Michael and I made a visit to Atlantic City on Monday and we had a reservation for a comped room to stay at the Taj Mahal. Michael had to work, so I took the bus in the morning. When Michael made the reservation, he told the person who took the reservation that we would not be arriving until about 11PM. He asked if that would be a problem and was told no. He offered to give a credit card number because we were arriving so late. Again he was told that this was not necessary. I had planned to walk to the Taj and check in earlier in the day, but when Michael told me that there would be no problem holding the room until 11PM, I thought why bother when I was losing money so well at the Wild Wild West. Let's just say my winning streak did not continue from last month. I lost at every game I played, but that's another story. <vbg> At about 11PM, Michael and went to check in at the Taj and were told that our room had been given away at 8PM. We told the lady about the conversation Michael had with the reservations person, and how he was told there would be no problem checking in at 11PM. She said she would call a slot host and see what they could do. The slot host said they couldn't help us. Michael explained how he had worked and had driven 2 hours to get there. Still nothing. We called a slot host ourselves, and even after Michael explained the situation, he said he couldn't help us. Not only that, he made Michael feel like he was bothering him. He didn't even apologize for the mix-up. He just didn't care. So there we were at 11PM without a room. We walked next door to the Showboat, and luckily they were able to give us a room. The next day we went back to the Taj to try to get cashback that had been sent to us. It expired on the 15th, but I explained how my father had been ill and we didn't have a chance to get down to AC recently. The guy said he couldn't help us. I didn't raise my voice, but I said "Last night my room was given away, today this. I guess this is just one more thing to write about on the internet bulletin board." and I started to walk away. He called me back and said he could reissue the vouchers. Isn't that amazing? Maybe I should have mentioned the internet the night before. <vbg>
I think if I were going to be very late checking in again, I would do a few things differently. First, I will always get the name of the reservations person that I speak to, and I will note the date and time I spoke to them. Second, I would call the morning of my late arrival and again confirm my reservation and remind them of my late arrival. Again, I will note the name, date and time of the person that I spoke to. I know he doesn't care about this, but "The Donald" will not be getting any more of my money. I do plan to write a letter to the Taj. I'll let everyone know if they respond.
Lee Ann

Lee Ann, This happened to us in AC also. Ya just can't trust anyone <g>. I have learned the "And what is your name?" game. It may help.

Hope you get some sort of compensation for your troubles.

Lee Ann:

I'm glad you got the room at the Showboat so you didn't have to sleep on the floor in my room <g>.

It will be interesting to see what Trump Management has to say in response to your letter.

Lee Ann,

Your story sounds exactly like ours on the July trip at Flamingo Hilton. However, we also did reconfirm that very morning and were assured that it was being held for us. So, that wouldnt be a guarantee, either. Did not work in our case.

Never stayed at Taj. We have always been happy with Showboat. We arrived by 9 a.m. on Sunday, were told we would not be able to get our keys until 5 p.m. because of a Sunday, and Fred checked and received the key by 11 a.m.. They usually are very accommodating. We have no complaints about Showboat. Harrahs has also treated us very well. I would not have been a "happy camper" either.

Gail, Beth and Veronica,
I think what annoyed me more than the room being given away was the attitude of the slot host. Especially when we called a host ourselves. Michael was not rude or demanding at all when he spoke to him. He just explained the situation, including how he had just driven 2 hours after finishing work. He also mentioned how we enjoyed playing at the Taj. The host was extremely rude. He made Michael feel like he was bothering him, and basically told him too bad. I think if he just would have apologized for the situation, I wouldn't be as angry as I was. Michael and I each have 20 years experience in a retail setting, and if either of us ever treated a customer the way he did we would have been fired. If Michael approached him in a nasty way, I could maybe understand his attitude, but he did not. Finally Michael said to him that he guessed that the Taj was not interested in our business. The host gave no answer. It will be interesting to see what-if-any kind of response I get from the Taj. I'll be sure to let everyone know.
Beth, When you told me the story about your room problems at the Flamingo, I didn't remember you saying that you reconfirmed your room that morning. Guess that shoots my theory that reconfirming that morning would have solved the problem. <g>
Lee Ann

Lee Ann,

The last time I had problem like this I decided that I would ALWAYS have the hotel mail or fax a confirmation to me when making a reservation. All the hotels used to mail confirmation to you but few do anymore. I haven't had anyone refuse to fax or mail something to me.

jm

Jeff,
Written confirmation of your hotel reservation. Wow, it's been so long since I had one of those that I even forgot that hotels used to do that. <vbg> Thanks for the suggestion. I will definately do that next time.
Lee Ann
Moderator, The Past, Present and Future of Las Vegas Forum
leeann@talkvegas.com

LeeAnn, please let us know if & when you get a reply to your letter. I know you mentioned in that letter that you were going to post the results on-line.

------------------
Daisy-Beyond Vegas Moderator
daisy@talkvegas.com

Daisy,
I will be happy to let everyone know, if I hear anything from the Taj. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Lee Ann

Jeff,
We just made a reservation at Caesar's Palace and we asked for a written confirmation. They told us that they don't send written confirmations, only give a confirmation number. Hope everything goes ok this time. <vbg>
Lee Ann

Just wanted to update everyone on what was going on concerning the letter that we sent to the Taj. We got a letter today in the mail from Mr. Tom Law, who is a manager for slot player development. He stated that he has tried to call us a number of times but there was no answer. This is probably true since we haven't been home too much lately. <vbg> He gave me a telephone number with an extension to call him at my convenience, so that we could "discuss at greater length" the letter that I wrote to the president of the Taj, Mr. Rudy Prieto. Since Michael and I are working opposite schedules for the next few days and we both want to talk to him, we probably won't call until later in the week. I'll let everyone know what happens.

Lee Ann
Past, Present and Future Forum Moderator
leeann@talkvegas.com

After playing "telephone tag" for several weeks I finally was able to speak to Tom Law, manager of slot player development for the Taj. He called on Tuesday the day before we left for several days in Atlantic City. He apologized for the way we were treated. He also assured me that this was not the way the situation should have been handled by the slot host. Mr. Law spoke to the slot host in question and made him realize that he had not handled the situation properly. I told Mr. Law that we would be going to Atlantic City the next day and he said that he would like to discuss the situation further with us when we were in town. He asked where we were staying and I told him that we were at the Showboat. He offered to comp rooms for us at the Taj, but I told him we would prefer to stay at the Showboat this time. He said that he would like to buy us dinner while we were in Atlantic City to help make up for the situation and I said that since Mom would be with us this time we could do it on our next visit. He said that he would comp dinner for Mom also. We had a wonderful dinner at Casa Nicola. The dinner was so good that I think it deserves its own post, so I will wait and describe it there. On Friday we were able to meet Mr. Law in person. He once again apologized and we discussed the situation in further detail. He also offered to comp a room for us whenever we would like to stay at the Taj the next time. He said that we can just call him instead of calling room reservations to make sure that there are no mix-ups.
After our last visit to the Taj, I didn't think I would ever want to visit there again, but after meeting Mr. Law I have changed my mind. He is a definate asset to their organization and is everything that a "host" should be. He made us feel welcome and that our business was appreciated. Michael and I will stay at the Taj sometime in the future and I will report on our trip when we do.

Lee Ann
Past, Present and Future Forum Moderator
leeann@talkvegas.com

Lee Ann,
So nice to hear a happy ending, with this ordeal. Thanks for keeping us posted on the happenings!

------------------
Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

WTG, LeeAnn! I'm glad Mom got to share in the apology dinner.

------------------
DaisyDeuces
Moderator-Beyond Vegas