Post #687357 by tikijackskeleton on Thu, Jul 25, 2013 2:20 PM

On 2013-07-24 12:45, TiKiMaN77 wrote:
Wife and I didn't even know there was a Goodie Bag.

I think this was the problem. The right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing at the event. I wish Tonga Hut a happy 55th and all. Hell, I recall my time doing weekly trips there with buddies under the draw of cheap beer nights while one or two of us got those signature tiki drinks and it's been a go-to spot for dates, but what didn't happen at the event sort of made me not fully enjoy my Sunday. What ever happened to this idea;

On 2013-06-13 08:32, tonga hut wrote:
There will be 155 of the Shag Mugs. The original were to be limited. July 20th is the start of our holiday weekend. With music and specials , July 21st, those that vend on Sunday early will get first chance to purchase a mug, thank you Vendors!!!!

One per person(family) as we only have 155. Shag will be there!!!!

Having this be my first time vending at a tiki event, I may just not be used to how things are done. Or perhaps I was too new to the other usual faces despite having been to the last half dozen International Tiki festivals. But even though I got there early and had a spot, I felt like the vendors weren't so much taken care of.

No one came around to see who wanted a mug. There was already a line forming while I was setting up and I couldn't leave my spot since my buddy hadn't shown up to relieve me. Seeing folks walk away with mugs was sort of odd.

Eventually I did get a chance to part from my booth and it must have been during the chaos of trying to get through that line. I said I was a vendor, but by then the drooling bastards were gone and the shag mug was left as "Oh, we'll figure it out once we take care of the line."

Notice that. The opposite of taking care of those vendors. It probably should have read "We'll take care of our friends first". Especially when the line was dead and later checking back proved that they were done with.

If it wasn't for the fact that I did sell a fair amount of vintage and kitschy poly pop stuff I brought, I would have been far more disappointed that I was stuck at the booth while people partied it up inside and got their mugs.

At one point when I was relieved from standing watch over my booth and I was hoping for a 55th Mai Tai glass with drink from inside - As I could have used a stiff drink and didn't need two glasses like the deal outside. But maneuvering inside was in itself its own task as it was very dark and after 15 minutes waiting in the mass around the bar, just gave up on that quest.

How difficult would it have been to come around and 'take care of the vendors' like was originally promised? Cause I walked away without a mug and now I see I even missed a goodie bag? That blows.

I suppose I should take comfort that the line for the mug didn't block my spot. Just seemed like a whole mess of miscommunication at the event. Especially with the only 80 Shag mugs actually making it to the event. But as a first time and more than likely last time vendor, I didn't feel very much taken care of.

End rant, I know. cry me a river and what not. Just needed to vent that and get it off my chest. I'll be seeing you guys again - only from the other side of the table.

But hey, to Tonga Hut. I'll still be sipping on them Zombies for hopefully another 55 years.

[ Edited by: tikijackskeleton 2013-07-25 14:21 ]

[ Edited by: tikijackskeleton 2013-07-25 14:22 ]