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19 May 2012 | Sign In
Meet and Greet parking services - the Downside
Most offer a good and reputable service, others though let the side down, so, what should you look out for?
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Kayte Platts Thursday 4 November 2010 |
BBC’s Watchdog recently highlighted what can happen if you leave your car with a less than reputable ‘Meet, Greet and Valet Service’ company. It is unfortunately a bit of a minefield out there, and the best advice is probably to go with one of the major established companies or, at the very least, to check via via the airports themselves before booking.
There have been long standing concerns over the quality of service provided to passengers by some of the cheaper companies. In fact, there can up to 200 companies offering off–site airport parking services, the majority of which only operate during the peak holiday season. Gatwick is probably the extreme example of this seasonal trend.
Discerning which company is reputable and which is not can be a tricky business. If passengers do elect to book with a less-well known firm, then the following is recommended.
- Look out for the Park Mark® symbol. This proves that a car parking facility undergoes annual police checks.
- Insist on getting the address details of where the car will be parked. Not having proper premises should raise alarm bells.
- Ask how far the round-trip is between the airport and car park and make a note of the mileage clocked up on your car.
- Check the condition of your car prior to leaving it.
My experiences with the better known firms have always been good. There are exceptions to the rule and there are cowboy operators - so please do beware!
| Comments | Post a comment |
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Julie, Mersea Island 15 November 2010, 10:35AM | |
I have only used a valet service once and it was fine but there are sharks out there and saving a few pounds can sometimes end up costing you in other respects. | |
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Darcie, Bexleyheath 16 November 2010, 01:49PM | |
When I used one of the valet services I am sure that my car had been used whilst I was away but proving it was very difficult, it came down to my word against their's. | |
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Christopher, Sandown 22 November 2010, 11:15AM | |
I find the whole experience of parking at airport's a hassle. I now always get a taxi which takes the stress away. | |
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I have found that it all depends on the day / weather / mood of the attendant etc. | |
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Aaron, Kent 5 December 2010, 06:13PM | |
I have had a bad experience with meet and greet parking. The attendants where rude and unhelpful and they told me the car was parked in a completely different place to where it was. | |
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Morgan Field 6 January 2011, 04:35PM | |
I have always found this idea to be a very successful one. It seems to take the pressure out of going to the airport in my mind. I have never had any problems and as long as you use a reputable company all seems to go according to plan. | |
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Georgia Simpson, East Grinstead 13 January 2011, 02:12PM | |
It is good to have this information at hand and available, quite shocking what the consequences can be otherwise. | |
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Pat, Hastings 13 January 2011, 02:24PM | |
I think once again this type of service is very hit and miss. I have had good and bad experiences but generally I have found the service realiable. | |
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Winn, Lewes 24 March 2011, 12:10PM | |
The only criticism I have is that we had to wait for 30 minutes for our car to be delivered back to us having made the call to say that we had cleared customs. Otherwise we were very happy with the service. | |
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