Anybody else feeling ripped off by TGM?

[Abharmagic]

Purchased TGM's "serivces" for my trip in November 2008-- WILL NEVER BUY AGAIN! Not worth the $$$ IMO- the forums here are better and FREE! Everyone says how great the vacation club month forums are on TGM- REALLY??!!??

I can get better info from the UG. I would not recommend TGM to anyone.

 

[carmiedog]

The most crowded park info is only updated through June which is only a month away.

July's most-crowded-parks were posted April 14. [eta: The first half of the month's charts were published BEFORE April 14 but advice for one of the days was changed on the 14th; the second half of the month was released April 14.)
However, I don't know what day the park hours for July were posted and how many days it took Mike to get the charts done. But they ARE there.

Additionally, when you do go to one of the 2008 planners, October for example, they aren't even updated for then. In the entry for the 2008 EPCOT Food and Wine festival the site says:

...

Dates: September 26 - November 9, 2008

2007 Special Event Info (for now!): Epcot International Food and Wine Festival"

So TGM never even updated last year's info that he's trying to pawn off on us this year.

Yes, the 2008 planner has 2007 listed. But if you follow the link, the Food & Wine page IS updated with the 2009 dates and has 2008's information, not 2007's (not a fault since 2009's info isn't out yet, I don't think*). The info's good - Mike just didn't update that one line of text last year. He should have fixed that, but the event info itself was fine.

*BTW, even wdwinfo right now still has last year's info.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/events/index.htm
"The following information is based on 2008 events. Check back for 2009 updates."



I have no problem with people being unhappy with TGM - it ain't for everybody and the site certainly ain't perfect (ahem...navigation!)! And I especially understand people signing up thinking they get a plan created FOR them. But I do have a problem with things being misrepresented here.

 

[labdogs42]

I prefer www.touringplans.com to TGM. I have used both. Touring Plans costs less and is better, IMO. And, if you go twice in one year, you don't have to pay a second time like with TGM (that always drove me crazy about his site).

 

[labdogs42]

That must be why I couldn't find it, I was looking at sample plans, trying to figure out the best way to tour. I stand corrected and I'm glad it's not totally missing from the site.

His site is so confusing to navigate, it is no wonder you couldn't find the info you were looking for.

 

[devores]

I prefer www.touringplans.com to TGM. I have used both. Touring Plans costs less and is better, IMO. And, if you go twice in one year, you don't have to pay a second time like with TGM (that always drove me crazy about his site).

WIth TGM, just put your vacation dates in Dec (or a year from when you subscribe) then you have all of the info for a year. I do think (HINT HINT HINT TGM) that you should get a year for your money, not just up to your vacation. But anywho....

I also agree, I was highley dissapointed with the TGM site. The way it is advertised I thought I was getting something completly different than the service (or lack of) offered. The best park day info is good and from what I read, is pretty spot on, so I do not feel ripped off, but I will not be getting this service again. I could have guessed the best park days myself using some logic, his info just backed up my theories.

So, for those thinking of getting TGM, save your money. The info is old and when it is updated, it is slow to happen. There is zero customer service. I paid for TGM, not some crony on a message board who is guessing at info just I like I could. There is even a note on the site that says something along the lines of "If you find an error on our page, please submit the correct info and we will get it updated". BS, I am paying you for updated info, not so I can update the info for you. Thats like going to BK and ordering a burger and then having to make it yourself.

So TGM, get your act together and you may have a good service that would attract me back. But so far, I see nothing worth returning for.

 

[Tam1067]

Purchased TGM's "serivces" for my trip in November 2008-- WILL NEVER BUY AGAIN! Not worth the $$$ IMO- the forums here are better and FREE! Everyone says how great the vacation club month forums are on TGM- REALLY??!!??

I can get better info from the UG. I would not recommend TGM to anyone.

My thoughts exactly--though I purchased back in 2007. I got a refund only after my THIRD request for the "money back guarantee." The problem with outdated information is not a new one, and the customer service there stinks. However, the TGM fans are passionate about him, and they'll support him no matter what.

 

[avahoneybee]

We used TGM for 3 trips but I let my subscription expire and do not intend on renewing. I really did like his site, but I found that I mostly used touringplans for best days and ridemax for planning last trip.

 

[praline3001]

So TGM, get your act together and you may have a good service that would attract me back. But so far, I see nothing worth returning for.

I have to agree with this. This was my first trip using TGM and the information is really outdated.
Yes, the forums with other TGM'ers is what is keeping it afloat ~ not the expert advice and inside information that Mike provides.
The forums are where you can find information but you can find it on any message board.

One of the things I don't care for is his one sided reviews.
Some of the things he pushes to skip are some of my kids' favorite things.

I do belong to TGM and am not asking for a refund. I did get the least crowded calender and so no fair if I cry wolf now LOL
I also got some great info on the forums BUT that has NOTHING to do with Mike's advice or insider info.

I would not recommend it to anyone unless he does some serious updating and makes it more user friendly.

At the same time I did subscribe to ridemax and I did ask for a refund from it. I played around for 3 days with it and DID not like the plans it generated for me. My own plans were much better.

 

[vcgirl925]

I agree with everyone. I just filled out a refund request yesterday. The information is not up to date, the touring plans are not up to date, the website is hard to navigate, the info could be gotten for free at many other sites, the forums are no where near as good as here...including the vacation month forum, and i just thought i would be getting more for the cost.

 

[vicki_c]

There are 2 very good and comprehensive articles on TSM on TGM. The attraction was never added to the sample plan for DHS, but there is a very lengthy article on how to tour with TSM in the mix, in fact there's 3 or 4 different approaches to it, depending on what type of group you're traveling with.

 

[*disgal*]

I agree that there are issues with old information on the site, but he can't do the charts until Disney releases the hours. Since it seems to be anyone's guess these days as to when Disney will do that for any given month, it really isn't fair to expect him to look into a crystal ball and guess.

Totally agree. And we were there in April and Disney added a lot more EMH's and extended hours so some of the best days changed for me. I can't remember how close to my trip that happened. I just kept checking.

I have also subscribed to TGM's site for our last 3 trips- but we most probably won't for this one. On the matter of the best days- which is probably the most useful part of site now in my opinion- he probably can't update till Disney puts the hours out. I'll give him that. However, when I was waiting for my park hours to do ADR's last year, his best days chart was late, so I had to figure out which ADR's and then go back and compare when they were done.

I expect you'll get some diehard TGMs on this thread eventually. They always stick up for him and will tell you to go the their forums. I think that has been discussed various times here on the disboards. My take is that I'm paying Mike and not misc. people on his forums for advise. If I want to ask the general Disney population a question, I'd ask here for free. It's actually kind of sad because I really thought he had an excellent site and a great idea for a business. Hopefully he will eventually overhaul his site and get back on track.

Agree with what I bolded. I don't consider myself a diehard fan although I have been a member for more than 3 years.

If you follow the "Parks and Places" blue tab at the top, TSMM is under DHS (individual park links are on the left of the page; then the individual park "lands" are on the right of the page - TSMM is included in the Mickey Avenue section - eta that this set-up isn't much different than these board's info site wdwinfo.com):

http://www.tourguidemike.com/parks/attractionDetails.asp?attractionId=176

(additional links on bottom of that page)

It's just not included in the SAMPLE touring plans. Which, by theory is fine since you are supposed to create your own plans. However, a LOT of people do use those samples as their starting point, so it would be nice to see it included since it is such a major attraction.

This is what I have the most problem with. I do like his site for the most part, I do think it is hard to navigate. But all major attractions should be in the sample plans. I mean, if he has an article on a certain attraction and tells you how to "tour" it, isn't it logical that it should be in the touring plan? Of course, I don't need those anymore because we use his other information to make our own tour but when I first started, I used his. It was easier until I got my feet wet.

There ARE things that bother me about the site. Who on here talked about getting info from the forums if you can't find it elsewhere?.........although I like to ask opinions on certain things on the forums, I also want Mike's opinion/advice. That is what I am paying for.

And the navigation......at first, it was nothing for me to have 10 windows up.it drove me crazy. I had to learn to read the whole page and then go to whatever links I wanted to. I still say there should be a better way.

But even with all of this....I have done three or four trips with him and everything has gone according to plan. The ultimate test for this was the Saturday before Easter at MK. First time we've ever done Spring Break/Easter and I was scared to death. It was my biggest challenge and we were 9 people. I followed all of his advice, made a plan, asked opinions ...you wouldn't believe how great the day went. I had my family calling me the Disney queen. My sister and her crew bought me a gift and wrote thank you notes, they were so impressed. Could I have done that without TGM? I don't know. His "best park days" are worth gold to me.

So, I have about a month to decide if I want to stay a member or not. I really don't know what to do. Now that I have a good foundation, can I do this on my own? Like I said, some things on his site do bother me. But with the thousands that I spend on a WDW vacation, is $17 going to break the bank? I definitely get $17 worth so I think I might.

 

[2ndstartotheright]

I have no problem with people being unhappy with TGM - it ain't for everybody and the site certainly ain't perfect (ahem...navigation!)! And I especially understand people signing up thinking they get a plan created FOR them. But I do have a problem with things being misrepresented here.

No kidding. It’s like they are looking at a completely different website. As you have pointed out- all the things the OP and others are complaining about not being updated or not included actually are updated and included.

Complaining that the info is not there for Oct 09 when Disney won’t even relase park hours til July is not a valid complaint.

As has been said here before- if you are having trouble finding something on TGM- and I will admit- it is hard to navigate- ask for help on the TGM forums. You wouldn’t go to Walmart to complain about Target would you?

And if you find it is just not the site for you- ask for a refund and move on.

 

[Abharmagic]

I *think* the reason people complain about TGM on here is for a couple of reasons:

1. TGM is an OFFICIAL SPONSOR of Dis Boards- many people assume some sort of affiliation between the two (whether it's financial, or otherwise)

2. People HAVE ALREADY complained to "Mike" himself and gotten no response

3. People want to warn others that the TGM site may not be what they are looking for (and give examples of things that disappointed them) to save someone the hassle of purchasing the "services" (and I use that term loosely) TGM says he offers

So- I think the Dis board forums are a wonderful place to speak our minds and discuss the ins and outs and ups and downs and benefits and downsides to a TGM subscription.

It also irks me that whenever someone who purchased TGM's service complains about TGM the best TGM fans can do is say that the Vacation Club forums is the best place to go with questions and concerns. WHY OH WHY would anyone pay $17 for a Vacation Club Forum full of other vacationers going the same month as them.

If this is what TGM has become (and what all fans say to do) why doesn't he bill his services as the TGM Vacation Club Forum service. Seeking advice, suggestions, info from other vacationers, meeting people and discussing the month I am going, well, I can do that here (better!). I think people feel a bit hosed when they subscribe to a service and think in some way TGM (Mike himself) is going to provide the pertinent info they need to make their vacation a success, and then find outdated articles, outdated info, outdated sample touring plans, etc.

Frankly this board does it better. Many unsatisfied customers just want potential TGM subscribers to know WHAT they are getting, so they can make an informed decision about whether to purchase the service or not. My question is WHY NOT complain here

 

[irunnoft]

 

[Dorisk3]

No kidding. It’s like they are looking at a completely different website. As you have pointed out- all the things the OP and others are complaining about not being updated or not included actually are updated and included.

Complaining that the info is not there for Oct 09 when Disney won’t even relase park hours til July is not a valid complaint.

As has been said here before- if you are having trouble finding something on TGM- and I will admit- it is hard to navigate- ask for help on the TGM forums. You wouldn’t go to Walmart to complain about Target would you?

And if you find it is just not the site for you- ask for a refund and move on.

Let's use the Target and Walmart analogy here again. Would I complain or ask questions of fellow CUSTOMERS at Target or Walmart and expect a correct reply or a solution to a problem? On the forums, unless Mike himself is going to answer, everyone else is really just a customer and not the "expert advice" that he or she paid for.

The other peeve of mine is how the sample touring plans are conveniently considered just samples- as if that is an excuse for them not to be current and up to date. As a poster above stated, shouldn't even samples contain the most recent information?

 

[mmcguire]

I gave up on TGM a couple trips ago. Like others, I found too much outdated info & missing attractions. That alone removed all confidence I had in the remaining content on TGM.

If there's that much blatantly out of date content, how much other content/advice there is outdated, and not as obvious? I'm not willing to risk planning my vacation around it.

 

[GovieMom]

I used TGM a couple years ago, and thought I might give it a go for our next trip. His site has a form for repeat customers to fill out, to receive a code for a small discount on the purchase price, promising receipt "within 24 hours." I submitted the info for my discount last week, and still have yet to hear back from them, even after submitting another one! The lack of timely customer service from TGM left a bitter taste, and I will not be renewing.

 

[bonybroad]

I found it to be a huge waste of money. I just subscribed this year, and I didn't learn anything from him that I didn't already know.

 

[P&B's Mom]

I have not read through everyone's posts, but I just want to let everyone know that his Least Crowded Charts for August 1-15, 2009 came out today. The hours were posted yesterday. Maybe he is listening....

 

[2ndstartotheright]

Let's use the Target and Walmart analogy here again. Would I complain or ask questions of fellow CUSTOMERS at Target or Walmart and expect a correct reply or a solution to a problem? On the forums, unless Mike himself is going to answer, everyone else is really just a customer and not the "expert advice" that he or she paid for.

The OP's complaints mainly stemmed from not being able to find info that IS on TGM site. Apparently needing help in locating it and in understanding why Oct 09 would not be available 2 months before Disney has posted the park hours. I don't think Mike would have to be the only one to answer that sort of question- anyone who is familiar with TGM could certainly help with an accurate answer.

As to the forums- most there are "TGM experts" you may not like that- but that's what it is. The members there understand how to use the site, where to find the info, how to tour and plan with TGM advice etc. I don't think Mike needs to step in and answer every single question- as long as there are others in the TGM community that understand TGM philosophy- that is the best place to get help. Those answers are based on Mike's expert advice and opinions and from other's personal real time experience using TGM advice. Can't get much closer to Mike's advice than that unless you want to hire him as a personal guide.

Sure the DIS offers lots of advice as well- but it is not TGM focused- so each question will get a wide variety of opinions and answers- some correct, some not. Asking here for advice on how to use TGM info would be rather futile.

Samples- are not just conveniently called Samples- they are Samples. I am not defending the lack of updates to some of those- but the whole idea of TGM is to teach how to make your own personalized touring plan- the Samples are a starting point. There is no way Sample Tours could be included for each and every Disney visitor's needs and wants. All the info you need to make your own plan is readily available to you.

I think the biggest misconception is that TGM spits out a perfect plan for you- that is not and has never been the case.

My point was mainly that the OP complaint was not really valid- since it has been pointed out that all the things they claim are not there- actually are there. The question was-

Why would I want to buy this if it's only updated a month ahead of time?

Again a simple post on the TGM forum- "where can I find xyz" might have eliminated OPs frustration and dissatisfaction with the site and therefore no need for this entire thread here.

I also think comments like "much blatantly out of date content" are hugely exaggerated. I can count on one hand the things that are out of date. That's a very small percentage when you consider the massive amount of info on the site.

Those that say they learned nothing new from TGM probably have not spent much time reading the site. There are plenty of things there that you will never see or read here or anywhere else.