Scam or no Scam?

[Pete Delkus]

Let me run something by my Jesuit brethren.

Wife and I went to newer, trendy restaurant last week where parking and popularity dictates that you utilize the free valet. 2 hours later on this low 40 degree night, I hand the guy my tic, and after 10 mins he comes back and tells me the cars dead. The 3 of us head over, I try the push-button start to no avail. I pop the hood and see one of the battery caps is off (not that means anything...but who knows) and the valet tells me they are already getting jumper cables for us.

The guy seems over friendly as does the 2nd valet dude as they we try to start the car...got enough juice to get interior lights on, but not to start car. Almost rehearsed, he says "OH Look, there are 3 Baker Motors tow trucks over there, let me get one and runs off before I say anything." A guy walks over from his truck with a box-jumper, attaches, and tells me to start the car. Car fires up and he says "That’s $50". I say you have to be kidding me! He says "all-right $30"

My wife had already given the valet guy $10 for trying his car, and now I give this dude $30...

Any former valets or car people who would have any insight...Dudes seems rehearsed and 3 Tow-Trucks ready to go, as they seemed to be "assisting" another, um victim...Maybe I am wrong and it was cold weather hitting an older battery, just seemed odd.



Any other good scams (or seems like) out there?...I like to hear these stories.
(Insert Dayton fan-base Basketball joke here)

[Titanxman04]

Sounds like a scam, brother. I am no expert in valet services, but I do work as a server at a popular chain.

Folks I work with do whatever it takes to get money from this customers, and more so, do whatever they can to up the bill to bring up that goal of a fat 20% tip without the customer realizing it. I have no doubt folks that work off tips do whatever they can.

More so, if a guy did that to me, I would refuse to cough up $30, let alone $50. I can call a buddy or AAA and they'll do it for free. I don't need them doing it for me and next time that happens, call a friend instead. Usually a six-pack will solve the situation with your buddy and it's over.

I'd call up the establishment's management as well and inform them of the situation and ask for clarification. If thats the general practice of that establishment, then so be it, but thats still shady as can be.

PS, if you don't have a AAA membership, get it. They are GREAT. Have used them on multiple occasions unfortunately and have never had a bad experience with their serviecs. True lifesavers.

[xu05usmc]

My guess is some idiot valet left the headlights on. I have similar things happen to friends, that is usually the case.

[drudy23]

Your car was started...why didn't you just say "suck off" and just get in your car and leave?

[blobfan]

I'm not a valet either but it sure sounds like a scam to me. I'm not sure legally they can offer a service without quoting you a price then demand money afterwards, especially if you are already paying for the valet fee. It's particularly hinky given that lights being left on by said valet probably cause the dead battery. I'd definitely lodge a complaint with the restaurant you visited.

[muckem muckem]

I call scam.

Went a long time without AAA, but got it about five years ago with three young daughters driving. We've used it about seven times since then. Well worth it.

[Kahns Krazy]

smells like a scam, but seems like a risky one. If they either left your lights on or got under your hood to drain the battery, it would be pretty easy to bust them.

[LadyMuskie]

I'd say scam and I'd call the restaurant and raise heck!

[xudash]

I say scam as well, simply because of the "oh, look!" aspect of having THREE tow trucks right there out of coincidence.

If you have a push button start, you obviously have a late model car. If your experience with the car has been solid, as in nothing like this has ever happened before, then again, I'd call scam, since it also sounds like the battery had been tampered with by someone.

I have your disposition - I tip people that help me. But "you didn't say anything" so you did not request that he - the tow truck guy - provide his services.

So 'that's $50" could have been met with "excuse me while I go find the restaurant owner" and you probably would have received an interesting response from the valets: "WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT SIR, IT PROBABLY WAS OUR FAULT THAT YOUR BATTERY DIED IN OUR LOT."

[Kahns Krazy]

So 'that's $50" could have been met with "excuse me while I go find the restaurant owner" and you probably would have received an interesting response from the valets: "WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT SIR, IT PROBABLY WAS OUR FAULT THAT YOUR BATTERY DIED IN OUR LOT."

Why would they have yelled that?

[xudash]

Why would they have yelled that?

touche.

[MADXSTER]

Have to go with scam. I agree, let management know what's going on.

[wkrq59]

What makes you think restaurant management not in on the scam??? Might have been a good idea to take your cell phone out and loudly announce you're calling the police! Then call triple A and since you blew the money, you can call the trouble shooters at wcpo-tv or channel 12 and name the damned restaurant. First thing I'd have done is taken out a piece of paper and asked for the name of the valet and the tow service operator. When you ask a shady operator for his name you usually have few problems.
Oh, even if you aren't a triple A member, call them and report the tow truck service. Suggest triple A never use them. You won't get your $$ back but you sure as hell can cause them problems. You might also call the police and tell them what happened.
:logo:

[Jumpy]

Sorry to say, but they saw you as an easy mark from a mile away. they said, "hey, there's Pete Delkus. that guy used to read weather on the TV. We need to milk him of all his money. He doesn't deserve it anyway. He was wrong about the weather more often than not."

[94GRAD]

I would REALLY like to know at which restaurant this took place.

[xudash]

I would REALLY like to know at which restaurant this took place.

Don't you be taking notes for the purpose of establishing shots of Schnapps and valet service at intergalactic Headquarters!

[Kahns Krazy]

I would REALLY like to know at which restaurant this took place.

Pretty sure Pete lives in a different city.