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The Wheel of Fortune spun. And the Pep went bye-bye...
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 9:37 am    Post subject: The Wheel of Fortune spun. And the Pep went bye-bye... Reply with quote

Hi everyone!

This report covers my Reno experience from Tuesday - Thursday, June 19-21. I feel like a milestone occurred on this trip, because the Peppermill ticked me off to a point where I was finally able to tell them they lost my business forever - I even got put in direct contact with the new hotel director to let him know what's wrong with the tragic kingdom he's running, not to mention I'm getting nonstop calls from him now to see what he can do to win my business back. I might need some help from the group here to see precisely what I should ask these people for as compensation - read on!

I got to Reno at around 12 noon on Tuesday. As I had mentioned previously, I was due to stay at the Peppermill for two nights in a comped Spa Suite, and rather than receiving free play, this offer had $25 of resort credit. Gotta say that having as many bodies of hot water under one roof is getting to be a necessity on these trips, as we're still undergoing major renovations at my apartment complex and we had been without hot water for close to three weeks - not pretty, because it still wasn't on when I got back on Thursday.

For the FOURTH time since October, I went to the front desk at the Pep to check in, only to be told my room had not only been given away, but there were no rooms of any type available, followed by another lecture about how bookings are only preferences and not real reservations. 12 noon on a dead Tuesday afternoon in Reno, with no major events going on in town, where the property can't be more that 1/8 occupied, and they can't pull through for me. AGAIN. Already having reservations previously booked. I asked them if I could possibly get a phone call or text message when the room was available, and they looked at me like I was crazy - I got a reply that it wasn't a situation where my room wasn't ready or had not been cleaned yet, it had just been given away. Rather than pressing the issue any further, I cancelled my reservation, told them I was never coming back, and jumped on the phone to see what was available elsewhere.

At the specific time, the reservations website for Harrah's was down for maintenance, and I didn't want to risk calling them in person to reserve a room, because they've always managed to add $10 to my room bill for speaking with a live operator vs. using their website. The two free nights/$100 free play offer I've been getting from the Grand Sierra every couple of weeks since April unfortunately wasn't valid until the next day, so that was out for the moment as well. I recalled that I had an excessive amount of unused comp dollars at the Silver Legacy - and had never stayed there - so I gave them a quick call and explained what was going on. That was a good phone call, because within the hour, I was not only checked into a deluxe spa suite on the 34th floor, completely comped, but I met my new casino host, who mentioned that moving forward, they weren't going to charge any resort fees, taxes, or incidental deposits on any of my visits as a loyalty courtesy. Now that's more like it! Here's a few shots of the room:





















Not a problem in the world with the whole experience, and that had to be the biggest shower stall I've ever seen anywhere, period. I think the Silver Legacy might actually be my new place to stay downtown when I can't get in at Harrahs. I'd always wondered what their rooms and suites were like, and they seem to be some of the nicest downtown. Unfortunately, the Blazing 7s yielded no wins, but I was able to get this $400 spin bonus on a $1 Wheel of Fortune.



Walked over to Harrah's for a comped buffet at Carvings, and spent some time writing a thorough review of my bad experience at the Peppermill to submit to TripAdvisor. Hit Harrah's at around midnight, but came back with no winnings.

As much as I didn't want to leave the next day, the Silver Legacy didn't have any availability for Wednesday night without paying, as they seemed to be getting quite crowded with all the rodeo contestants, so it was off to the Grand Sierra. I was contemplating trying out the lunch buffet at the Eldorado, as it looks like I had just enough comps there to cover one, but wound up passing it up. Wandered back over to Harrah's for a quick session on the Double Blazing 7s, where that one machine has a jackpot that's now over $6500 and still hasn't rolled over yet. About five seconds after my last spin, a group of bowlers jumped on it and got three Blazing 7s and a $1002 secondary progressive jackpot. Darn, so close - that's about the fifth time that's happened to me in the past few weeks!

Strolled down Second Street, and I was at the Grand Sierra Resort about 45 minutes later. I think I mentioned in a previous report that there's only a few machines I've been playing over there, I'm utilizing only their free play offers vs. my own cash for the moment, and that the casino is putting out a very tight vibe so far, but these $100 free play and free room offers they've been sending me every two weeks can keep right on coming! I was able to check in immediately upon arrival, and if anything, I wish the check-in process could be as simple everywhere else in Reno as it's been at the Grand Sierra - no resort fees, no taxes, no incidental deposits, nothing. I think I might have mentioned in a previous report, but the regular rooms there are kind of a mixed bag at the moment - each one's a bit different as far as layout and decor. At present, there's still a bit of the old Hilton, the old MGM, and even the old Bally's around. I'm still cracking up on the elevators, as the old MGM lion's head is still carved into all the doors! They're getting ready to get started on the remodel of the mainstream rooms, and are saying that soon they'll be decorated just like the Summit tower rooms and the mainstream casino. Picture the Atlantis, only with browns and chromes. I actually think they've got the same interior decorator. I was checked into room 151. This one was all forest green, not nearly as trashed as some of the other rooms I've been in there, and came with a sitting area.









As my $100 of free play wasn't due to activate until midnight, it dawned on me that I still had $15 of free play at the Atlantis that was due to expire that day. I was planning on hitting it up on the way into town, but since I got re-routed to downtown from the Peppermill, I hadn't yet had a chance to make it over. I wasn't really sure of what I was doing, but felt like taking another nice long walk, so I headed out - crossing Mill, down Keitzke, crossing Plumb, and finally on to South Virginia. Wow, that was quite a walk! Got one whole whopping dollar off of my free play upon arrival at the Atlantis. It was truly worth the trip! Haha.

Stopped in the Peppermill on the way back to swipe my card at the kiosk and check my point balances. On top of everything else that happened with the whole reservation ordeal, I made another amazing discovery - when I stayed in May, I recall using about $3-4 comp dollars at the Café Milano. Well, according to my balances, this small comp withdrawal cost me almost 400 points, so I'm ONCE AGAIN down to only 500 points - the bare minimum required to stay at Bronze level, which took me 7 years to get to as some of you might recall. Why am I even still bothering with them? I can easily say that that 400 points took about 3 months of coin-thru. The Passport club has to have the crappiest comp system on the planet. I'm still not figuring out why you play and earn comp dollars as a perk, then are penalized for using them. Yup. Only at the Peppermill!

Back at the Grand Sierra around 11:30. Once the clock struck midnight, my free play was activated. Divided it up into groups of $10 and came out about $38 ahead thanks to the $1 Blazing 7s and $0.25 Double Jackpots. Having a Super Wal-Mart practically in the parking lot there is awesome, because we don't have one in Mammoth. Late-nite shopping trip in effect!

Woke up at around 9 am the next morning, and hung out at The Beach for about 3 hours. Lunch at the $6 pizza buffet at Round Table (very good, but they charge you about $3 for a drink, which they don't tell you about until you're getting rung up!), and it was back to the airport to head back to Mammoth. A couple of hours later, I get a voicemail. It's from the new director of operations at the Peppermill, who just got wind of my very negative, yet very true TripAdvisor review, is extremely concerned, and wants to talk to me to see how to go about "making things right!" For you TripAdvisor followers out there, read some of the recent reviews…this reservation problem is apparently very widespread over there now. People are coming from all over the world for major events like birthdays, anniversaries, conventions, family reunions, many paying full price, in full, in advance - and are still getting burned. I haven't talked to him in person yet, but I figured that since the opportunity is here, I decided to compile a list of all the trouble I've had at the Peppermill since my first visit in 2004, which covers everything - all the inconsistencies with reservations, room deposits, actual charges, ripoffs, not getting the room type you've requested (comped or not), threats from security for supposedly stealing someone's unused slot credits (I don't know if you all remember that story from a few years back, but it's hilarious!), not to mention their front desk staff, the fact that I'll probably be a Gold member by the year 3000 at the rate they're going, and the fact that just about every other property in town is doing me right now for simply being a player and showing loyalty - except for them. He's been emailed, and I'm anxious to see what he has in store. He keeps thanking me for all my years of loyalty and is saying he'll do just about anything to "make things right" again. So far, he's masked the truth and left a response to my review on TripAdvisor saying something along the lines of, "Oh, you should try our new online check-in service! This alone will help solve the problem with your room reservations not getting honored!" Uh, I've used that service before, it's garbage - in reality it's an open door for them to charge your debit card up to 24 hours before you arrive, you are still risking not getting your reservations honored, and most importantly, you can't pick up the keys from the self check-in kiosk if it's always broken! The initial email I sent began with something on the order of, "I found it absolutely appalling that I not only had to cancel my reservations with you all, but had to check into a casino downtown that's just filed chapter 11 to get a decent amount of service, and the room type I had originally booked!" We'll see!

So, here's my question for you all: What should I ask him for? Diamond status? A free VisitReno.com party in the grand convention center, perhaps? Cool Cool Cool Cool Cool I've already let him know about all the problems I've experienced, all of my friends with status there, my chats with the Passport club, and how the ultimate solution would be to get a tier upgrade or two so I can start having a personalized host and the ability to check in thru VIP services, avoiding those idiots at the front desk, getting skunked on room reservations, and all of these problems completely. I let him know also about the week my parents will be here at the end of August, and about how we all cancelled our reservations for that week in light of what's been happening over there lately. Sorry, but my parents have never been to Reno and they'll jump right back on the plane if their reservations don't get honored - we can't risk it. I'm really anxious to see what this guy's going to do for me, but I'm letting everyone know, if he kicks down a few comped nights in the Penthouse or something on that order - PARTY AT THE PEPPERMILL!!!!!

Moving forward, it looks like July and August are going to be busy. Back to the casinos who ARE hooking me up: Harrah's Reno has sent me $100 of free play each week, in addition to my mainstream $100 monthly play, for July and August. The Grand Sierra is also keeping on with their $100 of free play every two weeks. Looks like I'll soon be at Diamond level at Harrah's, and Elite level at the Silver Legacy. I know it's a sin making mention of it here, but Harrah's sent me the most insane loyalty offer for VEGAS - 5 free nights at any Caesars property (that does include Caesars Palace, so it looks like I might finally get to see how the other half lives! haha), $500 in free play, and a $100 food voucher. I've mentioned it before, but the whole Total Rewards setup is a mystery to me - how can this be, as I'm only in Vegas once a year? Oh well, the offers can keep right on coming. Looks like a lot of day trips are going to be in order for sure.

Until next week (and nope - still haven't found a job - thank God for California unemployment. And casino comps!),
Mammothgambler
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 11:26 am    Post subject: Mammouth Reply with quote

Great Trip report, Mammouth.

I can relate to the attempt to parlay your offers. I've never stayed at SL, but your view would have been better if the dazzle lights of the old Comstock were still there.

And I have NEVER been able to figure out points and comps at either the P Mill or Atlantis. Seems like it's always been a big game of "You show me yours, and I'll show you mine".

If you still have (even an OLD) rated card...take it to the Siena and get an instant upgrade on THEIR card with a bunch of points.

I always go to VC for the 4th of July and the Americana Music Festival USUALLY the following weekend. (Except this year).

SO I have offers that expire in June...and others from the same casinos good "any time in July" (with no points subtracted.. or PROMISED not to be subtracted)

So last four days in June...and first four days in July (at same place) ....Is THAT too greedy?

And July 11th... Pablo Cruise in Carson City...for those of us of a certain age.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

JD, that's not greedy at all - I like your style! As of this moment, I'm looking into booking an overnighter somewhere downtown on July 31st, simply because $100 Free Play coupon #1 expires at Harrah's on the 31st. $100 Free Play coupon #2 activates at midnight on the 1st! My motto lately has been, "stay as many days as is most convenient." Right now, I'm seriously thinking about asking the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority bus driver if I can bring my German Shepherd on board next trip, so I don't have to come back for a month or so! Thanks for the info on the Siena, I've only been in there once and their players club was closed.

Mammothgambler
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BoldtsWagon



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 1:19 pm    Post subject: Question on point expiration Reply with quote

Recently (over the last year) I have been taking a plane to the Peppermill properties in Wendover.

I was planning to make reservations at the Reno Peppermill in July and noticed my Bronze points had expired a week or two ago and am at zero points. I have a mailer from May that offered $19 rooms in June and July. Am I going to have trouble now that my Bronze status and points are zeroed out?
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 2:05 pm    Post subject: Woe for the Pep Reply with quote

That is terrible treatment by the Peppermill. Word gets around Ala this board and TripAdviser. I'm not sure what you should ask for as far as compensation goes. Lots of free play I guess and maybe just a $1000 or so for John and Me. That's not greedy is it?
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 2:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Boldtswagon - very good observation on your end, I'd definitely at least call and find out, because that place has been nothing but shady lately. I seem to recall having a similar issue way back in the day, when I still lived in Florida. It was one of those trips where I left up about $1500 and they told me on the way out, "Congratulations, you've been upgraded to Bronze! Be sure to pick up your new card on your next visit!" However, on that trip, I used about 69 comp dollars towards the room, and lo and behold, next visit I was right back down at zero - and at Purple level again! For many years, I was one of those Purple players that was getting a $10 discount on tower rooms at the most, and I made the biggest mistake of actually giving these people money to stay there so many times! Also, comped or not, make sure you know what you're getting charged, not only for incidental deposits (in all my visits there, sometimes it's been $50 per night, sometimes $100, sometimes nothing, and never the same thing twice!) but also for resort fees and taxes. That's another issue I've never been able to get consistency with. Also, since they knocked you back down to zero, keep in mind that it might take years to get those points back, unless you're a high roller - it took me almost 5! Last time I checked, it takes on the average about $15-20 of coin-thru in a slot just to get a point, and probably more for video poker. It might not be a bad idea to check out some of the offerings at other casinos - like I mentioned, for some reason, the Grand Sierra bumped me up a whole tier level within a week and is sending me free nights and $100 of free play every two weeks off of a mere $400 in coin-thru on my first visit, just three short months ago. THAT'S more my speed!

BC Dave - no, that's not greedy at all, and yes, word gets around! I was thinking more along the lines of $10,000 in free play and a free Penthouse suite for each board member! With an extra 5 grand or so for you and John and JD and Alison and Erin all the people that have been here a while! I did read a horror story on TripAdvisor about a lady who wound up moving her whole orchestra - a paid event open to the public, that they too paid outrageously for - completely off the Mill's premises because of the treatment they were all receiving. Imagine that! Maybe we could go hit up that empty convention hall and get them to throw us a party or something!

Mammothgambler
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
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PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 4:21 pm    Post subject: Sounds good! Reply with quote

If you can secure anything like that or even a free side of fries at the coffee shop - I'll write positive comments all over trip adviser. (Perhaps I compromise too easily.)
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john
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PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 5:52 am    Post subject: Peppermill? Hell, no, I won't go Reply with quote

BCDave, sometimes you're just too easy. Let's hold out for the big bucks.

The Peppermill has been cutting way back on player incentives in the last year or so. Free slot tournaments: gone. Mr. Money's Free Play Challenge: first trashed, then gone. Valuable give aways on the card swipe: gone. Me: gone.

I used to play there 4 or five times a week, but now I go there two or three times a month with a very small investment. When they started cutting back on the benefits, I cut back on my play, so they understandably cut back on my free play, which caused me to cut back even more on my play and they cut back on....etc.

The Siena is my new favorite casino. Since the new owners took over, they have changed the VP payouts to equal the big casinos and the slots seem pretty loose. They are aggressively seeking new players with very enticing offers. Bring in your upper tier player card from any other casino and they'll upgrade your account to a comparable level. My platinum card from the Peppermill got me a double diamond card (highest level) at Siena and $100 in comps. For June, if you buy a steak at DaVinci's Restaurant, they'll throw in a lobster tail. Look for Pat and me there on Tuesday night. Yes, Lily, I have another date with a real woman, and it's not even the same woman, and I don't have to pay her to go with me, and she's very nice, and she's good looking, and she even likes me, and this is getting dangerously close to a run on sentence. Oh yes, Siena. It's a small, quiet casino with a relaxing atmosphere and one anomaly. Imagine a casino designed to look classy with a Tuscany look and they play country music. I'm allergic to country music, which cuts my visits short, but I'll keep going in hopes they'll see the error of their ways. If not, I'll find another casino. Jeez, I can be such a bitch!

MG, if you send me the email address of the Peppermill's new director of operations, I'll send him a link to this post. It's important to let a business know where it's failing so corrective action can be taken.
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mjames1229



Joined: 23 Dec 2009
Posts: 406

PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 6:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've got nothing to add, so I'll add it anyway.

I only stayed at the Peppermill in 2001, and visited for a few hours on my last trip (in May 2001). It is one of my favorite casinos because of the freakadelic vibe.

Again, for those who don't know or who have forgotten, I come to Reno when the USBC Open Championships are in town, so I've been there in 95, 98, 01, 04, 07, 10, 11 and will be there in each of the next two years. Reno/Sparks CCV dumps a TON of money to get the bowlers to come to town. As a matter of fact, the women will be bowling at the convention center attached to the Atlantis in 13 and 14.

With all that said, I find it absolutely amazing about the LACK of marketing that the Peppermill does towards the bowlers. Sure, the tournament is sponsored by Circus Circus / Eldorado / Silver Legacy, but the Grand Sierra, Siena and Atlantis are well known to the bowlers; the Peppermill doesn't seem to aim much marketing to us. There is a blackjack matchplay coupon that we get (for up to $25) but that seem to be the extent of it.

On the other hand, even despite visits every third year, Harrah's and Eldorado remember my stays there and send me mailers and other offers. Cal Neva remembers my play.

I just wonder if Peppermill has strategized to NOT go overboard on marketing to bowlers (assuming that they only stay downtown, near the stadium) or if they are just completely missing the boat.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 8:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi John! Great hearing from you and thanks for the info that you and JD provided regarding the card upgrades at Siena. I wandered around in there briefly and was at least going to get one of their players cards but it was about 5:30 in the morning and they were closed. I noticed right off the bat that the machine selection isn't really huge, but at the same time, they've got all my favorites - I'm not for certain but I think I might have even seen a high-limit $10 Blazing 7s in there.

Mjames - you are right, come to think of it, it seems like the Pep is the only place I haven't seen any bowling action being marketed anywhere, and I know that's gotta be a letdown. Looks like your last visit was definitely when the Pep was in it's prime, before all the changes started taking place there. Just about every casino downtown I've seen is not only doing some type of special catering to bowlers, but I've also really enjoyed seeing the massive displays of bowling pins and balls everywhere. Not to get too far off subject, but I was on a league for many years as a child and a teen, and all the action downtown lately has brought me out of my shell and I've really gotten into the bowling scene again! If you haven't tried out the lanes at Grand Sierra, they're definitely worth a visit - 50 lanes with an awesome infinity-type mural painted on the wall to give the effect that they go on forever. Super oily lanes but once you get in the track, it's on! A couple of months back, a friend and I tried going into the bowling stadium just to take a quick look around, but it was closed and locked up tight before the events actually started. Do you happen to know if they mind people going in there as spectators just to watch the action for a bit, or is that forbidden? We actually tried rolling a few games there but were eventually told by a passerby on the street that it's only open for events; however, sometimes they let people in.

John, I am planning on speaking to this guy directly at the Pep a bit later on today so I will let you all know the outcome. From a bit of internet research, and further reading of reviews both on TripAdvisor as well as Yelp, he apparently seems to be a little more proactive in taking action with stuff like this than some of the past directors have been (but, there's been a TON of issues, and that's the part I'm not liking). Also looks like he's been a director at both the Silver Legacy as well as the Atlantis in the past, so not sure if that's good or bad. As mentioned, this situation appears to have happened to many, many people, those in much bigger situations than mine (I'm just being a solo traveller for a quick overnighter - I couldn't imagine how ticked off I would be if I drove or flew a long distance and was meeting people for a family reunion, bachelor party, wedding or what not, and something like this happened!) I'm anxious to see what his explanation is. Even if it's a situation where the "diamond players keep taking all the good stuff", that place is big enough I'm sure they could figure out a way to accommodate us paeans as well!

Mammothgambler
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mjames1229



Joined: 23 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mammothgambler wrote:

Mjames - you are right, come to think of it, it seems like the Pep is the only place I haven't seen any bowling action being marketed anywhere, and I know that's gotta be a letdown. Looks like your last visit was definitely when the Pep was in it's prime, before all the changes started taking place there. Just about every casino downtown I've seen is not only doing some type of special catering to bowlers, but I've also really enjoyed seeing the massive displays of bowling pins and balls everywhere. Not to get too far off subject, but I was on a league for many years as a child and a teen, and all the action downtown lately has brought me out of my shell and I've really gotten into the bowling scene again! If you haven't tried out the lanes at Grand Sierra, they're definitely worth a visit - 50 lanes with an awesome infinity-type mural painted on the wall to give the effect that they go on forever. Super oily lanes but once you get in the track, it's on! A couple of months back, a friend and I tried going into the bowling stadium just to take a quick look around, but it was closed and locked up tight before the events actually started. Do you happen to know if they mind people going in there as spectators just to watch the action for a bit, or is that forbidden? We actually tried rolling a few games there but were eventually told by a passerby on the street that it's only open for events; however, sometimes they let people in.


A number of "national" tournaments all follow the USBC tournament to any city. The Bowlers Journal International, Bowling This Month magazine and the National 40-Frame Game all hold their national tournaments in the same city as the USBC tournament... figuring that if people are there to bowl one tournament, they will likely both others as well.

I have bowled at the GSR lanes many times, and have walked through their sad little mall downstairs, too... thinking how much of a gem that mall could be, and wondering why GSR doesn't play it up like the Forum Shops or Miracle Mile in Las Vegas.

As long as there is a non-Professional event going on in the stadium, you are encouraged to watch at no charge. I don't know the women's schedule (which is going on this year), but when the men's tournament comes to town, the lanes are used from March 1 thru July 4, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Outside of the "national" tournament times, the facility can be rented for any other tournament. No open bowling is allowed there, as the intent is to NOT compete with local bowling centers. In other words, you need to bowl in a tournament to bowl on the Stadium lanes.

Inside the stadium during "national" tournaments, there is a large gift shop with all sorts of tchotchkes, shirts, pants, etc., and each bowling equipment manufacturer is represented to show off the latest in equipment... those booths are set up trade show-style.

I will be there next year the week of May 6th (our exact dates aren't confirmed, yet). An article in a recent RGJ indicates that there is a big renovation ongoing with the $2/night surcharge on downtown hotel rooms, I am excited to see what the finished product looks like.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 10:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info mjames! I came across this article last nite and found it interesting:

http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012306240080

I had no clue they set up temporary lanes directly under the arch!

Yes, in my few visits to the GSR, I agree that mall has an incredible amount of potential. The only traffic I've seen there has been convention goers going to their conventions. I did check out the surf/skate/snowboard shop they have in there, and everything was marked up about 80% higher than the norm, but I guess that's how most casinos do it.

OK, so I just got off the phone with the director at the Pep. Really nice guy, but was basically "bribed" into removing my TripAdvisor review in exchange for four free nights in a comped Imperial Suite. I'm not likin' this! I think people still need to know!

Mammothgambler
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BoldtsWagon



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, I made Peppermill reservations for July 17, 18, 19. The web site said Tower rooms were not available. I called reservations and there was no problem (???????). Received an email confirmation. If the room is not available when I get there, I will check on the Tuscany Tower suite upgrade for an additional $25 listed on the mailer. I am taking my Atlantis mailer with me that has two free nights available on these same dates as insurance.

We are taking advantage of two free nights at the Grand Sierra sent in a mailer to my wifes card. We wil be there July 15 and 16.

While on the Grand Sierra web site I noticed that they have"First Fridays" on every Friday now. A lot of entertainment. What got my notice is the Lodge seafood buffet is $5.00. Unfortunately, I will not be in Reno on a Friday night.

http://www.grandsierraresort.com/events/first-fridays

The locals and other visitors on Friday can take advantage of a good seafood price.
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 12:47 pm    Post subject: Rate my casino Reply with quote

mammoth gambler:

Found your Tripadvisor review of P Mill ... AND the Exec's reply. Odd he didn't put his bribe offer on the public forum. If such a reply came up on YELP...it would really cause an uproar. I noticed it was NOT signed !

Looks like you have a lot of street cred on T advisor because of your many reviews and "helpfuls". Cool.

But for a guy that seems to travel a LOT... I cannot believe you continue to use a debit card. You gotta get rid of that. Get a good cash back rewards CREDIT card and avoid those "holds" that tie up your dough.

Several years ago when I used to get an occasional comp from the P Mill...when they asked for a card I would always say, "NORMALLY I take a woman out to dinner and drinks a few times before I gave her my credit card. How about a hundred dollar bill instead?" Kinda surprised I never got my face slapped !

When doing it over the phone I respond, "OK...but if a bunch of jewelery shows up on my bill... I'm going to know who charged it, Marsha..."

I sent you private message w/ my schedule if you need ground transport for same period. John and I plan on doing a YELP review of shooters (but he doesn't know it yet).

SHOOTER'S 4 1/2 STAR (average) Yelp reviews:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/shooters-saloon-reno

"The female bartender was a bit of an exhibitionist as well, which made the room full of dudes pretty stoked. It seemed like a bit of a coincidence that there "so happened" to be about 30 guys in the bar and no women. Then, it "so happened" that a light by the front door needed to be changed. Then, she "so happened" to be wearing a short skirt with no panties while standing on a chair to reach the ceiling."
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jun Mon 25, 2012 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Boldtswagon - it's good you investigated, and that you have some insurance. Hopefully you'll be able to get all your requests without a problem and without getting put through The Mill (no pun intended!) Thanks for the heads up about the First Fridays. I do know that the one time I tried the Lodge Buffet, it was one of the best I've had in Reno! Their "unlimited beer and wine for $3.99" add-on seems very popular there as well.

Right on JD! I'm actually in pretty tight with the TripAdvisor crowd. When I first joined back in 2004, I responded to some type of invitation they sent me where each 10 reviews, with each one containing 10 photos and/or a walk thru video, gets me frequent flyer miles. At first I thought it was just a limited-time only thing, but 8 years later, it's still kickin'! I've actually been catching up on some of my review writing since my "vacation" started back in March, it's been awesome.

Oh yeah, and regarding my current debit/credit card situation: believe it or not, about 2 years ago, I finally kicked down and got two bonafide, REAL credit cards. I was a victim of identity theft just over 10 years ago where some idiot got about 10 grand off my Citibank account, so I stayed away from them for as long as I could. What's unfortunate though is that on the few times I've used them for casino deposits, it's not only put a hold (not being actually charged, but still meaning no funds available!) but the two companies I'm with seem to take FOREVER in putting the funds back! So, in my particular situation, they're no different than using a debit card. However, most of you have read my past antics here with debit card troubles in casinos, so I finally smartened up a few years ago and invested in several prepaid debit cards, in addition to the 2 PayPal accounts I also have. This way, if I know if I'm going to Harrah's for one night, I'll go load exactly $50 on it. That way nobody gets hurt!

The layoff call happened at a rather inopportune time, because the very next thing I was planning on doing was getting a Harrah's Total Rewards Visa. There goes the neighborhood!

Yeah, in regards to the bribe offer - I "played dumb," honored his request, but kinda was silent in mentioning that the story's also posted here, and that I referenced it directly in my review of the Silver Legacy on TripAdvisor as well. SSHHHH!!!!!! Hey, that's where I wound up writing the Peppermill's review from, and the Silver Legacy really pulled thru for me! At the end of the day, I think he's just relieved that I removed the review. Here's the email response I just received upon letting him know I did that: "You’re awesome. Thank you very much. Look forward to meeting you on your next visit. I appreciate all of the good feedback you gave me, also. This always helps immensely in setting our standards high and actually meeting them." HA! Do they not realize that the "actually meeting them" part is the problem? The "good feedback" he's referencing was actually my compiled list of problems I've experienced over the years that I even sent him in a email, which he says he didn't get, so I spoke of them in great detail during our conversation. Not sure if you all remember my incident there in 2009 where I was approached treated like a criminal and forced by 3 security guards to return $67 in cash because some drunk idiot accidentally left some credits in the machine that I played ten minutes later, not realizing there were credits in it. He was apologetic about that, and even mentioned that the "note of the incident" was still showing up on my Passport account, but that was it! He mentioned along the way that the Pep's owners don't like seeing 1 star reviews so it's all in his lap. I've been a manager for almost 18 years in multiple professions and I wouldn't fathom even contemplating trying to do business like this. I found it too funny that he almost had the procedure for removing TripAdvisor reviews down pat - he literally told me which screens and buttons to hit. Hmm, has this happened before, I wonder? I did also get a chance to check out Yelp last evening which contained more bad reviews. On Yelp, since the original review can't be removed, they apparently get people to do "follow up" reviews, which were quite abundant. Very evident it's all about covering someone's own ass.

Oh well, I now have four comped nights in an Imperial Suite, any day of the week, divisible among 2 separate visits. He says my room type will be guaranteed with no issues, and I just simply need to email him with the dates of the visits. I guess he's my slot host now, since I can't get a tier upgrade. I wonder if he's gonna use that magical on-line check in service which is what I'm supposedly supposed to be using to make everything better! Let's have a party!

Mammothgambler


Last edited by Mammothgambler on Jun Mon 25, 2012 1:49 pm; edited 4 times in total
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