Valet tipping dilemma

[Nika]

So valets are not happy about not being tipped. I understand that. You always tip when you choose to use a valet. But this is a tricky situation.

Our building has to renovate garage ramps (has to be done, structurally).
That means we cannot use our garage to park anymore. Being a full service building, and all shareholders expecting parking, we went through the high expense of renting garage space in buildings in the surrounding area and contracting with the valet company for 24/7 coverage. (there is a need for 3 valets to be on shift, because these garages are not super close and you may need to drive to retrieve the car).

So sure, when you visit a restaurant or a hotel and choose to use valet you assume tipping is part of the cost and have to do it.

But when you just want to use your own car in your own garage that you are paying for, tipping to be able to drive it out, every time for 6 months (or longer, you know how construction projects go) is pretty insane and is not in people's budgets. And there is not really a choice involved - this was the solution the board found, the only one that would solve parking issue, and shareholders did not vote on it (they voted on the board, and trust me, the "park by yourself wherever you can find parking every day" proposal would not go over well, to put it mildly. And, as shareholders we are already paying millions for these renovations and an arm and a leg for renting temporary parking and valet services. So people understandably do not want to pay any more. And it is not in any way enforceable.

[disneysteve]

How far away are the garages that will be used? Are they not in reasonable walking distance?

[rennigade]

This is why its a good idea not to live in a place where others can and will make decisions for you. This is actually pretty useful to hear about. Ive heard of other crazy things hoa's do but this is another scenario to add to the list.

I wouldnt want to tip each time but not tipping will almost guarantee poor service and a couple possible dings in your car doors. Since there are only 3 valet drivers they will remember you and they will remember who does and does not tip. Bad situation to be in.

[Nika]

How far away are the garages that will be used? Are they not in reasonable walking distance?

No they are not. We have many elderly and disabled residents. We also have some richer residents and there would be mutiny if parking was not offered.

[disneysteve]

No they are not. We have many elderly and disabled residents. We also have some richer residents and there would be mutiny if parking was not offered.

Since it is being forced upon you, I don't think the valets should be expecting daily tips, Maybe a monthly $20 or a gift card or some show of appreciation, but not "normal" tipping. Hopefully, the contract worked out with the valet company took that into account and is fairly compensating the workers.

I always struggle a bit when I go somewhere where they have mandatory valet parking. I'm perfectly happy to park myself but they don't allow it. I give them a couple of dollars but it's definitely done begrudgingly.

[Nika]

This is why its a good idea not to live in a place where others can and will make decisions for you. This is actually pretty useful to hear about. Ive heard of other crazy things hoa's do but this is another scenario to add to the list.

The board did what they had to do - no one wants to take on infrastructure project like that but it had to be done. It was postponed many years and is at the point where collapse of the ramp is predicted if this is not done. This is the board that actually faced it and will be going through lose/lose situation because it is necessary. We have a lot of elderly residents, and a bunch of richer ones, and knowing the residents "no parking" solution would not be acceptable. But unless the board made a decision and move forward, they would just all argue until the darn thing would collapse.

To live where you can "control" the situation (you mean a house) comes with a price tag of 2-12 million in our section of Bronx, and in Manhattan is not an option even if you multiply it by factor of 10. Now if I had an average 3 mil to get a modest house, I would chose it, or I would not worry about tipping affecting my budget.

I wouldnt want to tip each time but not tipping will almost guarantee poor service and a couple possible dings in your car doors. Since there are only 3 valet drivers they will remember you and they will remember who does and does not tip. Bad situation to be in.

It is 3 in a shift, not 3 in total. 24/7, for 6 plus months.

And are you serious? Malicious property damage because you are not happy with tips? Wow. I don't know where you live, but yes, almost every single resident would sue.

[disneysteve]

I think you really need to find out the terms of the contract between management and the valet company. Maybe they addressed the tipping issue.

[sv2007]

The thing about tipping that I decided early on is to always tip at least the customary amount and don't think about it any more.

[Like2Plan]

I think you should ask. I don't know the answer to your question, but I would think it would be handled differently than when you go out to a restaurant/hotel. For one thing-- you'd have to keep a lot of cash on hand for tips. Will all the residents in your building find that convenient?

What do you do for your other building staff? Do you routinely tip them as well?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'd tip. They could accidentally very easily park your car in the worse spots and you end up with damage. Consider it part of the cost of choosing to live where you live. You have to pay to stay.