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Host Lurkers

Discussion in 'Comps' started by Naturaleight, Mar 28, 2013.

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  1. Naturaleight

    Naturaleight MIA

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    I'm just curious if Hosts actually lurk on these forums. And if some of them "recommend" themselves? I have seen posts from members with 1 post saying they have a host recommendation and it often makes me wonder...
     
  2. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    Of course - there is nothing to prevent It. Just as there's nothing to prevent hospitality employees from giving great "reviews" of their properties or restaurants.
    It's probably a good idea to view all new posters with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially where advice is concerned.
     
  3. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    In my opinion, as a business owner and salesperson, it would be almost irresponsible to NOT patrol these types of forums, not to necessarily recommend oneself, but monitor public opinion of my services.
    Any good marketing manager and senior/managing host of a property would be smart to monitor the more popular of these forums to gauge customer satisfaction and job performance. This is how you discover flaws, errors and shortcomings.
     
  4. Naturaleight

    Naturaleight MIA

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    Absolutely, and there would be nothing wrong with that.

    However, crossing the line is when you recommend yourself or service posing as a regular poster.
     
  5. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    On that, I agree
    But I am sure there are "Host Lurkers"
    The question is, are there "Trolling Hosts?"

    Seems a lot of risk in doing that, because many people on interwebz are kind of full of it, you know? So, if you trolled a forum for players, and a player you get on the hook turns up lame, that was a waste.
     
  6. robert m.

    robert m. High-Roller

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    I am a bit cynical on this.

    IMHO, most casino's managers are uncaring about what the peon customers think. They hire companies to take surveys, then fail to act on the results.

    The checkin lines have been horribly long at several strip casinos for years and years. Everybody knows it. It is on various forums constantly. Nothing changes.

    Therefore, is it reasonable to think that casino executives bother to read forums? I kind of doubt it.
     
  7. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    There are a few users here with casino connections. We usually try to encourage them to participate and say who they are.

    However, as far as trolling hosts promoting themselves, I haven't seen it. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but I'd be surprised.

    That said, take everything you hear on the internet with a HUGE grain of salt. :)
     
  8. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    But think of the other end of the coin. Maybe they arent looking for a way to do better work, but to ensure we havent found a way to cheat them.

    Think of a post like this I just found a way to bluff their site into giving me a free room. Or This is how you get the most comps by short playing the casino. I myself know how to get back toback comps to work with Mlife AND get me free play each time. But I dont post that on the forum since I'm afraid someone will read it and put an end to my hijinks.
     
  9. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    I have two thoughts.

    First, if there's a host who is crafty enough to try to get business that way, I think I might want that guy working for me.

    Second, the casinos already know pretty much every 'trick' people use to try to short play them, get extra comps, etc. If they're trying to learn it from a forum, they're in a lot of trouble.
     
  10. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    I would LOVE IT if a host would come here and offer some back room information. There was a guy once in the business here - sadly others tried to discredit him and he faded away after a bit.

    As to a host jumping here and giving their name - maybe... but I am thinking they are NOT looking for casual players, or those with big talk. They want proven players.
     
  11. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Hosts? I doubt it. Other marketing people? Definitely! I think some casinos have people watching internet boards all the time. I don't think that they are looking to make our experience better necessarily but they are out there.
     
  12. jdvegas

    jdvegas VIP Whale

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    highly doubt it to. I suspect there are a very small percentage of folks on this board that are big enough players to make it worth while for a host to spend time here looking ...and those that are big time players are unlikely to seek a host referral on this board anyway.

    Disclosure: I have given two host referrals since starting to spend some time on this board. Both were done in private messages - not in a public post.
     
  13. LAV

    LAV Tourist

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    IMO, it is most unlikely that a host would be up here trying to promote themself. First, anyone on here can claim that they play a lot higher than they really do. Second, hosts know the type of players who are worth their while. How do they know? They see your play action while in the casino, either when "patroling" or when a pit boss informs them of a potential client.

    The hosts who are actively recruiting are usually new ones, who have a much more limited client base.

    I have observed when hosts ask their players not to recommend players as they subsequently learned that those players are not strong enough to worthy their attention. Hence, I don't recommend my host to any player or vice versa.

    Heck, we see so many people complaint about never receiving a reply call/email. I can assure you that there are players on here who will ALWAYS get a prompt return reply, and if not those players would already know the host's vacation schedule or off days. This should tell you that a player's play action warrants appropriate host attention. Hosts do prioritize who get their prompt attention. This would suggest that it is most unlikely that a host is on here promoting himself/herself. It's just not a practical or effective way to "recruit" profitable players.
     
  14. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    this sums it up pretty well........................
     
  15. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    I think when a host gives you their personal cell phone #, not their office / desk #, and not their company issued cell phone #, that you are getting the attention you deserve. If you are able to call them 24/7, 365, and get them to answer, you have a host who cares about your play or you as a customer...............
     
  16. Tellafriend

    Tellafriend MIA

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    Exactly! That and they spend time with you on days that you know are their days off!
     
  17. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    Are there hosts who don't do that? I've not met one.
     
  18. blackjacknut

    blackjacknut VIP Whale

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    On my way to Vegas right now.....my host put her vacation off because she knew I was going to be in town. Yes I know some will say she is just saying that....I believe her she treats me extremely well! Sorry if I have mispellings have picked ip some moderate turbulance at 32K feet over Oklahoma. :rolleyes2:
     
  19. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    ^^ This right here. Same as any business. We'll do the same thing and you guys do as well. There are a lot of calls/emails you ignore or blow off. Then there are a lot that are low priority but warrant a response. Then those that deserve more attention, and then those that you drop everything for. Meeting someone who is not incredibly important for drinks, dinner, a ballgame is a routine thing. Its a low cost investment in terms of time and maybe money but has a high ROI because its important to them. Then there are the people who you need to prep for before meeting, where you sit in a conf room with your guys and strategize, where you fly out to meet them. You travel somewhere for some important meetings what do you do with your open times? You fill them up with meetings with less important people who are worth seeing but not worth making a special trip out for.

    Most of the gamblers here fall into that low priority category where we'd warrant a response but the hosts are not going to drop everything for. Then there are some here that gamble more and a host would spend time with them because its a small investment with a high ROI so that gambler appreciates it a lot. Then there is one guy, Natedog, who they'd drop everything for, strategize with others about, and make special trips out to see him. A real investment with a potential huge ROI. I highly doubt the hosts sweat any individual player other than the Natedog type ones in terms of bending over backwards for in order to keep and literally worrying about their job if they were to piss him off and lose him. Everyone else is not that important because there are a sea of gamblers out there at all those different levels and at the end of the day everyone knows gamblers aren't going to stop gambling, especially the ones who already do it the most.

    I also doubt a host would lurk on here for any business reason, it would be useless. Though I could imagine one of Natedog's hosts lurking if he knew he posted just to see what he was saying. As far as someone out of casino marketing keeping an eye on these boards...well they should....unless everyone in charge is over 50 and still thinks all this internet stuff is just a fad.
     
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