TRIBE 2010 Review (2)

Hello Saucy,

I'm a huge fan of your blog and felt compelled to provide you with my feedback of Tribe for 2010.

Registration

What a nightmare! I stayed home on the first day of TLC registration with 4 top pick costumes in mind. As I tried to "pay" on line, I repeatedly received an error message. Yet one by one the costumes were sold out! When Tribe finally advised that the servers had crashed and registration would cease, the majority of costumes were sold out. I sent an email to Tribe that night expressing my frustration and asked them to advise of recourse in the situation. The second day of registration, I again received an error message when trying to pay. I eventually was able to register in Eri, but still sent an email to Tribe as I would have liked to switch to another section. I was advised that my request would be sent to the production team. Email after email and call after costly call to Tribe revealed a big fat nothing. Tribe never responded to me, and I had to call them to find out I was stuck in that section.

I was particularly pissed off as a relative of mine was able to "pre register" herself and a large amount of friends who were not TLC in a section.

Costume

My costume was picked up for me and when I arrived in Trinidad immediately tried on the costume. Quite honestly the costume was pretty, but overall the band looked lop sided. Some sections looked fresh and new (ie Loulan, Charmeuse), and sections like Eri and Lazuli looked, well, dated. In addition, the head piece was not balanced. It constantly fell forward and I had to deal with stones in my eyes.

Service

I've always been a supporter of Tribe for it's service and attention to detail. To me, it's worth the money, especially for security. Lunch was tasty as always and drinks were great.

Review

Overall Tribe is my number one pick for bands because the vibe is great and service is excellent. I do hope the band does a post mortem and review feedback from outsiders as well as masqueraders. The registration fiasco in my eyes has hurt the band's reputation and registration for 2011 has to be overhauled.

TRIBE Update

TRIBER's take note, especially  of the new work out session  Digicel  Burn for masqueraders, which started LAST Monday though we are just getting the email;  so that means if I were interested I missed out on TWO sessions, why even bother to mention this in the email TRIBE, I am just saying, kind of a LATE with that bit of information!

And, has anyone ever used the costume delivery service? If you have please leave a comment on if you think it was worth it, personally, I want to collect my costume in person just so I can make SURE it looks like what was advertised  and I get every single piece in my box, I mean who will I  complain to (read argue with)  if I have issues with the costume, the delivery boy?

FURTHER PAYMENTS
The deadline for costume payments is Friday 22nd Jan

Online: Credit Card Only (VISA & Mastercard)

Mas Camp: No cheques or credit cards accepted

Mas Camp Opening Hours: Mon - Fri, 12noon-5pm

After Friday any outstanding balances can be paid during distribution at Cascadia
No cheques or credit cards will be accepted at Cascadia

COSTUME DISTRIBUTION
Our costume distribution is scheduled to begin in early February.

The costume distribution schedule will be released via e-mail, newspapers and our website by the end of January.

All masqueraders must present a picture ID to collect their costume.

COSTUME RE-SALES/ COLLECTION
The deadline for costume transfers was December 31st 2009.

If you have purcahsed a costume from someone and it has not been transfered to you on our system OR you are collecting a costume for someone, please ensure that you walk with:

A letter signed by the costume owner authorizing you to collect.

A copy of costume owner's picture ID.

Costumes will not be released to persons without these documents.

COSTUME DELIVERY
The deadline for Costume Delivery requests has been extended to this FRIDAY 22nd JANUARY.

If you would like to request the Costume Delivery Service, please send an email to sales@carnivaltribe.com with the subject "REQUEST DEL" by 5pm on Friday 22nd Jan. This email must contain you delivery address and contact information.

Delivery Available to:

POS &environs - TT$150

Outside POS (East to Arima/South to San Fernando) - TT$200

If you have already requested and paid for the Costume Delivery Service, please send an email to sales@carnivaltribe.com with the subject "2010 COST DEL" to confirm your delivery address and contact information.

Please Note: Costumes must be paid in full to qualify for this service.

Secret of Silk Section Lineup... Sort Of

This year in the  infamous "Outwitted, Outmaneuvered, Outplayed" post where I threw a cyber tantaturm about TRIBE's  proposed section lineup, which led to consequences beyond expectation, followers of this blog were surprised that the section lineup meant THAT much to me.

Well, as in all things Carnival I take the placement of my section very, very seriously. I have observed certain trends with TRIBE over the years of where certain designers/section leaders' sections are placed as well as which sections always follow a particular truck and which sections tend to bring up the rear.

My theories were all thrown out the window for Carnival 2009 as I did not factor in the President's section choice, which led the band,  sponsored sections that wanted to be placed near the front or even the fact that certain designers made a fuss at being in the back (see I am not the only one!)

So for Carnival 2010 I have NEW theories on what the lineup might look like; some things will remain the same, Lana Nobrega's section will always be in the cluster with the Hypa Hoppa truck and the President's section will be to the front, while others will change.

 I am guessing that in fairness to sections that were in the back half of the band for a few years there will be a rotation putting designers closer to the front. And as a certain designer had all THREE of their sections in the top 5 for 2009, I am sure at least 2 of that designer's sections will be in the back next year. Popularity of sections has nothing to do with the lineup so do not expect the sections that sold out first to be closer to the front!

So, based on certain information, theories and speculation here is my proposed section line up for TRIBE 2010:

Cluster 1

1. Xi Ling Shi

2.Mulberry

Cluster 2

3.Osage

4. Silk of Rajasthan

Cluster 3

5.Zari

6. Habotai

Cluster 4

7.Mystery of Loulan

8. Charmeuse

Cluster 5

9.Serica

10.Lapis Lazuli

11.Threads of Morocco

Cluster 6

12. Tyrian Purple

13.Eri

As for where my section falls in this proposed lineup, not to the back I can tell you for sure! After being section #5 this year I am ok with not being section # 1 every year. What made the experience even better was that security ensured all sections crossed the judging point in order.

My fears were that after the first couple sections passed the judging area that  the rest of sections would cross in one big melee as happened in 2008; thankfully that did not occur this year. Now I am not saying I would be happy in cluster 5 or cluster 6 , truth be told I would be estatic in cluster 1 or 2 and happy enough in cluster 3 or 4, anything beyond that well....

So, lets hear YOUR proposed section lineup; where you would ideally like your section to be placed, any preferences for being to the front or back of the band and why? Leave me a comment!

TRIBE Fast Track Promotion and Fete Season Pass

click to enlarge

Carnival 2010 Season Passes

T.L.C. Holders - $1000

(Card must be presented at time of purchase)

Non -T.L.C. - $1100

Payment by cash only

Season Passes Available at TRIBE Mas Camp &

through Red Ants & TRIBE Committee

TRIBE Online Credit Card Payments Now Available

Finally! Now you can make payments towards you costumes online at TRIBE's website using your credit card. You  do need your TLC Username and Password, however I just gave it a test run and it is working. Some more information on the online payment for you TRIBERS:

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Further payments can be made NOW.

- In-House (TRIBE Mas Camp): Cash & LINX during advertised opening hours.

- Online: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard) during the hours of 5pm to 12noon.

Site closed during our advertised opening hours of 12noon to 5pm on weekdays.

To make a secure online credit card payment:

1. Click on "My Account" on the menu bar

2. Enter your usernmae and password

3. Click "Add Payment" (Bottom right corner of page)

4. Complete all "Required Fields*"

5. Verify all information entered

6. Click "Make Secure Payment"

7. Print page for your records

Please note that all credit card payments are conducted in US$. The conversion amount will be determined by your bank or credit card provider at the time of billing. This amount will be reflected on your credit card statement.