www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Guys,

This may apply more so to newbies who are still on the fence about buying the VIP membership, but I just want to create this post as a testimonial to all I've gotten out of being a VIP in the last 6 months, and I'm only going to speak on the financial advantages, though I have other posts out there that describe other great things about membership.

Financially, this VIP membership has payed for itself almost ten times over already... it was more of a great investment than simply a purchase. As a VIP I have won 4 sessions at Zona Blue (two by post-of-the-month, two at a VIP party for the ZB Cigar Bar inauguration). Each of these sessions runs for, what, $42 dollars? I also won a cool t-shirt at the same VIP party, which I would value at about $16 dollars. Sooo, just in what I've won in VIP-only competitions, I have made $164 dollars return on my membership.

But this isn't even the beginning, because I got a discount at the Sportsmen's during my 4-day stay there, and I get a discount for the countless sessions I have had at the Zona Blue, and of course all the restaurants I have gone to with the VIP discount... I can CONSERVATIVELY say that in the last 5 trips, I have saved about $200+ dollars, and once again, that's a conservative guess...

So, let's see, I paid a little under $40 for my membership, and have made a return so far of over $364 dollars.... and my membership doesn't expire til December 8, so I have 4 trips still lined up for this year where I shall get even more of a return from my membership...

So what am I saying? Easy... What are you waiting for? It's well worth the thirty-some-odd dollars, and then some!

DO IT!

Ruffnutz

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EVERYONE'S A ROCK STAR IN C.R.!!
"Just when I thought I was out... They pull me back in." -- Ruffnutz on trying to quit CRT

Shhhhh! They'll be raisin' th' rent on us...

Raisin the rent? Some guys are too cheap to pay the $39... imagine if they raised it? (just playing fellas, take it easy)

As far as the VIP membership goes, mine paid for itself on my first trip... Sportsmens Lodge (room and food), Paradise Hotel in Jaco, sessions at ZB, and a couple of dinners. I probably missed some things. Oh yea, Europa Show (which may or may not still exist) I will be adding Pantera Rosa (at least 3 times this trip) and La Esquina de Buenos Aires steakhouse to the list.

Disclaimer: I don't get as "busy" as Ruff while in CR, so my membership pays for itself a little slower. But I hope to change that in October. I'm working out and taking my vitamins to get ready.

-Orange

Ruffnutz, I always paid $55 per session at Zona Blue before I got the VIP card. Maybe it was because I am a gringo? Anyway, I love getting the $17 discount per session.

Ruff,

You are absolutely right, I just renewed my VIP membership last week; also, the payout on the pevious year's VIP was very quick.

Denver

For anyone here who is going to CR. Joining is a no brainer. Joining to help support those who run this forum should be enough. The information alone will make it worth while and, for those of you who are cheap. Do the math. You can't loose.

I am making my first trip to CR in a couple of weeks with a friend and we have already saved on the hotel more than enough before we even set foot in CR.

A BIG Thanks to the people behind this board!

RC

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Slow down for the Curves...

ok ok! i finally joined tonight

i have to say this is the most comprehensive forum i've ever read

my uncle and i are heading down sept 4th-8th and even though i have an idea what to expect (we spent a week in bangkok together), i definitely have a much clearer idea of where to go/what to avoid, etc.

thanks ruff!

btw, i read your trip report tonight...i think it was your 4th trip?

it sounds like heaven...

Orange -- Yes, this could be one of those Mastercard commercials, with the list of savings, and ending up with:

"And the money and heartaches saved by following the generous counsel of your wise brothers here: PRICELESS!"

The guys behind this board really show up as the right people in the right place at the right time. They have a philosophy behind it -- something to do with enjoying real freedom in your life, -- a good attitude as brother Tica-lovers with us here, and a great business and management style that deserves support. (How can I get a job like that? )

In any field covered by a 'Net board, this one is a standout. Too bad it has to be a largely confidential one, for obvious reasons, but maybe that only encourages the integrity and appreciation we all bring to it?

As Mr. Dylan sang: "But to live outside the law, you must be honest." (Or at least outside of society's repressive prejudices...)

Naw...just kidding...

First of all, for any newbies reading this who might be a bit skeptical, let me say that none of the testimonials here have been exaggerations.. If you take advantage of all the discounts, the card will pay for itself multiple times over.

Beyond the discounts, here's what you get:

* Access to the VIP Forum with even more useful information, trip reports from experienced hobbyists who have "been there, done that."

* Access to photo and video galleries

* The ability to compete for prizes in the Post of the Month competitions, which are for VIP members only!

* You'll be supporting one of the best-administered, most useful sites on the Web, and the only one that deals specifically with the scene in Costa Rica. no other web site comes close.

As I said, the guys who have posted testimonials to this topic haven't exaggerated the value of the card.

it's also important to note that none of the guys who have posted to this topic are in any way affiliated with the business of CRT; they're trying to help any of you who haven't yet joined to know what you've been missing.

When I first signed up for the VIP membership, there were some minor problems getting my card to me. As a result, I missed out on some of the discounts during my first trip. However, the admins of CRT made it right by extending my membership at no additional cost, and even without the physical presence of the card, I was able to twice take advantage of the Zona Blue discount! Remember, my case is unique, and the Admins have since improved delivery of the cards...but the point is that these good guys did their best to make sure I was happy with my membership. This is the kind of quality work done by the Admins, which is why CRT deserves your support.

Discounts, great information, hot photos and the brotherhood of CRT, and only $39.00/year. It is indeed a no-brainer.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

On my upcoming newbie trip, the hotel discount alone will pay for my VIP membership. The admins have set up a great thing here. The members get the discounts, the businesses get customers, and we've given the admins incentive to keep a terrific board for us.

Everybody wins.

Underdog