Free Stuff On Aruba

[charlescroes]

It Isn’t Free

When we first moved to the US, I went to a school in Miami called Miami Shores Elementary School. My first impression of that school was the green grass all around it and how it smelled right after being cut. Secondly, I remember the massive flag poles flying the American flag. I remember a clanging sound on the side of the flag pole. It came from a metal buckle on the lines that raised the flag. Green grass that smelled wonderful and the American flag flying high. AHH - America, land of the brave and the free. I could have never known that nothing is free, especially being free. It all comes at a price. I know that because Mrs. Castor (may she rest in peace) was my fourth grade teacher and, Mrs. Castor said “Children – nothing is free”. I trusted her because she was the only person alive that could play Christmas Carols on a wood cutting saw with a violin bow.

So why write this? Since you asked (or thought it) I’ll tell ya.

More and more I read the word FREE on flyers at the airport, those being distributed around town, on the beaches and in hotel lobbies. It normally has an exclamation behind it. Something like this (FREE !) It is as if the exclamation makes if either ‘freer or really honestly free or sends the message of “Pay attention fool – this is FREE. None the less, there it is and – folks – do not believe it for one second – why? – because a rotund lady that played a saw with a violin bow said so.

Nothing is free, yet pretending it is will eventually cause damage to both the consumer and the one giving free stuff away. When that happens, something bigger will suffer – mainly the entire structure that appeals to the tourist. To be a bit more specific: Free stuff is bad for your vacation experience - if not this year then assuredly the next or the one that follows. You see – when something is free, that means it is given to you at no evident cost to you and when that happens the non-evident will show up elsewhere. Trust me on that.

For whatever reason, I get tons of mail directed to me personally. So much of it reads something like this:
“Charles, where can I get the cheapest XXXX and is there anywhere that gives it for free?” My answers are mostly that “XXXX has the lowest rates (that I know of) and that they say it is free.” But I have to stop telling this massive fib. Folks, it just aint right.

When I first returned to Aruba, +/-35 years ago, very little besides a glass of wine, was advertised as ‘Free’. It was a more honest and transparent time I guess. In fact, the hotels even screened the persons going to the ‘Managers cocktail party” to make sure that only the guests took advantage of it. Today, there are lists of FREE booze and snacks printed out for anyone that wants to do the “Managers cocktail party circuit”. Believe it or not, some folks come down with an agenda of how to beat the system by going to managers cocktails and then to restaurants that offer something else for free and even pay for the cab ride. Interesting behavior – right? Yet, the beers we drink and pay for are getting more expensive as is the food in the groceries stores and the taxis and the car rentals and so many other things that just seem to be spiraling out of control – even if some of the other goodies are free. In there somewhere is a message.

Last night a gentleman called me from Toronto at about 8PM and started to ask me some questions. I could not attend to him properly because of a meeting I was in so, I returned his call this morning at about 8AM. He wanted to know about the free incoming calls and lowest rates for rental if I accepted cash. We discussed this for about 20 minutes and I finally had to cut off and suggest he see me in person when down here. He promised me he would. The two of us, combined, probably spent about $25 trying to save .05¢ per minute. He will have to talk for 500 minutes at a rate that does not exist to recoup the telephone time used in his “Deal-seeking”. Something else to think about.

We try to save $5 per day on car rentals and spend untold amounts in rental company claims for damage. Think about it. Somebody is paying for the lower price.

I read a hotel rate for a specific resort on Aruba. It was very low. BUT …. The rate application was only if you checked in on Wednesdays and out on Sunday and was applicable for a maximum of 5 days. So.. the deal was this. Fly in on Wednesday and fly out 11 days later and get a special rate on the first 5 days while the following are at rack rate. Very expensive indeed but AHHH what a deal.

Timeshare presentations are the same thing. It is a gamble or bet at the highest level and the pay-off is trivial.
On your side is this…..You give up one hour of your life (normally this turns out to be half a day) and for this you will get $100 value for something somewhere on the island.
On their side is this …. Sell the client for as long as you can and get $35,000 out of him. Want to know what the odds are that you will loose? +/- 20% depending on the resort. That is right! Of all presentations, about 20% become members and end up paying about $35,000. If timeshare was not your original intention, I suggest going to a casino.

So that there is no mistaking, we (our company) also do the same ‘FREE” shuffle. Hate to admit it but it is true. Rent with us and get 84 minutes complimentary. AHEM.. I use complimentary but it is the same thing. Who wins? The customer. How do we recoup? We can’t and will eventually have to consider our position in this business. NO sour grapes but “It is what it is.” And now we are looking at opening an INTERNET location at Paseo Herencia. Let’s see what happens there. I wonder what I will have to give away?

I went to St. Barts some time ago. Nothing is free. Not one single thing. It was a lovely vacation because I was not running around trying to figure out what the best deal was or how to save 5¢ while spending $150 on a shirt that says - “St. Barts”. I understand that Tahiti is the same way. France will laugh you off the streets if you ask for FREE anything. I am not sure the word exists in the French vocabulary.

What happened to the days of asking “How is your service?” Hell, service is free! Takes effort and creates happiness but it is free!
Time to stop this ranting and prepare for the managers cocktail party at DIVI. Before you ask, I do not intend on paying for my rum laden fruit punch.

None of us are angels – I guess.

be well
charles

[dixieluvsaruba]

Charles,

I have to say I totally agree with you. I love a good deal as well as the next person but my husband and I are always amazed at how many people spend their entire vacation looking for the freebies and listening the the timeshare presentations just to get a free "something" or a discounted "something" that they probably don't really want or need anyway. It seems they just can't pass it up because it is "free". That just doesn't sound like fun to me.

And.....not to add to your rant, but the other thing I don't understand is how many people you see take advantage of those "free" drinks, snacks, etc that will not even be courteous enough to tip those kind individuals who are serving them their "free" whatever.

I go on vacation to relax and enjoy and have fun, but I expect to give something in return for that wonderful friendly service I receive while I am there.

OK, off my soap box now. Just had to chime in.

[ruba4ever]

Charles....so insightful and oh so true. I was taught that there is no such thing as free. Somewhere down the line it all has to be paid for. One way or another. Thank you.
ruba

[Elaine S]

Tsk, tsk.... you non-believers! Remember this song??

The moon belongs to ev'ryone
The best things in life are free
The stars belong to ev'ryone
They gleam there for you and me

The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sunbeams that shine
They're yours, they're mine

And love can come to ev'ryone
The best things in life are free

[charlescroes]

I agree Sherry - Wholeheartedly in fact. But ... why should I have to go to a timeshare presentation to listen to Robins ans see stars? Know what I mean?

be well
charles

Originally Posted by Elaine S

Tsk, tsk.... you non-believers! Remember this song??

The moon belongs to ev'ryone
The best things in life are free
The stars belong to ev'ryone
They gleam there for you and me

The flowers in spring
The robins that sing
The sunbeams that shine
They're yours, they're mine

And love can come to ev'ryone
The best things in life are free

[Elaine S]

Charles, dear ~ I'm laughing 'cause it's me Elaine, not sherry, who posted "the best things in life are free." I know, I know ~ the eyes are one of the first things to go!!

I've never been to a timeshare presentation in my life, but I've seen the stars, and I've heard the robins, honest!! lol

Originally Posted by charlescroes

I agree Sherry - Wholeheartedly in fact. But ... why should I have to go to a timeshare presentation to listen to Robins ans see stars? Know what I mean?

be well
charles

[ruba4ever]

Elaine....I stand corrected. You're right..those things...the important things...are free. But I must admit...I don't know that song! Maybe you could hum a few bars?
ruba
P.S. Charles...I am getting a vibe that you have a growing problem with timeshares...or is it timeshare owners? I hope it isn't all inclusive, and you don't lump them all together. I happen to fall into the above category and I think we're a pretty nice group.
ruba

[charlescroes]

rubaa
,
your assumption is totally wrong. I difirentiate between the product and the marketing practices. Also, to say I am against ts owners would be incorrect.
Your vibe is wrong.
"Free" is the issue.

be well
charles

\quote=ruba4ever;69799]Elaine....I stand corrected. You're right..those things...the important things...are free. But I must admit...I don't know that song! Maybe you could hum a few bars?
ruba
P.S. Charles...I am getting a vibe that you have a growing problem with timeshares...or is it timeshare owners? I hope it isn't all inclusive, and you don't lump them all together. I happen to fall into the above category and I think we're a pretty nice group.
ruba[/quote]

[sherry]

i just got to read this thread...elaine, are you sure it was you? lol!

actually, we didn't even go to a timeshare presentation to buy our unit at costa linda. we walked into the little sales office in front of the construction and said, we want to buy a timeshare. the salesman almost fell over, hahahah.

charles, i like a bargain, but more than that i like honesty and quality. i rarely accept any free things. they always come with strings attached.

btw charles, a great post!

Originally Posted by Elaine S

Charles, dear ~ I'm laughing 'cause it's me Elaine, not sherry, who posted "the best things in life are free." I know, I know ~ the eyes are one of the first things to go!!

I've never been to a timeshare presentation in my life, but I've seen the stars, and I've heard the robins, honest!! lol