In most jurisdictions, corporations must appear in small claims court by an attorney. Sue them. If they don't show up with an attorney, but send a manager, he's there to settle with you because he can't try the case.

 

I have panic attacks and drive my wife crazy with anxiety when I use a valet, so I have just stopped. Most recently and the last time was in Niagara Falls in Canada. Nothing happened but I thought about it all the time since cars were in and out of the hotel all day and night. I gotta wonder why I would i entrust my car to someone who in no way has the same appreciation for it that I do. While you may have circumstances where you have no choice, it's illogical.

 

As soon as a car becomes so precious that I can't use it, it becomes a PITA. I valet park my car because it's a car and it's main purpose is to take me places and that includes valet parking. It's fixable.

 

Sorry about the damage.
I always drop the valet guy a tip on the way in for a special event (dinner) to guarantee that my car is treated well.
Human nature is to not care about other people's property.
The extra $5 goes a long way (unless it is the valet guy from Ferris Bueler's Day Off). I think of it as "insurance."
Does anyone else take this same approach?

 

I don't believe we are saying we dont use the cars, quite the contrary, but are just careful about where we leave it. Highway pitting is unavoidable, a dumbass valet is very avoidable. Diff'rent strokes.

 

Yes ... but only on those rare situations when I actually let ANYONE else (except immediate family - and they know I'll go ballistic if so much as a new bug splat shows up!) drive my cars.

 

i could never trust a valet guy, who probably drives a beater car, and then hand over the keys to your nice car over to him. if you do, inspect before and after though.

 

I never valet as well. if I know the car needs to be valeted, I bring the SUV.

 

+1. Why would you pay to have some stranger park your nice car? If you're going to valet, drive up in something you don't care about.

 

Update - I filed a claim with Colonial Parking which was promptly rejected in writing. No surprise. I called the general council who wrote the letter and explained that this was too $$$ for me to just let go. My intention was to contact DC Metro Police and file a hit and run report. My next course of action was to file a case in small claims court. I explained I was prepared to present a sworn affidavit that the car entered the garage with no damage and I was in sole possession of the car until the damage was discovered.

She asked me for a few days to investigate the claim further before I filed. I agreed to let her perform due diligence before I go thermonuclear in the court system.

Do you think the hit and run report is prudent?
Is there an attorney out there who has an opinion on how I will make out in small claims court?

I'm mad as hell and not taking this lying down!!!