Anyone else get a phone call from Connections?

[patsal]

Long story short, I listed a few leftover vouchers on E-Bay. I am urging any of you in the same position not to do the same. If you got the call you know what I mean.

 

[tinaluis]

I know what you mean. I had no idea until I got the call. I wish eBay would prohibit the listings or at least raise a red flag but they didn't do anything and I had no idea that I shouldn't be listing them until I got the call. Lesson learned, I guess.

 

[patsal]

Tinaluis,
Needless to say I was mortified! I had no idea. I wonder why E-bay even allows the listing then? As you stated lesson learned!
Sally

 

[ceecee]

WHAT call???? I had 4 leftovers and was thinking of listing them. You aren't allowed to sell them??

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ceecee
WHAT call???? I had 4 leftovers and was thinking of listing them. You aren't allowed to sell them??

Why is re-selling the connections vouchers different than re-selling anything else? I don't recall anything printed on the vouchers themselves that say they are not transferrable. I'd be curious as to what reason you were given for not being able sell them.

 

[patsal]

That is the problem, there is nothing printed on the vouchers. Apparently on page something, section whatever, it states that anything purchased from connections is for use of the member only and cannot be resold. From what I was told someone who paid way too much for them complained to Disney and Disney in turn threatened Connections with pulling the benefit? I don't know. I found it interesting that there are still many of these for sale on ebay and many of them are very recent listings. I am calling Connections back on Monday, because I'd like a copy of the "contract" since I never got one ( signed up through a promo. offer and never got a membership card or contract--rec'd membership number in an e-mail after complaining). Apparently it is also against the Connections rules to purchase them for other people to use? I thought that one of the things they suggsted was how much money you could save on gifts.

 

[gibbys1]

I can understand if you are trying to sell them for an outrageous amount but if you want to sell them because you cant use them before they expire I cant see why they would care. How did they get your phone number?

 

[patsal]

It must be linked to my Connections account. I was called by the director of consumer affairs and she knew everything I ever ordered from Connections and quoted info from the "contract" and explained that they pay Disney for the privledge of selling the vouchers, etc, as well as that they pay Disney more for the vouchers than Connections members pay for them, etc. From what I understand they were researching via ebay and followed through with a phone call that said remove the current listing or there would be consequences. I never would have posted them if I had known there was anything wrong with it. There were already so many of them on there I figured it was alright. In any event, I just wanted any other DISers to be aware and avoid any potentially embarassing or awkward moments.

 

[4greatboys]

If the price on the e-bay auction was to much for the person bidding--the one who was griping about paying to much, why did they bid? I had some left over ones I was gonna put on e-bay too. Now that Im going to Dis con maybe I will be able to use some more of them. I think Disney should sell those meal vouchers like the ones at AK at all the parks. Its a better deal.

 

[chris1gill]

What if you resell them for an 11.50 handling fee? I'm just worried that I may have a couple of the quick & casual vouchers leftover after our November trip?

I didn't know there was anything legally wrong with selling the vouchers either... although, I couldn't in good faith resell an 11.50 voucher for 18.00 knowing the recipient could never make that a good deal...

 

[A kid at heart]

You mean they went to all that trouble to track you down for the vouchers?

 

[patsal]

Well, Like I said, I was mortified when I got the call. I was also not making a fortune, just hoping to break even. They said to return any vouchers that I would not use so long as they were purchased within the last 90 days. My suggestion would be not to order them until you are within the window of 90 days so that they can be returned. I think that Disney should sell their own at the theme parks as well. When I contacted Disney about how great the AK meal vouchers were they called and said they'd like more feedback. I hope they expand them to include all the parks. On a lighter note, whatever happened to consumer beware? If you were paying hundreds of dollars for fast food vouchers wouldn't that make you wary of the purchase? I bet the person who paid the really high price for them thought they were the kind you could use anywhere, anytime, like the premium packages contain. They certainly didn't have to bid that high.
Actually, I thought the call from Connections was a decent courtesy, they really could have suspended my Connections account and maybe worse. I would not have put them on e-bay if I had known there was anything wrong with doing that.

 

[rajak73]

to patsal, I seen in your one response that the representive told you they "pay more for the vouchers than they sell them for" I would question this. Sounds funny to me that they are losing money?

 

[patsal]

The Connections representative told me that they pay Disney $12.00 to purchase the vouchers from them and that is what the membership fee covers. They are selling the vouchers to Connections members for $11.00 thus saving them money. They are only for the Connections member and their immediate family was what I was told.
Rajak73, I guess they are not technically losing money until you have purchased 80 or so vouchers. However, they would be losing money on the customers that opt only for the trial membership. I guess that is want makes me question the whole thing as well, lets face it businesses are not in business to lose money so they can be nice and offer me a service.

 

[Luvdisney]

So what was the threat?? I have 4 vouchers that I didn't use last trip and was planning on using them on my next visit. But our plans have changed and we won't be able to go until after they expire. I have passed my 90 window to return them and I am no longer a connections member. So I was thinking about selling them for what I paid plus shipping. Is this a problem? What are the consequances that connections has against you?

 

[patsal]

The person I spoke with said my Connections membership could be suspended and I could be prosecuted for fraud. I was given two hours to get the e-bay listing pulled OR ELSE! The thing that puzzles me is that there are ever so many postings still on e-bay. Perhaps there would be no consequences for someone who had joined, purchased, passed the 90 days, and no longer had an active membership. I will be calling them later this afternoon (when I get home) and asking a few more questions. If I learn anything I will post.

Sal

 

[patsal]

As I stated earlier, I called Connections when I got home. Here's what I learned. If you are purchasing gift cards it is alright to gift them. If you are purchasing food vouchers they are for the use of your family only. Limits have been imposed on Connections Dining Vouchers of 40 per type per family per year(yes this is new and the othr posting about it is correct). There is just too much info. to post, so if you want more info. PM me.
Sal

 

[Pumbaa_]

Just curious - how on earth did connections track an ebay listing to one of their members?????? Does anyone know?

 

[patsal]

From what I was told, Connections legal department contacted e-bay and E-bay gave them the information they requested so they could match it up with the current records of their membership.

 

[disneywith6kids]

Anyone with extra vouchers please e-mail me. We are a family of 8 and need more.I have already cancelled my membership and we extended our vacation for another week. Thanks