Hotels beware!

[chooch]

This story has really p******d me OFF

I stayed at the Romada Pier Hotel at Glenleg foreshore in Adelaide for 2 nights about 2 weeks ago. I couldnt find carpark anywhere near the hotel so decided to use the hotels vallet parking service.................WHAT A MISTAKE!!!. I picked up my car 2 days later and there was this industrial acid like crap all down 1 side of the car, they said it would just wash off. It was raining at the time so I took their word for it but made sure they noted the condition of the car and took plenty of photos of the damage. They did admit this has happened before. Anyway 2 days later was the first free time I had to wash my car and guess what.......not only had it eaten into the paint but the rear windscreen aswell. I called the Hotel and guess what........"its not our responsibility, its the builders fault".........so I asked if I could have the name and number of the contact person of the building company and guess what.........he doesnt have any contact details.

Anyway I have had it repaired, a cut and polish and a few other little things was all that was required and the total bill came to $165.

any advice to get these !@#$%^^ to pay would be appreciated.

[ZAP]

chooch,

I would make a copy of the bill and write a covering letter explaining the situation. My bet is they will just pay the bill as it is not a huge amount and they do not want a angry client with evidence making life difficult for them.

You may be suprised that they pay promptly. Make sure you find out the hotel managers name and direct the letter to them. Also note that while you understand that the "builders " may have caused the damage it was up to them to have a duty of care while in charge of your vehicle

[newxr]

Also note that while you understand that the "builders " may have caused the damage it was up to them to have a duty of care while in charge of your vehicle

Hi

Duty of care is a very powerful argument - the hotel supplied the service and as soon as they take your car they have the resposibility. They can chase the bill with the builder if they wish your "contract" was with the hotel valet parking service.

my 2c worth

[Kato]

Sorry Boys I don't think you stand a chance I don't mean to be negative about it but had something like this happen a couple of years ago not in the T thankfully and you need to read the fine print in the hotel's paperwork. I would be very surprised if they didn't have a disclaimer "vehicles are driven and parked at owners risk" you will find that in most hotels this applies to the valet service as well, if not try and go em! GOOD LUCK!! Hope you get a good outcome

[Blown BA]

I would be very surprised if they didn't have a disclaimer "vehicles are driven and parked at owners risk"

Hate to be a party pooper but that is true

Good luck with whatever your outcome is.

[ZAP]

People can put whatever disclamer they want on a sign or piece of paper, but it is not worth anything. Comon law dictates that Duty of Care prevales over any disclaimer. Could you imagin if you gave your keys to the valet and they thrashed the car ? Even if they have a 20m sign saying all care no responsibility it means NOTHING in the eves of the law.

My bet is the hotel WILL payup as it will cost them more in reputation and legal hassels than it will to pay the bill. It is not like chooch is trying to rip them off for a respray or similar. What he is claiming is that if the hotel knew about the problem yet continued to be negligent by parking cars in the affected area, they have fialed their duty of care and are responsible for their actions.

[Guest Scootre]

Your letter to them needs to be short and sweet - don't ramble on about builders:

"You will recall the damage to my vehicle whilst it was in your care. Here's the bill for the amount of $xxx. You have fourteen days to pay the full amount".

[Zeke]

I agree that the "disclaimer" is not valid. You can't weasel out of the normal "duty of care" by adding a disclaimer.

I also agree with Zap and Scootre that a letter that is concise and factual should get you a quick cash settlement.

Wonder where they park the cars. I park at the back of the Grand for most of the day every Tuesday. Haven't seen any building fallout recently.

[ms700]

Dont use Valet Parking.

Ever.

duty of care or no duty of care, I dont want to find out. Ive never used Valet parking on any of my cars worth over $1000.......

[Guest Scootre]

Dont use Valet Parking.

Ever.

duty of care or no duty of care, I dont want to find out. Ive never used Valet parking on any of my cars worth over $1000.......

I wouldn't let anyone but a nominated mechanic drive mine.

I recall when I travelled to Tasmania with a racing team to cover them for a couple of magazines as a photographer in my former life. The team had a brand new prime mover and trailer with the cars on board. They handed the keys over to the apes that run the Trans-Tasman ship that takes cars and people over to Tassie.

The truck was backed in to the sardine can ship's hold. When the guys went to claim the truck on the other side of the trip, they found a top rear corner of the trailer was crushed in. Said apes had just backed the thing in by feel.

The team decided not to say a thing because they knew they'd have to make the trip every so often.