When Valet Steals Property

[LOOKINGOUT]

What is the name of your state? LA

Please help:

I parked my car at the hotel valet where I was staying. I am positive that the valet guy stole my radar detector (simply because it was there when I gave him my key and not there when I got back in and noticed it down the road.)

I know what the little ticket says about them not being liable...but I know definitely that they stole my property.

What case do I have? I've notified the BBB. I was staying there as part of a convention so I plan to notify the rooming department.

I know this happens all the time to innocent people. But, realistically, what chance do I have at the hotel reimbursing me?

 

[racer72]

Slim and none. You should have removed anything you did not want stolen.

 

[LOOKINGOUT]

So let's play devil's advocate, grandpa:

So with that said, when I pay for a service and expect that compensated service to be limited to what their established purpose is, should I then be expected to dismount the CD player installed in the vehicle, siphon the gas from the tank, and strip my leather headrests (those are detachable, too)? After all, your brilliant suggestion is to remove items I do not wish to be taken, right? Or, should the burden of accountability be on the insured and paid employee representing and providing a service, which, did not include, theft?

I've been enlightened! With unemployment at 6% in this country, how about we all start our own valet service, agree to park people's cars, steal everything, pawn it, and live off of our profit. And ...merry christmas...the end of the year bonus is that: WE'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR STEALING!

 

[enjay]

Why the hostility? In a perfect world you could trust everyone with your stuff. The world ain't perfect and you need to ensure that anything valuable and removable is not left in your car.

Sure, you can claim that the radar detector was stolen there. They will deny it and you have absolutely no proof to back up your assertation.

 

[stephenk]

when you found out the detector was missing, did you immediately turn around and make a claim with the valet service? If yes, what was their response. If no, why not?

 

[racer72]

The truth hurts huh? Want a little cheese to go with your whine?

 

[HomeGuru]

I guess LOOKINGOUT, wasn't.

 

[LOOKINGOUT]

Stephenk:

Yes. Made a complaint minutes later with the same guy who retrieved the vehicle. Security came down and took a report. Given Risk Mgr's name and followed up with a complaint to the BBB. Conveniently, the mgr admitted that this happened before and their employee was let go.

 

[HomeGuru]

There you have it, you got ripped off.

 

[stephenk]

you can file a claim with the valet's insurance company or file a small claim action against the company.

 

[spawn_x]

i'm with stephen.

valet drivers stealing property is not part of life's "crap happens", also the liability waver won't stand up when the vehicle is/was parked by someone else other than you (valet driver). If the loss / damage of something was caused directly by their actions they will be held responsible in court.

 

[LOOKINGOUT]

UPDATE: when valet steals property

Update on "when valet steals property":

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I wanted to post an update as to what happened after the original post.

I put my arguement in letter form and email to the risk manager. After two statements, the hotel has agreed to send me a check for the amount I requested to replace my property.

The total reimbursement is $399.00

It pays to stick to your guns.

 

[spawn_x]

ace!! Congradulations.

I'll bet ya they wanted to avoid publicity..