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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Alex A on November 19, 2007, 07:19:20 PM

Title: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Alex A on November 19, 2007, 07:19:20 PM
I have never stayed at a five star Hotel while preparing for a bodybuilding show so I guess I was unpreparred for some of the hefty costs. Besides the following, im sure there was more gouging.  But heck, Im not complaining. It was worth it.


Besides the Competitors menue which included: $5 for one egg, $ 12 veggie platter, $20  for the 3 egg white omlette, etc.

One of the more classic charges were the Mandatory Valet parking for your Car of $20 per day

$3 to sign on to the internet and 59 cents per minute to use it.    One of my posts to you guys costed me $45

The ever so class min fridge and wet bar loaded with $3 candy bars, liquer,$3 cans of drinks, $4 rice crispy treets...The best yet is when I asked them to remove all the items from my room because. for one, i dont eat this crap, and for two, I needed the room for my food, a $25 re stocking charge will be added to the bill. 

Along with the $280 rental car that I parked in the $20 per night lot, the room was $160 plus $25 per night in taxes., $300 flight and $150 entry, Bodybuilding is a no joke! its all fun.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Livewire on November 19, 2007, 07:28:24 PM
I have never stayed at a five star Hotel while preparing for a bodybuilding show so I guess I was unpreparred for some of the hefty costs. Besides the following, im sure there was more gouging.  But heck, Im not complaining. It was worth it.


Besides the Competitors menue which included: $5 for one egg, $ 12 veggie platter, $20  for the 3 egg white omlette, etc.

One of the more classic charges were the Mandatory Valet parking for your Car of $20 per day

$3 to sign on to the internet and 59 cents per minute to use it.    One of my posts to you guys costed me $45

The ever so class min fridge and wet bar loaded with $3 candy bars, liquer,$3 cans of drinks, $4 rice crispy treets...The best yet is when I asked them to remove all the items from my room because. for one, i dont eat this crap, and for two, I needed the room for my food, a $25 re stocking charge will be added to the bill. 

Along with the $280 rental car that I parked in the $20 per night lot, the room was $160 plus $25 per night in taxes., $300 flight and $150 entry, Bodybuilding is a no joke! its all fun.

You could have stayed at a dirty old man's house, like most of the competitors.


Free of charge, you know.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: BayGBM on November 19, 2007, 07:28:55 PM
Your "sponsor" should be paying for all that stuff.  ;D
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: rocket on November 19, 2007, 07:52:20 PM
That is some outstanding exploitation of a situation.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Pollux on November 19, 2007, 07:54:09 PM
One of my posts to you guys costed me $45

Now that's what I call dedication of epic proportions!  :D
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Special Ed on November 19, 2007, 07:56:00 PM
Alex,

The good news is that all of those expenses are losses on your separate Azarian Fitness Sole Proprietorship Schedule C and merely reduces your AGI to allow you a greater income tax refund or simply to raise your exemptions and increase your take-home pay.

Dean Witter
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Andre Nickatina on November 19, 2007, 07:57:58 PM
Wow that should be classified as rape
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Matt C on November 19, 2007, 08:01:22 PM
You could have stayed at a dirty old man's house, like most of the competitors.


Free of charge, you know.

I wouldn't call it "free".  :-X
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Pollux on November 19, 2007, 08:14:11 PM
I wouldn't call it "free".  :-X

Been down that road have we?  :-[
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: the choad on November 19, 2007, 08:16:27 PM
20 dollars for a 3 egg whites...  :'(


That's taxation without representation..
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: OneMoreRep on November 19, 2007, 08:17:28 PM
I have never stayed at a five star Hotel while preparing for a bodybuilding show so I guess I was unpreparred for some of the hefty costs. Besides the following, im sure there was more gouging.  But heck, Im not complaining. It was worth it.


Besides the Competitors menue which included: $5 for one egg, $ 12 veggie platter, $20  for the 3 egg white omlette, etc.

One of the more classic charges were the Mandatory Valet parking for your Car of $20 per day

$3 to sign on to the internet and 59 cents per minute to use it.    One of my posts to you guys costed me $45

The ever so class min fridge and wet bar loaded with $3 candy bars, liquer,$3 cans of drinks, $4 rice crispy treets...The best yet is when I asked them to remove all the items from my room because. for one, i dont eat this crap, and for two, I needed the room for my food, a $25 re stocking charge will be added to the bill. 

Along with the $280 rental car that I parked in the $20 per night lot, the room was $160 plus $25 per night in taxes., $300 flight and $150 entry, Bodybuilding is a no joke! its all fun.

So Alex, Steroids included for your entire prep, traveling costs and hotel costs added up, what can you roughly say you wasted on this entire ordeal?
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: SteelePegasus on November 19, 2007, 08:26:42 PM
Alex,

The good news is that all of those expenses are losses on your separate Azarian Fitness Sole Proprietorship Schedule C and merely reduces your AGI to allow you a greater income tax refund or simply to raise your exemptions and increase your take-home pay.

Dean Witter

true, but he could have claimed those items even if he didn't actually spend the money  :-X

you only have to provide receipts if you get audited.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: big14 on November 19, 2007, 08:54:47 PM
So in other words it was well worth spending 2-3000 $
that weekend, helping the hotel prosper and make more profit ?










 

Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: gordiano on November 19, 2007, 09:01:36 PM
I have never stayed at a five star Hotel while preparing for a bodybuilding show so I guess I was unpreparred for some of the hefty costs. Besides the following, im sure there was more gouging.  But heck, Im not complaining. It was worth it.


Besides the Competitors menue which included: $5 for one egg, $ 12 veggie platter, $20  for the 3 egg white omlette, etc.

One of the more classic charges were the Mandatory Valet parking for your Car of $20 per day

$3 to sign on to the internet and 59 cents per minute to use it.    One of my posts to you guys costed me $45

The ever so class min fridge and wet bar loaded with $3 candy bars, liquer,$3 cans of drinks, $4 rice crispy treets...The best yet is when I asked them to remove all the items from my room because. for one, i dont eat this crap, and for two, I needed the room for my food, a $25 re stocking charge will be added to the bill. 

Along with the $280 rental car that I parked in the $20 per night lot, the room was $160 plus $25 per night in taxes., $300 flight and $150 entry, Bodybuilding is a no joke! its all fun.

And all for a plastic trophy.... :-\
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: rocket on November 19, 2007, 09:47:20 PM
Well in his case he's raised his profile considerably
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Alex A on November 20, 2007, 05:48:25 AM
$45 for a post and to check some messages was actually the only cost at the hotel worth it. 
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: pedro01 on November 20, 2007, 06:40:41 AM
Stay at cheap-ass serviced apartments where you can cook your own food.

'Slumming it' is the new black.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: njflex on November 20, 2007, 07:34:15 AM
And all for a plastic trophy.... :-\
usa and national trophies are far from plastic...
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Monster_Everything on November 20, 2007, 07:39:03 AM
hahahah first rule of bodybuilding...no $ is made until you gay it out...
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Brutal_1 on November 20, 2007, 08:30:58 AM
I have never stayed at a five star Hotel while preparing for a bodybuilding show so I guess I was unpreparred for some of the hefty costs. Besides the following, im sure there was more gouging.  But heck, Im not complaining. It was worth it.


Besides the Competitors menue which included: $5 for one egg, $ 12 veggie platter, $20  for the 3 egg white omlette, etc.

One of the more classic charges were the Mandatory Valet parking for your Car of $20 per day

$3 to sign on to the internet and 59 cents per minute to use it.    One of my posts to you guys costed me $45

The ever so class min fridge and wet bar loaded with $3 candy bars, liquer,$3 cans of drinks, $4 rice crispy treets...The best yet is when I asked them to remove all the items from my room because. for one, i dont eat this crap, and for two, I needed the room for my food, a $25 re stocking charge will be added to the bill. 

Along with the $280 rental car that I parked in the $20 per night lot, the room was $160 plus $25 per night in taxes., $300 flight and $150 entry, Bodybuilding is a no joke! its all fun.

 :o  :o  :o  :o  :o  :o

I guess the NPC just assumes you're making the millions that all the IFBB pros are making!  ;)




NEVER stay at the "official" or recommended hotel again!
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: BayGBM on November 20, 2007, 08:43:41 AM
hahahah first rule of bodybuilding...no $ is made until you gay it out...

 :-[
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Tre on November 20, 2007, 09:50:17 AM
hahahah first rule of bodybuilding...no $ is made until you gay it out...

I only saw a handful of G4P shoots taking place outside at the hotel, but there was a *ton* of P4S activity. 
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Tre on November 20, 2007, 09:53:40 AM
The people who run food delivery businesses during big contest weekends are the ones who really missed out on a golden opportunity here, especially if they'd had the ability to offer late-night service.  

If you'd come to town and rented a commercial kitchen space downtown for the weekend, you probably could've grossed $30,000 during the 4 days we were there.  
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Tre on November 20, 2007, 09:55:23 AM
Even though there were less expensive hotels within just a few blocks of the Fairmont, the convenience of having the show right downstairs from your room is, well, just about priceless.  It can save you a fortune on alcohol. 
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Palpatine Q on November 20, 2007, 11:12:19 AM
I only saw a handful of G4P shoots taking place outside at the hotel, but there was a *ton* of P4S activity. 

Hey Tre, Expand upon this a little if you don't mind.

Everybody talks about G4P like it's a given. How does it actually go down?  I'm curious.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Camel Jockey on November 20, 2007, 11:17:19 AM
So much for a fucking egg is mass robbery!

I'd stay in a different hotel.. No way I'd be ripped off like that.

Alex, heard you on the show yesterday night.. Had I been free around 7 I'd have called in. Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Jizzacked on November 20, 2007, 11:31:46 AM
thats cheap for the actual room... they got to pick up the slack by assraping you every other possible way to make up the difference.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Alex A on November 20, 2007, 03:51:42 PM
Today it happened!

THe hotel dropped the bomb on me by charging my credit card $450 for tanning stains on the sheets, and pillow cases. No explanation, just charged me almost five hundred for the fuckin tan, that ruined my whole fuckin time at this show! holy shit. I have to fight it, but crap, does it really pay to compete? 
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: droopydog on November 20, 2007, 05:11:01 PM
Bro.... That is friggin BS... WTF kind of sheets were those?... I have been charged for the exact same thing before... (no where NEAR that amount though)... I think the hotels know that you arent really able to dispute their claims... Its total BS... and just adds to the reasons NOT to compete... It sucks because the discipline that it takes to push yourself to the most extreme level of conditioning and the feeling of TOTAL control over your body is like a drug...
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: flexingtonsteele on November 20, 2007, 05:32:10 PM
Today it happened!

THe hotel dropped the bomb on me by charging my credit card $450 for tanning stains on the sheets, and pillow cases. No explanation, just charged me almost five hundred for the fuckin tan, that ruined my whole fuckin time at this show! holy shit. I have to fight it, but crap, does it really pay to compete? 

Wow, now thats a chickenshit move if ive ever seen one.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Jizzacked on November 20, 2007, 05:41:06 PM
go through the chargeback proceedings with your card company.  I don't advise disputing legitimate charges, but that is pretty absurd.  You almost died for those bitches and they pull that shit.  The nerve...
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: the Pure Majestic on November 20, 2007, 05:48:54 PM
Us bodybuilders are the hardest working sportsmen alive! 
They should kiss our ass for competing!  They should pay us all the money they make from putting on the show!  Don't they know how hard we work??

I swear, if it wasn't so important for me to have dozens of photos of myself strewn about my living room while driving my girlfriend away because she doesn't understand that I have a show coming up, I'd quit competing!
Where would the NPC be then???
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: droopydog on November 20, 2007, 05:58:46 PM
Us bodybuilders are the hardest working sportsmen alive! 
They should kiss our ass for competing!  They should pay us all the money they make from putting on the show!  Don't they know how hard we work??

I swear, if it wasn't so important for me to have dozens of photos of myself strewn about my living room while driving my girlfriend away because she doesn't understand that I have a show coming up, I'd quit competing!
Where would the NPC be then???


Tough to determine the sincerity of your post...(subtle nuances of voice inflection are hard to detect via this medium...lol)   but I must agree with the hardest working sportsmen... I have played competitively pretty much every sport... And I would rate getting ready for a contest as by far the toughest both mentally and physically...

Doing cardio at 4:30am and then again at 11pm rank right up there with Quantico in my book
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Grundle on November 20, 2007, 06:11:20 PM
And all for a plastic trophy.... :-\


Yes Gordiano, "Alex A" is that pathetic.   :'(
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: NarcissisticDeity on November 20, 2007, 06:11:47 PM
I have never stayed at a five star Hotel while preparing for a bodybuilding show so I guess I was unpreparred for some of the hefty costs. Besides the following, im sure there was more gouging.  But heck, Im not complaining. It was worth it.


Besides the Competitors menue which included: $5 for one egg, $ 12 veggie platter, $20  for the 3 egg white omlette, etc.

One of the more classic charges were the Mandatory Valet parking for your Car of $20 per day

$3 to sign on to the internet and 59 cents per minute to use it.    One of my posts to you guys costed me $45

The ever so class min fridge and wet bar loaded with $3 candy bars, liquer,$3 cans of drinks, $4 rice crispy treets...The best yet is when I asked them to remove all the items from my room because. for one, i dont eat this crap, and for two, I needed the room for my food, a $25 re stocking charge will be added to the bill. 

Along with the $280 rental car that I parked in the $20 per night lot, the room was $160 plus $25 per night in taxes., $300 flight and $150 entry, Bodybuilding is a no joke! its all fun.

Wow they get you coming and going M-F'ers
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: 20inch calves on November 20, 2007, 06:15:59 PM
sorry to hear it alex. i would fight those charges though..just don't let them ruin your credit
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: INSOMNIA on November 21, 2007, 01:35:49 AM
I NEVER advocate staying at the host hotel. Not competitor friendly. It usually a high priced option and isnt the slightest bit conveneint (other than proximity), not to mention they treat the competitors like 2nd class citizens. Do yourself a favor next time, search hotels in the vicinity (within 5 or so miles of the venue) that have a full kitchen. (and free parking) Buy what you need at the store once you get there and cook it at the hotel. Saves u from having to haul a weeks worth of food in coolers on the plane  :-[ Those hotels (Best Westerns, etc, nothing fancy) usaully run no more than $35-$60 per night, are clean, more  spacious and you DONT have to f' around with using a community microwave and fridge. >:(   also complimentary computer/internet access
With teh money you will save in comparison to the HOST HOTEL >:((usually around $100/night) you can get a rental car for
$15-20 per day and drive to the venue. Also tell them ahead of time that you will liklely stain the towels and sheets and ask them for a damaged or stained set, they usually have those on hand. Or bring your own sheets and towels.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Tre on November 21, 2007, 10:15:11 AM
Today it happened!

THe hotel dropped the bomb on me by charging my credit card $450 for tanning stains on the sheets, and pillow cases. No explanation, just charged me almost five hundred for the fuckin tan, that ruined my whole fuckin time at this show! holy shit. I have to fight it, but crap, does it really pay to compete? 

$450??

I think you got the triple-screw job, mate. 

It sounds like housekeeping changed out your linens and towels 3 times and charged you for new stuff all 3 times. 

On the positive side, they will ship the items to you at no cost and I highly recommend having them do that.  Even if you never get any value out of the stuff yourself, at least you will have made them take the time to put together a package for you. 

I left most of the stuff there, but brought a few home to sell on eBay.   ;)
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: atrain on November 21, 2007, 07:28:14 PM
I always take my own sheets with me.  As for the towels I usually grap a bunch off the roomservice carts.  The ones that I use (stained) I just walk down the hall and drop them.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: 250Ben250 on November 21, 2007, 07:50:11 PM
You guys really did get screwed. We used the Fairmont for the host hotel for my wedding and no one spent over $99 a night for their rooms. Downtown Dallas, that is cheap.  There needs to be better coordination from the NPC for stuff like that, with the amount of rooms they should block off for that kind of event you should have gotten a better rate, comped valet, etc..



Alex A - pm me if you want, my wife's friend from college is the PR/corporate/sporting event coordinator for the Fairmont. I don't know if she worked with the NPC last weekend but she would know who to talk to/negotiate with for the sheets and charges...
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: pumpher on November 21, 2007, 07:53:12 PM
Sorry to hear, that's a shitty deal Alex

But seriously how is it different for MOST "pro" bodybuilders? Don't they have to pay their own way too? Only a handful actually make money and are given the red carpet treatment.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: BayGBM on November 21, 2007, 10:15:33 PM
Today it happened!

THe hotel dropped the bomb on me by charging my credit card $450 for tanning stains on the sheets, and pillow cases. No explanation, just charged me almost five hundred for the fuckin tan, that ruined my whole fuckin time at this show! holy shit. I have to fight it, but crap, does it really pay to compete? 

Now you know why so many guys have (public or private) sponsors.  Your attention should be on your training and conditioning--not chump change. Even a private sponsor will cover your show expenses to the tune of a couple grand.  ::)
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: bigdumbbell on November 22, 2007, 04:24:49 AM
just add the $450.00 linen expense to your private posing fee.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: McFarland on November 22, 2007, 07:06:25 AM
One of my posts to you guys costed me $45


Hilarious.  Small price to pay for Getbig glory, though, Alex; you've gotta admit!   ;D
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: DK II on November 22, 2007, 07:20:25 AM
So Alex, Steroids included for your entire prep, traveling costs and hotel costs added up, what can you roughly say you wasted on this entire ordeal?

He could have saved the money for his daughter instead...  :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: njflex on November 22, 2007, 07:29:46 AM
He could have saved the money for his daughter instead...  :'( :'( :'(
maybe it was a family decision and all agreed the price to pay to compete.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: DK II on November 22, 2007, 07:31:16 AM
maybe it was a family decision and all agreed the price to pay to compete.

Are you saying daddy's drug abuse is family policy?  :-\
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: njflex on November 22, 2007, 07:50:21 AM
Are you saying daddy's drug abuse is family policy?  :-\
no comment,,,whether its right or wrong,if it was a cocaine or drinking problem it probably would have a different affect on the family situation,as crazy as it may be,those addictions could impair your way to make a living and could kill u more directly.steroids is part of the vanity of bbing .
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: McFarland on November 22, 2007, 07:55:50 AM
You guys forget to consider that within a couple of years Alex could have a very lucrative training/prep business as a direct result of these exploits. 
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: DK II on November 22, 2007, 11:26:28 AM
no comment,,,whether its right or wrong,if it was a cocaine or drinking problem it probably would have a different affect on the family situation,as crazy as it may be,those addictions could impair your way to make a living and could kill u more directly.steroids is part of the vanity of bbing .

If you have kids, competitive steroid BB is totally irresponsible.
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: Tre on November 23, 2007, 08:42:12 AM
UPDATE:

With the exception of one stain (that was not due to artificial coloring, mind you), the sheets, towels, and pillow cases I brought home from the Fairmont came out completely clean after just a single wash cycle, with no pre-treatment whatsoever.

The products used were Pro Tan and Jan Tana.

Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: local hero on November 23, 2007, 09:40:15 AM
i think its only common sence to take an old bed sheet with u, i always have...
Title: Re: Exploiting the Amateur Bodybuilder competitor
Post by: the choad on November 23, 2007, 09:52:25 AM
Alex just dispute it with the credit card.  Works everytime.. ;D