So last week was Mercedes-Benz's Fashion Week Swim in Miami Beach. I got a call from a dear friend who used to work in the fashion industry to go to the kick off party. Super Yay! I threw on my Tommy Hilfiger halter maxi dress I bought on sale WITH a coupon from Macy's and we hit Miami Beach.
My friend tossed a name at the front, and we went to the back of The Raleigh Hotel. We drank from the open bar while a DJ spinned some sounds. Yay! I knew some folks. He knew some folks. We pranced around the aqua pool.
Most clubs require an entrance fee and for you to pay for your drinks. When you get access to these social sorority events, everything is on them. Companies such as Patron are more than happy to give you freebies. My friend and I saved at least $45 because our drinks were free. We did tip, but we always do. And let's not forget the swag bags at these events. This one gave us bronzer, which I already have, but a girl can never glow enough, right? Also in the bag was a DHL toy truck (go figure), some weight loss supplements and an Aveda shampoo sample. True, the swag bag didn't hold, say, The Hope Diamond, but it had some practical stuff that I could use right away.
So we drank and partied for free. I got enough bronzer and weight loss snacks to last me until I can afford a trip to St. Tropez. I spent no cash that night! My friend handled parking, which was like $2! :)
So basically, if you are in the right industry or have the right contacts, people essentially pay you just to breathe at their event. Wow! I guess if you work in a "hot" industry, it's your reward for all of your work, right?
It was just interesting to watch how privilege works. I had a great time.
I loved the crowd, but is it right? Are certain people favored more than others? Do the privileged pay?
Didn't you say that you tipped? ;-) G
Posted by: GLM | July 20, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Work perks are for everyone. For your friend it's a hot party, for me it's a free public transportation pass. (In an RN in a hospital) This pass would cost $875 were I buy to it, but I get it for free every year. True, I rarely use it, but I'm happy to get one just in case.
I also get discounts on gyms, cell phones, local amusement parks, hospital food, (Okay, that one is waaaay less than glamorous) and other stuff.
I've had jobs in retail where the employee discount makes it worth the low-ish pay. (Jewelry, variety store which sold EVERYTHING, shoes, Macy*s, [which actually gave a super crappy employee discount] and books.)
Next time Natalie, give me some heads up I'm don some of my thrift store designer duds and join you. We'll dazzle them with our glamorous frugal charms.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
The Non-Consumer Advocate
Posted by: Katy Wolk-Stanley | July 20, 2009 at 01:55 PM
P.S. That photo is tres hot!
-Katy
Posted by: Katy Wolk-Stanley | July 20, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Since I happen to know you work VERY hard,and provide us all with some great deals---it's just find for you to have some perks! ENJOY!!!
Posted by: MH | July 21, 2009 at 01:24 AM
@GLM: You are adorable!
@Katy: You bring up great points. It's just work perks, not some vast conspiracy. Thanks for the compliment on the photo!
@MH: Thank you. So sweet!
Posted by: The Frugalista Files | July 21, 2009 at 03:19 PM
I don't know why my comment never came up.
I just wanted to say that is a great photo! And enjoy the work perks. No harm. I sometimes wish I could share the "swag" with people who could really use it, and I do try to donate things I don't need. But I also think of it as payback for a lot of hard work and being underpaid for years.
Posted by: The Compact Queen | July 22, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Natalie,
I see this all the time...I know a lot of the party promoters so I always drop a name at whatever club is hot at the moment. We never wait in line, or pay a cover, plus, there is an open bar for most of these events, at least for a couple of hours. I try to post the "secret name" to say at the door so people who visit FreeMiamiEvents.com can get in & drink free too.
So, in answer to your question, are certain people favored more than others? YES, ABSOLUTELY! But, do you have to be privileged to get the perks? Not necessarily, all it takes is figuring out how Miami works. Which in this case, is knowing someone, who knows someone.
My "FREE" tip for getting into the hot spots without effort and without having to actually know someone is to search your favorite social site for "Miami Promoters" then email or text them and ask to be put on their party list.
I hope we will see you out and enjoying more free entertainment soon!
Posted by: Regan | July 22, 2009 at 06:30 PM