Bait n Switch

[doconeill]

I don't believe this is a false advertising issue. In this case the service is subject to availability, and it is not available after July 13th. A new service is taking its place. The fact that it is (or was) still on the web page doesn't matter much because it IS still offered, for dates prior to July 13th.

 

[bumbershoot]

Correct, but they're STILL advertising the thing I want to book. If I try to actually book it, they are offering a different product in it's place at a different price. That's a bait-n-switch.

Well, actually...it's to be expected with disney's websites. FYI in the future, their websites are terrible, out of date, info differing in different places, just awful.


Also, instead of booking straight from the website, they have you call a number to find out availability for your dates.


And ultimately, it's all covered under the most important line on that cached page..."Events are subject to change."

 

[TDC Nala]

It isn't a bait and switch - that product is still available so I'm not surprised it was on the website. It will not be available at the time you wanted to book it. You were informed of the change in advance of booking.

Explorer won't let me open the cached link. If it does say "events subject to change" then Disney covered itself against legal action. You could try and complain about the false expectations you feel they set up and see if they will do something for you in the name of customer service - but as far as legal action for a "bait and switch" it doesn't seem actionable.

 

[Alesia]

Correct, but they're STILL advertising the thing I want to book. If I try to actually book it, they are offering a different product in it's place at a different price. That's a bait-n-switch.

Well, my goodness! of course they're still advertising it. It's still available.

Do you honestly think they would stop advertising it just because they will be discontinuing it in the future??

 

[webshark3]

Well, my goodness! of course they're still advertising it. It's still available.

Do you honestly think they would stop advertising it just because they will be discontinuing it in the future??

I FULLY expect they would update the website immediately to reflect the new information. "They just didn't get around to it" or "the website is always outdated" is not an excuse. That's a tactic used often by bait-n- switch stores/web-fronts, and not something Disney wants to get messed up with.

And if they're still offering it, why did they suddenly pull it down?

For the record, I don't feel Disney intentionally did this. But they should honor the pricing and information posted on their site at that time. That's the PR thing to do.

 

[webshark3]

Also, instead of booking straight from the website, they have you call a number to find out availability for your dates.


And ultimately, it's all covered under the most important line on that cached page..."Events are subject to change."

Thanks, in this case, you need to book everything over the phone (GG). I just used the website to verify the product/service.

"Events are subject to change" is fine. Nothing wrong with that. But as soon as they do, they are required to update their content and pricing (web, print, tv).

 

[doconeill]

Thanks, in this case, you need to book everything over the phone (GG). I just used the website to verify the product/service.

"Events are subject to change" is fine. Nothing wrong with that. But as soon as they do, they are required to update their content and pricing (web, print, tv).

They are required to change the info, if the info has changed. The information for what you were looking for has not changed - it is just not available for the date you chose, will not be available at all after a certain date. They probably should have updated it to reflect that it is going away, but that doesn't change the fact that everything on that cached page is in fact valid as it stands right now.

They did NOT change the price, or the service. It is being replaced by a different service, which has a different description and a different price.

I still can't find any information about Grand Gathering services on the main web site, but the search system is crap anyways. But I noticed that the cached page is using the old style and appears to be for an alternate web site focused on Canada...Disney is slow at updating web sites, but they are even slower at updating these alternate sites, which is probably why the new service isn't listed there yet. No idea why the page disappeared.

But there still isn't anything that shows Disney is trying to bait and switch at all, and I do not seriously think Disney is beholden to offer you a service that will not exist then.

 

[Alesia]

I FULLY expect they would update the website immediately to reflect the new information. "They just didn't get around to it" or "the website is always outdated" is not an excuse. That's a tactic used often by bait-n- switch stores/web-fronts, and not something Disney wants to get messed up with.

But the website only needs to reflect the current info, which it does. I'm sure they will update the website soon, but it doesn't need to be done the very moment information changes.

And if they're still offering it, why did they suddenly pull it down?

They may be updating the info now.

For the record, I don't feel Disney intentionally did this.

Then you need to stop using the term "bait & switch." It does imply intent.

But they should honor the pricing and information posted on their site at that time. That's the PR thing to do.

The event you want to book will no longer be available on the date you want to book it. This isn't just a price increase, it's a totally different event.

 

[webshark3]

They are required to change the info, if the info has changed. The information for what you were looking for has not changed - it is just not available for the date you chose, will not be available at all after a certain date. They probably should have updated it to reflect that it is going away, but that doesn't change the fact that everything on that cached page is in fact valid as it stands right now.

They did NOT change the price, or the service. It is being replaced by a different service, which has a different description and a different price.

I still can't find any information about Grand Gathering services on the main web site, but the search system is crap anyways. But I noticed that the cached page is using the old style and appears to be for an alternate web site focused on Canada...Disney is slow at updating web sites, but they are even slower at updating these alternate sites, which is probably why the new service isn't listed there yet. No idea why the page disappeared.

But there still isn't anything that shows Disney is trying to bait and switch at all, and I do not seriously think Disney is beholden to offer you a service that will not exist then.

The wdwinfo.com site had the product as the Disney Agent gave me:
"MAGICAL FIREWORKS VOYAGE

Name changing to Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage

The Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage, will become available to all, regardless of party size, starting July 13, 2009. Can be booked 90 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. It requires a credit card guarantee and has a 48 hour cancellation policy.

The price will increase to $53.99 per person ages 10 and up, $30.99 per child ages 3-9. "

Same Product, different price from what was posted on the website.

I only published the cached page for those interested in the info. I AM NOT holding Disney to cached information. Only the REAL posted information I was given.

 

[webshark3]

Alesia:

Thanks for your comments. True, bait-n-switch probably does imply intent which I don't think they did.

But the Phone agent did say that the product had a name change and price increase. It IS the same product. All I'm asking is that they honor their posted information just the same as my company is required. We'd be ripped a new one if we were out of date.

 

[webshark3]

BTW everyone, thanks for all your comments. I didn't mean to turn it into a debate, just more of an FYI on experenices. I forgot I was in a Internet forum. lol Either way, it's good to have opinions expressed.

I emailed Disney the other day. Don't plan on doing more than that. I'll keep you posted on what they say.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not the same product. You wanted a Grand Gathering Experience (a special offering available only to groups of 8 or more). This event will no longer be a Grand Gathering Experience at the time you want it. You can still book it, but not as a Grand Gathering Experience and you'd need to pay the price they are requesting for the event at the time it takes place.

 

[Skylarr29]

Correct, but they're STILL advertising the thing I want to book. If I try to actually book it, they are offering a different product in it's place at a different price. That's a bait-n-switch.

I FULLY expect they would update the website immediately to reflect the new information. "They just didn't get around to it" or "the website is always outdated" is not an excuse. That's a tactic used often by bait-n- switch stores/web-fronts, and not something Disney wants to get messed up with.

And if they're still offering it, why did they suddenly pull it down?

For the record, I don't feel Disney intentionally did this. But they should honor the pricing and information posted on their site at that time. That's the PR thing to do.

Of course they are still advertising it, it is still available. Saying you expect them to update their website immediately is somewhat ridiculous... said event is still taking place so what is there to update?

I think your demands/expectations are completely unreasonable. If you want to book it, book and pay the price, if not - quite griping.

This is in no way a bait and switch. They are cancelling the magical fireworks voyage and replacing it with the pirates and pals cruise so it can be available to a larger group.

 

[webshark3]

It's not the same product. You wanted a Grand Gathering Experience (a special offering available only to groups of 8 or more). This event will no longer be a Grand Gathering Experience at the time you want it. You can still book it, but not as a Grand Gathering Experience and you'd need to pay the price they are requesting for the event at the time it takes place.

Fact: It is exactly the same product. It was just opened up to all. This is by Disney's own admission.

 

[webshark3]

Of course they are still advertising it, it is still available. Saying you expect them to update their website immediately is somewhat ridiculous... said event is still taking place so what is there to update?

I think your demands/expectations are completely unreasonable. If you want to book it, book and pay the price, if not - quite griping.

This is in no way a bait and switch. They are cancelling the magical fireworks voyage and replacing it with the pirates and pals cruise so it can be available to a larger group.

No, they pulled it down, then put it back up. And yes, their website offers MUST reflect their current offerings. If there is now a end date to the Gathering promotion, it should be listed that's it's now limited.

How would you feel if Disney ran commercials for promotions, only for you to call up and they tell you "oh, that was an old commercial we're still rerunning. We don't have the Year of a Million Dream deals anymore as the commercial quoted, but here's our new pricier deal..."

They don't do that. All their promotions have start-end dates for a reason. Web needs the same treatment. Disney's all grown up and needs to take responsibility for their actions. Just my opinions. We all have ours.

 

[bumbershoot]

Web needs the same treatment. Disney's all grown up and needs to take responsibility for their actions. Just my opinions. We all have ours.

It would be great if their web people did things that well and quickly. They don't as of yet. It's too bad, but it'll be good to know in the future, and for others reading this post for their own knowledge.

"Events are subject to change" is fine. Nothing wrong with that. But as soon as they do, they are required to update their content and pricing (web, print, tv).

I disagree. Events subject to change covers everything, IMO.

It'll be an interesting discussion to have with my lawyer SIL when she gets home tonight!

But the Phone agent did say that the product had a name change and price increase. It IS the same product. All I'm asking is that they honor their posted information just the same as my company is required. We'd be ripped a new one if we were out of date.

Ah, never trust just one single CM, especially a phone one who might never have even been in the parks...

Your company might get yelled at, but I'm pretty sure whatever company it is has the legalese to protect itself from actual problems, somewhere on their site.

 

[TDC Nala]

Fact: It is exactly the same product. It was just opened up to all. This is by Disney's own admission.

It's the same EVENT. It is not the same PRODUCT. It is no longer a grand gathering experience - these are separate products from events available to the general public.

If you would like Disney to "make it right" by offering you the cruise at the price you expected it to be when it was a Grand Gathering thing, would you also expect it to be offered as a private event for your group, or would you be OK with going along with other members of the public who are not part of your Grand Gathering? Because the fact is I think it's possible they might give you the price in the name of customer service. But I don't think it's likely you will get the private experience for your group.

Last year Disney sent out a bunch of old flyers about the dining plan to a number of people who'd booked reservations with the dining plan - these flyers were from 2007 and stated unequivocally that the dining plan included tips and appetizers, when the plan changed in 2008 to exclude the tips and appetizers. A lot of people on the dining board said they intended to take the flyer with them on their trip and demand the tips and appetizers - but I don't think anyone actually got them as Disney was not required to rectify its mistake in this manner. Even that could not be characterized as a bait and switch because it was not intentional.

In the case of the Grand Gathering Disney hasn't even made a mistake - if they did, it is a mistake of omission for leaving out information from their site that one event is being removed from the Grand Gathering offer.

 

[webshark3]

I disagree. Events subject to change covers everything, IMO.

It'll be an interesting discussion to have with my lawyer SIL when she gets home tonight!

Cool, your SIL have more knowledge? Like I said, more opinions the better.

As far as events subject to change; buy tickets for the Wiggles, and show up for to find they've been swapped with the Waggles. I'm sure the entire theater won't calmly shrug their shoulders and say "oh well, events subject to change."

 

[webshark3]

It's the same EVENT. It is not the same PRODUCT. It is no longer a grand gathering experience - these are separate products from events available to the general public.

In this case, the event is the product. (IMO)

I remember the hoopla around the dining plan. I forgot about it. I was speaking to my cousin a few weeks ago about a Disney trip he had last year. I mentioned it's a shame they don't do tip or appetizer anymore. It didn't register at the time, but he made a comment like "oh no, we got it included."

I wonder if it's because he's a lawyer, or goes 4 times a year. I'll have to ask next time I talk to him.