Discount Santa Getting Mixed Reviews

Tampa’s Gary Cruster has been getting work as a Santa Claus for hire this holiday season, getting customers from an ad he placed on Craigslist.

So far, he’s not consistently satisfying the people who hire him.

“He was something of a disappointment. He didn’t exactly put a lot of effort into it,” said Brad Gilliams of Tampa, who paid Cruster $20 to entertain for two hours at a family gathering at his home.

“He showed up smelling like alcohol and dressed in regular clothes. I asked him, ‘Don’t you at least have a red suit?’ said Gilliams. “And he replied, ‘You’re paying me less than minimum wage; you’re lucky I’m wearing pants.’ I guess that’s true but I thought there’d be a little showmanship.”

“Plus, he was only there for about 45 minutes, ate a bunch of crab rangoons and spinach dip and left,” he added. “So I actually paid him quite a bit more than minimum wage.”

Another customer, Carlton Sneetz, was also left underwhelmed by Cruster’s presentation.

“I had to pay him an extra $5 just to say ‘ho-ho-ho’ a couple times,” he said. “And he did it, but you could tell he didn’t mean it.”

In his own defense, Cruster said, “hey, the only thing I promise is that I will be cheaper than any other Santa Claus out there. I keep my end of the bargain. Any unrealistic expectations on the part of a client is their problem, not mine.”

“I’m not unhappy; you get what you pay for”, said relatively satisfied customer Linda Clifnotes, the entertainment coordinator for a local non-profit organization that benefits children. We have a budget and were in a pinch. I just appreciate that he was willing to step in on short notice and violate his court order to do our party, and that not only is he willing to accept cash, he insists on it.”

Asked if she would hire him again, she said, “dear God, no!”