Most expensive steak ever
 

On Tuesday night, I went to get a steak in downtown White Plains with a buddy of mine. Come out a couple hours later, and his car gets immediately brought up by the valet. I'm patiently waiting around 10 minutes to no car. I ask the valet and a guy comes running over 5 minutes later "Oh, I thought you were that guy outside. I parked your car over there". Don't think anything of it and drive off.

Wake up next day, and walk around to the passenger side of the car and the lower half of passenger side rear door is caved in. Scratches from wheel well to wheel well. You can tell that the bastard that ran up to me probably scraped my car all along a low barrier of some sort in the garage, and tried to be extra nice to me so that I'd just get in.

So of course I call the garage and they submit a claim but tell me "We will check the video, but understand that once you leave the premises, we are no longer liable." So I know that they won't look at the video and will just call me next week and say "We didn't see anything. Good luck".

I'm toying with having my legal insurance send them a letter, but from my research of garagekeeper's law, it looks like the liability does end once off prem.

Anyhow, anyone in Westchester area have a good body shop that they can recommend? I'm probably just going to pay out of pocket to get the job done right. If cost gets ridiculous, I will involve Geico.

Argggg! Frustrating isn't it.

Good luck with the fix and stay Zen .....( ya right lol)

and THIS ladies and gentlemen is why I don't valet...

I never valet or even park somewhere where they ask me to leave the keys...Had a bad experience once at a regular parking space . They were having small rides with my 5.0L car, just for fun and I noticed. When I challenged them with it , they got mad and the next day , the trunk lip had been scratched all the way from left to right....... Lesson learned.

sometimes I wonder if I should break out the camera phone while dropping off the car... it seems like it's gotten to that point doesn't it?

would they just believe you otherwise even if you haven't left the premises when picking it up? The whole claims process... how do they know it wasn't already there before?

I also avoid valet and park far away at each parking lot.

I assure you that the cost will be ridiculous

Insurance wont care really. They will be happy to stick you with a chargeable claim. To them it makes no never-mind, they'll just want to pay the claim as quickly and easily as possible. IMO

Just spitballing, but I wonder if filing a lawsuit and subpoenas for people, videos, records of employees - as quickly as possible- might catch them by surprise and prevent video being deleted or stories being spun? Prolly not cost effective unless you have access to a reasonable lawyer (small joke)

You're probably looking at 4-5000 for the repair. Done to perfection.

Agreed.

Yup.

For me, "Valet parking only" means I don't go there, particularly with the somewhat odd transmission control of BMWs, which some valets may not be familiar with.

I have this legal insurance called ARAG. Just thinking about calling them up and having them write a letter to the garage as a shot across the bow. Won't really do anything, except make me feel better probably. Stupid Ritz Carlton valets. If it's going to run that much, then I'll definitely be filing a claim. That'll be another fun thing of my telling them that I want to use a specific shop and then our arguing back and forth for a bit.

I've never had a problem using a valet, and don't think twice about using them.

Incidentally, I worked as a valet parker in my teens, many years ago.

It is about judging the competency and professionalism of the person parking your car, not whether or not you use a valet, IMO. Whether you or the valet parks it, it is more likely to be hit by the car beside you (since there are two of them being parked, and just one of you). You need to decide if the valet is more likely to be careful than the other patrons of the establishment who would be parking themselves, especially if they come out after having had a few drinks.

Quoted for the truth!

Nobody is as professional and competent at parking my car as me. ;)

I valet all the time. never had a problem. npits just a car and I live in the city so shit is going to happen one way or another.

I valet rental cars all the time.

You're from White Plains? I miss being back home. I'm from Rye Brook. I've usually had really good service at the Ritz. The kid who handed you your keys obviously knew he messed up. Don't let up on this. I'd be damned if I let anyone get away with doing that to my car.

Go to Precision Auto Body in Mt. Vernon. You may have the impression that its in a bad area but when a buddy of mine hit my M3 from behind with his GT3 I went there because there work was impeccable, great ownership, and the pricing was much more fair then going to other shops charging a serious premium. If you go through Insurance go to Crystal Clear Collision in Port Chester, they do all the work for Greenwich BMW and a few other dealerships. I've seen a new M5 and X6M there right before I came here to Peru, top notch stuff. Best of luck.

Long shot... Go back to the restaurant and check out the areas between the pick up point and the parking lot - looking for your pain on rocks and such. If you find it document it and then threaten to sue.

They are not responsible once the vehicle leaves the premises, but does that mean that they are not responsible for damage you can prove was done while in their hands?

Thanks xcu. I will check them out. As to walking around, it happened in their parking deck under the hotel. I doubt they'll let me in to just look around, but if I get a lawyer to write a letter, they may be more friendly

Not to go terribly off-topic, but I never understood why one can't park their own car. Like, why wouldn't you want to park your own car? Like, if it was back in the old days where someone took care of horses and carriage for you, then I understand that. But I mean, is it that hard to take an extra 3 minutes and find a space in a car park?

I actually do this when I rent a car. I take a video walk around when I drop it off

There are situations where valet parking is preferable. For example there could be a district where parking is scarce. If the restaurant secures a parking enclosure that is dangerous to the general public - from an insurance liability perspective - they can still tuck customer's cars away and only have the liability to the valets who are aware of hazards.

Also, in a valet situation they can pack the car in a lot tighter than in a normal parking lot.

I will valet park when I know parking is otherwise hard to find... But I always take the precaution of emptying the car of any valuables, noting the mileage - when the valet accepts the car, and checking it and the general condition of the car by doing a walk around before I get in and drive away. There is always the possibility that I could miss something - but at least they know some customers are checking.

Another thing that is important is to make sure the car is clean and to have a good wax shine - no damage going in. In those cases valets are more likely to keep you car closer to the entrance to the facility to show it off (at least that has been my experience at casinos). Drive into a valet situation at any place with any kind of swank at all in a relatively dirty and/or beat hoopty and you can be sure you car is going to be as far from the front entrance as possible.

I would also suggest that it is more important to tip the guy who takes your car away than to tip the guy who brings it back.

Just walk down there, take a flashlight and cell camera- look for your paint. Dont ask.

You think they'll be MORE friendly after a letter?!

;)

I expect more from BLT/Ritz employees. Good luck, man. BTW, you were literally one block away from me. I'm right on Martine. Next time, wanna buy me a steak at BLT? :D

The way this place is setup, I don't think you can just walk into the garage. I believe it's got garage doors on each side. Then again, I could be wrong...but I'm 99% sure that's how it is. I live a block away from the "scene of the crime."

I'm thinking that chances are slim that there will be a next time. I am not a huge fan of $1k steaks. And yes, you can't walk into the garage. They have doors over the entrance and exits since it's for valet parking only.

That's the case in Chicago, for the most part. Except for downtown, much of the valet parking for restaurants consists of the Valet taking your car and cruising the neighborhood to park the vehicles on the street, as land is too valuable, and restaurant's profits too low, to have a dedicated parking lot/area. A not uncommon complaint is the owner getting a "you didn't pay your parking ticket" letter in the mail from Chicago when the valet parks the vehicle illegally, and throws the ticket away when he retrieves it.

Chicago, of course, doesn't care who parked it, the owner has to pay. And typically an inflated amount, since it wasn't paid on-time. Getting reimbursed by the restaurant/valet service usually can be done, but only after lots of time, effort, many phone calls, and sometimes a complaint to the local newspaper "Consumer Help" column.

Problem Solver: Valet gets parking ticket, hides evidence - Chicago Tribune

Nope, I don't use valet parking.

Go to C&D Auto Body in Hackensack, NJ. They are the BEST in the business. No doubt in my mind. C&D Auto Body | Excellence in Auto Collision Repair Since 1987

I have also had very good luck with Park Auto Body in Elmwood Park NJ. Bruno--Dent wizard works along side with Park Auto Body, I and many other members on the forum have had great luck with him. (201) 796-0116

Just had the same thing happen to my wife's car...had to Valet for a week during the day at the Eden Roc here during an event (I had no other options, no self park for guests)...went to fuel up one day and noticed rear bumper cover was askew and damaged...when i returned to point it out, they looked at the ticket (which was missing the day before) and said, "ahh no, the damage was marked on this, it was there before you came here"....long story short, I got NOTHING out of them, did a quickie "pop out" of the skin and re-attached the bumper underneath so it looks fine from afar and will keep my fingers crossed at lease turn in....THANK GOD it was not my car, but it still pisses me off....

I disagree. It's impossible to determine the overall competency and professionalism of the person parking your car in the five seconds you have to "build a relationship" with a valet in front of a restaurant or hotel.

Never thought about building a relationship, but the judgement is as to relative risks.

The valet is going to drive your car, and the ones parked on either side of it.

When you self-park, how do you judge the competency of the two drivers who park beside you? You don't get any opportunity to do that.

If the restaurant has a secure parking place for cars that are parked by the valet, then it is often better than leaving it on the street. If the valet is just going to park it on the street, then I don't see any advantage to using a valet.

Those people won't be driving my car. I'd quickly go insane if I tried to judge the competency of everyone driving a car anywhere near mine. I'm not as worried about door dings as I am about someone completely trashing my car as like what happened in the OP.

It is pretty likely that the OP's car was damaged by the one that was parked next to it.

Most of the places I have seen that offer valet parking in their own lot has the valet parking spaces segregated, i.e., the car parked next to it was also most likely parked by the valet.

All this valet stuff reminds me of the good ole days when a guy would take a new
Girl out but wouldn't have enough money for the valet..... It's all he could do just
Buying dinner and walking his girl by the valet seemed...well lets just say a bit embarrassing?:wow:

I think it had to be something harder than another car. Some sort of barrier. The running board is a little ripped up, the rubber bumper strips on the doors are pretty ripped up, and there is a gouge in the metal on the rear passenger door that is pretty deep. If it were another vehicle, I would have expected to see rub marks from some sort bumper or guard or something on the other vehicle, with paint marks from the metal on metal causing the gouges. Whatever this was, was unforgiving.

Almost a winner winner of a chicken dinner. $5,461 for first estimate. Both places so far said that they wouldn't even attempt to fix the rear door. Requires a new shell for it to look right.

Helluva thread...
My guess is one of the genius valet idiots squeezed/cut a corner too tightly and creamed the side with an immovable object vs clipping another car.

Regardless of the tort stuff/posted no liability crap, it is really fookin disingenuous and plain punque-like to pull your car out, damaged side hidden, and hope you drive off...once 'off' and gone, it's your problem, and they fookin know it, imo.

I would still run it by a lawyer that knows his torts better than most, to see if you have any recourse.

Expensive freakin steak is the understatement.
Good Luck,
mD

Definitely take it to C&D in hackensack. Incredible work. The paint color and texture match perfectly from that shop

I can attest to this....to be told I had damaged mine was beyond irritating even when I provided proof that the ticket had been marked with damage AFTER the initial valet drop off (different ink that matched the day the ticket dissapeared - which BTW, when i picked it up it was pouring out - so I run, get in and drive off after a 30 minute wait)...if the damage was to the extent the OP has, I would absolutely have an attorney involved...

Hopefully the OP was able to present it as a comprehensive claim and not collision to prevent an increase in premiums and hopefully have a lower deductable, but even that is outrageous and infuriating to have to pay..it all sucks!

how true is that? I'm reading it varies from company to company and who does their underwriting / coding.

Most insurance policies don't rate the policyholder for Comp claims as the "driver"/owner is not at fault - i.e. vandalism, hail damage, etc...at least that has always been how my policies have read and my experience when I was in the Property & Casualty Insurance business..I'm sure that today some of the policies out there that are not the same, especially when you have the gimmicks of money back for no claims, vanishing deductibles etc... I'm sure these policies are much more restrictive.

it varies by policy, and that is often driven by the state rules.

But in my experience "collision" usually includes you hitting something, a driver you allowed to use your car hitting something, and somebody hitting you if THEY are not identified.

The only comprehensive damages are things hitting your car (branches, ice, stuff falling down) and animals. Along with fire, flood, etc.

IMO most valet lots will ignore your issues until you lawyer up.... it seems like their best strategy for dealing with this type of issue. While going with your insurance carrier is easy, they really dont care if you pay $500 more and/or you get charged with the claim..they are surely not going to waste their time with an in house lawyer dealing with this.

GL

A

Maybe you got this guy...
 

Well, attorney sent letter to the parking company, and received immediate reply. The company "miraculously" doesn't have any video of the incident, so we cannot subpoena evidence that they don't have since they only retain video for 72 hours.

Attorney called me and just told me to file insurance claim. I could still obviously sue, but because the company is located in NYC, I would have to go to NYC small claims court. With lack of evidence, and the fact that they have disclaimer on back of the ticket eliminating liability after one leaves the premises, he told me I'd be fighting an uphill battle. I also don't feel like driving around with a dented car for months while this plays out, so I went the easy way and opened a claim with Geico. And of course, Ard is right again. The claim is collision, not comp. In NY, when you give your car to the valet, you are legally passing driving privilege to the valet, so for insurance purposes, it's like I was behind the wheel.

Oh well, already have the appt set with the Geico adjuster for tomorrow afternoon and then will go to Crystal Clear and be out of a car for a week.

Surprised that now even Geico quotes you law that in NY, you have the right to choose any professional you wish. They can no longer press you into going to theirs and having to use them for the repairs.

Sorry to hear the bad news. Keep updating; I'm curious what the total dollar-damage will be. When does your insurance policy renew?

another reason for in-dash camera - i've been thinking about it for waaaay too long... one day i will have it installed and hard wired...

I'm pretty sure that it will be around the $5,500 mark. Policy renews in August, so we shall see if there is any fallout.

Sorry....

Eh, in this circle that we call life, this is a very small issue :)

that is DEEP!!!

:wow::wow::wow:

It's my new method of scaling back on my slaughter of kittens and puppies. I used to get so riled up on this sort of stuff, that I have zero control over. The stress of going through a suit, and having to explain to my co-workers and customers as to why the side of my car looks like it was hit by a meteorite, would be greater than this. Now, I chalk this up as one of the repairs that needs to be done. Take it out of the fix fund to cover the deductible, and move on with life. No kittens or puppies harmed in the process.

That was really funny. Glad you can make light of the situation, now.

I had a chuckle today. Amazing how two quotes so similar can be so far apart. Geico estimate is $3,800 to the body shop's $5,500. I looked at Geico's estimate, and they're paying $22/hr for paint labor. Who the hell is painting for $22 an hour? Chimps with Sharpies?

[QUOTE=cravin;932565]I had a chuckle today. Amazing how two quotes so similar can be so far apart. Geico estimate is $3,800 to the body shop's $5,500. I looked at Geico's estimate, and they're paying $22/hr for paint labor. Who the hell is painting for $22 an hour? Chimps with Sharpies?[/QUOTE]

Rack It! A Fookin Classic! :rofl: ... :thumbup:
Good 'tude too, imo.
GL, mD

Exactly why I hate those big box insurance guys!!

Someone ought to ask 'Flo' why her joint is only paying 22 bucks/hr for paint prep, materials and labor? ;)

[QUOTE=cravin;932565] Geico estimate is $3,800 to the body shop's $5,500. I looked at Geico's estimate, and they're paying $22/hr for paint labor. Who the hell is painting for $22 an hour? Chimps with Sharpies?[/QUOTE]

Lizards with their feet I expect...

Wrong company. Funny, none the less.

Now, if we could get insurance companies to negotiate a rate card with the dealerships, THERE would be some good customer service. You need a wheel alignment? No problem, $20. You need a new radiator. No sweat, $500 for all parts, and $60 for service. Granted, "loaner" cars would suddenly start to cost $5,000 a day, but still, one could dream

Jeeshh...this getting old(er) is not for the weak.
Gieco= the Gecko, (we have several on our lanai chasing bugs).
Flo is the other joint.

What a freakin idiot, am I! :confused:

Still good that the OP is taking the damage/fix, in stride. :thumbup:

Easy answer. They gotta pay Flo.

Hey no sweat... The lizard and flo are dating.....:D

MD, You're breaking me up (I looked at Geico's estimate, and they're paying $22/hr for paint labor. Who the hell is painting for $22 an hour? Chimps with Sharpies?)
Maybe the lizard/Gecko will be doing the work.....:dunno:

Took my comment a little personal, didya? :dunno:

OT...
jeremym,
Not at all...you were correct and I was simply embarrassed to have confused the two companies. It pizzes me off, as I made a 30+ yr career out of remembering
a lot of 'stuff'; now, I find that ability to be eroding. Right on, man! :thumbup:
GL, mD

I see. Thanks for the clarification. I had thought my comment came off rude after I saw your reply, but I didn't believe it was rude. So thus, I had to point the finger at you. :rofl:

..back to your regularly scheduled thread. Cravin?

My car still has a dent in it. Going into body shop on Monday

Hindsight is always 20/20, but I always walk around the car before leaving the lot. I also park at the same garage in NYC everytime and they take good care of me.

Sorry about your situation Cravin, people just suck.

Believe you me, lesson learned. I have purchased an LED flashlight for my car and now plan to have it handy for nighttime walk arounds if the lighting is poor.

Having to turn your car over to others in NYC is an almost unavoidable situation, so now I will just not "trust" as easily. Expensive lesson, but lesson learned none the less.

Got a call from the Geico adjuster today that they have issued a check for another $1,000 for parts and labor from damage found inside the door once they took the shell off. Total to date is around $6,500.

Geico and the body shop agreed to around $5k for the full repair. $4k for the original estimate and the additional $1k from earlier this week.

Got my X5 back and am so damn happy. Was driving a Chevy Malibu this week and hated it. Crystal Clear did a great job. Part of the extra $1k was for wiring and electronics in the door that I guess got busted up. For this, they had to send it to the dealership for re-coding and now my Comfort Access isn't working. Touch the door handles and it won't lock/unlock. Guess I'll have to go to the dealership and get them to fix what they broke. But other than that, I'm very happy to have my car back.

congrats!!!! glad it resolved to your satisfaction!!! is the lizard going after the valet? gecko should go GODZILLA on them!!!!

They really couldn't have cared less. They took the location of the garage, but nothing more than that. No follow up calls or anything, so I'm sure that they'll just try and pass it on to me. If/when they do, I will just change insurance companies.

That's such a fucked up story.... I will check w a friend of mine. He did his x6 in a shop by you and the work was immaculate......

Already done :). Crystal Clear did a fantastic job.

Geico renewal just came through and they didn't raise my rates a single penny. I'm surprised, but not planning on questioning them on it :)

If can say no valet. But travel and in larger cities have no choice. Was in New
Orleans, watched the parkers, sitting peoples cars, smoking, shooting the bull. So
went to the front desk. They could cared less. Asked for a laundry bag and my keys,
went out clean everything out of my car. My cd's had been moved but still there. Wrote
down the mileage. Can say from that point watched the SUV, for the next 2 days. It
did not move like others. Told a guy why watching, he went well now knew why his
car was never in the same place.

I will stay at lesser places, or restaurants just to avoid valets. You have nice stuff
but hard to protect these days

My car is like a girlfriend, having another touch and caress her controls are a no-no.

Glad to hear your X5 is fixed. Once my aunt parked her X5 at a garage in NYC and left with a ding on the rear door. Garage refused to pay since nobody inspected it before. Now, if and when I park at a garage, I instruct the attendant to do a walk around and mark any damages on the parking ticket. Then upon retrieval, I'll do a walk around.