[mmm50i]

Originally Posted by Xeno

Would it not be possible that the valet had a set of keys like pictured below in his right hand that would explain the damage?

This could definitely be the be the cause. Seems likely that that the valet was holding a set of keys while steering.

[M a r t y]

Originally Posted by Xeno

I returned to the Omni Hotel today and spoke to the valet manager.
He took pictures with his smartphone and kept my original parking ticket.
I told him my cameras only show how they drove not what was going on inside.
He said their cameras would show who drove the car both in and out.
So we will see if this investigation goes anywhere.

Just curious, what did the valet mgr have to say when he saw your steering wheel?

[Xeno]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Just curious, what did the valet mgr have to say when he saw your steering wheel?

My impression is he did not rule out that they may be at fault. He remembered the event at the convention center. The notion that they would pay any damages, I would think is a stretch.
I think the 'key' thing now are their videos in terms of identifying the drivers and seeing if they had keys are like objects in their right hand.

[Xeno]

Okay, my latest theory is illustrated in the photo below.
I came back from an intense office conference with so many pressing issues in my office that I have had to peal back layers of my memory to inform possible scenarios.
When the car was returned to me, the Omni valet had used a larger key ring than is shown in the photo below. That ring went through the top notch of my key and was used to attach the specific Omni valet id.
I now imagine that the valet held my key with this ring in his right hand while driving, perhaps oblivious to the impact on my steering wheel.
What say you? If I get support, I will call the valet manager to update him.

[M a r t y]

Originally Posted by Xeno

Okay, my latest theory is illustrated in the photo below.
I came back from an intense office conference with so many pressing issues in my office that I have had to peal back layers of my memory to inform possible scenarios.
When the car was returned to me, the Omni valet had used a larger key ring than is shown in the photo below. That ring went through the top notch of my key and was used to attach the specific Omni valet id.
I now imagine that the valet held my key with this ring in his right hand while driving, perhaps oblivious to the impact on my steering wheel.
What say you? If I get support, I will call the valet manager to update him.

I don't get it. What is it about your fob and a round ring that would have made cuts like I saw on your wheel? The ring is smooth, the chain links are smooth and the fob, well, can't be sure how hard the plastic is on what looks like a fob cover but I can't see how any of those shapes match your wheel damage.

[Xeno]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

I don't get it. What is it about your fob and a round ring that would have made cuts like I saw on your wheel? The ring is smooth, the chain links are smooth and the fob, well, can't be sure how hard the plastic is on what looks like a fob cover but I can't see how any of those shapes match your wheel damage.

Look at the image. Like all such rings, there are two ends of the ring that depending on position can do damage. I have no difficulty feeling the 'sharp' ends while holding the key ring with my fingers.

[M a r t y]

Originally Posted by Xeno

Look at the image. Like all such rings, there are two ends of the ring that depending on position can do damage. I have no difficulty feeling the 'sharp' ends while holding the key ring with my fingers.

Are you saying that when the valet returned with your car, there were "two" key rings attached to your fob? Yours and the valet's? If so and you said yours has a sharp point to it, well I guess I could imagine its possible but probably quite unintentional. Are you able to match up your key ring to the marks on the wheel?

[Xeno]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Are you saying that when the valet returned with your car, there were "two" key rings attached to your fob? Yours and the valet's? If so and you said yours has a sharp point to it, well I guess I could imagine its possible but probably quite unintentional. Are you able to match up your key ring to the marks on the wheel?

I never have anything in my pocket other than the key as shown in the image.
I added a key ring from my desk that was the wrong size to illustrate in a photo the type of larger key ring that was placed in the top notch of my key when the valet returned the vehicle to me.
I think I still have that ring at home which I could use to show exactly what was done to my 'naked' key.

[M a r t y]

Originally Posted by Xeno

I never have anything in my pocket other than the key as shown in the image.
I added a key ring from my desk that was the wrong size to illustrate in a photo the type of larger key ring that was placed in the top notch of my key when the valet returned the vehicle to me.
I think I still have that ring at home which I could use to show exactly what was done to my 'naked' key.

Ok, gotcha now. Well, even if you do have that ring at home and even if it does match up to the marks on the wheel, it's doubtful, like you said earlier, that the valet service will fork over and repair bucks. However, and I hope the valet mgr follows up, this must happen on a lot of cars who use valet services so it should at least serve as a cautionary measure the valet mgr gives to its employees. Have you decided how you will try to repair the damage?

[Xeno]

I have to take my car to the dealer for routine service in coming day so I will get an initial reaction from them. However, I agree with the suggestion that a leather specialist would be a good choice.