05:45 PM CST on Friday, March 31, 2006

From 11 News Staff Reports

Valet parking can be found all over town, at hospitals, restaurants and theaters.

But what happens when you use a valet and something turns up missing from your car? Who's responsible for it?

Unfortunately, the burden of proof lies with you, the consumer.

"I run a business here in Houston," said Duane Davis.

KHOU-TV

When it comes to valet parking, it's your responsibility to take care of your valuables.

One night in November, Duane Davis went to a downtown restaurant and took advantage of the valet service.

Everything was fine until, "As I retrieved my vehicle back, as I began to pull away, before I could get to the corner I noticed that my weapon was gone," Davis said.

He said a hunting knife and sunglasses were also missing from his side door compartment.

The total value was about $800.

Davis notified the valet company and staff and contacted the police.

A report was filed with HPD and R and R Partnership, the company running the service.

Davis even exchanged e-mails with that company's owner, Richard Morris.

"Mr. Morris has offered $400 in food and travel coupons in exchange for my loss, which is unacceptable," Davis said.

11 News called R and R Partnership.

"We were fully cooperative with the police. I don't know what more we could have done," said Morris.

He said that he and his employees were fully cooperative with the police, that he didn't know what more they could have done.

"I spoke to each employee on duty that night and I believe no one was involved." Morris said.

"The car owner or the consumer should take the responsibility to make sure they're not leaving valuables," said Deana Turner, with the Better Business Bureau.

She added that when you use valet services, remember, "out of sight, out of mind".

"Always take steps to put valuables, take personal items out of the car so that they're not left there, so there's no temptation," she said.

11 News found a law that requires valet companies to be insured and take responsibility for their employees' actions.

The problem is that unless you have a hidden camera and catch valet attendants in the act, there's no way to prove who took your missing items.

"Consumers should be able to put trust in these companies to, you know, trust that their things are not going to be stolen, but you know, but at the same time, you shouldn't leave those things out," Turner said.

Davis said he hopes to get compensated for his loss through legal action.

Because of this incident, R and R Partnerships is now asking valet customers to declare valuables in their car and if possible.. to put those items in the trunk.