Re: Beer and Gear surprise

[Jared Mauch <jared () puck Nether net>]

On Wed, Feb 21, 2001 at 05:12:27PM -0800, Randy Bush wrote:
> > I only have an issue of expecting one thing, and getting quite another, 
> > without warning or knowing about the true reason why.  It's like going to 
> > McDonalds to get a meal and finding out your Big Mac is on a regular bun 
> > instead of the sesame seed bun because the guy that cleaned the restrooms 
> > took offence to all the seeds in the toilet.
> >
> > Think of the people that went to NANOG like your kids.  You go get them a 
> > Happy Meal only to find out that there is no surprise inside.  Your kids 
> > still get to eat, and that was the important thing, but are still 
> > disappointed that they didn't get their toy.
>
> i agree.  there should be a question on the nanog reservation form
>
>    "do you really want trinkets from the beer and gear?"
>
> anyone who says "yes" should have their reservation turned down.  we don't
> have enough space for serious operators and this really might help.

        I think that there were probally more real discussions with
the vendors this time and based on that they will probally not return
with trinkets even if merit allows it.  This gets the more serious people 
at their booths (tables) that want to discuss real issues.  I found a lot 
more of that this time rather than "give me my 
t-shirt/boxers/pen/hoberman sphere/ball/yo-yo" as i wandered the
tables.

        The Washington beer&gear was in a poor space and the behaviour
of everyone there was close to inappropriate with the mob scene that
appeared around the tables.  There it was too dificult to get up
to the table to discuss issues as everyone was pushing/shoving
to get their goodies.

        If i were a vendor i'd at least make them talk to me
or get a business card/name on a sign-in sheet before they got
their goodies.  It's better business than showing up and giving away
550 t-shirts at a considerable cost to me with no return on my
investment other than the advertizing value.

        - Jared

-- 
Jared Mauch  | pgp key available via finger from jared () puck nether net
clue++;      | http://puck.nether.net/~jared/  My statements are only mine.