Independant hosts - good?

[Jean]

This is a post I got recently:

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I would be interested in hearing your opinion of "independent hosts" (i.e. Valet Noir). I'm asking because my wife and I stopped receiving offers from our favorite Las Vegas casino, New York New York. I contacted our host at that casino and received what I viewed to be a very "low ball" offer, considering how often we visit Las Vegas and our rate of play. At the same time, we were contacted by an independent host. Thinking any offer he secured couldn't possibly be worse than the one we already received, we asked him to book our stay at NYNY. Much to our surprise, he came back to us with an offer that was head and shoulders above the one we received from our own host. We booked that trip, stayed at NYNY, and maintained our usual rate of play. At checkout, we stopped at the Player's Club to see if any additional comps were available and, much to our delight, not only did NYNY comp all the rest of our expenses, but indicated more expenses could have been comped if we had any. Why the big difference between the independent host and the "in-house" host at NYNY? I don't know who the independent host's contact is at NYNY, but even if it was someone other than our assigned host, wouldn't they review the same information?
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I answered the post, but I am wondering if anyone else has had this experience. Sounds like maybe another comp option to at least consider? One could always check both options and take the best one!!!!
________________________________________
Jean $�ott - "FRUGAL VIDEO POKER"
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[Harry_Porter]

I have limited experience with Valet Noir, which has been mixed.

As a general rule, I think the most favorable introduction to a casino
can be found through referral to a host by a friend. On occasion, a
cold call will generate a decent reception, but more often tends to
result in a wary relationship at the outset -- with the bare minimum
offering up front when it comes to room availability, etc.

However, if you've documented particularly strong play to VN (with
your permission, they will check your play with selected casinos with
whom they have relationships), then VN is in a reasonably strong
position to put you forth as a candidate for fair regard when
beginning play at one of their clients.

Thus, I see two key niches where VN services are valuable:

-- where you aren't able to get particularly strong consideration when
you contact the casino on your own (can't get desired dates, etc.)

-- where you don't have sufficient play references to garner you a
reasonable entree into a casino, but instead find a "cold body" reception.

By far, in any case, networking into the casino via other players with
a good track record there or via your host from another casino who has
an "in" of some type" (Personally knows a host there, etc.)

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While I can't speak with certainty, it's my impression that after a
first visit, you aren't locked into using VN to book future trips and
that you can establish a host relatinship on property. (And I expect
you should introduce yourself to one when on your VN sponsored visit.)

However, I would expect that VN maintains a compensation relationship
with any return visits. And, whether it be the first visit or a
return, to whatever extent that VN is paid, ultimately I look for the
casino to pass on that expense to the player (a lower profitability on
the books might reduce offers, comp accruals might be less, etc.)

The benefits of booking through VN might outweigh any detriment in
that, but it's added incentive to seek out a casino introduction via
other means if they can be procured.

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I've spoken with two VN reps over time and have been extraordinarily
impressed with their attitude and likely willingness to act
effectively as an agent for a player.

However, anytime you introduce an intermediary into a relationship, it
weakens the relationship between the other two parties.

I believe I experienced this as a consequence when I was tentatively
signed up for a Harrah's N. Orleans junket. I didn't have a firm
commitment, but after a few weeks I was led to strongly believe that
the trip was on. Less than 2 weeks before departure I received a call
and was told that I had been bumped by a stronger player. Another
member of the AC group booked on that trip through VN experienced the
same treatment.

I don't recall anyone participating in a Harrah's junket booked
directly through Harrah's who's reported a similar experience. I was
frustrated in feeling that in not having booked with Harrah's, I had
limited leverage from which to explore a change in my status for the trip.

Between being strung along for a few weeks without a hard confirmation
and the ultimate cancellation, I do have a wary attitude toward VN.
But, under the circumstances I've identified in which I think they can
be a beneficial agent on a player's behalf, I'd certainly consider
them. (For example, if I desired to visit Mohegan Sun at some time.)

- Harry