I was reading Ms Carnival Diva's blog and she has posted an email that she wrote to TRIBE inquiring about registration for first time masqueraders as well as rumours that a certain Island People designer would be joining their camp. The response was QUITE interesting and I suggest you visit her blog to read it yourself. But the one thing that stood out for me was this part:
There will be ample opportunity for many of our past masqueraders to play with the band. Priority will however be given to persons playing with us for their 5th year etc.
Does this mean that masqueraders who have been wholeheartedly "loyal" to TRIBE from their deubt in 2005 will get a special day for registration above everyone else? If so, I think it is long overdue and a very good gesture for the reward of REAL loyalty.
I know first time masqueraders might see the system as somewhat unfair since the popular sections will sell out first, but I personally know of persons who have registered with TRIBE then sold their costume to play with another band and applied for a TLC card based on the fact that they registered to play with the band once. They then have the same opportunity to register along with masqueraders who have played faithfully every year since 2005, even though they have never played with TRIBE!
In addition, there are those who register in two bands, including TRIBE knowing full well they plan on selling their costume AND do not transfer the costume to the person who bought it effectively keeping their TLC. Not to mention that there are some people who will register in two bands just for having the option of choice. This system of hogging TLC cards is not fair to first time masqueraders as these people effectively block a spot for a new masquerader and later sell the costume for a profit on Carnival Junction!
So, if these plans are put in place for registration this year I applaud TRIBE for finally making the TLC card worth something for those who have been truly loyal. I know my opinion might not be popular, especially for those of you without a TLC card or those with a TLC card who have played only one or two years and are anxious about securing the costume they have their heart set on. However, TRIBE instituted the TLC card system and I have always found that it was deficient since it did not serve the purpose of rewarding loyalty, as everyone whether you played one year or four, had the same chance at getting registered.
Other loyalty programs offer rewards to persons based on how much they consume a product not so? You gain free miles, and a free ticket, the more times you fly or you are eligible for free subway faster the more subways you purchase so hence based on this system on rewarding loyalty those who have displayed loyalty by playing with TRIBE the most should be privy to something special faster than those who have only now started playing, don't you think?
I know first time masqueraders might see the system as somewhat unfair since the popular sections will sell out first, but I personally know of persons who have registered with TRIBE then sold their costume to play with another band and applied for a TLC card based on the fact that they registered to play with the band once. They then have the same opportunity to register along with masqueraders who have played faithfully every year since 2005, even though they have never played with TRIBE!
In addition, there are those who register in two bands, including TRIBE knowing full well they plan on selling their costume AND do not transfer the costume to the person who bought it effectively keeping their TLC. Not to mention that there are some people who will register in two bands just for having the option of choice. This system of hogging TLC cards is not fair to first time masqueraders as these people effectively block a spot for a new masquerader and later sell the costume for a profit on Carnival Junction!
So, if these plans are put in place for registration this year I applaud TRIBE for finally making the TLC card worth something for those who have been truly loyal. I know my opinion might not be popular, especially for those of you without a TLC card or those with a TLC card who have played only one or two years and are anxious about securing the costume they have their heart set on. However, TRIBE instituted the TLC card system and I have always found that it was deficient since it did not serve the purpose of rewarding loyalty, as everyone whether you played one year or four, had the same chance at getting registered.
Other loyalty programs offer rewards to persons based on how much they consume a product not so? You gain free miles, and a free ticket, the more times you fly or you are eligible for free subway faster the more subways you purchase so hence based on this system on rewarding loyalty those who have displayed loyalty by playing with TRIBE the most should be privy to something special faster than those who have only now started playing, don't you think?
20 comments:
I haven't played with Tribe from the beginning, unfortunately...but I think it is a very fair decision...and yeah, first-timers not going to be pleased about it, as expected, but it's about time that a move was made in line with veritable loyalty.
Well the actual numbers of persons who played every year since 2005 is probably not that much compared to the number of total masqueraders.
You really see the band selling out and newbies getting left out?? With all the new bands coming out for 2009 I would love to see if TRIBE is going to sell out in one month like last year.
If they do that system I will be able to register first but not the hubby since he only played 2 years!
Next year will be my first playing mas and I had my heart set on Tribe for a number of reasons. But when I first heard the news of them downsizing the band, I made a point of paying attention to other bands just in case I would have to find an alternative. Personally, I think it is great that they are rewarding those that have been loyal to the band. The downside is that I think a lot of first-timers will get left out (which makes me a little sad for obvious reasons). Even the e-mail seems to suggest that Tribe is not too sure whether many new masqueraders will get a chance to play.
But I'm still hoping to get a chance to play with Tribe. Just because people get priority doesn't mean they'll act on it! I guess I just have to be very diligent! And, if the band does sell out before I get a chance to buy a costume, there are plenty of other choices out there.
I not too sure if they will sell out...
but this is why July 26th is the golden day. =)
I think a LOT the other bands are trying to launch before them though...with good reason..but you KNOW if Tribe comes correct with those costumes for next year, so much so that their presentation outshines the rest...oh yea, it's definitely on! They will sell out like doubles at $1! lol
And that's the same situation for me..but I'm not too worried...because you're right, the 5 year loyalists are not as numerous as one would think.
Whatever ... a TLC is a TLC. If they wanted priority levels then the basis for receiving one should have been 2/3 years or more of custom. Half of the attraction of Tribe to me is the cosmopolitance of the band. Restricting entrance not only makes it static (and boring), but also puts foreigners off completely. With the hope that one of Tribe's aims would be to promote carnival and to elevate Trinidad and Tobago ... it could never be a good plan to make to band so rediculously exclusive, that the general public (local and overseas) is completely alienated.
And the next thing about the "popular sections sell out first". A band with the reputation and status of Tribe should not allow costumes that are 3rd rate or dare i say down-right ugly and poorly designed, to grace their band. The problem of choice should be "which of these 12 FAB costumes to I choose"... NOT "which of these only 4 pretty costumes should I choose".
Putting priority on TLCs is a bad business move, it shows poor planning/forward-thinking and completely contradicts the point of and the understood/implied benefits of a TLC.
I love Tribe, but oh gosh, sense is sense.
Representing for the overseas crew :-)
redzzz i kind of see your point of view. If Tribe wants to show a rewards to it's long standing masqueraders, perhaps offer a discount of some sort on carnival costumes or events or ,"free entry to the band launch " or "entry at half price to the band launch. for long standing offers. In Carnival history, Carnival was once the festival where all the upper class people would parade in the streets, and the blacks were not allowed to partake, that was until the forst set of free and emancipated slaves took to the streets in tribal costumes and 'roots' music. Now, allowing TRIBE maqueraders of 5 yrs get 1st preference and so on is sort of segregating themselves from themselves from the wider public as it comes like saying, we want mostly the same ppl and then a feww new ppl. In this day and age everyone should be given a chance, and i know they want to show loyalty to they loyal masqueraders, but there are other ways as I listed above to go about this.
You've said it better than I could have Mimi!
Well I want it all discount PLUS first pick at registration LOL.
I have had no problem paying for my costume year after year watching it go up in price from $1795.00 (Amazonias) in 2005 to $4500.00 (LOTL Frontline) in 2008 and I have no thought of playing with any other band for 2009 or not paying whatever price my costume is going to cost once I love it and can afford to do so. I think it about time my TLC card brings some real rewards!
sorry 4 the typos..lol..redzzz u know I try!lol
Saucy, I found this blog last year, and have read it religiously since then, but this is my first time leaving a comment.
I recently moved here, and only this year got into the whole carnival scene, and I wanted to jump Tribe for my first carnival experience.
I do agree with rewarding loyalty, I think it is an excellent idea, but i agree with mimi about the discount thing because, reguardless of the quality of the costumes, there will always be one or two of them that stand out.
And if you could judge from the response on the facebook group, plenty ppl interested, so I believe the "hot" costumes will sell out, regardless of the price.
So I believe it should be based a 1st come- 1st served basis, with discounts to the cardholders.
Us 1st-timers should get a chance too nah!
I sorry eh but I was most pissed when TRibe had year 2 Registration and i see 10 000 ppl trying to rush the mas camp gate. When they were newbies nobody did not want anything with them and after the first year they was hot s**t and ppl running them down. I was there from year one and I doh feel i should have to fight up like if i play for the first time in 2008.They should just expect to see me and have a costume there for me. And dohtalk for the ppl who was there from since Poison. Does that count ?
Saucy what they should do is make you name yuh section from year 1 thru 4 lololol.
There will always be more popular sections even if all are nice.
Jumbie I remember that mess all too well; I nearly died when the computer crashed and all plans of registering online went out the window and I had to make my way to Rosalino St to face the mob, some who were waiting since midday in HOT sun!!! Never me again!!!
I am sorry if TRIBE asked which would I prefer a discount or hassle free registration on an assigned date with a pre selected choice of costume for every masquerader who played with the band from 2005 and onwards my choice would be the latter.
2005 - Amazonia(turquoise and yellow)
2006 - Tale of Benguela.. sold and bought Angel Fish instead
2007 - Fireman.. sold and bought Fancy Sailor Special Character/Frontline instead
2008 - Lady of the Lake Frontline
Then there are people like my girl friend who has played with them each year since Pleasures.. she played in Tribe (Poison) 2004, Innu Warriors 2005, Nylon Pool 2006, Fancy Sailor 2007 and Black Magic 2008!!!!
I really emphatize with the newbies and I feel that the people who have played for 4 years religously are not that great in numbers compared to the entire band so you guys will still have a chance to play with TRIBE :)
I feel this year i would have to rent a room at cascadia to be first in line...just for that little teenie weenie chance of getting to play with tribe next yr (which would be my 2nd yr)
trini chichi i feel i'll have to camp out like u too. lol. or simple go to cascadia for breakfast or lunch or whatever time they wanna start n then wait 4 registration.lol...i think thaat's what i'll do
seee!! now tell me why I would now have to go from 2 days before to be first in line :P Let me see if allyuh can beat the person who was first in line last year not to mention the posse who does be first every year (second last year) as well!! lol good luck
wait... there's a posse thats 1st every yr?
lol...it seems so. but last year i went pretty early too....a lot of sections were sold out before the newbies' registrations days...so i had to make sure i was getting my lady of the lake costume...so when i got there...i think it had about 10 ppl before me. I cud of gotten there earlier, but i had to wait for one of my friends.
I was one of dem 10 lol
u went on the day that new members had to register?
oooh no trini.chi I went on the first day of registration for TLC holders.
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