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Sharing Host Info

Discussion in 'Comps' started by UKFanatic, May 24, 2013.

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  1. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Have noticed multiple times over the past year or two on the boards that there are a lot of people reticent to share their host info (not everybody, but definitely some). I've even had some other members of this board swear me to secrecy about who their host is at certain properties.

    I've never understood why some people are so protective of their host info? The hosts I have all tell me that they have hundreds of clients and are always seeking more. In fact, two of my hosts actively encourage me to give their information to friends of mine that gamble. When a stranger on here direct messages me asking for my hosts' names, I always give it to them (although when they ask if they can name drop me when they contact the host, I usually chuckle to myself and tell them I'm not sure that will help much). I guess I just don't understand why some people are reticent to do the same, but I am trying to understand it. Thoughts???
     
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  2. wigwam_salesman

    wigwam_salesman VIP Whale

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    I'd guess for a lot of people part of the buzz is believing that they have something that others can't get.
     
  3. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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  4. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    I share my host info with quality players. I vet people before I give it out because I don't want to waste my hosts' time. only a couple of times have I referred somebody who turned out to be a dud. I've sent several good sized players to my hosts and they have mentioned that they appreciate it.
     
  5. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    Exactly.
    Unless you know you're sending them a worthy player and not some stiff or a $20 a day guppy, keep that info to yourself. Goodwill and trust has limits, burn that bridge too often, your credibility is shot.
    A good referral reflects well on you and can sway your host to bend more to your will, even if beyond your expected/earned comps, because you're an asset by bringing new big business.
     
  6. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Interesting. I guess I don't think of it as putting myself or my reputation on the line. I work in a business with lots of referrals and more of them are duds than good ones, but I've never thought less of the person making the referral just because the case they send me turns out not to be a good one.

    I guess I view it the same as a cold call or a player just walking in the host office from the casino. Just because another player gets a name from me, I assume the host treats that person the same as anyone who walks through their door and knows within a couple minutes if there is anything they can do to help them (I don't vouch for anyone, except a couple close friends I have introduced to hosts).

    But the idea about getting something other players cannot is interesting too. I wonder how much of that is a factor
     
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  7. Gregsmt

    Gregsmt Low-Roller

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    I agree with UK. The hosts name and email are on most casinos website. There are usually 8 - 12 to choose from. What's wrong with privately telling someone who you use? If the player referred isn't an established player with the casino or the casinos family, I doubt the host is going to give them more than a comped room upfront. The host is in the business of player development. They know the risks. Now if someone asked me to call and vouch for their play to get something upfront, then I better know that person and what their play level is. That isn't going to happen to someone that just PM's me on this website. My host cold called me to bring me into the world of using a host. Why would I think he wants his name kept private?
     
  8. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Yeah, I think that is entirely different. Someone asked me to do that once and I politely declined (and told them I didn't think my vouching for their play would make a difference anyway)
     
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  9. Gregsmt

    Gregsmt Low-Roller

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    Ive done it for people that have gone on trips with me and when they can't cover themselves, the host uses my play to pay for part of their trip. But that's different then just saying I use Robert as my host at Wynn and why don't you give him a call. BTW I also bought my car from Elizabeth and you should give her a call when your in the market for a new Dodge
     
  10. wigwam_salesman

    wigwam_salesman VIP Whale

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    I think they would also appreciate every other introduction as well.

    Your host is doing his or her job, not being your friend and it goes against every business networking principle not to meet as many potential new contacts as possible.

    It's just good business. If they doesn't meet them, someone else will and regardless of how small a fish the original contact is they might have some big leads.

    The bottom line is that hosts are sales people. Their job is to generate revenue from leads and then up-sell and cross-sell to those leads in order to generate a positive revenue stream for their employer. I have never met anyone in sales who didn't want as many leads as they can get.
     
  11. LAV

    LAV Tourist

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    I also try to actively refer players to my hosts. However, these are players that I personally know.

    Some of you, including shifter and UKfanatic, stated that your host always appreciate the referrals. Heck, why would they not as they are getting referrals from very good players.

    What I advise against is just randomly giving your host info out to "anonymous" posters who ask for such referrals. Sure, the host's info is on some casino's website. Then why don't those players call those people themselves? Heck, they can always call the casino and speak to a host, as seems to be the popular suggestion here.

    Just look at it from a host's perspective. You are trying to take care of your really big players, who regularly get upset if you don't respond right away. Or, you are busy trying to introduce yourselves to potential profitable players when you get these "referral" calls to help them. When you look up their play history and you see that they are not all that worthy and would rather spend time taking care of your current players' needs, then the "referral" call gets upset and thinks that you are shitty because you can't A: return a call, or B.) you are not offering what "their host" would offer them. These scenarios, which occur more regularly than what many think, are when the host may think to himself/herself, "Gee, I know my player means well when he is making me all these referrals, but I am just so overwhelmed with what I have to deal with now that I can't be bother with these new, non-established players. Sure, I am always looking for another big fish to help my numbers, but geez this is taking so much of my freaking time."
    Believe it or not, some hosts do think like this. (Before some of you start attacking some hosts for thinking like this, just realize that they are in the field customer service, and they have had to deal with many obnoxious customers and whenever possible, they would rather reduce instances of dealing with another unhappy customer.)

    Bottomline is that it is not all that hard for people to find out host info themselves:
    1. They can call the hotel directly
    2. One of their friends could refer them
    3. They can look up info on their website
    4. They will be sought after based on their play.

    But, I am not going to recommend my host to someone I don't know.

    No, this is not because I am getting something special that others can't get.

    If some of you on here are happy to "help" others on the board that you have not met or know personally, by all means do it.

    I on the other hand have talked to hosts who expressed how frustrating some players can be and expectations of some new, referred customers of what they should get based on their play somewhere else.

    Personally, I would love to continue to help my hosts by referring them strong players.

    Those who have mentioned about a business model where every referral should be viewed as a potential lead, may not realize that this does not always transfer to hosting in casinos.

    It may surprise you, but hosts are not always looking for new players--unless they can be very profitable of course.

    Heck, I have several of my hosts try to pawn off potential new players to less senior hosts.

    And those who keep on ranting about hosts not being your friend and are salespeople may have never experienced such, so I can't blame them for thinking that way.
    However, I would argue that either you have never spent the time, energy and effort to cultivate such friendships.

    In over 15 years of gambling, I would say that about 90% of my hosts have become personal friends of mine. I had only requested one time to change a host because I thought that host was not cutting it.

    My host friends take vacation with me at other gambling destinations, or have dinner/hang with me on their days off, or chat with me on the phone on their days off.

    Others have moved on from casino industry and I still remain their friend.

    Yes, it may have started off as a business transaction, but business contacts can and have become friends.
    Think what you want and do what you want as it pertains to people asking you for recommendation.

    The bottomline is that do what you want and think what you want about referring people to your host.

    Personally, I would just direct "strangers" to a the casino, either website or VIP services, to find a host. My personal experiences with my host may be very different from another player.
    I will only recommend a player when I have personally played with them or know them personally.

    For those who feel that they are helping their host's business making referrals to people whom they have not met or know personally, by all means continue helping your host every chance you get. I am sure they will continue to appreciate your efforts.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2013
  12. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    I just bought a new Honda from Erin. She's a salesperson and it was a great sales experience. Would she appreciate me referring customers to her, even if they didn't buy? I think she would.

    How's it different from a host? Me referring a host is not a reference for the player, it's a reference for the host.
     
  13. LAV

    LAV Tourist

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    Apparently, I am not doing a very good job conveying my thoughts to some regarding referring hosts, so I will leave this issue with this final thought.

    Yes, hosts want referrals--especially from their clients who can direct real, legitimate strong players.

    Are you comfortable referring strangers to your host without knowing their play pattern or history? If so, by all means, continue to do it as I am sure they appreciate your efforts.

    Personally, I am not comfortable with referring just anyone I don't know, as when I tried before, my host kind of went about hinting that such a player could contact marketing directly for future purposes. I will only feel comfortable referring people I personally know of play history. I know my hosts all like a referral of strong players.

    As for the car salesperson. The difference is once the car is sold, other than trying to get you to fill out a survey with empty promises of additional perks your way, the salesperson does not continue to upkeep of your car.

    The host is an ongoing relationship. One does not buy a car every year month, week, few days, etc.

    But, if some of your business folks think that a host is like a car salesperson, then more power to you. Keep referring strangers to your host.
     
  14. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    I asked my host at Aria if he is comfortable giving out his contact info on this board.
    He said "absolutely as you never know when you will find someone who is a good player"
    Based on that, I send his contact info in PMs not postings.
     
  15. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    I guess the difference is when I send somebody to one of my hosts, it comes with a personal recommendation from me. the reason I do this is because it actually works out really good for me when I sent good players their way. they know they came from me and it goes a long way towards goodwill for the future. at that same time, that means I don't just send anybody their way because they know they came from me. if you're just talking about giving out your hosts contact info anonymously, then, yeah, send it to anybody and who knows. but when somebody turns out to be a great player, neither you nor your host is going to know that you sent them that player. it's a double edged sword.
     
  16. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    On the couple occasions when I sent my host a good player, I didn't give the player the contact info. I called the host, told him the player's profile, and then gave the host the player's contact info (which the player knew about as well). If getting credit with the host is the goal of that kind of referral, I find that's the best way to go
     
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  17. aperez1988

    aperez1988 Tourist

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    If anyone has a good host for Bellagio can you please shoot me over their information? I used to have a host named Daria, but I don't think she works there anymore.

    Just in case your worried about handing your host information out, here is what / how I typically play.

    Mlife Gold
    Slots: 2-5$ spin (2,000$-3,000$) per 3 day weekend.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2013
  18. wigwam_salesman

    wigwam_salesman VIP Whale

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    While I agree with a lot of your sentiments, hosts are part of the client services team. This is the team I work in, although in a different industry. When people ask for your hosts details 99% of them won't expect anything from the host, they just want to contact someone that has a proven track record. A good host will then explain who can do what for hem and point them in the right direction. To be completely frank, any host that moans about this should really consider aa different career as client services is not for them.
     
  19. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    If I was friends with Erin and buy cars from her regularly, what advantage is it to me, or her, to send her a constant string of deadbeats, jerks or people with champagne & caviar wishes and Pabst Blue Ribbon budgets?
    Eventually, Erin is going to get sick of that crap and disregard my referrals as "suspect"

    I look at a referral as "my word" or that I am "vouching" for that person, if my word becomes smeared or weaker because I am vouching for people I don't know or people who are rude or stiff my host on play, how do you think that would effect my relationship?

    Eventually, Erin is not going to take my referrals seriously and my vouching for someone would become suspect.

    Why waste that capital?
     
  20. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    IMO, there is a big difference between a referral and providing contact information. I understand why a player would not want to vouch for a stranger. But I guess I view that differently from someone asking who my host, how good a job does he do, and how can I contact him. I don't see any reason to withhold that info. I've encountered people on this board (when I asked about a year ago) who wouldn't even tell me the name of their host. I just don't understand that (hence, this thread :thumbsup:)
     
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