaurant) is getting the majority of the valet service charge, not the lowly parkers. $2 is pretty much a minimum (more if there is no valet service charge). For the person who used to wait tables, amazed you're SO CHEAP. All my friends who used to be in service industries (myself included) are very generous in tipping because we know how tough it can be to makes ends meet in those jobs and how hard they do work for their money.<BR><BR>If you think the rates are too outrageous then go find a nearby public garage and park it yourself.

If it's a rental car...$1.00<BR>If it's my car...$5.00<BR>

If the hotel already charges me for valet parking, I don't tip. If I'm already paying a $15 a day fee to park at the hotel, I'm not going to give anymore. If they don't charge me to park I usually tip $2-$4 when I pick it up, only. I don't tip when I drop off.<BR><BR>Tipping has gotten to be expected, which is ridiculous. Especially now that we are in some of the worst times as far as customer service.

Jen - I hope you have good auto insurance. I'm sure the valet attendants making minimum wage feel your pain when you can't bear to pay an extra $2 on top of the valet fee at your hotel. You're punishing the lowest wage earner not the hotel (I'd bet they're feeling the economic pain a bit more than you if you can still afford to stay in a nice hotel with valet parking). <BR><BR>If you don't like or can't afford the add-ons at nice hotels then stay at the Motel 6.

Jen sounds like the type who runs the concierge ragged with requests and then doesn't tip because the room rate was expensive.

No wonder people complain about thefts FROM their cars while valets are in control - you don't tip worth a shit and they need to eat.<BR>

Wow, where do you people live? I'll deliver your cars to you any time!<BR><BR>One dollar is more than sufficient, unless you have an attraction to the person who brings the car.

If you tip a buck or less in a city, you may want to test your brake lines to make sure the valet didn't cut them as revenge.

Where do YOU live Chef? I'm sorry I do not agree with you.<BR><BR>One dollar isn't sufficient. I think it is an insult to only offer one dollar. <BR><BR>I always tip $10 - $20 for valet parkers retrieving my car. We go to a certain restaurant and casino all the time and they treat us like gold. <BR><BR>These people do not make much money and work hard. I have no problem with spreading it around to people who are not as fortunate as us.<BR>

I am always torn about tipping hotel valets.<BR>Last week I stayed at the Westin Horton Plaza in San Diego. Parking was 18.00<BR>I tipped 2.00 every time I picked it up but felt tremendous guilt I was screwing the cuties (not literally :()that take my car when I drop it off.<BR>I'm hoping they pool the tips.<BR>Three weeks ago in San Francisco I stayed at the Omni and parking cost 28.00 a DAY! I still tipped 2.00 at each pick-up.<BR>As an ex-waitress I tip 25% anytime I eat out on a business trip unless the wait staff is obnoxious. I think I look like a bad tipper (woman eating alone in 4 star... she must be bitter?)because they always neglect me. The 2nd visit fares much better.<BR>

To observer & checkthebrakes--just curious, how would the valets know to steal and/or mess with the brakes when you don't give your tip until just as you get into the car?

Tvl Pro - too bad you get the "bitter woman" treatment the first time around, but great you have a sense of humor about it. I tip well, but tipping when you drop off the car and picking up is somewhat excessive IMO (if they don't pool the tips, I'm sure they at least alternate to make sure everyone gets their fare share of cars leaving, when most people tip).<BR><BR>It astounds me how some people will stay at a 5 star hotel or eat at a nice restaurant and then cheap out on the tipping. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO PATRONIZE THE PLACE DON'T GO.

Marge - they'll just post your picture to make sure they remember you on your next visit ;-)