Connections Stock???

[realpatt]

Has anyone gotten Connections lunch/dinner counter service (10.50) certificates in the past few days? Wondered if they have gotten them back in stock and if they are sending them out. I don't get the impression that most of their staff is up to date or aware of stock problems. I spoke with 3 staff members, 2 supervisors and was not able to get an explination for why my 7/20/01 order had not been filled (I was told (1) it would take 7-10 days and I reminded them orders over $50.00 were to be delivered in 2-4 days (2) they were still waiting approval from my bank-(I've never heard of a credit card taking 10 days to athorize a charge and there have been no other problems with my card). I finally spoke with the person in charge of the Disney certificates who simply let me know the problem was the result of them being out of the certificates. She gave me the impression that they had a lot of back orders on these as well. She had been told by her contact at Disney that they were being overnighted, but that was Tuesday and I still haven't heard a thing and nothings been charged to my account. We leave Thursday and I really hope to get them in by then. SO I'm interested to see if anyone else has gotton the 10:50 dining certificates.

[Cora]

WOW, we must be talking to the same people. I received the credit card authorization story too.

I have yet to receive mine. I did receive the breakfast ones.

Cora

PS I'm giving it til Wednesday then I'll call again.

[FoodLover]

I'm waiting on some $10.50 vouchers I ordered 7/17. I spoke with Rhonda, the Connections person in charge of Disney passes & vouchers, on Thursday and the story I got was that their software had glitched and failed to send out some orders to their fulfillment house (company that actually mails the vouchers). She said they had plenty of stock, but the orders weren't getting through and she was trying to expedite getting this fixed. I asked if the problem was linked to website orders, and she said no, some phone orders had the same problem. She promised to call me back about two hours later with an update, but didn't. She also didn't return my call on Friday.

I'm starting to wonder if I should yank Connections off MouseSavers. The program has the potential to be a good value, but it does seem to have some annoying problems with its ordering system.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

[wheatenwalker]

Mary, That is such a bummer! I have my food budget all worked out using the counter vouchers for some days (with 2 teen age boys, they WILL save money) but now I am afraid to order them. Same with the passes. The 4 day hopper plus would be perfect for us and now I am afraid to buy from there. It really goofs up my budget and we are only weeks from going so too late to do much more saving! If you get any other info, please post and thank you again for your great sight and lettiing me vent about the vouchers. WW

[dianneh2]

I ALSO PLACED AN ORDER WITH CONNECTIONS ON 7/20. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND EXCUSES EVER SINCE. RHONDA AND I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE STORY KEEPS CHANGING...FIRST THEY SAID THE 10.50 VOUCHERS WERE OUT OF STOCK(EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD SOME WHEN I PLACED THE ORDER). THEN THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE NUMBER I ORDERED(ONLY 30 FOR A TWO WEEK TRIP!) THE LATEST STORY IS THE SYSTEM PROBLEM! MY FAMILY IS LEAVING FOR THE BOARDWALK ON 8/12...HOPEFULLY WE'LL RECEIVE EVERYTHING BY THEN!!!

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF US WAITING!!!

[realpatt]

Rhonda was the person I spoke with that sounded like she knew what she was talking about. I didn't mention that she said she would call me back and update me and I have never gotton a call. Please post when any of you get yours inthe mail!!

[wdwobsessed]

I have had the same with connections other than sometimes you have to speak with a supervisor.

When I first joined ... before Mary posted it on her site .. I did not have these problems.
I think they are overwhelmed by the sheer #'s.

I had the same problem. I ordered breakfast and dinner certificates at the same time and only the breakfast ones come. No letter or anything explaining why.

I called and they said something about once they had approval from my card ... then said it was not showing as being billed.....

I called her on it because they had already sent me my breakfast ones!!!!!!

So when it came right down to it .. they were on backorder and I got them when the supervisor said I would (about a week later).

Then I order my 5 day park hoppers. I was concerned that they had not charged my card yet. I call and they give me the same "your cc company has not authorized it .." I think this is the standard answer. I knew this was not true... it was my check card and it comes out the MINUTE you process anything.

Anyway ... she is telling me 14 days. I'm like ... "whatever"

So knock, knock at my door its Mr. UPS man with my tickets ... and they STILL have not charged my card. What if my card had been bad?

I'm not sure what is going on ... but they had NO IDEA that my tickets had in fact been shipped the day before I called!!???!!

wdwo

[realpatt]

I also had received a parcial order (the 29.00 lunch) the day after I talked with them, which would have been last Wednesday and my credit card has yet to be charged for those or any other charges except for the original $1.00. I keep checking given the mistakes I have read about on the board previously. I just hope they get here next week.

[wheatenwalker]

Did anyone pay the extra 10$ to have their order overnight-ed? My bank said that if I pay for that and it doesnt happen, then they will put the amount in to dispute and not charge my account for the items until the dispute is solved.

[hulabird]

I received my park hopper plus passes and my universal studios passes in 2
days, but the 6 food vouchers I ordered still have not come. I have had 2 calls
from connections saying they had the vouchers but there was a glitch in the
system and orders weren't getting out, they are working on it. Maybe I should send
them a copy of all our posts to show them how unhappy we are with the service

Hulabird

[wheatenwalker]

Hula, sounds like a good idea to me. WW

[singitalto]

On July 17th I ordered 2 -4 day PHP passes and 10 casual lunch and dinner vouchers@ $10.50 each. I received the PHP within 3 days. I waiting for the vouchers still. I called on the 30th and Sal said that they were in stock and I should get them by the end of the week, I then ordered 6 more( plus some movie tickets). Well when I didn't receive them by 8/3 I called back and was told they are out of stock. They have not charged my credit card yet. But I would like to get them ASAP.

When was the last time someone recieve the $10.50 vouchers in the mail?????

[bobcat]

Boy I am glad to hear I wasn't the only one with a problem getting my vouchers!

I ordered mine around the same time you all did and keep getting the runaround when ever I call. That is when I can get through! I finally cancelled my order because I am out of time! We leave Wednesday and really would have loved these.

[hulabird]

well i am not leaving until 8/26, and the main reason i joined
them was for my park passes which i do have, if i don't get the
vouchers by the end of this week, i will cancel my membership
with them. My trial ends on 8/22 so I want to cancel before that.

hulabird

[rugrat]

I have yet to recieve the 6 $10.50 vouchers I ordered on 7/18 as well. We leave on 8/14. The 6 $29.50 vouchers came right away. Like all of you, I got a complete runaround. I want nothing else to do with this company. I can understand if an item was out of stock, but they kept telling me excuses I knew were not true--there's nothing worse than feeling like you're being lied to. They haven't charged my account yet. If I get them, fine, if not, whatever. I refuse to let this sour our vacation.

[hulabird]

i just sent them an email saying if i don't get the vouchers
by this weekend i am cancelling. Let u guys know what happens
as soon as i hear from them

Hulabird

[Cora]

I just received a call from Rhonda @ Connections wondering when I would be needing my vouchers. I told her no later than the 16th. She said they have to hand pull them for mailing. Also I told her I was only getting 6 quick lunch ones and I hoped by 2 previous orders were cancelled. She said there were 3 orders of 6 each and she would make sure I only received the 1 order and not all 3. I plan on cancelling Connections on the 12th I assume this wouldn't mess up the order since I placed it prior to cancelling.

We'll see what happens.
Cora

[singitalto]

I always feel bad when I join a club knowing that i will be canceling before the trial is over.

They just made it real easy. I am waiting for my vouchers and then canceling.

I was unhappy with their run around, bla, bla bla..... and I will be telling the truth!!!

[realpatt]

I placed a 2nd order last week to see if maybe I would get the certificates sooner in a new order (we are also going back in Nov and Feb and I decided I could use more than what I had orginially ordered). In addition to the 10.50 lunch/dinner certificates I ordered breakfast certificates. UPS tried to deliver on Friday but required a signature and we were not home, so they came back today and the breakfast certificates were there but no 10.50 certificates. SO the problem is not just with older orders, but new ones as well.

[rugrat]

I spoke with Rhonda today as well. She said I will recieve my 6 $10.50 vouchers tomorrow (Tues). Today, the excuse from the CSR was that my "information" was not correct. I will let you know if I get them. I actually intended to keep the subscription...but not now. I can't help but wonder what is the problem. I suspect it is a stock problem. Do you think DWD is trying to curb the demand by holding back on the vouchers? I mean, it's just a piece of paper! How difficult can it be to fill orders?

[realpatt]

I called tonight and was told (after 20-30 minutes on hold) that they were going to be sent out tomorrow. We leave at noon on Thursday, even if they are telling the truth, the chances of us getting them are pretty slim.

[hulabird]

same here, i wrote them and told them i want delivery by this weekend or i am canceling
and i will, i already have the park passes, which was mainly why i joined, hubby and I
will just fend for ourselves on the food, our whole trip is paid for anyway, and we don't
eat all that much anyway.

hulabird

[Cora]

Anyone receive the vouchers????
Still waiting for mine!
Cora

[realpatt]

II talked to Rhonda Tuesday who said they were going out that day and assured me I would have them by Thursday. She stated they were pulling out all the orders from those of us who had called and making sure we got them for our trips. I got a message today Wed. stating they would arrive tomorrow. I guess I should have clarified what time I was leaving on Thur. We usually leave at 6:00 am, but it just so happens we are waiting till noon, so there is a chance we could get them before we leave if UPS comes early, but we won't be waiting around if they don't as I have little confidence that they will even arrive tomorrow. But I'll keep you posted if they do.

[hulabird]

I received a call from connections while I was online today a
and they said I will receive my 10.50 food vouchers tomorrow
I will post if this indeed happens or not.

Hulabird

[Baileymouse]

This all sounds very familiar! I ordered 6 Quick & Casual Meal Vouchers on 7/21. I called this past Monday - the 1st CRS said that my credit card was denied. Not true - I used AMEX and it wasn't. Then after much hassling and wrangling, she transferred me to a supposed supervisor. Her first response was that the credit card was denied. Then it was that they were out of stock at the website and she would cancel my order and reissue via the phone. It's the same fulfillment house so that was bogus. That call was about 20 minutes total and she placed the order for the wrong items - the Disney Quest tix. Finally got that straightened out - Rhonda calls. I don't get the message because DH hits save and doesn't tell me. I hear it late last night, call today. She tells me that even though the ticket order was supposed to be held because she had a question, someone else mailed it UPS and it should be delivered today. HOWEVER, she told me there were two sets of 6, not one, because the order was double placed once again.

Once someone calls the 800 number and complains about delivery dates they send the orders over to Customer Service for special processing. After all this I checked my Amex and I haven't been charged yet, so how did they send them out? This is weird!

I don't know if I'll really get them. I'm cancelling membership - this is just too much trouble.

[Cora]

Guess what! I got home this am from the gym and there was a UPS delivery sticker on my door. They will return tomorrow am before 10:30 for the second attempt. I will be home...I know these are my vouchers but the question is...how many?????

I'll be cancelling too. This is way too much of a hassle.
Cora

[wdwobsessed]

I cancelled today.

I was planning on ordering a few more vouchers but not after the stories I have been hearing as I leave in 3 weeks.

Just a warning ..... when I called to cancel my membership the guy just would not shut up about "well do you know you can save on this and that" .... I just kept saying ... "yes, but I want to cancel"

He kept going on ... "how much are movie tickets in your area ...."

After about 5 min of this I had to say ... "Look I understand about all the savings and such, I would really appreciate it if you would cancel my membership!"

He sais ok ... then proceeds to offer me a deal on my cable (vouchers for $5).

AAAHHHHH!

Finally he cancelled it.


I think others have told me they used an automated system to cancel.

Maybe I called the wrong number ...

wdwo

[realpatt]

I received all 12 of the lunch/dinner 10.50 certificates today before we leave for our trip, in 5 minutes. What a hassel, but they are in hand, and hopefully we will be using one in orlando tonight, if we get in early enought!!! By the way, it stated on there that tax and tim were inculded on these vouchers as well. That should take care of the 10% tipping they charge automatically at Coronodo Springs food court!

[FoodLover]

My lunch vouchers arrived today by UPS Overnight, as promised.

Let's hope they've got their stuff straightened out now! I'm planning to keep my membership, because we go to WDW a lot these days.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

[hulabird]

Mine came today too!!!!!!!!!!! Just like they promised!

Hulabird

(I posted info about the 10.50 vouchers on the budget board under connections
for anyone wanting to know about them)

[hulabird]

i just checked out menus for the 10.50 connections food vouchers and here's
a few that i think looked decent to use:

1. Beaches and Cream-at Beach Club-good food choices and of course excellent dessert
choices!
2. CBR-at OPR-i am staying here and some of the food choices will easily add up past 10.50
3. Pepper Market at CSR-many choices to get value off the 10.50 voucher
4. In AK, Pizzafari, Tusker House, and especially Flame tree BBQ
5. Cosmic Rays-Tomorrowland-MK

others that could be ok:

Sunshine Season Food Fair in Epcot
Pecos Bills-MK-Frontierland
Pinocchios Village House-MK-Fantasyland
Pure and Simple-Epcot
Liberty Inn-Epcot-U.S.

It does help to research and plan ahead.

hulabird:bounce:

[disney4us2002]

please post here what are the expiration dates on your vouchers. I want to make darn good and sure I don't have any of these close calls about getting the vouchers the same day as my trip, but I'm not going til next June so I can't just order 'em now if these still expire May 2002.

Thanks! Carla

[hulabird]

Mine all say valid until 5/31/2002...hope that helps

Hula

[singitalto]

Yea, I got mine today too!

Rhonda had called me and left a message the day before yesterday asking when I needed the vouchers. I called her back yesterday and was told she would call me back, but never did. Not that I care now!!!! They sent me all 16 vouchers aby overnight mail!!!
Beaches and Cream and Pepper Mill here I come!!!:pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :pinkbounc

[gadget-lady]

My vouchers came early this morning (Aug. 9) via UPS Next Day Air.

On Tuesday, I received a voice mail message from Rhonda in Customer Relations asking when I needed my vouchers.... and I hadn't called to complain yet. Proactive service, even.

I left a reply in her voice mail indicating that I would have to cancel the order if the vouchers were not in my hands by Monday, Aug. 13.

Et voila! I'm sure we will get plenty of value for $ next week; Chefs de France here we come!

I'm very impressed with the way Connections made this right for me; however, I don't think I will be keeping the subscription.

We have Annual Passes, so the Park Hopper deals won't help us. The movie tix are just about the only other offering I could use... but is that worth $79.95 a year?

Feeling a bit guilty... :rolleyes:

Gadget-Lady
(aka Lanora)

CBR Feb. 1998
BC Jan. 2001
ASMu next week... and dreaming of an upgrade

[hulabird]

I know, I have to decide soon if I am keeping the membership, I have until the
21st of this month. I probably would not use anything else but Disney, and we
always go to movies early and get the 4.50 price anyway. I will most likely
have to cancel as well

Hulabird

[Maleficent08]

My experiences with Connections seem to be similar. I ordered 4 Character Meal Vouchers and 6 $10.50 vouchers prior to my July 13 departure. The 4 arrived extremely quickly. When I did not see more vouchers or another envelope, I called Connections and the saga began... After being told many different things and interacting with excellent and poor Connections reps and supervisors during at least 6 different calls with the final call on the 4th day (July 17) of my vacation, I finally discovered they were definitely backordered and that I may not see the other 6 vouchers until August. I had explored all my cancellation and return options and felt like I had a better understanding of what was happening. Upon arriving home from WDW on July 20, I found a UPS package from Connections that was delivered to my door on July 17th. Ugh! My remaining 6 vouchers had arrived. I've kept them since I will be returning to WDW before they expire.

Beyond all that... When I called to cancel my membership, I found that it was easier said than done. After offering my reasons for cancellation (mainly that "the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing"), I was asked 4 separate times to keep my membership. The rep. issued me lengthy reasons why I should stay with Connections even as I continued to refuse his offers. I think the only reason he gave up was because I began to show and express frustration. (wdwo--does this sound familiar to you?!?)

Additionally, there were random Connections charges and credits on my cc bill so be sure to examine your cc bill carefully.

Enough from me! I hope these glitches have been resolved and you all have what you need by now!!
Good Luck! :D

[Cora]

THEY CAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I cancelled. I think the program is great. But to have to call many, many times and received erroneous information...I don't want to go through that every time!
Cora

[LisaRex]

Gosh, I'm just appalled you all had to go through what you did in order to get your tickets. I ordered 10 of the $10.50 coupons, 2 adult breakfast, 2 child breakfast, 2 adult 4day PHP, and 2 child PHP tickets and they all came within 3 business days.

It saved me quite a bit of money and when I went to cancel it was automated.

Guess I got in just under the wire!

I would definitely use caution ordering from them!

[singitalto]

Since others have had a negative experience trying to cancel, I was wondering if LisaRex Knows what number she called to get an automated service. Did she call at a particular time to guarantee this?

Just wondering if there was a way to know???

[trish474]

I was a little hesitant to order from connections, but I just could not skip the savings...so far it all good!!! I join on Friday night (8/10) and ordered passes and the $10.50 food vouchers. Much to my surprise...they all arrived by UPS this morning!! Everything!!!

Now to make sure I only get charged once and not multiple times like others. I know they have had some stock problems, but it seems like they have them right now.

Now I just have to wait till October to get here!!

[LisaRex]

I'm pretty sure I called the cancellation number of 1-800-291-0266. I might have called in the evening; I can't remember!

Good luck!