1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Hosts - Is it OK to...

Discussion in 'Comps' started by JosieCat, Jan 8, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    Messages:
    3,821
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I haven’t dealt with hosts that much. Is it OK to ask for more than you were given. I'm booked at the Mirage - and basically all my Mirage host did was book my marketing offer. Not a big deal, as it was a really good offer.

    Now the Bellagio has e-mailed me an “outstanding” offer. Would it be OK to ask my Mirage host to bump up the free play by $200 to match the Bellagio free play – or is that not something normally done. I don't want to offend - but I figured this was better than blowing the Mirage off completely and booking the Bellagio.
     
  2. JDinTN

    JDinTN MIA

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2012
    Messages:
    338
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Its perfectly ok and not only that it would be ridiculous not to ask for more, to at least compete with your other offer. People here need to stop worrying about offending a host-- they aren't worried about offending you by giving you less than you should get. They aren't your friends, they are working in a sales job and you are their mark.
     
  3. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    Messages:
    6,341
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    75
    I’ve asked a host for more than he has offered a few times. I have usually been successful (my requests are always reasonable, IMO), and I have never felt as if a host has taken offense to my request.

    It is only rude if you ask rudely…or demand something (at least in my opinion). If a host takes offense to you asking for something that his sister property is willing to give you (a property that is much stingier with the comps, no less), the problem is on his end, not yours.

    Plus, I would certainly hope that he would be grateful that you came back with the request rather than simply cancelling Mirage and booking Bellagio without giving him the chance at your business.
     
  4. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Messages:
    3,244
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    90
    Not only is it OK but as JD in TN said ,it would be ridiculous not to.
    Your Mirage host should be happy you asked.
    Host's deal with unreasonable requests every day.Your request is reasonable.

    I have called my host many times about extra tickets,room upgrades,etc.
    Usually they are happy to help.
     
  5. Ay Caramba

    Ay Caramba Sprinkle My Ashes Along LV Blvd

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2004
    Messages:
    430
    Location:
    Greenville, SC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    175
    I've had a somewhat contrary experience. My hosts glady book their casino's marketing offer because there is no risk for them. But whenever I ask for any kind of bump it gets hairy. If they go off-script and raise my offer then they are sticking their neck out, and I haven't had much success with these requests. They might feel a little pressure if you show them the Bellagio offer, but its no guarantee, IMO.
    Not trying to discourage you from trying, it just hasn't worked much for me.
     
    I'm Getting Too Old For This | 50th Birthday WildOut
  6. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    Messages:
    3,821
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Thanks for the feedback everyone - and the courage to try. I did send an e-mail so we will see what happens. The worst she can say is no - and then I'll book the Bellagio offer. They are both nice hotels and I'll be happy at either one, but I am quite frankly too much of a "free play slut" to give up $200 in free play :)
     
  7. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2007
    Messages:
    8,403
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    Yeah, basically if you didn't ask you'd probably just cancel and book the other one.

    This way at least she gets an opportunity to keep you.
     
  8. Pinny Long

    Pinny Long VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2009
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50

    Thank you.
    This is the bottom line, in my opinion. And that doesn't mean that there aren't hosts who aren't friendly or that you can't have "a friendship" with, but as any business, these "hosts" are the front line sales people and they are trying to get, keep, and grow their customers.

    If you're at a car lot and really like a particular car and it is being offered at a fair or good deal, but you know it is $1000 less down the street are you going to buy the car at the higher price? What if you really like the salesman? If you want to buy from the salesman but also respect your own wallet and well-being, you'll present him with the facts and give them the opportunity to make the sale. If they can't manage it, so be it.

    I like the brutal honesty of the "they are not your friends" line. I think some people equate a host offering us a stay in the hotel on a similar level with our friends inviting us up to their cabin for the weekend. You don't push your friends for a better offer because it's an act of generosity and hospitality and they're not asking for anything in return. The host-client relationship, on the other hand, is completely conditional. Don't think so? Take all their offers, use up the dining credits and free rooms and make ZERO room service charges and play ZERO dollars in the casino. You'll find out really quickly how much they appreciate your presence as opposed to your money.

    So, yeah, ask for whatever you want (the worst they can do is say no). Present them with better offers from competitors and ask them to match or beat them. And above all, don't ever be afraid to or feel bad about turning them down and giving your "business" to someone else.
     
  9. Boone

    Boone Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2011
    Messages:
    282
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Just ask - It will not hurt your relationship with your host unless you get upset if they say no. Simply put - your host will if they can.
     
  10. Ike

    Ike Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    325
    I agree with everything everyone has said. I have always been a book based on corporate offer person, because it seemed simple. Well, in the last year I've learned it's pretty simple to do that, but also ask my host what else he can do. I've been in a suite ever since...
     
  11. domeboy

    domeboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    May 25, 2009
    Messages:
    1,152
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I don't disagree with anything that has already been said. Usually when I ask for things like this, I give the host an easy out if they choose to take it. In this situation, I would just inquire whether or not my offers had been upgraded at Mirage also since I just got this better offer from Bellagio.

    If the host takes care of me, I stay at Mirage, if not I would consider going to Bellagio. If I was more of a High Roller, I might pressure more; but, this is the approach I am comfortable with at my level of play.
     
  12. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    Messages:
    3,821
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Update: Well there is no update really. I e-mailed my host on Tuesday explaining about the Bellagio offer, and telling her that I'd still like to keep the Mirage offer - but jokingly saying how I am a free play slut, and would she be willing to bump up my free play amount by $200 to match the Bellagio.

    Nothing - no response at all. No auto-reply or anything. Keep in mind that this host usually pounces on me like a fly on doo-doo - I usually hear back from her within less than 30 minutes.

    So I sent another e-mail yesterday, very nicely asking if she might have an answer to my question yet. However, I did make clear that if she couldn't match the free play, that I would be cancelling the Mirage. I apologized and basically said that I had no clue I'd be getting such a great Bellagio offer as their winter offer was good, but not great. Had I know, I would have waited to book.

    Nothing - again, no response. I guess I am going to give her until next Tuesday to get back to me and if I haven't heard back by then, I'm just going to call VIP marketing directly and cancel the booking.

    What would you do?
     
  13. Boone

    Boone Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2011
    Messages:
    282
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Emails are too easy to disregard. Call and make them work for you. You have a specific person at the Mirage don't you?
     
  14. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2007
    Messages:
    8,403
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    I don't know. Maybe a call is a better approach, but if I had a host (I don't) and after booking with them they 'disregarded' my emails, they wouldn't be my host anymore.
     
  15. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    Messages:
    3,821
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    At this point after thinking about it, I don't feel any need to pursue it with her further after e-mailing her twice. I am happy to take advantage of the Bellagio offer. I just want to make sure I give her an adequate amount of time to get back to me. I think a week should be enough.

    Thanks all.
     
  16. DBear

    DBear VIP Bear

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,249
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I sometimes forget to use the "return receipt" function on emails. As soon as the email is opened, you get an email back saying it was opened. Then you know for sure it was received. People are away sometimes, vacation, family problems, etc...sometimes there's legitimate reasons for a delay. If you get that receipt and still don't get a response, it's time to move on.
     
  17. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2007
    Messages:
    8,403
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    That can be a handy tool, but I don't think the onus is on the sender here.

    This is a person in a customer service job, the entirety of which is getting players to come stay, and keeping them happy.

    Another person you could understand them not keeping up with an inbox or being away without setting an out of office notification. But my personal feeling is that for someone like a host, if they haven't read it or had an automated message let me know they are away, that's a screw up.
     
  18. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2008
    Messages:
    9,151
    Location:
    Chicago & Scottsdale, AZ
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    I would tell her "See You Next Tuesday" like you did. :evillaugh
     
  19. cruiser

    cruiser High-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2002
    Messages:
    592
    When I send my host an e-mail and I don't get a response after a few days, I usually send a second e-mail but this time I put a second host on copy. In most cases, my host was on vacation.

    Regards,
    Cruiser
     
  20. S'AllGoodMan

    S'AllGoodMan High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2010
    Messages:
    667
    Location:
    CT
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    My host uses autoreply for when he's on vacation and for his days off. During busy times he let's you know it's busy and he will return your email within 48 hrs. There's no excuse for no reply anymore. Call Bellagio.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.