i don't get why you're so upset at the OP? this is the same technique everyone and their mother uses to get cindy's reservations. it's not a secret and he's not 'ruining it' for anyone. in fact he just enlightened some people who might not have heard of this before.
Kim:
I think you are not getting the point of Dr. P's post. One by sharing this technique (I didn't know it BTW), so many more people will use it, that it becomes useless. What Dr. P. did that is so rare, is show honesty. The politically correct response is share and share alike. But Dr. P. was honest, he said, (paraphrase not an actual quote) 'Great, now that everyone knows about it, what good is it.'
I respect the good Doctor for being truthful about his feelings rather than PC.
BUT! and this is a big but, when you add the fact that the OP waited until he got, his one and only XMAS ressie BEFORE sharing the info, well, Dr. P. called him out (correctly) on it.
If the OP was all about fairness and sharing, why not share the info when it might have affected him, BEFORE his ressie was complete.
This speaks to character, and I probably am not allowed to explain it here on the DIS, even if I knew how to.
So on the third hand, while I agree with you, that we should share most things, I certainly see the flawed nature of this gift from the OP, and Dr. P. correctly pointed that out.
And to avoid being called the Kettle. I held back the details of the Founder's Quilt at AKL, hoping to insure I was one of the lucky 150. But at least I admited I was holding something back for my personal advantage, rather than posting about it when I had secured already!
I hope you can see what I'm trying to say here.
-Tony