What's your thoughts on chauffeured parking?

[groucho]

This looks tempting...

Hotel said:

This hotel is ideally located close to Gatwick Airport and offers fantastic value for money
Distance from Airport
Close to Gatwick Airport.
Transfers
The hotel is within easy reach of both North and South terminals.
Parking Package
This package includes 8 or 15 days chauffeured parking with Maple Manor. On return from your holiday your car will be delivered to the airport terminal.
Important Information
PARKING PRIOR TO STAY NOT PERMITTED. If you are returning ahead of schedule please give us at least 24 hours notice so that we can ensure you car is ready. A £2.50 supplement applies for pick-up or drop-off from 00.00 until 06.30.Additional days are available - payable locally to the car parking firm.
Hotel Facilities
restaurants, bars, lifts and business centre.
Room Facilities
En-suite bathroom, colour TV with pay per-view movies, flight information, Internet access, telephone, radio, hairdryer, trouser press, tea/coffee making facilities and air conditioning.
Check-in and Check-out Times
Earliest check-in time is 14:00, unless otherwise arranged. Latest check-out time is 12:30, unless otherwise arranged.
Restaurant Details
Open between 06.30 - 23.30.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served from 05:00.
Room Service
Available 24 hours

What's your thoughts on a chauffeur driving a Griff?

[parapaul]

I'd make a note of the mileage before you leave

[groucho]

parapaul said:

I'd make a note of the mileage before you leave

I don't want any of that nonsense.

[grumbledoak]

If you give your keys to someone and they drive off with your P&J, your insurance company will be the first to congratulate you. Once they've stopped laughing...

[turbobloke]

It's typical of the general (lack of) appreciation of cars, seen by a certain section of society as white goods. No functionary or minion will ever get to park or retrieve any car in the TB household.

[rpguk]

I'd be wary, I remember a fuss some time back about companies offering this service and then parking your car on an industrial estate or in a field.

Also check they are fully insured too.

[groucho]

I think I have been put off that idea. I just liked the thought of arriving home, getting out of the terminal and your car is there ready to bugger off home.

[GreenDog]

On a slight tangent - A colleague of mine used to own a Peugeot 106 Rallye and one day he drops it of at the dealers for a service then starts walking to his parents house nearby. He soon sees a Pug just like his being ragged down the road ....... Needs I continue ?

[MrV]

groucho said:

I think I have been put off that idea. I just liked the thought of arriving home, getting out of the terminal and your car is there ready to bugger off home.

I gave up on the off site parking at Gatwick because it was quicker to park on site even waiting for coaches to turn up

[Piersman2]

I'll go the othe way than everyone else so far.

I've just got back from a business trip this week.

My plane landed at 7.10, I walked straight through Term 3 and into my warmed waiting car outside.

I was home by 8.00.

I used to do the parking the car in the car park, but now my company pays about an extra £15 and I use Meet and Greet. Saves time, saves hassle, and I think it's fair to say these guys have probably driven every car there is so your P&J is unlikely to be anything that special.

Of course, it if ever came back with anything wrong, I'd never do it again, but so far, after using them about 5 times, perfect!

[Road Pest]

Used it when I had the Elise, no issues.

[DBSV8]

I use Purple parking meet & greet

excellent service , They do say they will not be able to pick up Ferraris, Lambos, Astons etc...So you would need to check if the TVR is covered.

https://www.purpleparking.com/

[skeeterm5]

I fly often and always use meet and greet at both Heathrow and Gatwick. Have never had a problem, it is significanlty quicker than waiting for a coach with everybody else.

Purpleparking also offer a valet service so the car gets returned nice and clean too.

S

[Munter]

A PHer works for these guys....

http://www.chauffeurdrive.tv/index.html

I've not used him yet but intend to next time I fly out of London.

[blueyes]

LHR Airport valet parking:

1st lot took an extra 30 mins to bring my car (T350) because, despite instructions on the dashboard and keys, they couldn't work out how to open the feckin door.

2nd lot kerbed an alloy in front of me and denied it until I showed the driver the paint on the kerb.

3rd lot decided that their office outside the terminal would close at 10:30pm. My flight was late (exited terminal at 10:40) so they moved my car to long stay, let me use the bus and refused to refund me a penny.

Jokers, the lot of them!

[richyb]

My first and final thought on the matter.

[tr7v8]

Can't see the point TBH.Came into Gatwick N last night, coach there within 10 minutes, few minutes to car & gone. No one drives my car, keys remain with me. I've heard of too many cars being damaged by these services.
Our company recommedation is Purple Parking but they let me down badly at Heathrow earlier in the year taking 90minutes to get to me & thn trawled to T3 then 30minutes to the parking, there we wer given our keys & told our cars were over there somewhere so had to walk & find them....

[Brown and Boris]

I used NCP valet parking at LGW a week or so ago. Booked in advance I paid about £70 for the 12/13 days. Car park is right by the terminal doors. As it was NCP I was pretty confident they had insurance and as my car was the least exciting on the car park (which included a number of S class, a Bentley and an Aston) I had no worries.

They check and record the mileage and you check the vehicle over with them. When we got back it was there waiting as promised and within 10 minutes of pulling luggage from the conveyor we were back on the A23.

I looked at the hotel parking thing but most still used a mini bus and said the car might not be kept on the hotel grounds.