Dear Saucy,
I’m a big fan of your site and check you for updates almost every day. I know that you have stated on your site that you play in Tribe and have been playing with them for some time, hence the reason I’m taking the chance to write to you to air a BIG grievance that I have as a LOYAL Tribe supporter!
Why is it that being after supporting the band for SIX years now with my hard earned money (one in thousands mind you but still hard cold cash) that I cannot get into a section of my choice. This is the 2nd year that I have to put up with this pre-registration crap that Tribe is continuing to perpetrate.
They claim to want to improve their service to their TLC members but do not think to even send out pre-registration notices to those that have supported them for the last 6 years. That before anything else would be a cost effective and easy way to reciprocate their appreciation in an effective manner. But no they continue to allow committee members & external section leaders to pre-register their friends and others before those that contribute to their profits. They are registering people that have now started to play in Tribe sometimes zero or one year!!!
I am really saddened that this is the route they continue to take and feel sorry for other masqueraders who wait for Sat Aug 15 to do the right thing and maybe have to regulate to their 3 or 4th choice. It is unfair & I hope that those in charge remember that trinis are very fickle and will one day soon, get tired of the frustrations of registering in their “favourite” band!
S.A.
Dear S.A.,
while I empathize with your dilemma I can only say that if I had a section in a popular band and space was allocated to me to pre-register my family, friends and supporters I would do it too; that is the truth.
I can also say that the rumours of pr- registration have been going on for WAY before the past two years and it allegedlly occurs in ALL bands as well.
Inspite of this, I personally have always gotten the costume I wanted. While it may be frustrating to you, I hope you noted that TRIBE's infoblast did state that ALL SECTONS WILL BE AVAILABLE for registration.
Good luck on Saturday, hope you do get your first choice!
p.s. if registering online I suggest having ALL the information required (as per the infoblast) typed up in a word document so you can just CUT and PASTE into the form instead of typing. It would also do you well to register yourself first, friends can wait until later, and have a second and third choice. If you are going to Cascadia, remember the early bird catches the worm!
while I empathize with your dilemma I can only say that if I had a section in a popular band and space was allocated to me to pre-register my family, friends and supporters I would do it too; that is the truth.
I can also say that the rumours of pr- registration have been going on for WAY before the past two years and it allegedlly occurs in ALL bands as well.
Inspite of this, I personally have always gotten the costume I wanted. While it may be frustrating to you, I hope you noted that TRIBE's infoblast did state that ALL SECTONS WILL BE AVAILABLE for registration.
Good luck on Saturday, hope you do get your first choice!
p.s. if registering online I suggest having ALL the information required (as per the infoblast) typed up in a word document so you can just CUT and PASTE into the form instead of typing. It would also do you well to register yourself first, friends can wait until later, and have a second and third choice. If you are going to Cascadia, remember the early bird catches the worm!
33 comments:
Good grief!
Glad I am not S.A. I feel your pain though and I am sure there is a number of folks who share your sentiment.
And the madness begins! Seriously, between the madness of TRIBE, Spice and Island People, you STAY entertained. Registration has not even BEGUN! OMG! I will take out a lounge chair and sip lemonade to read bout TRIBE come Saturday. All the fears and the cries!
Would someone PLEASE pull me out of this Carnival time warp??!!! It's like the same thing over and over man.
"Spice bra size" issue..."TRIBE pre-reg have ppl vex" issue..."Island People too disorganized" issue...."Costumes too expensive" issue...SHEESH LOL!
I know people are just venting or stating their opinions, but why the shock EVERY YEAR as if it's anything new LOL? I guess that's all part of the Carnival bacchanal right? :)
Anyway, I say as Saucy said, once you move early you WILL get your section. It's not a matter of TLC. Anytime you're competing against others for something in limited supply, you HAVE to move early to get what you want. Think Black Friday Thanksgiving sales :D
Ennekaycee, you mean the sales where the security guard got trampled to death by people wanting cheap plasma tellies?
OH LORDIE!!! Well where I lived and shopped there was never that kind of violence, but since that actually happened I will take back my example :s
People should focus on the getting there early part of the example lol.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Retraction accepted. Just in case, TRIBE door staff better have tasers ready yes!
Let the hysteria commence!
I completely agree pre-registration should be made available to all Tribe TLC members or not at all. I find this system completely imbalanced. I too have had to settle for 2nd and 3rd choice options in the past although like so many others I have been a loyal Tribe supporter even before inception of the band Tribe. I actually sent an email to Tribe last year voicing my concern about this same issue and received no response. My feeling is pre-registration should not result in 95% of any one section being sold out before official registration begins, which is what I suspect is the case with these popular sections. Tribe’s disclaimer that ALL SECTONS WILL BE AVAILABLE for registration is nice to hear, my questions is what percentage of the popular sections are available when registration begins.
To ennekaycee:
Im sorry but yes the increase in prices this year ESPECIALLY with TRIBE was just a bit much. Saucy asked for the opinion of her readers they/we gave it. You cant say that people were complaining about cost last year, or year before. If there were complaints then excuse me BIG TIME. But this year was a VERY big jump from the last and even the year before. If that increase was because prices were basically the same for 2008 and 2009 then okay, maybe. But there is no REAL justification for it (in my opinion). What for food and liquor? Give me a break.
I for one, will be spending my money at the end of the day to play my mas, but the woman got what she asked for, the opinion of her readers.
Enjoy your 2010 experience
So tell me Trinitee, if you were offered the chance to pre-register, thus ensuring that you got into the 'hot' section or section of your choice, would you say "Nope. Sorry. It isn't fair to everyone else." ?
Would you bollocks!
I've heard the same pre-registration rumours, which is why I will be refreshing my page constantly from five minutes before the site goes live. That approach has never failed me yet as I've ALWAYS got into my section of choice.
So yes pre-registration is bloody awful and it isn't fair. But life isn't fair. Plus TRIBE advises that you should have other section choices, which is good advice.
Pre-reg is also a way of thanking people who have been doing work for TRIBE all year round, supporting designers etc.
Like I said, I don't like it either. But that's the way it is, and they not going to stop doing it. So I've gotten over it and devised my own little strategy!
I think everyone should wait and see what happens on Saturday and not panic yet...I admit I also feel a bit anxious about whether or not I'll be able to get into the section/s I want...but I keep reminding myself that TRIBE "claims" that All Sections Will be Available....
If, as a TLC holder, you get there early enough OR you decide to register online and you DON'T get in...then I think you would really need to vent and probably choose another section, another band or simply not play.
I really wish that Trinis (or people trying to purchase something in Trinidad) would realize that you're spending YOUR money; if you're NOT getting what you want, DON'T pay for it... Stop accepting the "well that's how they do it" mentality. Yes there are a lot of people trying to get into Tribe but I bet if more and more people started taking that stance you would see a difference..
So basically, the ball is in your court now...Tribe has "said" that they've done what they're supposed to..now it's up to you...
Good luck!!!
i myself will be registering saturday morning as i am without "links" of any sort.
I do have confidence as stated in Tribe's infor blast that all sections will be opened when reistration begins. However to ensure i will be on the road monday and tuesday in Osage (FL) i have already washed out my cooler and will be packing breakfast lunch and snacks and be at cascadia with book and beach chair by 7 o clock on saturday morning.
I do agree with Saucy's statement that if the opportunity presented itself to pre register without the hassle of giving up my saturday presented itself i would take it.
But i will do what is necessary to ensure my Osage FL.
Trinitee12, I can't give you an exact %, but I know for a fact that access to the popular (and particularly private) sections is limited even during pre-registration.
Pre-registration is not a free for all. There is a limit to the number of people that can be pre-registered, specifically so that the majority of spaces left are available when registration opens.
Dcarnivalbaby, I have NO PROBLEM with people voicing their opinions whether or not Saucy asked for them. There was nothing I said to indicate that I believe people should shut up and keep their opinions to themselves. I just stated my opinion because every year without fail we get the "shock" and "disbelief" at the same issues. Nothing is wrong with that. I just feel like I'm in a Carnival time warp because we're having to address some of the same issues we dealt with last year around this time...and even before that. There was no malicious intent in what I said.
If yuh Want Yuh FIRST CHOICE Go early Dat is all, If yuh Want it that Bad you will Do whatever it Takes. My ist year I had to settle for "Open Reg Costumes" and i Learned After that if i Want My first choice GET EEN Early..
SO WHAT IF TRIBE Pre Registers, If yuh is Not A SHAREHOLDER yuh Really ENT ENTITLED tuh NUTTIN...So The people who Run and Own the Band IS ENTITLED to pre Register whom so ever they WANT. Is dem who put they time effort And MONEY to BRing out the band...IT IS their ENTITLEMENT ....Dem Ent owe Nobody Nuttin..
As stated previously... Same thing every year why the shock when it happens again? I have played in TRIBE for the past 6 years also. I stood outside on Rosalino street amazed by how many ppl were there and DID NOT get my 1st choice 'nylon pool' but my 2nd choice instead.
Point is, if you noe yr fav section is the most popular get there early. TRIBE holds costumes for registration dte cause since dat yr i didnt get in, I have gotten to registration almost 4hrs prior to start time and always gotten my 1st choice.
Unfortunately if you really want to play dats wha u have to do. If not stop complaining and change bands or smethin. There are 100 more ppl lined up willing to pay double for any section in TRIBE.
I stand that by my original post that pre-registration for some and not all TLC members is not fair. If given the opportunity to pre-register exclusively, which seems be the process today I will probably say no. I strongly believe all TLC members should get a fair chance at getting into a section of their choice AT THE SAME TIME. Now if Tribe needs to make the pre-registration available to those folks who are involved in the organization behind the scenes that seems reasonable, however when the pre-registration invitation is extended to friends and family of committee members and every Tom, Dick and Harry who knows somebody in Tribe, I find this ridiculous. At the end of the day I will take the necessary steps to expedite my registration on online and hopefully get into a section of my choice. If I was living in Trinidad I would be one of the first at the In-House registration at Cascadia.
pre-registration invitation is extended to friends and family of committee members and every Tom, Dick and Harry who knows somebody in Tribe
As someone said before, even with the pre-registration there are limits on how many can take advantage of this privilege; it is NOT every Tom, Dick and Harry. :)
And if all TLC members were allowed to pre-register then won't we all just be registering like normal anyways? smh
Maybe its selfish, but I also think online reg should be for overseas masqueraders only.
(I'm sure I said this last yr as well)
Its already crap to have to pick a costume based on photoshopped pics and blog opinions a million years in advance of carnival, and pay another fortune for plane tickets. Oh gorshh man!
I can’t be certain of what Tribe’s pre-registration policy is, since the option has never been offered to me and I am not privy of the official pre-registration policy.
If pre-registration was available to all, one will assume there will be guidelines that will limit the percentage of costumes available prior to official registration, just as many folks are suggesting they do today. If they wanted to extend the invitation to all TLC members there are a number of fair pre-registration conventions that Tribe can adopt.
If everybody was doing it, it wouldn't be pre-registration would it? It'd just be registration.
It isn't fair, it isn't great, but bloody get over it and move on. If you don't like it, there are OTHER bands who probably don't pre-register. Though I can't think of one. Trinidad is that kind of place, and people will always look out for their own first.
Have your strategy and be ready and everything will be fine.
mjs bunny well said
If you dont like it too bad for u. why should tribe waste time and energy on finding avenues that avoid pre-registration. TLC members at least have an option to register earlier than other. Non members have wait for d scrapes if any.
I have my strategy, if i am not successful in my 1st choice im not goin to make a fuss. Life goes on.
why should they lah? after all we are their bread and butter (sacrcasm in case you did not get it). It is clear that through the great service that Tribe has proivded yearly its intention is not to neglect their loyal maqueraders. However, I disagree with the mentality of why should they? It is this type of mentality that has T&T in the state it is in generally. Poor costumer service in every aspect of life...the why should they mentality. It would not hurt to consider it.
Oh no Empress don't get me wrong. I am all for customer service. However, consider the product that is being sold and the demand for it. Everyone can't play in the same section. i have seen Tribe improve on their service every year. The reality is, not every possible masquerader can be satisfied and i think that tribe explores all options at ensuring majority customer satisfaction. Look how far they have come from registration startin on Rosalino Street.
the pre-registration does suck but try to see d positive in it instead of cryin....tribe needs to explore/consider other options cause you aint get into yr section.
I would remain a Tribe supporter and would be at Cascadia as early as possible in order to secure my 1st choice. And look forward to the real Tribe experience for me which is safety and comfort on the road for car mon & tues 2010
this again...as saucy say I would do it too!
Don't make this an issue... Hear what to do... Have at least 4 sections that you would love to play in.. If your first choice is gone then move to your second and so on.
Get to Cascadia EARLY or log on to the site early, have everything ready to register so there will be no hiccups along the way.
If this doesn't work for you, there are always other bands such as IP, Spice and Harts.
Saucy had a great suggestion by typing all your info in a word document so you can just cut and paste.. With all these tips you are good to go.
I have to agree though, if I was bringing out a section in Tribe or any other band and you were my friend S.A I am sure you wouldn't mind if I offered you pre-registration. Many bands if not all do this...
Ciao
Sweet Dougla, the first rule of pre-registration: YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT PRE-REGISTRATION! LOL LOL...Sorry, Fight Club just came to mind :D
I remember last year there were some of the same concerns yet thousands of people managed to get: 1) Their 1st section of choice and 2) Into TRIBE.
There were rumors that sections and even the band was sold out during pre-reg, but when registration opened there was more than enough room. I said it before. Last year I got to Cascadia 2 hours after registration had started and there was still room in Kiskidee FL, a section that was rumored to have sold out during pre-reg.
So I say don't stress. That's kinda ruining your Carnival experience before it even really starts...
And even some ppl who getting pre reg not getting their costume of 1st choice. I had the opp to preg my friends n me but not in the section of choice bc the person's "quota" in that section was done. I for one prefer to go the old time way and im heading to cascadia... I feel safer.
LOL Enne
I was thinkin the same thing! That is definitely the first and most important rule!!
Anyway ... I am so happy for ppl who could find FOUR sections they would love to play in. Like wow!! I struggled with 1 don't talk for 2!!
If you have four you really good to go.
Ennekaycee I love reading your posts you always make so much sense.
I'm just making a statement ...
i can see that TRIBE is trying VERY HARD to please everyone from the top to the bottom .... and everywhere you turn SOMEBODY ALWAYSSSS has a problem...
just do what you need to do and move on ... hard luck if you stick and move late .... like the saying goes "yuh snooze, yuh loose"
it's just like the latest Playstation or Xbox .... not everybody can get one ...
I wish I could be in TNT for the open registration. I would happily go and line up 4 hours early but I am out in Asia and will have to set my alarm to make sure I am up in goodtime for when the system goes live. My limit is 3 choices for Tribe if I dont get one of them I move on to my first choice in another band. I know this does not sound loyal....but what's a girl to do.
I could easily find 4 sections or more..hehehe
In no particular order
Zari
Osage
Threads of Morocco
Loulan
Mulberry
:-)
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