Dallas -
There's a battle brewing in Dallas over the validity of some valets. When you toss your keys to an attendant, you expect the service to be insured and bonded, but is that always the case? Even city officials say the answer is murky.
Main Street is hopping and so are valets who have permits to operate. For the first time in months there's no valet outside Roma Express. The city shut down the operator, following complaints by restaurants.
Jimmy Petrovic, of Roma Express "I've been getting some complaints about them taking items from people's cars. They're not my people, they're making the name of my restaurant look bad here."
Others claim the service is price gouging patrons, based on their appearance. Chris O'Neal, Bar Manager for Sol Irlandes Mexican Grill, mentioned one complaint about a customer who said he was charged $10 more than the usual price. O'Neal said he confronted the valet. He said, "I walked right out and said how much is it to valet, and they go 10 dollars. just because he drove up in a nice car, nice clothes. 20 bucks." The name of that valet service they're talking about is Longhorn Valet. The valet once operated in Lower Greenville before eventually getting shut down by the city. It reopened with a new permit, resurfacing on Main Street. Longhorn valet owner, Benny Teffera, says his valets do not hike prices. In regards to accusations of theft, Teffera says it's a hazard of the job.
Teffera said, "Some people, when they come out of club they are a little tipsy, a little drunk. They tend to say things they shouldn't be saying."
Teffera says these complaints are unsubstantiated and they could not be the reason why he is kicked out, license revoked.
He says he doesn't know why. Teffera said, "I do got a meeting with them first thing Monday morning at 9am, to see what was the problem."
Teffera says he understands some businesses at this location don't want him here, but he says his permit shows that he can operate on Main Street, even though the license is for a beauty salon on Elm Street. The license is for
Teffera said, "They're on Elm but I'm on Main. I kinda of prefer to be on Main because of the volume of traffic on Main "
City officials realize there is a problem with gypsy valet services because of a lack of manpower and enforcement.
The owner of Advantage Valet says valet companies should have signatures from businesses within 50 feet of their operation, authorizing their valet stand. And no business on Main Street has claimed Longhorn.
Advantage Valet owner, Bruce Hilbun said, "There have been meetings based on this situation, and the city had taken steps where they were going to look into this situation, see how the permitting was put together. At least to my knowledge, there was no reply on any of those situations."
No reply for months, until now. Longhorn valet says they are being singled out and vow to fight. City Council member Angela Hunt issued this statement. "On Monday, I will work to resolve the immediate problem on Main Street and request that city staff develop a plan to better regulate and monitor the valet industry. "
Main Street is hopping and so are valets who have permits to operate. For the first time in months there's no valet outside Roma Express. The city shut down the operator, following complaints by restaurants.
Jimmy Petrovic, of Roma Express "I've been getting some complaints about them taking items from people's cars. They're not my people, they're making the name of my restaurant look bad here."
Others claim the service is price gouging patrons, based on their appearance. Chris O'Neal, Bar Manager for Sol Irlandes Mexican Grill, mentioned one complaint about a customer who said he was charged $10 more than the usual price. O'Neal said he confronted the valet. He said, "I walked right out and said how much is it to valet, and they go 10 dollars. just because he drove up in a nice car, nice clothes. 20 bucks." The name of that valet service they're talking about is Longhorn Valet. The valet once operated in Lower Greenville before eventually getting shut down by the city. It reopened with a new permit, resurfacing on Main Street. Longhorn valet owner, Benny Teffera, says his valets do not hike prices. In regards to accusations of theft, Teffera says it's a hazard of the job.
Teffera said, "Some people, when they come out of club they are a little tipsy, a little drunk. They tend to say things they shouldn't be saying."
Teffera says these complaints are unsubstantiated and they could not be the reason why he is kicked out, license revoked.
He says he doesn't know why. Teffera said, "I do got a meeting with them first thing Monday morning at 9am, to see what was the problem."
Teffera says he understands some businesses at this location don't want him here, but he says his permit shows that he can operate on Main Street, even though the license is for a beauty salon on Elm Street. The license is for
Teffera said, "They're on Elm but I'm on Main. I kinda of prefer to be on Main because of the volume of traffic on Main "
City officials realize there is a problem with gypsy valet services because of a lack of manpower and enforcement.
The owner of Advantage Valet says valet companies should have signatures from businesses within 50 feet of their operation, authorizing their valet stand. And no business on Main Street has claimed Longhorn.
Advantage Valet owner, Bruce Hilbun said, "There have been meetings based on this situation, and the city had taken steps where they were going to look into this situation, see how the permitting was put together. At least to my knowledge, there was no reply on any of those situations."
No reply for months, until now. Longhorn valet says they are being singled out and vow to fight. City Council member Angela Hunt issued this statement. "On Monday, I will work to resolve the immediate problem on Main Street and request that city staff develop a plan to better regulate and monitor the valet industry. "
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