Ellis Island coupon hassle

I tried using the $10 ACG MP at Ellis Island on 11/1/07. Pete, the oldest, crankiest pit boss in the universe, said that I need to have the entire book with me to use the matchplay. He did let me use it as is 'this one time'. This is after he refused my $5 Ellis Island placemat coupon after the cards were dealt. I had a 14 vs 10 and he took the $5 MP off of my bet but left my bet in the circle. MP coupons are getting tougher and tougher to use.

The 4 free drink coupon at EI was easily accepted at the bar

According to our contact at Ellis Island, the situation has been rectified and there shouldn't be any more problems.

Steve ...
Why is that any different from your contract with Stations and Fiesta ? Why can't that issue be rectified ?

Steve,

I'd be curious to hear how the situation was rectified. Pete the pitboss isn't most congeanial pitboss. He has an open disdain for coupons and has let that be known for years.

Also the pit folks, not just Pete, confuse the ACG, LVA, placemat coupons and whatever other promo they are running. The reason Ellis Island is a good place to hit is that you could always use an ACG, POV and placemat coupon, then go have 4 beers at the bar. It made it worthwhile to venture over to their casino. If we have to go through Pete's song and dance every time, it's not worth the hassle. He must have the decimal point in the wrong place and thing these are $1000 match plays.

The $5-MP placemats (from restaurant) are no longer accepted on BJ tables.

Only the $5-MP (from LVA-POV) & $10-MP (from ACG) are accepted for use.

I, myself, have 100's of the $5-MP (obtained from restaurant placemats earlier this year) & now have to throw them away.

We were told they had a meeing to discuss the situation and make sure that everyone knows the proper procedures.

There is no contract between us and the participating merchants that put a coupon in the book.

If they decide that it's not in their interest to honor a coupon they are free to stop at any time.

It has never really been a problem in the past, but the reality is that it's entirely voluntarily as to whether or not a merchant wants to honor their coupon.

Steve, I was just at Ellis Island this Sunday (11-11-2007) afternoon (after 3 to 4-hrs ago) to use a $10-match play coupon from the 2007 ACG book.

After losing $40 'buying in for another $20, 'then winning all of my loses back, I then decided to whip out the $10-match play coupon (already torned out from book ; 'yes, I did have my whole book with me 'the ACG membership card--> in case I was asked to show it) '$10 in chips on my betting spot. Then 'Pete& (the supervisor) asked the dealer, 'Did you see him tear out the coupon from the book ??' (Dealer said, 'No').

I then told 'Pete' that the coupon does not say anything about that it has to be torn from the book. All it says is that one has to show the membership card & that's it.

'Pete' still insists that he has to see the coupon being torn out of the book in their presence before using it.

'Pete' told me that he will only let me off this time ; next time, he (or dealer) must see me tear the coupon out of the book, if not the coupon is no good.
-----------

SIDENOTE :

At first, 'Pete' was smirking at me when I lost my $40 buy-in & I told him, 'I'll get it back'.

He ('Pete') made me feel like I'm the 'bad guy' (or criminal) when I whipped out the $10-match play coupon.

There was also another person who was about to was a coupon, & he also said the same thing to him.

==============

So, Steve, could you please inform Ellis Island again that these ACG coupons do not have to be torn out in front of them ; all is needed is to show ACG membership card ????

Here's what our contact at Ellis Island said:

Our General Manager, Marcus Zavala, will address the situation immediately. Pete will be reminded that he is not required to witness the ACG coupons being removed from the book...period. We offer our most sincere apologies for any inconveniences this customer may have experienced during his visit on Sunday. We also hope he will understand that our goal is to provide the best possible customer service, and we appreciate that he brought this to our attention.

Steve,

I believe you are doing what you can to make the situation better. If I were a wagering man, I'd bet Steve Wynn's salary for a month that you will have another Ellis Island issue and double or nothing it's with Pete.

Pete is openly scornful of anyone playing coupons. Maybe he saved Gary Ellis' life or something but his attitude is straight out of the 50s; i.e. we are the casino and we will do what we want.

If Ellis Island doesn't want coupons, don't print them. It's pretty simple. If they want coupons, instruct the pit on how they are to be used.