Airport Valet Joyride

[Mr Marcus]

Chaps

I've got into the habit of resetting the journey computer through iDrive every time I leave my car at the Pronto Valet at Sydney Airport (domestic).

It's always been fine but on Friday when I flew back at 5pm it said the car had covered 12km in 46mins since I handed them the keys at 7:30am.

The manager says she has checked the cameras and my car never left the car park, and the AFP say no harm no foul as I left my car in trust with them. I can believe the AFP.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this, the thought of some bastard ripping my car up and down the straight to the international terminal pisses me off and I really want to figure out how to prove it.

Any help or thoughts?

Mark

[david.orr]

It's going to be difficult if they hold all the cards unless you go legal to procure the video etc which is a bit of a stretch to relieve your disgust and frustration.

These days, whenever I drop my car for service or repairs, I would turn on my radio and iPhone video to film the odometer and the workshop, with the radio station blasting in background. Hopefully I do not ever have to trace and use the audio video evidence.

One exception - I drop off my car and walk away at Pete's Advan

[racer_x]

You can always threaten holly hell via Social Media.

Things like negative Google+ Reviews and the like will put a decent dent into their business' reputation and eventually revenue.

Imagine when potential customers go searching for Pronto Valet and get your unhappy review. If I was their management, I would not want that headache.

Business 101 - Much easier to sell to an existing customer than to win new ones. If you are a long term customer of theirs I imagine they would want to keep you happy.

The question is, what do you want?

[1SER135]

Slightly off topic but I believe that we should be able to purchase optional "Valet Keys" from bmw, and not have it reserved for M cars.

[Giveway74]

It is too late now, but maybe a hard wiring in a dash cam would stop it from happening.

[Mr Marcus]

Look I think they should at least have comped my valet! An apology is fair but denial is insulting.

Someone told me once the satnav records your every move in the car and you can access the data if you need to but that might be utter rubbish. Definitely some kind of secret device going in now, maybe a JB4 so I can use valet mode, love the idea of a valet key!

[TS135i]

I also reset the ODO on the dash, its there for all to see, that one doesn't lie.

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by TS135i

I also reset the ODO on the dash, its there for all to see, that one doesn't lie.

Couldn't they reset after a long run?

[Zuzu]

I just wait for the valet to approach me for the keys, then take a photo of the ODO whilst he is watching..

Then I give him the LK..

Works a treat.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

... Together with the tats and guns

Haha...must of forgot to mention that..

[dh58]

ask to see the footage yourself

[racer_x]

Originally Posted by dh58

ask to see the footage yourself

I imagine that might violate their privacy policy. If not the privacy laws.

I think your best bet in this situation is to take your business elsewhere and tell them why in no uncertain terms.

All the surveillance based solutions suggested here won't stop them.

Zuzu's suggestion however will have them thinking twice.

After all, you'd rather they behave themselves instead of your covert video/GPS solution catching them after the fact.

[Mr Marcus]

Very true. Might try the Qantas valet or even *shock horror* park it myself!

[TS135i]

Originally Posted by Mr Marcus

Very true. Might try the Qantas valet or even *shock horror* park it myself!

I always opt to park it myself, I tend to park very close to the concrete pillar, haven't had a door ding yet

[3lucidus]

airport shuttle bus ftw.

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by Mr Marcus

Very true. Might try the Qantas valet or even *shock horror* park it myself!

I have never used the valet parking even though I fly weekly.
I park in the block at the start of carpark as you drive into domestic precinct and there's always the secluded or safe spots. It's a long walk to the terminals but I don't mind it. Peace of mind for the rest of trip.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by jaffa12

I have never used the valet parking even though I fly weekly.
I park in the block at the start of carpark as you drive into domestic precinct and there's always the secluded or safe spots. It's a long walk to the terminals but I don't mind it. Peace of mind for the rest of trip.

I use the valet parking on a monthly basis, as I visit family in QLD..

Drop the car off Friday morning and pick up Sunday night.. Its cheaper than a cab return fare, and to date, quiet secure IMO.. If you book 14 days in advance, they have a $79 weekend three day special.

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

I use the valet parking on a monthly basis, as I visit family in QLD..

Drop the car off Friday morning and pick up Sunday night.. Its cheaper than a cab return fare, and to date, quiet secure IMO.. If you book 14 days in advance, they have a $79 weekend three day special.

That's pretty good value Joe.
Just that i walk past the valet parked section each time enroute to the terminals, both Qantas and Virgin and find most driver windows wound down. Presumably making it easier for them to reach into the dash to retrieve the valet parking docket without opening any door.
Admittedly, valet parking works for most and issues aren't too common.

[oystero]

Originally Posted by jaffa12

Couldn't they reset after a long run?

:

[TS135i]

^^ Ok, I didn't mention the snapshot of the cluster once reset showing the actual ODO, but yeah never assume common sense is "common"

[skidz]

just take a cab, that way you can go to town in the club