Are the scouting sites actually scalping sites?!

[mousehappync]

I saw someone on Facebook post an article that suggests that all the new scouting sites for ADR's are actually scalping sites. The idea is that these sites are actually scooping up all te good ADR's and are then releasing them with enough frequency to make people think they are working, all while making money off of the folks paying for their "scouting" services. Thoughts? It does seem like a strange coincidence that ADR availability this year seems extra-abysmal. That could, of course, just be a product of increased guest awareness, higher crowd volume, etc.

 

[DVC Mike]

I personally don't like these sites. It's like paying a kid to stand in line at the Apple store to buy a new iPhone. The sites that just notify of of availability are not a problem, but the ones that book ADRs and sell them seem a bit unethical.

It's up to Disney if they want to halt this practice or not.

 

[gem21]

Wouldn't surprise me honestly...

 

[photogineer]

I personally don't like these sites. It's like paying a kid to stand in line at the Apple store to buy a new iPhone. The sites that just notify of of availability are not a problem, but the ones that book ADRs and sell them seem a bit unethical.

It's up to Disney if they want to halt this practice or not.

How is this any different than a TA (some of which are even free to use) booking your ADRs for you?

Adam

 

[Disneyliscious]

I agree with the TA comment. How is it different? A person is being paid by you to book an ADR for you. If they TA doesn't charge you, they get paid from the venue (Disney) who in turn charges you, so you are still paying.

Im only aware of one site that actually books the ADRs for you. If you look at that site, there are maybe 100 ADRs listed over the next 4 months. Given that Disney seats THOUSANDS of patrons a day, I seriously doubt this site is a problem. How many ADRs do you think DIS'ers (and others) have booked right now that they will never use and only release the day/week before the ADR time?

And lets take it a step farther, if that one site sold every single ADR they had for the next 4 months it would prob average around $1000. Thats $250 a MONTH ( $62.50) a week for someone to sit there booking those ADRs and getting them to people who want them. They are not making any money on this venture nor are they the cause for the lack of ADRs. Granted they are new and business will prob pick up but as it stands, its prob some TA doing this on the side for a little extra (and well earned) income.

 

[ragrubbs]

it is definitely an interesting thought - I hadn't seen that

 

[Dean Marino]

I saw someone on Facebook post an article that suggests that all the new scouting sites for ADR's are actually scalping sites. The idea is that these sites are actually scooping up all te good ADR's and are then releasing them with enough frequency to make people think they are working, all while making money off of the folks paying for their "scouting" services. Thoughts? It does seem like a strange coincidence that ADR availability this year seems extra-abysmal. That could, of course, just be a product of increased guest awareness, higher crowd volume, etc.

Perhaps a better question....

WHY DO THESE SITES EXIST? Really, if Disney is in control of it's dining Database - and is doing a good job? There SHOULD be no way for a third party to make MONEY off of this exercise.

The simple answer? These sites only exist because Disney is FAILING in this Web Arena. Given competent leadership and staff? This would not be occurring.

Solution: Disney, if you can't do this in a competent fashion? BUY THAT COMPANY. It's not like you can't afford it .

 

[chartle]

Perhaps a better question....

WHY DO THESE SITES EXIST? Really, if Disney is in control of it's dining Database - and is doing a good job? There SHOULD be no way for a third party to make MONEY off of this exercise.

The simple answer? These sites only exist because Disney is FAILING in this Web Arena. Given competent leadership and staff? This would not be occurring.

Solution: Disney, if you can't do this in a competent fashion? BUY THAT COMPANY. It's not like you can't afford it .

Not sure what this would accomplish. These sites exist to basically hire people to get in line early to get these reservations and then resell them.

Disney is control of their database but its difficult for them to control people after the reservation is made. The only reason to buy these companies would be to shut them down but others would pop up.

Maybe Disney could get a law pasted making it illegal.