Question of the Day - 14 December 2023

The grand experiment is, initially at least, a success. Without getting into all the business nuances and technical minutiae, the hundreds of new members who've signed up for the $3 subscription are quite gratifying and the ranks of full $50 members have swelled even more (many more people determining that the extra $14 per year is well worth it for the Member Rewards coupons). 

In addition, as you've probably noticed from the comments in QoDs since the transition, we got rid of most, and maybe all, of the political muckrakers, name-callers, and complainers, vilifiers, quibblers, and all-around aristarches and who seemed to be here with the sole purpose of making trouble or picking nits. This was expected; in fact, it was a big part of the reason we pulled this trigger. We strongly suspected the freebie freaks would disappear post-haste when confronted with the shocking reality of a $3 fee -- and we were right. They've obviously taken their vitriol and objurgating elsewhere. 

And from the feedback we've received ever since, you don't miss them either. 

But yes, to answer the second question, QoD submissions have fallen off, no doubt about it. But that also benefits members. Now we know that everyone who submits a question belongs here and it provides all the incentive we need to answer as many as we physically can. Some of you who've submitted questions have been surprised at how quickly the answers have been posted. We really like that!

And we can add that like the comments, the questions now are much more targeted and intelligent. 

Third, we've never kept tabs on how many questions we've answered per submitter. Before the paywall, we received far too many to track and the results would have been skewed anyway, as a handful of submitters sent in dozens, scores, even hundreds over the years. But again, most of them are gone. So maybe we should start!

What it really boils down to for us is we're now working for the customers who've supported us all this time. When we find (or create) something good in Las Vegas, it doesn't get watered down by thousands of non-members. It's for our members only and that feels good to us.

P.S. For those of you just checking in here at 2 p.m. our time, an example of our finding something pretty amazing that only you're seeing for now is Fontainebleau's New Year's Eve room rate.

Unlike all the other high-end Strip properties that ding you for 2-, 3-, and even 4-night minimums, here you can stay Sunday night only. And for a brand-new ultra-high-end resort-casino, they're charging way less than we expected for the night: $400. Of course, with the resort fee and all, the total comes to $504. But that's as good as you'll get at this late date for the shiniest and newest property on the Strip, which has been open less than 24 hours as of this writing. Take advantage if you want and can.