Showing a condo today that had valet parking

I am soo incensed today. I was showing condos to a family today in Long Branch, NJ along the ocean and one of the condos a high rise called the Imperial House had valet parking.

I told the man that I was a REALTOR and that I was only there for about 15 to 20 minutes and that my people were behind me. He said I still had to valet it as well as my people.

We valeted it and I showed the unit absolutely beautiful and unobstructed views of the ocean, then we went down to get our cars, and the guy actually stood there waiting for a tip. Can you believe that? Just for 15 minutes of parking? Now mind you there were spots right by the entrance marked for unit owners 30 minute parking only he could have let us park there, but no they wanted their tip money.

I wonder how many owners know about this and how do other REALTORS feel about this. Frankly I am NOT going to show the Imperial House during the summer months. I don't feel I should have to valet my car with them, as I am hoping to sell the Owners unit.

Tell me what do you think about that?

6/21/2010

I had posted this to a real estate community as well yesterday and this was on of the replies which really opened my eyaes and I am glad for it.

"Let me preface this by saying that you asked for opinions, so please don't be offended, it's just my opinion based on the facts you gave.

I would have tipped the guy for both my car and my clients' car, no questions asked. To do otherwise seems petty and I think would reflect badly on me as an agent.

Think about it – regardless of why, or for how long or shot a time, you are utilizing the valet services. You're a REALTOR hoping to sell a beautiful oceanside property, and if you do, you'll pocket a nice commission (thousands of dollars). The guy parking your car is probably minimum wage plus tips, and he has to park and retrieve your car just like he has to do with every other car who goes in and out of there. In your case, to not hold things up, he has to go get two cars at the same time since you guys came together and will be leaving together, which probably requires two guys servicing your group.

I would have pointed out to the prospective buyers the benefits of being able to afford a lifestyle that includes valet service for your vehicle. It's probably something that would resonate with anybody looking at that type of luxury property. Not to mention, it's safer for my wife and children (and myself) to be able to not have to park in a dark parking lot and then walk to the building – or the convenience of being able to unload the groceries right there at the front door and not trek across the lot, or any of a dozen or more advantages that such a service provides.

I hope to God that 1) you paid the valet tip (what would it be, a few bucks each car, five bucks each tops?) for your prospective buyers, and 2) that you didn't complain to them about it. Seriously, it would not reflect well on you, and I can only imagine the thoughts that it might provoke about you to them – like "why is she acting so cheap when we know she's going to make a fat check off of this sale?" or "I can't believe how awkward that was, and how rude she was to the valet", or "I can't believe she didn't pay the valet's tip for us", or who knows what other things they might've thought.

This was a chance to make your buyers see that buying this place would make them a big shot by upping their quality of life, and that you were a seasoned professional who could navigate that world but yet is so down to earth. I'm guessing that that isn't the impression they were left with, though. And that's unfortunate. Christopher Cassidy."

Thank you Christopher for opening my eyes and making me look at it from a different perspective.