Is something different with the Valets?

[jmatias]

Not sure what is the appropriate Valet tipping etiquette but we usually tip the Valet when our car is brought to us.

During our trip to VWL from Jan. 22-30, was the first time I noticed the valets "soliciting" for a tip upon arrival. I thought it was just me, but my DH mentioned he noticed it too.

We noticed this at VWL and especially at BWV. The BWV valet made it a point to tell us that someone else may bring us our car and told us this 3 times.

I forgot all about this until today when I talked to our cousin who stayed at BWV from Jan.29 to Feb. 4. and he mentioned the same thing. He said he actually felt a bit harassed.

Anybody else notice this?

 

[Cruelladeville]

We usually pay for both pick up and delivery, $1 or $2 each time, but we don't use our car that often, so we haven't noticed anything at BW. However, at WL a valet stuck his hand out for $, and I snapped at him to put his hand away, he hadn't done anything yet to earn a tip! I refuse to be harassed by a valet on my vacation, I can get that at home.

 

[DVCajun]

Hm. I always thought you just tipped at pickup. Even if it's a different person, they're undoubtedly picking up someone else's car and getting a tip for that, so it all evens out, right? Tipping is so confusing!

 

[X2WDWCP]

We usually pay for both pick up and delivery, $1 or $2 each time, but we don't use our car that often, so we haven't noticed anything at BW. However, at WL a valet stuck his hand out for $, and I snapped at him to put his hand away, he hadn't done anything yet to earn a tip! I refuse to be harassed by a valet on my vacation, I can get that at home.

WOW, You are my HERO!!!

 

[Figment2]

When I valet at WDW I usually tip both ways when I'm at a DVC resort. Don't know why, I just do. I bring down a supply of $2 bills which I use expressly for tipping. I was at the Universal Royal Pacific resort last week and felt almost abused by the valet. Not only did he walk me to the hotel door giving hints (which was the wrong way to handle me), he also failed to tell me that since I was attending a conference at the hotel, I could valet park by the convention center (shorter walk). Then the next day I found out I could park for free in the back lot by telling security I was with the conference!

I will never complain about the parking charge at WDW resorts (i.e. the Contemporary or the Poly). I paid $17.00 (plus tip) for parking about a mile (okay, maybe not a mile, but it sure felt that way) away from the Royal Pacific convention center.

Cyn

 

[Gail & Joe]

We always tip $2 for pick-up and drop-off. We were at VWL in Dec. and we didn't notice any problem with the valet. They have always been very courtious when we were there and it was very busy.

 

[MrTerrorChair]

"I do not believe in tipping. I believe in over- tippingl." - Steve Martin, My Blue Heaven


I've always looked at tipping as insurance of service or an investment in a future perk, so I tip $2 each way, and $1 per bag for bellhops. I've worked for tips before, it's hard and can be stressful. Even $1 is good.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

We noticed this at VWL and especially at BWV. The BWV valet made it a point to tell us that someone else may bring us our car and told us this 3 times.

I always thought that the tips were pooled, so it didn't matter if you only tipped on pickup. It seems more appropriate to me to tip when the service is completed and your car is returned to you in one piece. I normally only tip on drop-off if the CM provided service above and beyond, such as helping with packages, kids etc. Maybe I'm wrong? Somebody must know.

 

[ashleyrm]

From "Guide to Who and What to Tip in Hotels":

Valet Parking -- Tip $1-$2 to the attendant retreiving your car. Tipping when they park the car is optional.

Personally, the more someone "begs" the less likely I am to tip.

 

[rocketriter]

If you saw this several times at one resort, then a little subculture has grown that needs to be pruned. Valets should not be hinting for tips at any time. You might want to let MS know about this either in a phone call or by email.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

I was talking to one of the valets at the Poly..tho this was a few years ago.
He said that tips were defiinitely 'pooled'. As I was standing there waiting for my car, I counted the number of people using valet services...I think that at a $1.00 each way...these guys are making some of the better money of all the CMs. (THe valet seemed to agree.)

And $1.00 per drop or retrieve ends up being less than a self park at most hotels.

While on the subject tho, I too have a beef: Whenthe Bell Captain removes luggage from the boot at check in and sits it on the cart and then a bell hop brings cart to room...I really HATE feeling like I need to tip BOTH. I just resent it, tho I tend to always do it.At times I'll just eschew the help at all because I don't like doing something and not feeling kindly about it.

I have noticed that when I tip the bell hop grandly at checkin---I seem to get good service throughout my stay regardless of whom I am needing (maid, room service, valet, bell hop)...I had an old rich uncle in law who always said: tip UP FRONT to insure good service.tip at the END to bring a smile.

Colorado Belle

 

[Granny]

During our trip to VWL from Jan. 22-30, was the first time I noticed the valets "soliciting" for a tip upon arrival. I thought it was just me, but my DH mentioned he noticed it too.

I've worked for tips, tend to be an overtipper, and we tend to tip both ways with valet parking. But this "soliciting" is not acceptable IMHO. I agree with those who indicate that you should let management know.

Rocketriter said it perfectly...it's probably a subculture that has evolved while management either was unaware or looked the other way.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You only tip when you pick up your car. End of story. These valets are trying to take advantage of the customer that does not know any better. I tip $5 at pick up and have been doing it for years. I am actually thinking of changing it to $10.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We tip for both dropoff and pickup.

 

[JimMIA]

More than likely, the reason these valets have their hands out is because they are NOT going to pool YOUR tip if they can get away with it. They're going to pocket it. They're hustling, not providing service.

I also tend to overtip, because I was young once too. My personal favorite approach are the jars with signs at ski resorts. They say something to the effect of "Contribute to Important Beer Research." I always put money in those, even if I'm not using their services! Hey, it's important work...

I love the response of "Put your hand away." That's priceless, and I don't have a problem in the world with being rude BACK.

If you're not comfortable with that, shaking the hand and saying, "Thanks, it's great to BE home!" should work also.

 

[Plus4206]

Is that your opinion or are you quoting from the valet tippers guide book ?

I tip the people that give me good service. That means the guy parking and the guy bringing it back both get a fair tip.

Besides, if you stiff the guy bringing the car back, he doesn't know you're a jerk until you're safely driving away. If you stiff the guy parking your car, he knows your a jerk the entire time he's DRIVING your car. It's not worth the risk.

 

[sarhenty]

If you're not comfortable with that, shaking the hand and saying, "Thanks, it's great to BE home!" should work also.

OMG thats hilarious but GOOD!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

The day I snap at anyone who is in a helping job at WDW is the day I'll consider that my manners have sunk so low I don't deserve to use the service. I think it's absurd to smugly annouce personal rudeness over a $1 or $2 tip. Tipping on drop-off seems to be a personal decision, while tipping at pick-up seems to be more universally favored, but nowhere have I seen that either transaction allows this kind of obnoxious behavior. If you have a problem with this kind of solicitation, ask to see a manager and politely inquire about the policy, or politely disagree with your treatment, but be a grownup about it.

 

[Plus4206]

Every resort you check into at WDW gives you the activities sheet and a FAQ sheet. If I'm not mistaken one of the questions concerns tipping. They pretty much give the standard answer & percentages, but they don't say anything that actually addresses the uniqueness of the valet position. They could very easily say tip x dollars each way or only tip y on pick up. The easiest thing to do though would be to put up signage in the valet area explaining the process.

 

[DVCajun]

My personal favorite approach are the jars with signs at ski resorts. They say something to the effect of "Contribute to Important Beer Research." I always put money in those, even if I'm not using their services! Hey, it's important work...

I love it! You're obviously a nice guy.

I think the "put your hand away" snip was a bit over the top. But I didn't witness the "hand," either. Maybe it was over the top too.