Heathrow valet parking
Discussion
Some years ago I used a valet parking company at Gatwick. On my return the car was not there. Nobody knew where it was and nobody felt they needed to find it....shoulders were shrugged. Needless to say, I gave them s**t and eventually they found the car, and then they made a big mistake and took me to it. Care to guess where it was? It was a mile or so away parked in a layby on the A217, along with what were obviously several other cars. I was nonchalantly told what else can I expect when they are busy? It had been there for two weeks. So much for secure, off street parking. Since then I've always had an executive car to take me to/from any airport. My car stays in its garage.
R.
R.
That's a shocking story Elroy and once again confirms that the only way a valet parking company will ever get their sticky fingers on my keys is if they prise them from my cold dead hands.
Having had a few nightmare journeys to airports using taxis etc, including blind bend overtakes on the Snake Pass and night time trips with no / frozen washers and no vision then have for years done the self park, choose a spot protected on as many sides as possible well away from the crush and retain my keys. If the option of prebooking the short stay works then that is always favourite.
I never understand the valet thing even if you don't give a stuff about the car. Saves time and hassle on outward. Possibly but just set off earlier. Last thing you want at the end of a long return flight is hassle frankly.
Having had a few nightmare journeys to airports using taxis etc, including blind bend overtakes on the Snake Pass and night time trips with no / frozen washers and no vision then have for years done the self park, choose a spot protected on as many sides as possible well away from the crush and retain my keys. If the option of prebooking the short stay works then that is always favourite.
I never understand the valet thing even if you don't give a stuff about the car. Saves time and hassle on outward. Possibly but just set off earlier. Last thing you want at the end of a long return flight is hassle frankly.
Shaw Tarse said:
Have a look at garaged.com (run by a PHer )
Really?People normally go for valet parking for the convenience.
How does parking 35 miles from the airport constitute being convenient ?
Another vote for short term parking.
Business parking for T3 is crap. The bus goes via T2 and T1 and takes ages.
Edited by 2222 on Sunday 15th June 06:55
LooneyTunes said:
Having had a car damaged in Short Stay (looked like someone had pushed a trolley into the front wing) my policy is simple: my car doesn't go anywhere near an airport carpark.
This!I always get the local private hire for airport return, costs a bit more but car is left at home, we get dropped off/picked up door to door and after a long flight home I don't have to drive!
FiF said:
That's a shocking story Elroy and once again confirms that the only way a valet parking company will ever get their sticky fingers on my keys is if they prise them from my cold dead hands.
Having had a few nightmare journeys to airports using taxis etc, including blind bend overtakes on the Snake Pass and night time trips with no / frozen washers and no vision then have for years done the self park, choose a spot protected on as many sides as possible well away from the crush and retain my keys. If the option of prebooking the short stay works then that is always favourite.
I never understand the valet thing even if you don't give a stuff about the car. Saves time and hassle on outward. Possibly but just set off earlier. Last thing you want at the end of a long return flight is hassle frankly.
But in years of using valet parking literally hundreds of times, I have never had hassle. Pull up at the drop off zone and chap takes the car away. Land, go out to the collection point and chap gives the car back. Never had a car damaged, had to wait a few minutes on a handful of occasions - and those have usually been at Gatwick where I suspect they are not so business focused. Also, for all this 'bloke down the pub' talk of the cars being ragged by young 'innit bruv' types, the drivers for the companies that I use are almost invariably well turned out, well spoken older guys, presumably chosen because they don't trash customers cars.Having had a few nightmare journeys to airports using taxis etc, including blind bend overtakes on the Snake Pass and night time trips with no / frozen washers and no vision then have for years done the self park, choose a spot protected on as many sides as possible well away from the crush and retain my keys. If the option of prebooking the short stay works then that is always favourite.
I never understand the valet thing even if you don't give a stuff about the car. Saves time and hassle on outward. Possibly but just set off earlier. Last thing you want at the end of a long return flight is hassle frankly.
ClaphamGT3 said:
But in years of using valet parking literally hundreds of times, I have never had hassle. Pull up at the drop off zone and chap takes the car away. Land, go out to the collection point and chap gives the car back. Never had a car damaged, had to wait a few minutes on a handful of occasions - and those have usually been at Gatwick where I suspect they are not so business focused. Also, for all this 'bloke down the pub' talk of the cars being ragged by young 'innit bruv' types, the drivers for the companies that I use are almost invariably well turned out, well spoken older guys, presumably chosen because they don't trash customers cars.
Alternatively, I've used it once, at T5, came back and the car interior was covered in fag ash. With 75! extra miles on the clock. So now, I use a driver, who drops me right outside the entrance, and is there when I emerge to whisk me straight home, no waiting at all. When I'm coming off the red-eye, a coffee awaits me too. Or if it's a Friday PM, a cold beer.
Not sure BBC Watchdog and Inside out etc are exactly 'bloke down the pub' type talk but each to their own.
My anecdotal counterpoint is no damage nor hassle in years of using pre booked short stay and careful selection of parking spot to minimise exposure.
Do I want the new Techno beetle being stuck by the valet on an end / corner pog and effectively exposed on three sides. No thanks.
That's before any consideration of the alleged Bbc / pub talk treatment.
My anecdotal counterpoint is no damage nor hassle in years of using pre booked short stay and careful selection of parking spot to minimise exposure.
Do I want the new Techno beetle being stuck by the valet on an end / corner pog and effectively exposed on three sides. No thanks.
That's before any consideration of the alleged Bbc / pub talk treatment.
ClaphamGT3 said:
the drivers for the companies that I use are almost invariably well turned out, well spoken older guys, presumably chosen because they don't trash customers cars.
...but you don't find out who you're expected to hand your keys to until you get there. By which time you're a bit light on options if you don't like the look of them.That said, insurance must play a part in it, as I can't imagine underwriters being keen on the idea of companies potentially putting a 21 y/o in control of six-figure exotica.
2222 said:
Shaw Tarse said:
Have a look at garaged.com (run by a PHer )
Really?People normally go for valet parking for the convenience.
How does parking 35 miles from the airport constitute being convenient ?
Another vote for short term parking.
Business parking for T3 is crap. The bus goes via T2 and T1 and takes ages.
Edited by 2222 on Sunday 15th June 06:55
Less road risk to the clients car this way. Hope that helps!
Mattt said:
Are you aware your site doesn't work on iPad?
Indeedy chap. Already aware & communicated to the fellow PH'er that's re-doing the whole website...The business model has changed so drastically since we launched that the website is undergoing a complete overhaul. The airport work is lovely though, all word of mouth & all PH'ers 
0a said:
Regarding Garaged.com do you bring the transporter into the dropoff area?!
Wardens don't like it 
- We've got a good enough knowledge of the airports & are slick enough with our timing to ensure we're in/out within 15 minutes. T5 is particularly easy to handle - T1/T2/T3 we work with a hotel just on the entrance to all 3 so it's as easy as possible. I've been in this position so many times as the one travelling, it's a case of you just need the process to be as simple/quick as possible & I for one always hated those transfer buses...It felt at times similar to being on the tube in rush hour, just with luggage.T5 Process.
Arrive @ Dropoff looking for our van
Led by our van down to the airports lower level for the waiting truck.
Unload vehicle - Jump into our shuttle, client is then shuttled back up to the dropoff.
Meantime vehicle is loaded.
Typically by the time I return back to the truck, we're strapped & it's ready to be led back to the warehouse.
T1/T2/T3 - Meet at the hotel (3 min drive time from Terminal)
Unload vehicle & jump into our shuttle.
Client vehicle loaded onto truck at the same time.
Client is shuttled to terminal. Truck awaits my return.
On my return back to truck, head back in tandem to the warehouse.
OR & it's often the case as people are running late due to M25/M4 traffic - I'd meet clients at drop-off & drive the car to the hotel myself.
One thing that the industry always has lacked is accountability...You never know who ultimately handles your car, where exactly it is, how exposed it is & I used to hate all those elements personally before I started the company...As an enthusiast parking in a supermarket is a minefield by itself, let alone parking at the airport...The service eliminates all the unknowns & that's why this was born.
Anyway, I'll pipe down. Any further queries, happy to answer them via PM
Edited by ironictwist on Sunday 15th June 23:55
rottie102 said:
Zod said:
If you book short stay in advance, you can usually get a week for not under £150. That's what I do.
People really pay that kind of money for week's parking?!Why not just park it for free somewhere near Boston Manor station and take the tube from there?
Just like I'd never pay someone to decorate my house, I know plenty that will because they can afford it and it frees up time to spend with their family.
p.s. Park in Bedfont and use Hatton Cross tube - it's closer
ironictwist said:
description of his operation
Having over the years been fairly critical of valet style parking outfits that sounds like something that could change my mind. As ironictwist commented it's the lack of accountability and conditions of some of the operations that put me off.
Having seen millions of pounds worth of machinery crammed into compounds so closely that it makes you wonder how they arrange things. No thanks.
rottie102 said:
Zod said:
If you book short stay in advance, you can usually get a week for not under £150. That's what I do.
People really pay that kind of money for week's parking?!Why not just park it for free somewhere near Boston Manor station and take the tube from there?
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