Hosts - protocol / etiquette?

[ashroid]

What is the protocol / etiquette for booking with a host?

Say, I contact a host for a table and he/she gives me a minimum. I contact another host for the same club and he/she gives me a lower minimum.

Say the hosts already have my information (they won't necessarily know me, but they have my contact information, etc.)

It would be logical to book with the host with the better deal.

Is it considered bad etiquette to "shop around"?

Personally, I've never done it before as I ask friends and acquaintances that are in the industry to refer me to their contacts at the various clubs and just go with their recommendations.

[justaguy]

I'm in the same boat... I'm trying to organize the clubs for my group and I've been in contact with many of the hosts from JC's list, but also called a couple hosts that I've used in the past.

What I would also like to know is if it is okay to try and negotiate with the hosts? Say the host tells me that the minimum is 5 bottles, is it okay for me to ask for 4 minimum? Its not that we won't end up ordering 5, but I just don't like committing to it?

Sorry if I'm kind of threadjacking.

[dnix]

Its just business. Dont treat it like its personal.

[Strong]

I say why not. I don't see why it wouldnt hurt to ask. If you never ask you will never know and I just hate that feeling.

Im not going to say names or anything but for my upcoming trip, I have stumbled upon some great deals simply by asking. I would tell them how much I was previously quoted and they will most likely match or top it. Negotiating and offering their clients the best price for the best service = great tips for them and they know that.

[ashroid]

Strong: when you talked to the hosts, did you tell the competing hosts, whom you talked to? i.e. "I spoke to Joe and told me I could get B3G1, could you do B2G1" or "I was told I have a 4 bottle minimum, if I book through you, could you do a 3 bottle minimum?", etc.

[Strong]

Strong: when you talked to the hosts, did you tell the competing hosts, whom you talked to? i.e. "I spoke to Joe and told me I could get B3G1, could you do B2G1" or "I was told I have a 4 bottle minimum, if I book through you, could you do a 3 bottle minimum?", etc.

Well I forgot to mention that I was referring to VIP Hosts (promoting agencies or whatever you call them), the ones that do not belong to the club. I was wheeling and dealing with them. But from a close friend that does lives there, he did tell me once that he contacted a host from the actual club and got a quote. He called back again and another person picked up and offered a lower price. He just played dumb since he never gave out his information the first time anyways.

I would call, ask for a quote for a specific gameplan, then hang up a little later and call again. Even if you ask a million questions, they will always try to work around you and make it happen. Not unless they are dicks and never budge.

[Cisco419]

Well I forgot to mention that I was referring to VIP Hosts (promoting agencies or whatever you call them), the ones that do not belong to the club. I was wheeling and dealing with them. But from a close friend that does lives there, he did tell me once that he contacted a host from the actual club and got a quote. He called back again and another person picked up and offered a lower price. He just played dumb since he never gave out his information the first time anyways.

I would call, ask for a quote for a specific gameplan, then hang up a little later and call again. Even if you ask a million questions, they will always try to work around you and make it happen. Not unless they are dicks and never budge.

Unless you know the VIP host personally the best advice you'll hear from this site is dont go thru a 3rd person, contact the actual club hosts themselves. It's not worth going to an outside company, you can probly get a better deal without them.

[Strong]

Completely right. I was researching through the 3rd parties before I found out about this site. But since then, there are major changes with my trip in less than 2 weeks and getting a table might not happen. But you never know

[ChappStick]

Just like that Lending Tree Commercial "When Banks Compete U Win" I have always applied the same method to LV Nightlife because "When Hosts compete U Win." Hosts are competing with one another for your business.

[Guest]

Yea, unless you know the dude personally and you promised him your business.. you are entitled to the best deal. Of course theres nothing wrong with negotiating buy 2 get one free specials etc. You are paying at the end of the day, and hosts can always get other customers.

[ashroid]

Yea, unless you know the dude personally and you promised him your business.. you are entitled to the best deal. Of course theres nothing wrong with negotiating buy 2 get one free specials etc. You are paying at the end of the day, and hosts can always get other customers.

I would say I know some of these guys personally now.

Truth be told, I told a host about Jack Colton (not a host on Jack Colton's contact list) and his response was simply "Don't use JC".

At the very least, if I haven't been able to snag drink/bottle deals, I kindly request for specific locations and unless it's a ridiculous night, the guys are cool with it.

So, I'm trying to find a compromise with it all.

[dnix]

I would say I know some of these guys personally now.

Truth be told, I told a host about Jack Colton (not a host on Jack Colton's contact list) and his response was simply "Don't use JC".

At the very least, if I haven't been able to snag drink/bottle deals, I kindly request for specific locations and unless it's a ridiculous night, the guys are cool with it.

So, I'm trying to find a compromise with it all.

Why???? You cant just throw that out there. At least elaborate a little.

[ashroid]

Why???? You cant just throw that out there. At least elaborate a little.

Ok. You know I can't divulge too much . I can say though that in my years of going to to Las VEGAS (consistently since 2002), I've met so many hosts, some through referrals, some through getting meeting in clubs, some through getting accosted in the hotels and even some while I've been having dinner (i.e. this happened at Stack and a host was offering G1 deals while my friends and I were eating!).

I collect their business cards and have contacted some of the ones I normally don't call for my upcoming jaunt. Being in Canada, most people don't know about Jack Colton. But, I guess if you're in Las VEGAS, many people probably do. So, I can only guess those hosts not on Jack Colton's list are probably miffed they're losing out on business.

I really don't know how much these guys make. But, if it's true that a concierge in Las VEGAS CAN make a six figure income, nightclub hosts probably don't do too bad either. I heard that the average career span of a Las VEGAS host is about 5 years, so I liken it to the span of an average modelling career. Make some cheese and run.

[Guest]

Yea they are just hating on JC's connections man.. If we use JC's contact we aren't using them. JC has an established relationship between that particular contact, and to be honest I would say most of them are very solid. Once I mention their names and we are on their guestlist, the guys at the front already recognize them. So I would use JC contacts anyday of the week instead of someone assigned to me by the club who could be coming up in the ranks.

[ashroid]

Yea they are just hating on JC's connections man.. If we use JC's contact we aren't using them. JC has an established relationship between that particular contact, and to be honest I would say most of them are very solid. Once I mention their names and we are on their guest list, the guys at the front already recognize them. So I would use JC contacts any day of the week instead of someone assigned to me by the club who could be coming up in the ranks.

The notable thing is I wouldn't consider any of these guys I contacted as "coming up in the ranks". These are guys that are, for the most part, established with that club. More than 50% of the guys I contacted have worked with that club for more than 2 years (in some cases 3-4). Except for Prive, which lists "Junior Host" on their business card, I couldn't tell you if they're "junior", "senior" or "great grandpa" status. I really couldn't care. I just know they have worked there for a while.

The main question was: what is your feeling for calling different hosts to get the best deal possible?