vpFREE2 Forums

Feedback for Woodbine

#1

Will post their reply to me if any.

Submitted feedback today:

I truly hope that somebody reads these and actually takes the time to get back to me. My concern relates the exceedingly poor execution of the slot area's promotional events and the gradual erosion of any playable video poker opportunities. I am a longtime Gold Winner's Circle member . I visit numerous casinos both in Canada and around the world but Woodbine continues to trump them all when it comes to frustrating its customers.

What continues to stun me is how flawed the process is to handle busy days. Yesterday, August 26, my party and I waited over 40 minutes in the Max Your Cash lineup. That is simply unacceptable. You folks created the promotion; you knew when it would end. It does not take a great deal of foresight to anticipate that it would be busy. Yet, the maximum number of staff was not on hand to assist in processing entries. The unfriendly security staff asked us to be quieter in voicing our objections. Really?! There wouldn't be nearly as many vocal outbursts if the event was run smoothly.

Also, why have `self-serve' terminals for cardholders that are virtually useless? A terminal that cannot dispense valet tickets and vouchers for food/cashback seems ridiculous. So then I have to get into another slow moving `VIP' line to process such simple requests.

Finally, I know slot machine revenues are great for your operations but why kill your video poker offerings so soundly? With the Internet :

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vpFREE_Canada/

it is easy to see which casinos have better paytables for their video poker machines. Woodbine used to be great then you gradually downgraded all the Pick'Em machines so that they're basically unplayable. Take a look in your high-limit Vineyard area, the once well-populated video poker machines are deserted. Whose great idea was it to change the payscales? Please tell me your slot manager isn't completely incompetent. Why does your other property Mohawk still offer good payscale video poker for their Pick'Em machines at $1, $2, and $5 denominations and Woodbine does not?

What things are working well? Not much, but we do like the recent addition of decent video blackjack. The valet staff is quick and it would be so much better if the valet cashier could process the comp instead of making me wait in the aforementioned `VIP' line for a lousy voucher. The buffet is OK but nowhere near what Niagara and Rama offer.

Woodbine's slot operation has been running for years now so please do not say you're `working on it'. That simply does not seem acceptable anymore.

#2

I stopped going to Woodbine years ago. I now go to either Rama, Niagara, or Windsor.
Why do you still go to Woodbine ? Is the location the reason ?

I have found that the level of comps and general treatment at any of the casinos I mentioned is so superior to woodbine that the fact that I have to travel an extra hour each way is easily worth it (windsor of course is much further so I only go there for multi day trips).

Regards

A.P.

···

--- On Thu, 8/27/09, nicolasbello <nbello@sympatico.ca> wrote:

From: nicolasbello <nbello@sympatico.ca>
Subject: [vpFREE_Canada] Feedback for Woodbine
To: vpFREE_Canada@yahoogroups.com
Received: Thursday, August 27, 2009, 2:16 PM

Will post their reply to me if any.

Submitted feedback today:

I truly hope that somebody reads these and actually takes the time to get back to me. My concern relates the exceedingly poor execution of the slot area's promotional events and the gradual erosion of any playable video poker opportunities. I am a longtime Gold Winner's Circle member . I visit numerous casinos both in Canada and around the world but Woodbine continues to trump them all when it comes to frustrating its customers.

What continues to stun me is how flawed the process is to handle busy days. Yesterday, August 26, my party and I waited over 40 minutes in the Max Your Cash lineup. That is simply unacceptable. You folks created the promotion; you knew when it would end. It does not take a great deal of foresight to anticipate that it would be busy. Yet, the maximum number of staff was not on hand to assist in processing entries. The unfriendly security staff asked us to be quieter in voicing our objections. Really?! There wouldn't be nearly as many vocal outbursts if the event was run smoothly.

Also, why have `self-serve' terminals for cardholders that are virtually useless? A terminal that cannot dispense valet tickets and vouchers for food/cashback seems ridiculous. So then I have to get into another slow moving `VIP' line to process such simple requests.

Finally, I know slot machine revenues are great for your operations but why kill your video poker offerings so soundly? With the Internet :

http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/vpFREE_ Canada/

it is easy to see which casinos have better paytables for their video poker machines. Woodbine used to be great then you gradually downgraded all the Pick'Em machines so that they're basically unplayable. Take a look in your high-limit Vineyard area, the once well-populated video poker machines are deserted. Whose great idea was it to change the payscales? Please tell me your slot manager isn't completely incompetent. Why does your other property Mohawk still offer good payscale video poker for their Pick'Em machines at $1, $2, and $5 denominations and Woodbine does not?

What things are working well? Not much, but we do like the recent addition of decent video blackjack. The valet staff is quick and it would be so much better if the valet cashier could process the comp instead of making me wait in the aforementioned `VIP' line for a lousy voucher. The buffet is OK but nowhere near what Niagara and Rama offer.

Woodbine's slot operation has been running for years now so please do not say you're `working on it'. That simply does not seem acceptable anymore.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#3

I gave up on Woodbine about 18 Months ago, about the time they eliminated
the .25 cent progressive and for the reasons you state. Absolutely no
value going there. Even though VP at RAMA and Niagara are barely playable I
can get my fix there or even at Seneca. I'm about 10 minutes from Woodbine
and would rather travel and play less frequently. As Albert points out,
better comps, food and more friendly staff elsewhere.

Perhaps someday they'll wonder about where all the VP players went (Horse
race purses may start to decline), right now they couldn't care less.

···

From: vpFREE_Canada@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vpFREE_Can…@…com]
On Behalf Of nicolasbello
Sent: August 27, 2009 2:17 PM
To: vpFREE_Canada@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE_Canada] Feedback for Woodbine

Will post their reply to me if any.

Submitted feedback today:

I truly hope that somebody reads these and actually takes the time to get
back to me. My concern relates the exceedingly poor execution of the slot
area's promotional events and the gradual erosion of any playable video
poker opportunities. I am a longtime Gold Winner's Circle member . I visit
numerous casinos both in Canada and around the world but Woodbine continues
to trump them all when it comes to frustrating its customers.

What continues to stun me is how flawed the process is to handle busy days.
Yesterday, August 26, my party and I waited over 40 minutes in the Max Your
Cash lineup. That is simply unacceptable. You folks created the promotion;
you knew when it would end. It does not take a great deal of foresight to
anticipate that it would be busy. Yet, the maximum number of staff was not
on hand to assist in processing entries. The unfriendly security staff asked
us to be quieter in voicing our objections. Really?! There wouldn't be
nearly as many vocal outbursts if the event was run smoothly.

Also, why have `self-serve' terminals for cardholders that are virtually
useless? A terminal that cannot dispense valet tickets and vouchers for
food/cashback seems ridiculous. So then I have to get into another slow
moving `VIP' line to process such simple requests.

Finally, I know slot machine revenues are great for your operations but why
kill your video poker offerings so soundly? With the Internet :

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vpFREE_Canada/

it is easy to see which casinos have better paytables for their video poker
machines. Woodbine used to be great then you gradually downgraded all the
Pick'Em machines so that they're basically unplayable. Take a look in your
high-limit Vineyard area, the once well-populated video poker machines are
deserted. Whose great idea was it to change the payscales? Please tell me
your slot manager isn't completely incompetent. Why does your other property
Mohawk still offer good payscale video poker for their Pick'Em machines at
$1, $2, and $5 denominations and Woodbine does not?

What things are working well? Not much, but we do like the recent addition
of decent video blackjack. The valet staff is quick and it would be so much
better if the valet cashier could process the comp instead of making me wait
in the aforementioned `VIP' line for a lousy voucher. The buffet is OK but
nowhere near what Niagara and Rama offer.

Woodbine's slot operation has been running for years now so please do not
say you're `working on it'. That simply does not seem acceptable anymore.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]