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Stuck on stupidRemember the Hilton kerfuffle of last spring? When they threw out the resterauteurs who owned “Fran O’Briens”? The folks who had made a tradition out of sponsoring wounded veterans for free steak dinners on Saturday evenings? At the time I opined that Hilton had every right to choose their tenants, but that the whole affair was shabbily – if not deceitfully – done, and in the long run bad for business. It wasn’t criminal, but from a PR perspective it was criminally stupid. They ain’t done yet. It’s a full time job, being stupid:
Says Glen(n):
Sounds about right. 7 comments to Stuck on stupid |
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Copyright © 2009 Neptunus Lex - All Rights Reserved |
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I hope they realize they *don’t* get a Grand Prize once they have ticked off everybody and their dog. Considering our local libraries offer WiFi for free (and they aren’t loaded with money), precisely what market is $175 per person standard in? And why irritate people who you *know* have laptops and can spread the word over the entire Innernut about your quaint ideas?
Beware the Geeks bearing .gifs
Considering that the Hilton was probably charging someone a hefty sum just for use of the room AND they probably receive hefty discounts from their Internet provider – it’s beyond greed. Add onto this the cost of food for 11 people at a Hilton for a one day meeting. Locally, at a new Marriott, we’ve paid as much as $5,000 for a one day meeting (large scale but still…).
It’s ridiculous on the part of Hilton. But then again, look who we’re talking about.
Come to think of it, I just did a one day offsite meeting plan for my management team. Large room, A/V equipment, breakfast & dinner for 21 people. Total cost: $1,850.
Shipmates,
Well, I don’t travel anywhere neat as much as some of the business folks do, but I DO head afield 12-15 times a year. I used to have a Hilton Honors card, and was looking to rack up points. Then came the Fran O’Briens affair. I scrapped my card, called the number they gave me and explained why I was doing that. I also emailed the same department, as well as CC’d the Presiden’t office, and the director of public relations.
Now, whenever I and have to stay somewhere, I make it a point to email those same folks and let them know where I stayed and why, and how much business they have lost (I keep a running total for their perusal).
Yeah, it’s not that much, but it’s MY money, and they sure won’t be getting a dime of mine anymore. I’ve also been able to recruit a few friends into the same sort of thing. Staying at anyplace OTHER than the Hilton, and letting those in charge know why.
Respects,
Amen! I am still ticked about the O’Brien’s idiocy! They still don’t get it at HQ. They also don’t get my money, which I remind them every time they send me “good deal” propaganda. WIFI access should be free, and I hate to spring for $9.95 a day for access, let alone $175- that’s just horribly greedy.
I stayed at a hotel this past weekend. 15 min of ‘net time for $6.00 in the lobby. What I didn’t realize is that I could have paid $10 for 24 HOURS of access in my room. The ‘net connection in the room was hidden. Sort of. The entire TV was a computer screen; the tv remote turned it on and had a few basic functions, and the wireless keyboard was hidden in a drawer. I have to admit, it was damn cool.
I run a monthly training meeting for my local Boy Scout Council. We use a meeting room in McDonald’s Corporation’s Hamburger University in Oakbroook, IL that is run by the Hilton chain. I wanted to show everyone how to use an on-line facility that the BSA has created to register your kids and adults once a year. They have hookups in the room, so I called to ask how to get it turned on. Turns out it would have cost me over $400 for an hour’s use of that hookup. I’ve got no money for that!