Brad and I recently received cards in the mail from a locals casino notifying us that we could pick up our gifts of the week – tranquility fountains. But they didn’t trick us this time. I still remember our pursuit of tranquility many years ago! After a search in the archives of Frugal Fridays, I found this story, written May 21, 2004:
As locals, we get a lot of postcards from casinos, offering us what we usually refer to as “please-come-back stuff.” Sometimes it’s neat stuff we can use: a handy little tool kit for minor jobs around the house, a nice-looking picture frame/clock combo. However, most of it ends up in the “comp museum” set up in our garage: a suitcase set (so flimsy it wouldn’t survive airline luggage handlers for even one trip), T-shirts (to add to our growing stack that we don’t wear), a gardening set (which is no use to us in condo living), a car-tool set (which looks handy but our idea of car repair is the emergency number of our favorite mechanic). We make everyone who comes to visit us take something home from our garage (whether they want to or not), but the museum is like a bowl of spaghetti—the more you eat, the more it seems you have left.
So we’re getting more discerning in the stuff we go to get from casinos these days. We usually don’t go out of our way for it; if we’re driving right by the casino, maybe we’ll take the time to stop by. However, recently we got a postcard from a casino inviting us to pick up a tranquility fountain. Now, although Brad doesn’t have this need, I can use all the tranquility help I can get. So I thought this was one would be worth the trip. And since it was only about 10 minutes from our house, we could be there and back in less than an hour with two tranquility fountains—one each in two rooms.
Wrong! First off, most casino customers must be wound as tight as I am. We got into a monumental traffic jam, just before the turn into the casino. The whole database must have decided they needed something to help them relax. In fact, two carloads were so anxious to relax that they ran right into each other. So we sat in this line of tense drivers waiting for the accident-clean-up crew. When the police, who also seemed more exasperated than tranquil, finally got the traffic moving again, we entered the casino parking lot—where we had to dodge those who were coming out. Even though I knew they’d picked up their tranquility fountains (I saw the boxes in their back windows), they didn’t look very relaxed. We soon knew why: It took us 15 minutes to find an open parking space and when we started toward the casino, we saw more bad news—a line snaking out the door.
We’d battled our way this far and I was determined to find tranquility no matter how much stress and aggravation it took. The line crawled through the double doors, past the vestibule, into the casino, around the slot machines, past the buffet, and finally we arrived at the gift-giveaway desk, where a harried clerk was checking IDs and slot club cards to be sure they matched the name on the postcard. Heaven forbid someone wanted to find tranquility that didn’t deserve it.
We clutched our two boxes containing my slowly fading hope for tranquility, spent 10 minutes getting out of the parking lot, and finally headed toward home. I told Brad we needed to stop at Walgreens to get some Pepto-Bismol— my stomach was upset. He let me off by the door and I ran in, grabbed a bottle, and went to stand in line at the check-out. There on display were “Tranquility Fountains on Sale—Two for $9.99.”
I have competed in many tournaments over the years and it seems like the favorite give away is a T Shirt. I wear a large and casinos only seem to be able to buy XL or XXL. Maybe they are on clearance. What good is a shirt you can not wear?
Hi Jean
I from Philly and I go to the Golden Nugget in AC and they give pretty good gifts,e.g.sheets,coffee maker,Geo. Forman grill etc. I get comped real nice there as I’m Chairman level the second highest. Harrah’s has started (3/1) a resort fee of $20 to $25 for my comped “free” room. unless you are Diamond or above. I have not stayed there since although they keep sending me “free rooms offers. Love you Jean.
Bill Shanahan,Phila.,Pa.
A couple of Decembers ago I was in Vegas and Boyd properties were giving away cute little stuffed animals. Well, I collected 16 of them through my play with the intention of handing them over to a toy drive. Unfortunately, it was too late in December and all of the toy drop off locations were finished. One morning I was having breakfast in one of my favorite locals restaurant and asked the waitress if she could possibly use some stuffed animals. What a treat when she told me she had 17 grandchildren. Needless to say the stuffies found a good home.
Very enjoyable reading, as usual! I have a little trick that I use when MGM Detroit has “a gift” for me and my wife. I go to the casino, like all the other minions, but when I get to the counter I politely ask “I realize quantities are limited , and I was wondering if I could get free play instead”. I then smile and wait for their answer. I would say that about 75% of the time it works. Just a thought.
Our visitors have a good excuse for turning down our generous offers of casino crap- they have learned to bring carry-on bags only- “Oh, thanks. but we have no room.”
I sure wish casinos would spend their marketing budgets on bounceback free play instead of these gifts, but unfortunately it seems to work getting folks in the door. I give my collections to Safe Nest, a women’s shelter, but cannot convince my husband to part with ANYTHING he picks up!! We have 11 neck pillows in one closet, for example.
It seems that it always happens that way, doesn’t it!!!
Jean,
Some years back one of your delightful columns mentioned possible advantages and/or disadvantages of playing VP on multi-game machines where you can switch games from pick-a-pair to keno by pushing a button versus the few remaining “one-machine-one-game” VP machines. For example, with max payoff (including comps) desired, and you wanted to play 25-cent 9/6 poker betting 5 coins each time and there were two machines side-by-side with one a “new” multi-game selection and one older one-machine-one-VP-game” would you have a reason to prefer one machine over the other? captjack47
It’s amazing to what expense in time and travel we will extend ourselves for a “free” anything. I’ve done it time and time again. Nice to know I’m in good company.
I remember that story jean!! too funny…love reading your posts!
I think we all can relate to that. It’s funny what hurdles & challenges we will go through for free stuff. If you think that was a challenge wait until the holiday season approaches. The race for who opens the earliest & stays open the longest (waiting in line for hours or possibly days just to get a deal) . Then the cyber shopping spree. My have things changed. Time for some Pepcid Complete. It’s all worth it when family & friends arrive for the holidays……
Love it !!!