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Park MGM charging a "venue fee" at their bars

Discussion in 'Vegas Nightlife' started by notfromconcentrate, Sep 4, 2019.

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  1. gr8whitenorth

    gr8whitenorth VIP Whale

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    An interesting turn of events and debate for sure. Knowing about these fees enables us to vote with our wallet. There are some that will object to this sort of practice quite strenuously, some will be annoyed but continue to patronize these places. Some will ignore them completely. Let's face it we all (well most of us) detest resort fees; but they are here and they are not likely to go away. The heart of this issue is whether or not this practice will hurt or help MGM's bottom line. Sadly I think not enough people will demand them to be reversed or eliminate this fee to tip the scale.

    This one in particular at least for me would make me think twice about going into a place that charges it versus one that does not. The trick might be to be vocal enough about in a way that does tip that scale. The big boys in Vegas are though playing a high stakes game of chicken with those that visit by choosing to continually add all of these charges. Looking at the visitor numbers shows that in spades.
     
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  2. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    Don’t give them ideas!
     
  3. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

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    Been there, done that.
    upload_2019-9-7_19-40-41.jpeg
     
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  4. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I agree you shouldn't have to. The policy is sneaky and not at all my preference. I've let places know I don't like the CNF fees and that I won't be dining there because of them. I've also included in in my "surveys" after stays at Paris, even though I didn't go to Beer Park or Hexx. But the fact is that they are doing it. Since they don't currently seem to have plans to do away with them, you have to either accept it is going to happen, or have a plan to avoid them.

    That's why VMBers are lucky. :) We have threads like this that let readers here be informed that this is happening at certain places and know to be on the lookout for them.
     
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  5. AllenAndRossi

    AllenAndRossi VIP Whale

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    But look how far we've come, Sonya...nobody is bitching about a drink that costs $18 anymore:D

    When I straddle-up to a bar, I don't really need a menu to order a drink. And I'm used to a single price for a drink with tax included. If a cocktail is $18, I expect to pay $18. That's how the vast majority of bars work. Not $19.32 because tax, let alone an additional fee, is not included in the price.

    I encourage NFC to take this as far as he has to. Not just because he has a valid point, but because he does it in such an entertaining way!
     
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  6. Astribling

    Astribling Alice In Casinoland

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  7. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    Deleted.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2019
  8. Nohitter1217

    Nohitter1217 Low-Roller

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    I agree with NFC. Maybe cuz I'm a northern Minnnesotan....But take it as far as you want buddy. As far as The tipping goes, a smaller.tip for the tenders is better than no tip for those who dont go at all because of these posts. I feel for.the staff,but as they say in my line of work, it's part of the job.
     
  9. GlobalRoamer333

    GlobalRoamer333 Well-Known Member

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    According to a recent article this week on casino.org the latest new charge seems to be an extra 5% service charge on all food and beverage on all receipts in some venues. According to the same article, this has begun at some MGM properties and has also commenced at the relaunched Sahara.

    According to the article, spokespeople from the relevant casino's corporations, apparently countered that:

    "This charge you’re seeing is a venue fee,” (and) “It is not only applied for table service, but for bar service as well, and is being applied to every check in the venue.”

    and continued with:

    “This fee is applied to all things that keep the venue operationally running, like the gaming maintenance for all bar top games, Wi-Fi, lounge maintenance"

    But couldn't an average customer counter back that the maintenance of basic infrastructure are just a normal (and by the way also tax deductible) cost of doing business?

    Personally speaking, I admit that I am only able to visit Vegas (the U.S.) infrequently. Five trips in the past 25 years. But I do feel for more regular visitors with yet another fee, especially average vacationers travelling on a limited budget. No wonder some serious gamblers choose to gamble or stay downtown instead of the strip nowadays.

    But one does start to wonder just how far these charges and fees will go, and where they will eventually end.

    I mean as noted by many forum posters, just the last 10 years have already seen the introduction of:
    * 6-5 blackjack at many venues (with higher table limits for those wanting 3-2)
    * resort fees at most venues
    * parking fees at some venues
    * drink ticket systems for comped drinks for gamblers at some venues
    * 15% mandatory included gratuity at some venues

    Just interested in the views of other forum posters, many who will have been to Vegas a lot more times than me, and a lot more frequently. And yes, of course I still love Vegas, and will still go when I can, and I know that vacations cost money.

    But what do you think about this new extra '5% service fee', and possible future directions of Vegas in this regard?
     
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  10. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Since I get comped at 95% of the places I go to in Las Vegas and 99% of the places on the strip, I don't really care.

    However, if I were paying (directly), I wouldn't patronize and if asked, I would let them know that the extra fees are the cause.
     
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  11. ronc

    ronc VIP Whale

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    Let them know when you don't like changes that are made. This board is great, but use some management emails (fairly easily found) and send them your thoughts (nicely, if possible).

    It may not work, but it won't take any more time than it does to make a post here about whatever is bothering you.
     
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  12. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    I remember this in the San Antonio Airport and other public restrooms. My mom would make my sister and I go back to back. All three of us went on one dime.
     
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  13. Paul K

    Paul K VIP

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    I let Park MGM and Sahara know my thoughts on their facebook page. Others should too on there, Twitter, whatever.
     
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  14. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

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    White Castle was famous for the dime toilet back in the sixties.
     
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  15. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    This brings up a good point.

    Since regular tips are NOT comped, is this "surcharge" comped?
     
  16. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Too many of these “Pay for (insert normally free thing here)” ideas floating around the Internet :eek:

    I just saw this on Instagram, and found the same thing on YouTube...

     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  17. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    The social media posts are great for creating community resistance, but please know that "management" does not typically scan Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or even VMB (I know! :eek:) for your feedback. Their social media crew might let them know about a big thread response, but typically you will get more mileage with a phone call, letter or email sent directly to management at the casinos if you are complaining about a specific issue. Even sending a politely worded email to the general email address on the casino's website is more likely to get forwarded to a F&B Manager than any Facebook post would be.
     
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  18. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    That’ll keep those homeless off the bench!
     
  19. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    I can tell you categorically that this is not true.
     
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  20. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    Goodbye to your tip.
     
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