Tipping for independent host

[poorbob]

Hey,
First, I have read all the guides and they are great. I saw where it said the usual tip for an independent host is $75 -$1,000 or more depending on what they did for you. I'm doing Vegas pretty big (first time being 21 there, Spring Break, last time I'll see my best friend for awhile) and I hired a top-tier independent host. He's going to get us into top clubs, provide transportation, got us in at Lagasse's Stadium when they were booked solid, etc. Is there a percentage of his fee that is considered a good tip? Should I tip some every night (going out four straight nights) or all at the end? Also, is that $75-$1,000 per night or total? I just don't want to come across as cheap, but I also can't afford to break the bank by tipping close to $1,000 per night.

[Drew]

Hey,
First, I have read all the guides and they are great. I saw where it said the usual tip for an independent host is $75 -$1,000 or more depending on what they did for you. I'm doing Vegas pretty big (first time being 21 there, Spring Break, last time I'll see my best friend for awhile) and I hired a top-tier independent host. He's going to get us into top clubs, provide transportation, got us in at Lagasse's Stadium when they were booked solid, etc. Is there a percentage of his fee that is considered a good tip? Should I tip some every night (going out four straight nights) or all at the end? Also, is that $75-$1,000 per night or total? I just don't want to come across as cheap, but I also can't afford to break the bank by tipping close to $1,000 per night.

Most of the members here do not use 3rd party VIP services so it'll be hard to provide guidance.

But.. can you advise what you are paying for, fees, bottle costs etc

[MrHess]

I really wonder what this guy can do that you cannot do yourself? Also how does one verify being a top tier host? Cool website with flashy pics? Excuse my down demeanor but I do not have a bone in my body that likes these guys. I find most of them slimy and intolerable to even be in the same room with. Their BS is easy to see through at least to me, I just see them as another person in Vegas with their hand out doing something that most times takes minimal time and effort. Tipping someone a grand would require way more than club and sports bar reservations in my opinion. I’m curious to know, did you call and try to make reservations at Lagasse’s or did he tell you he got you in and they are “totally booked”?

[poorbob]

Well, he was voted in the top 5 of the independent hosts by the clubs. There's a thread on here somewhere and that's how I found him. It's not a package I bought or something like that.

Yes, I could TOTALLY do most of this stuff by myself, but it being my very first time being 21 in Vegas, I'd rather just have a guy take us around. It's just a personal choice I made. What I'm happy for is this site helped me make the absolutely most informed decision I could. So glad I came on here.

As far as Lagasse, yes, I called to make reservations a couple of weeks ago and they told me they were completely booked and had a long waiting list. That's when I asked the host to help on that.

I'm paying his fee and for drinks, though he said he could swing some deals there. He's taking care of everything else including transportation.

[Drew]

He's getting paid his fee. Save the tips for the driver, bottle service tips (host if he uses a direct host to book, waitress, runner, etc). If you want throw him some 20's here and there.

[VEGAS88]

I used 3rd party in Los Angeles, simply because i didn't know of any clubs or who to talk to. This guy treated us well, picked us up from our hotel, came with us during the night and took us home. He knew the host of the club, got us the best location and because it was our first time he got us good deals and didn't let us get ripped off.

We tipped him well because he looked after us. We also met up with him in Vegas, but because i already booked everything thanks to the info from this site i didn't require him to organise anything in vegas.

He owns a limo company in los angeles and is a host at wet republic, so he can hook you up at any club you want. He is going to do that for our July trip.

[AshleighAnn87]

I was hanging with some friends in Vegas in Feb, using a 3rd party host.... he drank 2/3 of their bottle, and got kicked out one night for getting so drunk. He was rude and creepy. Like someone else said it was uncomfortable even being close to him because he thought "he was someone"

I would look into booking the bottles yourself. Throwing out that you're a JC member can do a lot for you. I know from personal experience. Went to Vegas once without JC, and once WITH JC

[MrHess]

I was hanging with some friends in Vegas in Feb, using a 3rd party host.... he drank 2/3 of their bottle, and got kicked out one night for getting so drunk. He was rude and creepy. Like someone else said it was uncomfortable even being close to him because he thought "he was someone"

I would look into booking the bottles yourself. Throwing out that you're a JC member can do a lot for you. I know from personal experience. Went to Vegas once without JC, and once WITH JC

I couldn't handle one of those guys being around me. When I am out with friends the last thing I want is some dude in a cheap suit hangin out with me like we are buddies. I hope your friends gave that guy a solid ass whoopin. Some people in Vegas remind me of TJ, got their hand out just cause they know they'll get something

[AshleighAnn87]

he was all over me... my mother was around and he kept just putting his hand on my knee and I would stand up and walk away.... Im not about being rude to someone when I'm joining someone else's party (it was not my table.... not my call) I met the group the first night I was in vegas and hung out with them the rest of the time I was there.


The last night I made it clear I didn't need him touching me or sitting that close to me and he called me a "bottle whore" then told me I needed to get up and leave the table. He was just rude to both Cole and I. Watching him get kicked out of Marquee was priceless. My point: I'd rather spend two hours of my time planning and contacting hosts than deal w a slimeball like him.

That said I've heard some positive things about SOME independent hosts... but I've heard more negative than positive.

[MrHess]

he was all over me... my mother was around and he kept just putting his hand on my knee and I would stand up and walk away.... Im not about being rude to someone when I'm joining someone else's party (it was not my table.... not my call) I met the group the first night I was in vegas and hung out with them the rest of the time I was there.


The last night I made it clear I didn't need him touching me or sitting that close to me and he called me a "bottle whore" then told me I needed to get up and leave the table. He was just rude to both Cole and I. Watching him get kicked out of Marquee was priceless. My point: I'd rather spend two hours of my time planning and contacting hosts than deal w a slimeball like him.

That said I've heard some positive things about SOME independent hosts... but I've heard more negative than positive.

I imagine some people have had good experiences. I can't believe you had to deal with such a douche, guess he doesn't care about his business very well. I had one physically threaten me for laughing in his face when he wanted $100 to walk me into a club I got into for free.

Your main point is spot on, so much more worthwhile to book everything yourself. The less parties taking money the better it is and longer your cheddar will go.

[Guest]

Glad i found this thread, let me start by sharing a quote by DNIX:

"Dear Indy Host,

You need us................we DONT need you."


Please think twice about using a 3rd party host, because these guys always bump the prices up, if they didn't they wouldn't be in business.

One trick these guys use a bunch is selling a comp or get 1 free bottle as a full paid bottle. So you may get a quote of 2 bottles, but the indy host really has a b1g1. meaning he is charging you 1000+ for 2 bottles and grat/ tax while he is only paying 500+ for the table.

One way to make sure you get a proper deal is to always see the bill and pay the club. Don't pay over the internet or with the host directly. If you deal directly with the club, you know for sure what deal you are getting and where your location will be.

Here are a few exception IMO:
If your host can get you a crazy good reservation, ie 10 people 2 bottles at xs (standard min would be 3-4 + shake), then a shake for him is needed because he just saved you 500-1000 depending.

If you contact someone like Donnie, Mikey or any other trusted JC.com host and they help plan you entire vacation. A friendly established host is a great asset, b/c their bottom line is they want you to book at their club, and will use their connections to help reserve the rest of your trip.

Hope this helps

[Chailli]

I used 3rd party in Los Angeles, simply because i didn't know of any clubs or who to talk to. This guy treated us well, picked us up from our hotel, came with us during the night and took us home. He knew the host of the club, got us the best location and because it was our first time he got us good deals and didn't let us get ripped off.

We tipped him well because he looked after us. We also met up with him in Vegas, but because i already booked everything thanks to the info from this site i didn't require him to organise anything in vegas.

He owns a limo company in los angeles and is a host at wet republic, so he can hook you up at any club you want. He is going to do that for our July trip.

Do you still have his contact information? I woudnt mind asking him about our up coming trip to Vegas/LA

[poorbob]

Alright, well after the best weekend of my life, I can definitively say that even if I could do the stuff my host pulled off, which I couldn't on my own, it would be much more expensive that way. For instance, the fee for one night was $500, but we got into Haze with free table service and also into Tryst. We got into Marquee two nights in a row and I rarely even paid for my drinks. We had free table service at Lavo also. Free (sick) transportation, multiple clubs each night, wherever we wanted to go. My friend wanted to get into Spearmint Rhino, for instance, and we hadn't planned it, so the host had no advanced notice. Within two minutes after telling our host via text, we had a driver from the Rhino calling to tell us we were being picked up in 10 minutes. No cover and one of the higher ups there took care of us with a table. So, yes, you can do a lot by yourself, but you can't do what the right host can do for you and you can't do it cheaper.