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hiltiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 10, 2004
Posts: 2773
From: Reseda, calif.
|  Posted: 2004-08-10 5:44 pm Permalink
By the way if we let the owners of this Hotel make some extra money, maybe they will stay open, and not close like every other tiki hotel we know.
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CaseyJPS
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 14, 2003
Posts: 184
From: Palm Springs
| Posted: 2004-08-10 6:54 pm Permalink
Yes, it's me. Hanford changed my Username today. Thank you, Hanford.
There's not many here who I immediately make the connection between the person and the Username. So, you're getting the same response no matter who you may be or how well we know each other.
Bottom line, one nasty, disprespectful customer is the kiss of death to any business, especially a small one. That demeanor can permeate the entire environment, from everyone who serves our guests to the guests themselves.
I made a business decision to stick my neck out and "draw-the-line," albeit in a humurous way, but obviously alienating other potential customers. For my sake, the sake of the people I work with, and for the sake of other guests with whom we have an inherent responsibility and positive relationships with, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Tiki Oasis will remain a positive, upbeat and escapist event, which gives us all a little breather from a very abusive world we all live in. Let's keep it that way.
I would rather slit my wrists than know someone stayed here and had a bad stay, or negative interaction with another guest which ruined their stay. As always, I appreciate the support (and, by the way, neither I nor the partners of this business have profitted from this business since starting in September of 2000--just for the record).
Mahalo Nui Loa!
[ This Message was edited by: CaseyJPS on 2004-08-10 19:04 ]
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Atomicchick
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 08, 2003
Posts: 577
From: Southern California
| Posted: 2004-08-10 9:13 pm Permalink
Tiki Rider, I'm not complaining about the cost persay. Like I said before, I have always paid for the whole weekend and only stayed a few hours. What I'm saying is that I don't see the need to HAVE to pay for two nights when we can only stay a few hours. That is just common sense. And about the attitude, I do think it is unfair because I would like to go, but I'm not fortunate enough to be able to get that many days off. And I really think me having an attitude and someone that needs people like TCers to stay in business having an attitude towards TCers are two completely different things. I have referred dozens of people to the CT and for someone to be dismissive seems as if they don't need the business.
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tikifille
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 18, 2002
Posts: 123 | Posted: 2004-08-10 10:40 pm Permalink
Well, my cousin made the reservations and was unclear on the room descriptions and somehow we landed at the Royal Sun. We have attended the Oasis "AT THE CALIENTE TROPICS" for 3 years straight. She called me to apologize for her incorrect reservation and we both took the meditative moment...we slowly inhaled AND exhaled...then we realized the party and events are at the Caliente Tropics and the sleep will be at...well, the Royal Sun. This accepted, all is well. Even being our 4th Tiki Oasis, we know that our favorite relaxation Palm Springs' moments are always at the Caliente Tropics...(but never during the Tiki Oasis). I am again thrilled to be attending the Tiki Oasis. I hope the Royal Sun is at least 75% (ok...well 65% is barely passing...and I float students on this..er...yeah...that's enough..65% will do) as good as the Caliente Tropics, and that will be enough for the event. I will return again to the Caliente Tropics (as we always do) and enjoy their period-piece perfect oasis on an off weekend, later in the year. Thrilled to be a part of the fun!!
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Mrs. B
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 12, 2003
Posts: 231 | Posted: 2004-08-10 10:46 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2004-08-10 21:13, Atomicchick wrote:
And I really think me having an attitude and someone that needs people like TCers to stay in business having an attitude towards TCers are two completely different things. I have referred dozens of people to the CT and for someone to be dismissive seems as if they don't need the business.
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Please forgive me, and all due respect to Hanford, but this "business" is not all about Tiki Central. I'm positive Casey appeciates the weekend, but it is not his goldmine. The feeling I get from most of the posters here is it's "our event." No, it's not. The event is a production of Tiki News and sponsers. Tiki Oasis is a larger event then you realize. You have the opportunity here to book your room in advance before they open it up to a much larger, unforseen audience than you can imagine. 2 years ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with the CFO of the Modern Museum of Art - Los Angeles at our booth. When he handed me his card, we both smirked...he knew how big he was, and so did I...and he purchased a few art pieces. Very cool. We've also had a very popular cartoon illustrator visit our shop....he's a "lurker" here. My point being, this is a bigger event than just this web-site and or people who actually post here. This site, thanks to Hanford, has boosted a lot of interest, but, (again, with all due respect to Mr. H) is not the core of the universe with aspects to all of us involed in this business.
So, with all that said, I'm probably in a lot of trouble, although I didn't do any "name calling." But this event is important to both Ben and I. It's an extremely fun weekend and people "behind the scenes" try to make this an outrageous event to be remembered. And, remembering "parts" is all part of it!
Tiki Oasis V will be a blast. There is no other choice. Let's get back to the booking!
PS We're in!
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thebaxdog
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 19, 2002
Posts: 775
From: Santa Ana, CA.
| Posted: 2004-08-10 11:51 pm Permalink
Could someone tell me if I was right!!!
I need to know, I read everything 6 times to make sure.
Casey Room 139 or 140 or 141 will do just fine.
Just kidding
I will call the rez desk and fix my stupitydidy.
I am so happy the booz r comin!!!
_________________
When this stops being fun
It's our fault
Have no brakes Cannot stop
Happydog (What can I do?)
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laney
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 20, 2002
Posts: 631
From: orange county CA
| Posted: 2004-08-11 4:13 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2004-08-10 16:56, mrs. pineapple wrote:
When did the Tiki Oasis get confused with 'funfilled socialist weekend with everything I want and all my whims and desires catered to and I don't want to pay more than $10 for it all'? OH, it didn't, that's right. It's capitalism, get over it. The same people who whine and complain about how much this event costs, are the same people who complain that the event doesn't have expensive entertainment that is 'tiki' jeeeez. Sorry to sound harsh, but if you can' afford it, don't go. We can't afford to go to the Hukilau and the Vegas events, do you see me on here bitching about how much it costs? NO, you do not. why? because I am an adult and I don't expect every person on the planet to accomodate my financial situation when it comes to planning events I might be interested in attending. The damn Olympics are too expensive, they should cancel them, The tour de France is in France and it's too expensive for me to fly there, cancel it, or better yet, move it to El Cerrito, so I don't have to get out of my jammys to watch it. What part did you have in planning this event? none, did you volunteer last year to sit at the gate for 2 hours and check wrist bands? no, probably not. If you did, you'd have gotten in for free. How many people who complain that this weekend costs too much have paid more that $100 for some tiki thing on Ebay in the last year? plenty of you, add it up, make a choice and stop the damn whining.
_________________
"You're the mayor of shark city, people think you want the beaches open."
[ This Message was edited by: mrs. pineapple on 2004-08-10 17:11 ]
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I thought I was done with this thread but just couldn't let this sit....
I had no idea you had to stay at a specific hotel to attend Hukilau or VLV? and thank goodness they didn't make us stay at a certain hotel to see many of the events we took part in when the Olympics were held in Los Angeles. I wouldn't have some great memories.
Spending money on an item from ebay is not a comparison to a weekends entertainment cost. Apples and oranges. Come on...
I believe most of the complaints weren't about the rates either, just the change in policy (ex. not being able to bring or stay with a friend)
All I can say is I'm glad the Caliente Tropics is making enough money for Casey to have the "I don't need your money" attitude. I know, from meeting and talking to him at last years International Tiki Day, that it has been a lot of work, happy to hear you're doing fine and don't need my patronage.
Keep out the riff-raff! Me and all my drunk frat boys will have to sit this one out. Have a great time. I'm certain this will be the best Tiki Oasis ever and I'll just be sitting here bidding away on some ebay crap 
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mrs. pineapple
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2003
Posts: 611 | Posted: 2004-08-11 5:42 pm Permalink
[quote]
On 2004-08-11 16:13, laney wrote:
Quote:
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I believe most of the complaints weren't about the rates either, just the change in policy (ex. not being able to bring or stay with a friend)
All I can say is I'm glad the Caliente Tropics is making enough money for Casey to have the "I don't need your money" attitude. I know, from meeting and talking to him at last years International Tiki Day, that it has been a lot of work, happy to hear you're doing fine and don't need my patronage.
Keep out the riff-raff! Me and all my drunk frat boys will have to sit this one out. Have a great time. I'm certain this will be the best Tiki Oasis ever and I'll just be sitting here bidding away on some ebay crap
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The Policy was changed, after about 17 pages of complaints after last years event, about: lack of parking, drunken, un-cool riff raff, theft by the pool, etc. They changed the policy in an attempt to address the concerns of people on TC, unfortunately, this required them to charge admission differently.
Are you familiar with Burning Man? after a few years, people started coming for the 'show' and diluted the original intention, which was participatory. So, they instituted an outrageous 1 day fee, in order to keep the lurkers out. I'm not saying that TO is BM, I'm saying that sometimes the powers that be need to change things to make it better, it doesn't always please all of the people all of the time. The days of TO being 25 mug collectors sitting by the pool are over, instead you get 300 people, most of whom are nice, gathering poolside, sharing their love of tiki, etc. etc.
What really bothers me about these posts is the idea that Casey, who runs a cool business, and is obviously dedicated to the tiki scene, is lambasted for, gasp, running his business and trying to make a profit?! He's giving us a discount in high season, you still use towels, sheets, the pool, the bathrooms, etc. He needs to pay people, the maids don't work for free. He's running a business. It's just ridiculous to think that the organizers of this event should do all the work for this and be roasted by people who show up for a day, don't stay at his hotel, and complain about how much money they have to pay? When you crash at your friends room, do you use the towels? The toilet? The air conditioning in the room? The ice machine in the hallway? Do you mix drinks in your friends room, or do you support the Reef Bar? The Caliente Tropics is Casey's JOB, tiki is his HOBBY. It's a testimony to his support of the Tiki scene that he is incredibly generous in going above and beyond to make this event as fun as possible, and not get soaked for it. I personally have walked RIGHT past him, coming out of my room with a drink in my hand (in clear violation of their alcohol policy) and he's not even flinched. (Sorry Casey, Mr. P has perfected his painkiller...) And the truth is, he's NOT doing it for the extra money, OR to inconvenience you and your friends, he's doing it because there were 17 pages of bitching last year, and he addressed the addressable. Keeping out the day-tripping, party crashing, enchanted-tiki-room-shag-shirt-stealing frat boys, if THOSE are your friends, well then good riddance.
If you want to come, and not stay at the participating hotels, watch the board in May, and reply to Baby Doe's repeated, often un-heeded, requests for VOLUNTEERS, they ALWAYS need help, and with help comes privileges.
_________________
"You're the mayor of shark city, people think you want the beaches open."
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Tiki_Bong
Deleted
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 0 | Posted: 2004-08-11 6:17 pm Permalink
I recall seeing from my motel room, a male and female vendor drunk off their asses in a big-ass fight down below.
I guess that won't be a scene I'll see next year...
_________________
"I'm ashamed to be here, but not too ashamed to leave..."
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TNTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 15, 2004
Posts: 464
From: Knoxville, TN
| Posted: 2004-08-11 6:30 pm Permalink
[ This Message was edited by: TNTiki on 2004-11-06 17:53 ]
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suicide_sam
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 26, 2002
Posts: 670
From: LBC
| Posted: 2004-08-11 6:32 pm Permalink
There's no way me or most of the other socal Tiki Centralies would miss Tiki Oasis. Casey, I know you're hearing allot of people complaining about allot of stuff. Just remember you can't please everyone all the time. Just throw the best show you can and let everything else take care of itself. Even with all the little squabbles everyone here knows that Tiki Oasis is the premiere Tiki event for the west coast and is not to be missed by any dedicated tikiphille.
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CaseyJPS
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 14, 2003
Posts: 184
From: Palm Springs
| Posted: 2004-08-11 6:47 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2004-08-11 18:17, Tiki_Bong wrote:
I recall seeing from my motel room, a male and female vendor drunk off their asses in a big-ass fight down below.
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At least it wasn't two drag queens ripping each others wigs and eyelashes off!
_________________
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Tiki-bot
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 1345 | Posted: 2004-08-11 6:56 pm Permalink
Wow, anyone who says that Otto and Casey are making money off this event are seriously deluded. Maybe Casey turns a profit during this event, I don't know, but that hardly makes up for all the weekends during the rest of the year when he doesn't. And Otto certainly isn't lighting cigars with vintage shirts and using Stephen Crane mugs for ashtrays. These people put on this event because they love tiki, period. If they really wanted to get rich, there are many easier ways to do it than hosting this event.
Mrs. B. is right. This is not a TC event, it's a tiki event by Otto & Casey. Go or don't go, then move along...nothing more to see here.
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mrs. pineapple
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2003
Posts: 611 | Posted: 2004-08-11 7:05 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2004-08-11 18:17, Tiki_Bong wrote:
I recall seeing from my motel room, a male and female vendor drunk off their asses in a big-ass fight down below.
I guess that won't be a scene I'll see next year...
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Mr. P and I will wrassle over who has to go to the room, I mean the Reef Bar, and get more painkillers during the dive-in movie if you like 
_________________
"You're the mayor of shark city, people think you want the beaches open."
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mrsmiley
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 3153
From: Las Vegas, NV
| Posted: 2004-08-11 7:09 pm Permalink
What is it about this event (as a topic) that seems to bring out the worst in some people? I was shocked by some of the comments that appeared after I suggested maybe having the date changed and many of the most shocking ones were from people I had considered as "friends". The general response that shocked me was along the lines of "I can go and I don't give a rat's *ss if you can't, Smiley>" DANG!! Not a ZAZZ attitude at all. Instead, how about-"sorry you can't make it Smiley" and not be sarcastic when one says it.
Now I am still wondering what it is about this talking about this event that gets everyone riled up? Is it the event's fault, or is it the fact that maybe there are more sh*t-heels on the West Coast then elsewhere?(a question-not a conclusion) I am from the West Coast but what is going on here? is it the people or the event ? Neither seems to make any sense-I don't have an answer.
"Why can't we all get along?"
[ This Message was edited by: mrsmiley on 2004-08-13 16:07 ]
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