Quote:
Originally Posted by iggy_oi
Honest question, have you ever been gifted tickets to a hockey game by someone who writes them off as a business expense when you going to the game will have zero impact on their business?
I know I have.
|
I don't even like hockey, but I'm always down for a good time. Flames games are fun.
I have customers who give me tickets.
My landlord for my business's facility gives me tickets.
With the customers, you honestly can't help but be "more than fair" when pricing their stuff. There is a tit-for-tat thing that humans can't help but abide by. For customers that give me tickets, I - practically subconsciously - want to show my appreciation, so I always give good-guy pricing. Their few hundred dollars in tickets more than saves them in the future. Plus then you are kind of bros with that guy. It's such a small goodwill investment that absolutely pays off for the gift giver.
Business dudes with good seats they share with customers and suppliers are not morons. Greasing palms and giving personal perks totally pays off. You're like a hero to your family - "c'mon kids...I have four tickets to the game tonight. We'll be right against the glass!" Then a few weeks later I knock 10% off their bill and it's more than a wash and we're both happy.
My landlord is always generous with his tickets, too. You don't think that makes it harder to complain about gravel in the parking lot, or minor grievances with neighbouring tenants? You really think I'm going to annoy my landlord because one of the other businesses parked in my spot the week after going to a Flames game using the landlord's season tickets? No, I'm going to suck it up because he's giving me a perk somewhere else.
Flames got paid, I had a night out that was "free" for me, so I'll spend a stupid amount at the Dome and hit The Keg for supper on the way down. Economy feels a little tiny micro-pop. Everyone wins.
I think if you're going to accept the tickets and not reciprocate in some way then you shouldn't accept the tickets. That's the problem with politicians accepting tickets. There is an absolute expectation that you'll return the favour. It's okay to do that in a private business, but not if you work for the public.