When going to a restaurant that offers "complimentary valet parking" when do you tip? Before or after?

Question

Most people say "after" but it's usually a different guy by the time you come out & the guy who initially takes your car typically looks like he EXPECTS a tip or am I imagining that? I wind up tipping TWICE! :\

Answer 1

Always After.  What if your car came back dented and scratched?  Do you tip the bartender or server before they make your drink or bring your food?  Same logic.  

Even if you had to pay for valet, you pay before they park, then tip when they bring it back.

Answer 2

always tip after service is received.

so After regardless of whether its the same guy or not.

Answer 3

After, when they bring you back your car. You should tip anywhere between $5 and $15 depending on how nice the restaurant is.  

Answer 4

Before tip:  Plant your corn early in the spring.

After tip:  $$$$$

Answer 5

After. You tip the service that has been rendered. Just like you tip everyone else. IF the valet screws up, then you don't tip.  

Answer 6

I would tip a couple of bucks to the guy who parks it and then again to the guy that returns it to you. So both get tipped.

Answer 7

I tip after my car is returned to me.  

Answer 8

I was a valet for a few summers. I worked catering halls and restaurants. The proper way is to tip AFTER you pick up. Don't worry the valets know the deal. They pool the tips so it all works out in the end.Restaurants generally only have a few valets working.When I worked a restaurant I did solo during the week and tops 3 of us for a week end night . The more valets the less  money you make.

Just on a side note the ONLY people that ever tipped at drop off were at really expensive restaurants, and they had a really expensive fancy ( think Rolls, High end BMW's  or a sports car ( think NEW Porse) and they wanted the car parked close by in a prime spot. Those (always men) slipped a $20.00 and nodded as to where they wanted their car parked.

Answer 9

I would tip before.  The first person is the one responsible for parking it safely and conveniently.  Maybe a small tip for the one who brings it back if it's a different person.

Answer 10

After -- and the valets usually either share tips or have a system of rotating who brings the cars.

You would tip when you leave the car only if you want to make sure the valets are extra careful with your car.