BEWARE when ordering from Connections!

[SplashMountainRules]

I have purchased five times from connections since I started my membership earlier this month. Four out of the five times I was doubled charged! ONLY use a credit card when ordering from this company! I used my debit card once and was double charged (I'm glad it was my smallest order $44.00) Right now on my credit card I have over $5000.00 on it when it should be about $2500.00. Everytime I have called them and they say they are sorry and that they will take the charge off so I say ok. Then I ordered again and again double charged! I am sure they will remove the multiple orders, but what a pain. For my last couple orders I have use my Mastercard and Mastercard has called me each time they tried to double charge my card. I love the MASTERCARD! But it slowed down them sending my passes out. It took about a week before they sent them out! What kind of company does this? I know I am not the only one that this has happened to. There is NO WAY I would keep my membership with them. They did offer me $19.95 for a year membership for all the trouble they put me through....of course that was three double charges ago!

[tinaluis]

They did the same thing to me, too! Fortunately it was on a Mastercard though and they took care of it before I got my statement or I would have been furious. How can they operate like that? I can understand that it might happen once or twice, but it seems that many on this board have been double charged. They always fix it but it could be a hassle to someone near their limit especially if they exceed the limit and are charged a penalty.

[dunningdisney]

I am also having trouble with connections--however it is with expiration dates--they keep sending me the Magic Kingdom Lunch Vouchers that expire May 2002. We are going to be at Disney the last 2 days of May and 2 Days in June. I don't want to chance it in case our plans change.

I have been very specific when reordering---they even put note on account--but 3 times now, wrong vouchures.

I guess I'll keep trying!

P.S. You must return by certified mail, but they do give you the postage back.

[Spirit Feather]

I am curious, did you place your orders via the website? Maybe something stutters and it is submitted twice.

I ordered my meal vouchers from them on 3/5/02 and was charged only once, BUT I still have NOT received them. I keep calling, they say they keep sending. They have my correct address. So far they have not recharged me.

Spirit Feather:sunny:

[Humpbacks1962]

Yikes.

The first time I explored their website I was disappointed in how little information it provides anyone considering the investment. It did not look like a professionally managed website at all, but more like a home business.

Wanda

[disney4us2002]

Spirit Feather, what vouchers did you order? I ordered Q & C vouchers on 3/6 and they were here on 3/8. They were sent two day express via Federal Express. Maybe they are currently out of stock, but it should not take two weeks.

Carla

[Spirit Feather]

I ordered the Q&C, and 2 lunch vouchers. They aren't out of stock, at least they didn't tell me that. I think they are just confused.

Spirit Feather

[LKS]

My credit card company called me as soon as they tried to put the charge through the second time. I thought maybe people were hitting enter twice or something, but I absolutely know that I did not do that because I was very concious of it. My CC company has not allowed the second charge to hit my account (I check the balance online) and I did get my passes very promptly (2 business days.) I am pleased with the transaction, but absolutely DO NOT use a debit card with this company, and make sure you use a CC with plenty of room. I have not ever heard of anyone that did not get their issues resolved eventually, but you do not want to be out money or struggling with a maxed out credit card while the thing gets resolved. BTW, I did not even bother to call Connections about the double charge since my CC company assured me that it they noted that only one charge would be allowed, so it hasn't even been much of an inconvenience.

[SplashMountainRules]

I just recieved my Lunch voucher and they expire before I will even be there! Now I have to send back at my cost to get the right ones. They are only valid for like two months. OH BOY! Also I don't think that ordering through their website would double charge, ie. sutter twice or double order, because if that was the case why don't they send me double the vouchers?

[Humpbacks1962]

I say send them back, but report the charge to the credit card company immediately today, so they begin an investigation and issue your refund promptly.

...Then call Connections to *itch at them. At least you'll know your matter is being taken care of and you may not feel so anxious while on hold.

Wanda

[lorilori]

They double-charged me too. The explanation I got from Visa is that when you charge something, the company puts a sort of temporary hold on your account in the amount and then normally within 3 days, that 'hold' is converted to the real charge. It seems as though Connections is not doing that part of it properly, just submitting another charge. Don't really know, but I didn't join. I just don't want to have to deal with fixing what they should be doing right the first time.

[Humpbacks1962]

Yikes again.

This is nearly unheard of. Gee, when so many businesses conduct transactions daily without overcharging, it makes me strongly suspect their practices. They are in the gravy with consumers who don't bother to check their statements!

All there is to do now is dispute the charges with the credit card company immediately and even take the time to contact your State Attorney's Office of Consumer Protection to look into the matter. Their complaint form may already be in the state website.

BTW, I was reading the only source of information in the skimpy website available to non-members (the FAQs) and realized that you aren't made aware of the benefits, terms and conditions of the membership until after you join. Most sites reveal that information giving you the choice to accept or reject it beforehand!

There are no references or even hints to participating sites anywhere. Anyone just bumping into this site for information would be left just as clueless.

Obviously, the members have been recruited elsewhere.


Wanda

[Purrrrfecta]

Hey Everyone,

I was going to order the vouchers as well, and I am terrified about the double charging. I have an idea that I think will work for me. I have two checking accounts, and I will only put on my debit card what I want to be deducted plus one dollar so they can not double charge me. I very rarely keep any more than $150 on this debit card anyway since I am fearful of someones stealing it.
I know I should not even have to think that way, but I want the q&c vouchers and various other things, and I am fearful of having a big chunk taking out of my credit card before I even get to Disney.

[kylara]

Just make sure that if they double charge you that your bank is not going to charge you a fee for being overdrawn. Some banks, even when they don't allow the debit to happen, still charge a fee (kinda like they do when you write a check and don't have enough money).

[Humpbacks1962]

I agree, you may still be charged an overdraft fee even if they do not collect the money.
Guys, please consider all aspects regarding this business before you open your wallets! With a reputable, serious agency you should not have to "stretch it to make it fit"!


I still see no reason for the double charges. It has happened for long enough now and if they really cared about resolving the mistake, they would have done it by now. You guys aren't the first ones. I'd contact you Consumer Protection office and report these practices immediately.


Wanda

[zippehsmom]

I recently joined connections and ordered meal vouchers. I used my debit card, but I was only charged once.

Also, they send out all vouchers with expirations dates of 2003 except 1 Q&C and 2 Breakfast vouchers. Well I send them back with a note inside stating that I would like to exchange them. (I sent them regular mail). About 1 week later a lady phoned and and stated that they did not have ones with 2003 expiration dates. I said you must because I've already received some. She said she'd check, and about 1 week later I received the new ones in the mail.

I feel extremely lucky that everything worked so smoothly. Now I'm scared to order anything else. I guess from now on if I do, I will definitely use a credit card.

zippehsmom

[dunningdisney]

splashmountainrules


I have gotten the may/2002 vouchures 3x now. It's been very frusterating especially that I specifically asked them to note when ordering that I needed the 2003 expiration dates.
However, they ask that you send them back certified mail. THEY WILL REFUND YOU THE POSTAGE, just put a note in with the vouchures.

Mine cost 2.44, they actually credited my credit card for postage but not the vouchures.

I'll be calling back.

[Goofyzgurl]

I also got double billed with my voucher orders. It wasn't much of a hassle getting off because I did use my MC and they took it right off. While the vouchers were a good deal, I did cancel anyways. Until they fix this double billing charge thing they have going, I don't want to always have to be worried that every time I order something from them I'm going to be double charged.

[leslieh]

I ordered 8 vouchers and olive garden gift cert. last monday. They were here on Thursday with UPS. I was not home, they left a message back on Friday. So three days at the most. This is my second order. My vouchers had May 2003 expiration on them. Also the package came from Nebraska?

[Babblin'Boo]

HUM...

Connections does not recruit members through its website (not descriptive enough for that) and it seems like only online Disney boards support its business, since you don't hear about it anywhere else...

Can't help wondering about many who defend and promote it, inviting others to join with a passion...

[LKS]

Well, I heard about connections through the MyPoints website before I even started getting on these boards, so I don't think there's anything funny going on there. There are several other similar type programs that MyPoints offers for different expenses categories. I like MyPoints and have earned several gift certificates mostly through ordering stuff from Lands End, which I have always done anyway. I just wouldn't have considered joining connections before I heard about the ticket prices (on these boards.) But so far, despite the attempted and thwarted double credit card charge, I am pleased with the transaction.

[AK4EVER]

I was looking into trying out the vouchers. I went to My Points and got to the Connections website, but it does not say much. Only Disney travel boards talk about Connections, so maybe there is a link. But after hearing all these complaints, there is no way I'd buy them until they resolve their business practices.

[LKS]

AK4EVER,

I think it was an e-mail from MyPoints that had more info and you would have to actually join MyPoints to get that (though it still didn't list the ticket prices - I joined on the basis of the prices listed on Mousesavers). I know I received that email at least twice over the last couple of years, but never acted on it (other than to click on it and get the 5 or 10 points you get for clicking through.) If you are really tempted by the prices (lowest I've found for park hoppers), I would join and buy the tickets on a credit card just after the billing cycle begins and make sure it is one that is not at it's limit. By the time your bill comes, any possible problems would be resolved. Like I said above, my CC company called me immediately and blocked the second charge, so it never even showed up. I just know it was attempted. I definitely think they have some poor billing practices, but it is something you can work around if you want to get that 10% park hopper discount. Just remember that it is probably not worth it unless you cancel the membership before the 30 day trial is over, or use the membership for a lot more than park hoppers.

[Humpbacks1962]

[/QUOTE]I definitely think they have some poor billing practices, but it is something you can work around if you want to get that 10% park hopper discount.[/QUOTE]
Here we go again, stretching it to make it fit. A responsible, reputable business should not have to make you go through that.

The hype about the savings is relative, we've already gone through it. But before anyone takes the plunge and risks exposing the credit card to fraudulent charges looking to save a buck here or there, please pull your calculators out and consider all the options.

True, for some reason Connections is "famous" only on Disney online boards. Consumers elsewhere do not seem to find the need to join them.


Wanda

[Traveliz]

The first I heard of Connections was through a phone call from one of my credit cards -- offering it as a service blah blah to their outstanding customers blah blah.

My dad has gotten calls for it too and he is no where near a computer!

Liz

[LKS]

Wanda, I'm pretty sure that's because only by purchasing theme park tickets can anyone save enough money to justify the annual fee. For me, the opportunity to buy movie tickets for 4.50 or $10 Olive Garden Gift Certs. for $8 is no big deal. The opportunity to buy $1350 worth of Disney admission media for $1216 catches my interest. I don't think that's much of a mystery. The terrible stretch to make it fit: fielding a phone call from my credit card provider and telling them that only one charge should go through. It was tough, but for $134, I managed. And you know what? Only one charge hit my credit card after I took that call. Now, maybe $134 savings is not worth it to many families, but the advice I gave about using a credit card instead of a debit, etc... is only geared to those families who would like to save the money and would like advice on how to minimize any possible problems.

[RobinMarie]

I think the 4.50 movie rate is great!

Just wanted to say I placed many orders and all charges were done right.

[dgaston]

I also want to say that I've ordered Meal Vouchers 2x, Olive Garden gift cards, and Universal tickets and have not been double billed on any order. The only hassle for me is having someone at home to sign for the order which arrives in 2-3 days.

[horseshowmom]

Just a suggestion - Both my American Express and Discover cards have something called "Private Payments". The credit card company issues you (online) a "one time use" number. The number isn't supposed to be able to be charged more than once. It's to protect your actual account number and to prevent fraud.

The next trip we make to Orlando, I'll probably consider Connections. We're like many of the other posters, we watch the prices when we eat out in Orlando. We would feel like we were really splurging if we had everyone go in and order whatever they wanted.

[Halle]

Can you purchase things from onnections using a money order, that would eliminate any problems with the double charging?