V-Flyer

Hi

Anyone used the Chauffeured Parking Service (CPS) Parking at Heathrow T3 since the Glasgow Airport Terminal Car Attack?

We are flying Virgin from T3 in 9 days and we have booked CPS. Their normal instructions are to park your car right infront of the terminal and take your keys into their little booth/office (and they drive it away for you).

So was wondering if anyone has done this recently?

Boo

We used BCP/Purple Parking Chauffuer Park on Thursday at T3. The lanes were really busy as always, and I was sat waiting to find a space to pull up the guy approached the car and said he would follow when I could see a space. He then took the keys after I had found a space.

Thanks,
Richard

Dont. Just dont use these Valet parking people.

British Airways Express Parking (- the same company, its just branded and run by CPS) managed to write off my Porsche in a car park at Heathrow Hotel off airport car park while cleaning it. If that wasnt impressive enough they wouldnt agree its value so I had to claim it on my own insurance. Marvellous. (Thank you Norwich Union for paying up).

I cant tell you how much pain this caused me and how many months it went on..

My only experience with CPS was a very bad one, a couple years ago. I'd never do it again.

I used them last year,the service was excellent and the car came back in one piece.......but and it is a big but, the car had done 42 miles in the time I was away[:?]

-Steve

Thanks very much Richard, the rest of you have me filled with dread [:0] (although I am, as always, greatful for your advice and wisdom ).

Have already booked and paid for it and will use them, but am forewarned by your wise words. FORTUNATELY we are taking my car and not the husband's... if mine gets written off, I might actually be thankful (an excuse to get that new car that I want... [:w] ).

My car is a Toyota Avensis (a nice one, but husband still refers to it as "a taxi" [ii] ) - so I DOUBT that they will be off "joy-riding" it somehow... [:?]

It isn't booked for a wash. I will keep a VERY careful eye out for any damage and will take a note of the mileage (42 miles!).

Preiffer, what is your tale?

Boo

Hi Boo,

I spotted the CPS hut on our return, it has been moved to the top lane (furthest away from the terminal building), so I would stay in the right lane as you approach T3.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Hi Boo,

I spotted the CPS hut on our return, it has been moved to the top lane (furthest away from the terminal building), so I would stay in the right lane as you approach T3.

Thanks,
Richard

Excellent - thank you very much

Boo

As far as I know they park your car in business parking at LHR, I've used them twice once at BHX and LHR, both memorable, the car came back with a 100 miles on it at LHR -- A day out or maybe shopping, and before that at BHX they didn't turn up for over half an hour and took me back to a dead car.. Which would start after they took it.

I DONT USE THEM ANY MORE!!!

Advice... CANCEL IT!! SAVE YOURSELF, SAVE YOUR CAR... Park in Pink Elephant Business and get the bus to the terminal, the guys are friendly on the bus and will help you with baggage. You save money and get to park your own car. Then your only worry is the idiot opening his door next to yours, and that could happen anyway as its the same place they put it.

Stumpy

This sounds ominously similar to the cowboys who were pulling exactly the same stunts with customers cars around LHR a few months ago, and I think they went out of business.

From the anecdotes above I'd say you're taking a serious risk with your car not to mention your insurance status in the future - i.e. loss of NCB etc. if you end up having to sort out the mess they create?

Perhaps it would be worth taking a few photos of your car with the valet parking person next to it showing that it hasn't any dents, scratches etc & also a photo of the mileometer thingy.
Good luck, it'll be fine[:w]

To put this into perspective, my issue was nothing to do with my car being taken anywhere (that I noticed!)

It was the lack of organisation. It actually ended up taking me LONGER than to park up in Pink Elephant, etc. and shuttle in, on my "drop off" leg.

On the return, the car took 25-30 minutes to get there, AFTER getting outside (so a total of 45-50 minutes from when I called). As a result, it provided me no benefit. If anything, it caused me more aggrivation than if I'd parked it myself!


On which basis, I'll never use them again.


Having said that - despite the above reports, I'm sure 99% of experiences are just fine.

I park my Porsche now on the A4 outside a Pub above (almost directly) the bridge before the tunnel on the M4. There are a few little free parking bays. Ive left it there for a week at a time in the past. You do have to be lucky but its on the way to Pink Elephant and it saves hundreds of quid a week. The bus stop is right there and the buses (red ones) are free to the bus station which is a hop skip and jump from VS zone in T3.

My wife says I shouldnt leave it - it might get damaged.. But I point out that I have already had a write off from the CPS people and say 'whats the worst that could happen' and enjoy the saving of hundreds of quid. Now you know I'll never get the space again

>>>Mysteryflyer...

Great way to save money! I think its probably safer outside the pub than been driven to a car park by CPS.

I can recall them taking pictures of the car before they drove off, as mentioned maybe we should do the same, activating the GPS tracking too may be useful, then you could see just where its been. Think of your car as that sweet 16 year old daughter going out with a 40 year old at night clubbing and been told he'll have her home by 10pm. She crawls in at 4am, hair in her eyes, wobbling from side to side, blouse open.. You get the picture, a CPS Pick Up need I say more.