A Series of Wonderful Events

Ok so this weekend I went on a haunted tour. It was Marie Antoinette’s haunted Alton tour. This is their last year for the tour as the lady that started it is retiring. The tour is four hours long and included a trolley we rode around in. The cost for the event was $45.00. Now I know that the cost wasn’t that great, I have spent more on drinks for many meals, but that doesn’t change the fact that this price demands a level of quality (remember my full evening show at the Wildey was only 12.00 a ticket, and while it two hours shorter than this event mine was professionally produced and came with a standing ovation!).

So  me and my buddy went with his wife. The event started at ten and ran till two. I was excited. I do many seances and psychic readings but I have never been on a ghost tour myself. We started at an old Masonic Lodge and right away I had a bad feeling (read bad, not haunted or worried, but bad as in ‘I don’t think this will be very good).

But I decided to let it ride and give it a chance. Boy was that a mistake. The whole time nothing happened. Granted I didn’t need to see a ghost or be scared, but I wanted to be entertained, made to laugh, wonder and gasp. What I got was a fat tour guide who couldn’t talk for long periods of time. He sat and weezed softly during the trolley ride as Alton ran beside us in silence. His lungs, crushed by fat and lack of exercise struggled quietly for breath as my $45.00 dissappeared into one of his many vest pockets.

Suffice to say I do not suggest this tour. I could go on about why but I would start name calling and saying very mean things…so I won’t.

So how do you avoid terrible products?

I have three techniques for this (which I should have applied)

1)Do not let yourself be pressured into purchase.

I was pressured by a friend into this. I bought in without researching and asking other people about it. Because of that I was sold on an idea, the idea blew.

2)Consider the method of delivery.

Who is selling you what you are buying, how are they selling it, is their transparency to what they are selling or is their message more important than their product. If so, tread lightly!

3)Finally, do not let urgency make your decision.

Is this their last year (it was for my tour, thank god) that’s okay, you don’t have to sign on because you might miss it. There will always, always, always in this world be more.