Back At It in Las Vegas

Hey Yall!  Yo girl is back from Vegas!   Seems like yesterday I was just there, could be because I was out there 6 months ago.  Again, I was there for a conference with Mr. M as his tag-along looking for brands to partner up with for his business.  The Western Buyer's Conference is similar to the conference we went to last July, but much smaller since there aren't a lot of brands at this convention.



If you remember, last Vegas trip was a nightmare.  From, missed flight that cost me over $1000, not having a hotel room that almost had us sleeping in our car, and I didn't mention on that post, but I also smashed my finger in the car door.  Goodness was that trip going all kinds of bad!



This trip was a complete turnaround!  Much better planned, with no hip cups. But you know Vegas always got a story to tell, like what happens in Vegas, doesn't stay in Vegas.  I saw a lot this time around, and I'll let you know shortly, keep reading.



Las Vegas trip was planned months in advance to avoid the troubles of last time.  You all know how much I love Priceline.  Believe it or not but I didn't use Priceline to book our flights and hotel, we used our rewards points from our Chase Bank credit card.  This is another option to help save money on travel, but you must be responsible paying off your card each month.  We let our rewards points collect over the years, and used it for the first time this trip.  The points covered our flights to and from Vegas, and we had enough points to cover almost our whole hotel stay.



Do you want to know what was amazing?  Both of our round trip tickets together to Vegas only cost $230. That's right, two round trip tickets for that price, plus we didn't have to pay for it due to the rewards points.  Getting flights months ahead of time can save you a lot of money.  It's much harder to get cheap deals on flights last minute.



1/16

We flew Frontier, and this time, I wasn't too impress with them.  They're starting to become just like Spirit Airlines, all kinds of fees for this and that, seating is small and uncomfortable, plus they have no WIFI.  What's up with that?  Well, at least, we didn't miss this flight.



Our hotel was at The Signature at MGM Grand, a 3 tower resort located next to the MGM Grand.  The Signature at MGM Grand is more for people who like the beautiful resort suite experience, but don't want to have all the ruckus from casinos.

I thought our suite was beautiful with a sophisticated modern look.
 

•     Spacious bedroom area with king-size bed

•     Balcony with views of Las Vegas

•     300-thread-count cotton sheets and upscale linens

•     Complete kitchenette with Sub-Zero, Miele, and Bosch appliances

•     Queen-sized sofa bed

•     Separate sitting area with entertainment center and high-definition flat-screen TV

•     Whirlpool spa tub and separate shower

•     Oversized marble/granite bathroom with dual sink vanities

•     In-suite coffee/tea makers

•     CD/DVD players and iHome clock radio

•     Wireless Internet

Even though this suite is gorgeous, I prefer the one-bedroom suite we had at the Palms during our last stay.  Also, The Signature at MGM Grand is complimentary valet only; the catch is you have to tip the valet, and that can become costly.  The Palms had a free parking garage.

After drooling over our suite and standing out on our deck to see the spectacular views of Vegas, we stopped at In-N-Out Burger for a bite to eat.  Every time we go to the west coast, it's a first stop must have.

I had my double-double with grilled onions and cheese, yes, I'm in cheeseburger heaven!  Mr. M ate his burger within minutes and got back in line to order himself another one.



While I minded my own business, enjoying my late night dinner, a young fellow stumbled to me and asked to use my phone.  He smelled liked he bathed in alcohol, and he couldn't even stand straight because he was so drunk.



I gave Mr. M that look, "get your butt over here please!"



The drunk guy wouldn't leave me alone and sat right at my table.  He was telling me that he caught Uber and left his phone in the car and needed to call Uber to get his phone back.  I didn't know if he was running a scam on me or what.



Mr. M came and told him to move; he is not giving him his phone or mine.  The young man got up and started harassing other people.  In-N-Out employees noticed the drunk guy harassing guest and gave their store phone to him to make his call. Unfortunately, it was going to voicemail.



Turns out the guy wasn't lying about his phone because his Uber driver came and dropped it off to him, and I'm assuming Uber gave the guy a ride home.  Thank goodness he left because that drunk guy was scaring all the customers and falling all over the place.



We left In-N-Out, and near the trash can bin outside was some guy taking a piss all out in the open.  LAWD!!!!  Welcome to Vegas!




1/17


We had a full day to ourselves since the conference wasn't until the next day.

First we stop at Freemont Street, located in downtown Las Vegas, with the cities most iconic casinos, restaurants, shops, retail kiosks, and entertainment.

It was my first time being on that street, similar to an outdoor pedestrian mall, but with a lot of booze, strip clubs, and crazily dressed up characters walking around looking to take pictures for tips.

The Slotzilla zip line attraction is the highlight on the street; people zip lining above the crowd.  I remember seeing this famous zip line on tv, but I wouldn't dare get on it, I hate heights.

Heart Attack Grill is another well-known location on Freemont Street that I dare not to step foot inside.  I want to live to see another day, not drop dead eating pounds of hamburger meat.  Have you ever eaten at this place?

There was a fast-causal food place called Chronic Tacos I wanted to go to located in The Palms Hotel to have lunch/dinner.  Mr. and I went there, had loaded up nachos, and went back to the strip to walk around.

During our walking adventure, we kept bumping into people passing out business cards to get hot escorts, yuck, and people trying to get us to go to timeshare presentations and if we did they would give us free passes to shows, restaurants, and attractions.  Mr. M said, "Let see what timeshare is all about and get this free stuff."  I was leery doing this, but I guess why not, I wanted to know what the experience is like going to these meetings.  We had to pay $40 to do this two-hour tour to get the freebies, and no other purchase was necessary.  Hmm...sounds too good to be true, I'll explain what happen with all that in a bit.

For the rest of the night, Mr. M and I walked up and down the strip, bumped into MJ doing the moonwalk and other dance moves, then called it a night.

1/18

Today is the day of the Western Buyer's Conference!  Before we got started, first we went to a breakfast buffet at the Paris hotel, it wasn't that good.

The conference wasn't that good either, small, with not a lot of vendors there.  This conference was a bust.  It took Mr. M and me less than 30 minutes to visit all booths, and we were ready to leave.

"How about we just go to that timeshare meeting and get it over with?" said Mr. M.



"Sure, let's go!" me excitedly excepting his offer.



We went to the booth that we made the $40 purchased at, and someone walked us to the timeshare meeting.



Sapphire resort, never even heard of what this so-called timeshare is, but I'm willing to listen to what they have to say.



We were paired with a sleazy salesman, trying to pump us up with full of lies to buy their timeshare.  Everything we would say, he did it too like he knows and done everything single thing.  He asks what my profession was, I told him I'm a full-time blogger, and then he said his son is a blogger too.  Dude, yeah right!  Do I have stupid written across my forehead?



We had to watch this video about the Sapphire Resort Club, and while watching the video, the salesman kept looking at Mr. M and me to see what expressions were on our faces.  I pinched Mr. M on the leg, and he knows what that means, I'm going to get you after this mess is over!



There was another salesman there talking about how great owning a timeshare is, and then his story started turning into a sobbing mess about his son dying.  Are you serious?  You're really going to try the sob story for us to feel sorry for you so we'll buy a timeshare?  Ridiculous!



Now time for a tour of their timeshare property called The Jockey Club, a place I never even heard of as well.  We were taken there, and I busted out laughing!  It was a run down motel looking small building hidden behind the Cosmopolitan hotel.  I ask the salesman, "Are you serious about this property? Am I being punked?  This old hotel looking motel I can touch the roof with my hands, decor way outdated, and it reminds me of the Lorraine Hotel that Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated."  That salesman couldn't believe what I said!  I told it like it is, and wasn't afraid to share how I felt.  Anyone that buys this is a complete fool!



Even though our answer to this timeshare is hell to the naw, Mr. M was still curious how much the timeshare would be.  The salesman wouldn't tell him and tried to pump him up about why owning it would be a great opportunity for him.  He even had the nerve to say the movie Casino was filmed there.  It was not shot at Jockey Club Hotel, it was Riviera Hotel that is now closed!  "Get me the heck out of here!  Give me my freebies so I can go!"



We were given the run around for over two hours, and I was giving that salesman so much attitude.  He had the audacity to say to me that blogging won't make me real money and owning a timeshare is an investment that'll make me money for years.  *Pump brakes*  Excuse me?  Do you even know how much I make blogging?  I make more than a lot of executives, thank you very much! He talking about he own all these businesses, but yet he working at a no-name timeshare company.  He better not come for me unless I send for him, I'll have his feelings hurt real quick!



Finally, we reached the end of the presentation, but ended up with yet another sales guy!  This guy was all about how much this was going to cost us.  Do you want to know how much it would be for this crappy timeshare?  Over $25,000 a year!  Fix it Jesus!  SMH!!!!!!



I kept saying, nope....no....nope....no, and they kept lowering their price.  Still a big fat NO!!!!!!!  They sent us to two more salesmen trying to convience us to buy the timeshare.  They got the price down to $1000 a year!  Now you know this mess is a scam!  GIVE ME MY FREEBIES I'M OWED!!!!!!!!   After the multiple tries, they finally gave us our packet of freebies.



Moral of this story is, do your research before making a commitment with timeshares.  If you do decide to do one, make sure it's with a well-known company to avoid getting scammed out your money.  Also, timeshares are readily available to rent for non-owners through third party companies.  The Signature at MGM Grand is part of a timeshare too, and as you can see, I'm not an owner and I'm renting timeshares at discounted prices.



If you're looking for free gifts that timeshare meetings offer afterward, be prepared to have high-pressure sales people trying to have you buy.



Is it worth all this hassle for the gifts?  Kind of.  I did get to do a lot of things like the indoor gondola ride at The Venetian Hotel, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and two free meals at Zefferino's Italian restaurant.  We still had a lot of different freebies left over for next time we visit Vegas.

In the evening, we walked to Circus Circus, did a little gambling, lost money, and went back to our hotel for the night.  By the way, that hotel is old, musty, and run down.  Upgrades are needed ASAP!!!

1/19


Mr. M had a business meeting with one of his partners at the conference who wanted to introduce him to companies he should do business with.


The meeting went short and sweet, and I had a business lunch meeting to go to afterwards.

I had the pleasure to meet my affiliate manager Greg finally from Panthera Network.  Panthera Network is one of the first companies I started working with to help me monetize my blogs, and they are my highest earner.  Greg treated Mr. M and me to lunch, talked about things to do and where to eat at in Vegas, ways to boost my earnings more with my blog, and so on.  Lunch was delicious at Mon Ami Gabi a French Bistro, located in the Paris hotel, Greg's recommendation, his favorite place to have breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Chicken Goat Cheese Salad with walnuts and cooked apple slices

Banana Cream Foster Crepe

For dinner, he recommended us to go to The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar's Palace.  All different types of uniquely displayed cuisines, this is not no ordinary buffet, much more upscale.  Dinner is pricey but well worth it.  The food had Mr. M and I sleeping like babies on the plane ride home.



There is always a story to tell when visiting Las Vegas.  From the crazy people walking up and down the strip, the poor unfortunate souls losing all their money at the casinos, people out hustling for money, etc.   With all that, Mr. M and I had a great time, and we may be returning this summer for yet another business trip.

Will you be taking a trip to Las Vegas this year?

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