Dear Saucy
I know that already there exist a review of IP Mas but I want to share my experience with you.
COLLECTION
The collection was the worst that I have seen. Imagine IP put an Ad in the newspapers for collection of costume- My collection date was for Natural Mystic this was from Friday to Saturday.
I arrived at the stadium on Saturday at about 11.00 am only to witness a line snaking around the stadium (I was warned early by my sister who was trying to hold a space for me). I spent 45 minutes waiting to proceed to the cashier to complete transaction! I had to make noise and complain about the wait. One of the Lewis brothers approached me and I told him about my grievances. I told him that they should hand out water and make the wait a bit more comfortable.
The transaction to pay and to proceed to the collection area took another 20-30 mins. It was totally disgusting. I had another friend stand in line for me and I then proceeded to the front of the line to collect three costumes only to be told, that a bra was missing and that there were no head pieces and the attitude from the CSR was " WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE GETTING THE MISSING PIECES".
By that time sauce I felt the hair on my head grow back because a rage took me! I got annoyed and started to make real noise! Picture this I on one end acting like real GHETTO and another masquerader making noise about her frontline costumes! ALL STOOD STILL! I was so angry that I started to pound on the counter demanding that I get all parts of my costume.
The security came to me and told me that I should stop pounding the counter! We got into a heated argument where I told her, "that if it was she, she would have behaved worst than I". My girls had to hold me back because we would have gotten into a real bad fight.
My friend was very upset because they were missing her bra and she had tears in her eyes! She demanded a refund and got it! On the other hand the refund was not an option because "I WANT TO PLAY AH MAS"! I was taken aside and told that they would deliver my costume!
I told the CSR that I aint sitting at home like no "A*S. Mine u! It had a whole set of people who were waiting around for pieces for that section and was just plain hoping! I was not settling for that! They took my number and by the time we had driven out of the stadium, I got two calls one to tell me that I was missing a security band and another to say to come quickly because they got a few headpieces and had kept two specially for me!. That was around 4.00 pm
The costume looked like the prototype Sauce! It was gorgeous! I ended up with two bands though and gave it to someone who was deserving!
I ended up there Sunday in the chaos again because my sister hated her Ray of Light costume. We got it exchanged after waiting for another three (3) hours.
It seems that u have to misbehave to get service.
CARNIVAL MONDAY
The food was nasty! The fish was cold and tasteless and the peas in the pelau tasted as though they did not cook it properly! I ended up with a mighty headache and bad sunburn. My girl friend had to climb to the top of the truck to get us food! (See attached pic). Imagine shelling out that type of money and having to run behind a truck for food.
CARNIVAL TUESDAY
The band left on time and we got wet by the time we reached Green Corner. The vibes was great though! I could not understand that for a band with 13 sections why the food truck was almost last! That ain't make no sense.
The vibes was good up until we reached by the Twin Towers and the heavens opened! I got shelter from a cute guy running a stall so that saved the headpiece. I ended up using my foot band as a headpiece! (see pic)
We ended up chipping across the downtown stage with no music because the trucks had driven off. WTF! It was utter madness and the nerve of the IP Manager trying to get people into sections! "You all did no have any order in the first place, so how all yuh expect to get order after the rain fall and it ain have no music"
FOOD
The food was worst on Tuesday! I had to stop the police and show him the rubbish that they gave me! I told the police "If I was to get on real bad, all yuh see why"! The food was cold, the fish looked rotten and unappetizing.
MUSIC
The DJ kept playing Island People like Antz and I am sure the other masqueraders wanted to hear other sounds!.
By the time the band reached the Savannah it was chaos! Utter Chaos!. People were storming left right and center! By that time I just wanted to use the bathroom and rest.
The rest of the afternoon the band ended up splitting and stormers galore was flocking left, right and center! I saw one girl in a thong costume being harassed and pulled at by a stormer! Lord have mercy IP you really disappoint.
POINTERS
I think that IP should introduce a system like Tribe to keep the numbers in check.
They need to readdress the catering and security features of the band
Get a proper rest area for lunch and relaxation on both days LIKE THE OTHER BANDS.
Play the Road March contenders and not one song over and over!
Get a bigger area and a more efficient system for payments and collection of costumes.
Start the collection process two weeks before Carnival so that what happened this year would never happen again.
Fire and Hire new production companies that did not produce costumes on time.
I am seriously thinking about switching to another band! They failed big time! The service was the best when they were Galvanize Entertainment in the band Poison.
Regards
trina
Hi Saucy,
I know you had a lot of reviews about IP for 2009, I just wanted to give
my 2 cents as well as offer some recommendations.
Dear Island People Mas,
After reading Saucy's review and others on Trinidad Carnival Diary I feel inclined to give you feedback on my 2009 Carnival experience with you. This was my first year playing with Island People and I was a bit apprehensive after reading all the negative comments and reviews that people made about your customer service of years gone by. I must say that they were correct. Being an overseas masquerader we don't have the luxury of walking into the mas camp and speaking to someone face to face or even viewing the costumes up close and personal. I purchased my costume from another masquerader.
I called IP to make the final payment on the costume and at the same time provided them with my email address so that they can email my receipt to me. It took about 5days before I got the confirmation email and that was only after calling IP numerous
times and explaining to them that my credit card info jumping up all over the place. However, I did encounter a pleasant lady who was kind enough to apologize and who sent me my confirmation email. IP needs to send their employees to some customer service school or they need to reinforce that the workers are dealing with customers, people who paying their salary. As much as I am living overseas and try to be diplomatic I would not hesitate to throw some expletives in the mix.
Collection and Costume
IP also needs to have designated days for overseas masqueraders. I decided to pick up my costume, Caramel, Carnival Friday as I only got into the country late Carnival Thursday. Jean Pierre Complex was a mad house. I couldn't understand if I paid for my costume before the fast track date why I had to stand in a line for over 2 hrs to collect my costume. I must say thank you for the water and the bmobile lollies which you passed out when we were waiting. It was a nice atmosphere as masqueraders decided to make a lime out of it and make new friends but it was still unacceptable.
The Chocolate costume was much closer to the prototype but that really didn't bother me. I loved my costume nonetheless. One thing though, I don't know how you people decide on how to measure the belt but my belt was way too big for me. Check yuh size chart again. Kudos to the accessories that you provided with the costumes, they were really nice and a nice touch at uniformity.
On the road
The band was big. A nice manageable big. Loved that. Security worked from the Stadium until we crossed the Savannah. After that was every man for themselves. I wasn't feeling this too much. Didn't have any guntas but anything could have happened. Although I did feel safe when they broke up a fight at Green Corner I didn't like the idea that they gave us the ghost after we crossed the stage. I paid my money for this service and I expect to get it for the whole day. The drinks flowed like water but the water didn't flow like water. Many times I went to the bar for water and had to come back 30 mins later because they didn't have any water. Fix that!!! Now onto the wee wee trucks.
Firstly, I cannot understand why that truck was so far in the back, truck number 17. If I wanted to use that truck I had to start walking to the back before I even felt to wee wee. IP yuh need to find some other place to put that truck or get two trucks, one in the middle and one in the back. Secondly, the truck itself has much left to be desired. I don't think that it is so hard to provide at least a mirror and get the sponsors to provide some smell sweet in the toilet. Also, please hire people to clean those things during the day. After awhile it was very nasty.
Oh when will I rest to eat!!! IP didn't take a lunch break. On Monday after crossing the Savannah after 4:30pm and missing out on lunch IP stood around St. Mary's grounds for over an hour. No announcement was made as to whether this was a lunch break or anything. Next yr IP please break for lunch. I didn't eat lunch on Monday because I had a late breakfast and only needed snacks to carry me through the day. But on Tuesday it wasn't nice to walk and eat. Finally, the after party, what is that? Maybe IP was trying something new this year and people correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure IP use to have an after jump up to the jump up. Well this didn't happen this year and I know many people were looking forward to this. IP fix that.
Conclusion
To reiterate my earlier points:
* Improve customer service
* Have designated days for overseas masqueraders to collect
costume
* Better size chart
* Security works for the entire day
* More water
* Cleaner and better line up of the wee wee truck/trucks.
* Lunch Stop, get one!!!
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my IP Carnival experience. My friends and I have agreed that we will be playing with them again next yr. Hopefully you get your act together and listen to your masqueraders.
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11 comments:
I have to comment on letter number two....wee wee trucks are always in the back.....always. You seriously can't have those things in the middle of the band. They may smell later in the day and who wants to jump up behind that? I doubt you'll find another band with a wee wee truck smack in the middle of the band.
You are right DC, they always are. lol. Any band putting it any where else should be charged and kicked out of the game! Any where but the back isn't logical.
Sad to see that masqueraders don't consider little things like that when chosing a band.
One question amoung many to ask yourself when chosing a band, How far are you willing to walk and how long are u able to wait when u get there?
I remember one yr when my friend had to go, she was afarid of losin the crew so i opted to go with her(never did that crap for any one again because gettin there in itself was a task!), when we finially got there the line was another story, by the time she was 2nd in line the p was running down her leg! lol
Last yr on my way home i saw a girl trying to do it in a corner with her friends trying to hide her, she fell on her a$$, it was not a pretty sight :( !
IP needs to learn a few little secrets of the customer service trade. One such secret is that there is a way to make people FORGET that they are uncomfortable and/or make them feel comfortable even when they actually aren't. Let me explain.
Last year when my friends and I went to register for Tribe, we got a "good number" (in the first 100 for the evening). In spite of this, we waited over 2 hours before one of the Tribe reps suggested to us that we go register online. Now waiting for over 2 hours ANYWHERE is not something I would put up with because I HATE waiting, especially when it seems fruitless.
The difference in this case was that I never realized that 2 whole hours had passed because I was SO COMFORTABLE. There were drinks, the room was air conditioned, the seating was super comfy, music was playing and all of the above created a very welcoming ambiance.
Take the exact scenario and remove the drinks, the ac, the music, the comfortable seating etc and you have CHAOS because people have nothing to focus on but the fact that they are just standing around in the hot sun/pouring rain WAITING...and WAITING...and WAITING...That combination is a recipe for a riot, which is why year after year IP comes under criticism during registration and distribution.
The majority of people who collected costumes on the first 3 days this year were in and out in no time...it was later in the week that all hell broke loose because no measures were put in place to deal with large numbers of people all showing up at the same time.
IP, keep your masqueraders comfortable and they are more likely to exercise a greater degree of patience.
I played with IP this year and I'm definitely not playing with them next year.....One bad experience is more than enough for me....Too much money being spent to get $#!t in return!!!
This review has me speechless :|
Exactly Shellss. Nobody should patronize a band that gives people crap service no matter what band it is. Nowadays money matters-- especially when we're paying the most ever in history for mas. These bands should respect that and step up their game -- not backslide.
Like I played with TRibe last year for the first time and I felt like they fell short badly of their great reputation. Imagine breakfast ran out before the most of the masqueraders even reach (why have a chit then?). Imagine being stuck in town whole day and no snacks or finger food (but plenty drinks to drunken your tail though :) until 4:30pm when we got to St.Clair. WTF?! Thank God for Royal Castle Frederick Street. The security lapsed after crossing the Savannah "stage" --- which is all too typical of any band. Then the trucks pulled off in a speed and had us running horse races to St Clair to the rest/lunch area. For all that foolishness I said kiss my a$$ -- next band next year.
I played with IP this year. Hoo boy. Not me again. I was not surprised by them though because IP had a reputation for being disorganized. But they salvaged themselves last year so I thought why not give them a try -- only for IP f**k up this year. To them I say next band next year.
The days for band loyalty for me are over. These bands (especially big bands)take ppl for granted and slipping up.
It have too many bands out there now to put up with the crap just for the sake of bragging that one played with XYZ band. Puhlease.
Over it!
This is the best hillarious (intentional or not) review I have read since I began reading Saucy's Trinidad Carnival Diary.
I am with you AC :|
Carnivalcocoa, I agree with u on the breakfast thing in TRIBE. Same thing happened to me this year where breakfast ran out, and I asked myself the same question..why have a chit system? That was my only complaint with TRIBE this year though.
hahahaha ... I love the "Ghetto" behaviour!! You go girl!
Girl ... its not only IP - I had friends who had to miss partying carnival Fri night because they were stuck in Cascadia for 6 hours! No water, no explanation. Imagine on you first day in the country!
I'm just glad someone have a word or two about tribe..I find people does pick on IP lol..I love me some IP and if I goin to carnival next year it's IP I playin with. I'm yet to have any real complaints with the band..I've always received good service, a beautiful costume and a great road experience. It's a shame others that have played with IP haven't had the same experiences with them as myself..3 years my costume was too big bc I've measured myself wrong or lost weight btwn registration and carnival, and all 3 times IP has done adjustments for me, and once even gave me a smaller bra all together. This is the first year I actually registered for my correct size and it fit to perfection. I've never had complaints about them running out of food or drinks.. the food isn't gourmet or from the greatest cook in trinidad...I could do a better job myself lol but it's still food..I wouldn't quite call it dog chow! Security didn't make it thru carnival this year but if people sneakin friends and fam in the band anyways then what difference does it make. I pay my money to IP to ensure a great costume and a great time and in truth I had both..no crazy story or bad experience here..simply a great carnival period..and y people pickin on Ants..maybe it was the Johnnie I drank all day mon and tues but I actually enjoyed the song on the road..
TriniVice
I usually don’t comment on IP topics because it’s always negative (yet people still rush to the band every year), but I’m with you. This was my 4th year with IP and I don't have real complaints. I picked up my costume in less than 30 minutes and it only took that long because I was busy taking pictures for yours truly, my friends was not that lucky later in the week, but that was their fault for sticking.
If you have the option to have someone pick up for you earlier in the week then do that. I do agree that they can start distribution earlier. LOVED LOVED LOVED my costume, I had so many accessories I left HALF for my friend.
I forgot my chit on Tuesday and was still able to get my food without a fuss (PEOPLE A SMILE AND A KIND WORD GOES A LONG WAY). For non-drinkers the options were more limited but they had drinks up to 6:30 when I was getting ready to leave the band.
I would agree with the security issue after the Savannah, but I've always experienced the stormers even back in Poison days. Other than that security was very helpful getting me in and out the band during the day with my large headpiece.
My biggest thing this year was the lack of sections which I blamed on the rain for the most part, it was pure madness. I also witnessed alot of blatant disrespect to the workers/food servers when things were out of their control. For example a group of about 8 came looking for food on Tuesday at around 6:30 (when I was getting that last drink), they were pissed and carrying on like a bunch of fools because there was no food left, snacks yes food NO!!
Excuse me but our book clearly said food would be served until 4, and they were serving past that time. Now outside of the chit and everything else, if they had given them food that was sitting in the sun since noon at 6:30 and they ass got sick then they would have really had a problem with IP - come on people. And all that cussing and carrying on was SO unnecessary especially when the server was offering them at least some snacks. I had to say something SORRY.
My only other comment on IP this year was the "family vibe" that I love the band for was lacking this year. The band just seemed like a bunch of random people. A lot of regular faces were missing maybe because of the economy, but since IP has yet to disappoint me I say you'll see me again just work on security and prepare better for the onslaught of people that comes in every year on Carnival Friday and Saturday.
PS I was also not a fan of "Antz" but when they threw it on for the stage and all the fellas in my "section" started doing that silly Antz dance I just HAD to join in lol
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