Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General valet parking messed up my gear box

has anybody on this board had a problem with valet parking not using reverse lock out and jamming into reverse? well I got my car back 2 days ago from valet and all the gears were stripped. I couldn't get my car into 1st or 2nd. The dealer said he would charge me 4 hours labor to bend the part back. I told him he needs to replace the part. I couldn't figure out how to get the plastic piece back on the ball since it was in 3 pieces. I told them just to fix that part. When I arrived at the Ford dealership the entire rod was bent that controls the first two gears. The Ford dealership in North Miami Beach are crooks. I ordered a new piece and hopefully they install it right. Entire cost $400.00

Shouldn't the valet have to pay for that? I would think they'd have insurance to cover crap like that.

you would think. most places will tell u they arent liable for crap that happens. i simply avoid valets at all costs.

That is why I never trust my baby with anyone else in that driver seat.

I would be so pissed. Whether they have a policy or not you should go back and make a huge stink about what happened. If they are going to employ people to do that kind of thing they must make sure that the personel are capable of driving any car!!

I was about 13 yrs old when I learned to drive manual, And found out right away, when it wouldnt go into R, put it in N and release the clutch, press down again, then try again, felt just like common sense. Take them to court! Them a**holes should learn to drive before being valet parking

i work for a valet parking company. They should pay for the damage that was caused to your car. did you make a claim of damage with the company yet ?. the guy driving your car should be suspended if not fired. the valet company i work for is a pretty honest company when it comes to damage on a customers car. when you get hired your required to take a road test in a 5spd car. and your also taught of the different ways to drive, and start different cars. for example in a 5spd saab the carhas to be in reverse to get the key out of the ignition.. anyway long story short theres good and bad valet companys, sounds like you might have to fight this one to get them to pay for the damage

I used to own a Valet company. When they hand you a ticket it has an adhesion clause written on the back. It's only as good as a judge says it is. You would have to prove negligence which is near impossible once you have left the lot. It's likely you don't even have the valet stub to prove you even parked there.
I used to recieve many calls like this. Most were bogus claims, from transmissions to people having their own car stolen from us so it hits our insurance to Picasso's stolen from the trunk. So legit claims may have not been paid, but with the on slaught of calls for claims it's hard to tell. The moral is...once you drive off of the lot...you are pretty much screwed.

P.S. I never valet my own car unless I have too and then I throw at least 5 more likely 10 up front when I arrive for a 'no door ding' spot.