Valet parking

[Brum1]

We are off on a non caravanning holliday soon which means flying from Gatwick. Having booked and paid on line for car parking at said airport, I read that I will have to leave the car at reception and give in the keys and they will park my car.
My concerns are
1...If the car gets dammaged by them, how could I proove it?
2...Will the car be moved frequently to gain access to other cars when they are being collected?
3...How safe will the contents be? I will of course remove all non essentials.

Or...Have I nothing to worry about?

Any comments

 

[Surfer]

How do you know where they are going to park it? They could be using it for joyriding around in for a few days. There was a program on Watchdog about this last year. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/roguetraders_airport_cars_pic.shtml Hopefully the company you have chosen is reputable and well known. No point going on holiday worrying about your car.
Best thing is to get a loan from your bank using the car as collatarel and when you return pay them back the money. Cheapest parking. LOL!

 

[mucky pup]

Hi Brum
I have used this service several times and never had a problem.
I am going away 1st Oct and have booked the same again. When i park at reception i take photo's of the car and mileage reading so i have some proof just in case.
As long as it is one of the official car parks you should have no problems.
I use the Summer Special Parking on the perimeter as it was the best price.

 

[Gafferbill]

………depends what company you have used for the parking.
If you mention the name I may be able to put your mind at rest as I have local knowledge.
Most are very reputable professional companies but the odd one has to be seen to be believed!

 

[Brum1]

………depends what company you have used for the parking.
If you mention the name I may be able to put your mind at rest as I have local knowledge.
Most are very reputable professional companies but the odd one has to be seen to be believed!

Mods...Can I name the company?

 

[Parksy]

Yes Brum, of course you can.
Mods are only involved with names being mentioned on the forum when complaints are aired.
There's little doubt that many of the complaints are valid but the forum owners can't actually prove whether they are valid or not. The possibility of Haymarket being sued because of unproven allegations is the only reason for the 'no naming and shaming' rule, there's absolutely no problem with mentioning a business or company in the ordinary course of events.

 

[Brum1]

Thanks Parksy.

It is Airparks Gatwick Park and ride
Charlwood Road.

 

[Gafferbill]

…..this is a very professional on airport parking company formerly known as BCP.
The parking is situated at the far end of the airfield and you will be taken to the terminal about 3 miles away via the perimeter road on a company coach.
If there was to be a problem I am sure this company would put it right.

Incidentally the Caravan Club site Amberley Fields is practically opposite and I have often wondered if they specialise in holidays for deaf caravaners.

Perhaps it is OK as I have not actually stayed there.

 

[forestgump]

check the milage.

 

[joeby]

We went to Australia for a month last year , and i didnt fancy paying a months parking , or the the drive back to Swansea after a 24 hour flight , so we got a well known coach company , took longer than driving , and it was £40 return for the both of us , so i was well pleased , no worries about the car , no driving after a long flight , and a lot cheaper , and it was straight into the airport terminal

 

[Brum1]

…..this is a very professional on airport parking company formerly known as BCP.
The parking is situated at the far end of the airfield and you will be taken to the terminal about 3 miles away via the perimeter road on a company coach.
If there was to be a problem I am sure this company would put it right.

Thanks Gafferbill...You have put our minds at rest

 

[Brum1]

We went to Australia for a month last year , and i didnt fancy paying a months parking , or the the drive back to Swansea after a 24 hour flight , so we got a well known coach company , took longer than driving , and it was £40 return for the both of us , so i was well pleased , no worries about the car , no driving after a long flight , and a lot cheaper , and it was straight into the airport terminal

Thanks for your comments Joeby...We have travelled to London's airports before with National Express for the very reasons that you raise but we need to be at Gatwick for 8am which would mean leaving Birmingham very early and having to change twice

 

[Brum1]

Hi everyone.
We have been on our jollies and used the car park. It turned out to be a very efficient set up that I would use again and recommend to others.
Car was left outside reception, we boarded the bus to the terminal. Upon return, the car was waiting for us on the collection side of the reception building..

Looking on Google maps, you can see how closely cars are parked together. That makes efficient use of land which results (I guess) in the very competitive charges.
Brum