Being Grilled by CRO??

[pantherpaw]

robinb: I had the same problem, the CM absolutly refused to give me any rate quotes without me giving him my zip code, phone # and all the names and ages of everyone in my party. He said the computer would not allow him to access the rates without my info, which really ticked me off because I know that's just not true. I just told him nevermind, I'll make my reservations elsewhere and hung up. Called right back and got a very nice CM who had no problem giving me rate quotes and answering my questions without me answering all those question.

 

[CHIEF TONGA]

Try not to take it out on the agents there just doing there job.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I don't like when they ask me the questions, either. I haven't gotten anyone that has done that in a while, though. It makes me upset that they have to have a bunch of info just to give me a rate, which I may or may not book. Give me a price that I like, then I'll give them the info.

Cali-D

 

[chrissyk]

I don't think that they ask for all this info for "streamlining". One CM that I talked to yesterday slipped and said something about a "profile". This makes sense, since the last time I tried to book, I couldn't get ANY discounts for the GF, even an AP discount. I had my sis (who has never booked a WDW trip) call and give her info, and magically she had her choice of views at the GF with the AP discount. I am pretty sure that they looked up my profile and saw that my husband and I had stupidly paid full-price for the Beach Club when we went to WDW in 1998. My sis did not have a "profile" on file, so they had to work to get her business. Just my 2 cents worth on why they want your info up front.

 

[The Pluto People]

I think chrissyk is absolutely correct. After Disney has your "profile" and knows you have paid rack rate in the past, why would they now offer you a discount?! I'm always so amazed at those people who think Disney is collecting info in order to offer them discounts, postcards, ect. If Disney knows you are hooked (from your profile) why would they offer you an incentive to vacation at WDW?

 

[gepetto]

Last time I called CRO, I spent almost 20 minutes on hold. Spending extra time giving out extra info when I'm paying the phone bill is a little much....especially if I don't even want to book a room at the time.

 

[Geoff_M]

I don't think for a minute they use any sort of information as a way to get more money out of you. Did your sister call on the same day? Rates and availability can change on a daily basis. If you called back right after you sister and hit the wall again, you might have a case. Also that would be a pretty stupid strategy on the part of WDW if you then said "No thanks" to the GF, like I suspect a lot of people would in that situation. As for "offering discounts"... from what I understand from posters here, Rule #1 for CRO is they don't offer any discounts unless you specifically ask for them.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Sorry but I do disrespectfully disagree with chrissyk, I have paid rack rate, discount rate, am a member of DVC and still managed to get a great rate at AKL savannah view with my AP this past Jan.
A profile can mean no more than your phone number, and zip code. It does not mean " oh, boy, got a live one here, she paid rack rate, let's get her again". Perhaps when your sis called back something had been cancelled and just became available.
Personally, I like the streamline effect, I don't like repeating myself and this makes it very easy. Kind of like when I call Member Services at DVC for a reservation. My member number is there and that is all I need to give, the rest is easy.
I wonder how many of you object to the information your local grocery store, Wal*Mart etc. has on you when you write a check or use the little discount card you might have. I would be more concerned about that.

 

[The Pluto People]

Does anyone really believe Disney is collecting this info for any reason other than increasing their bottom line?

 

[BrianD]

I think a lot of you folks need to chill out! I think we are all getting a little too worked up over petty things here. I mean we're going to Disney World! This is not a perfect world and not everything is always going to be done the way we want it. I think we are all thinking too much about every little detail of everything. Let's relax a bit!

BrianD

 

[chrissyk]

My sis did call right back after I did (she was at my house, which is why we had the idea to have her try). I don't think that it was a case of a room being cancelled and just having come available, because she had her choice of views (lagoon or garden) with the AP discount where 5 minutes before, there was no availability to me w/the AP discount, but if I wanted to pay rack rate, there was availability. I found this to be disingeneous (sp?) on the part of CRO. I posted about this experience on another board when it happened (last fall...we ended up cancelling that trip after all that to boot!). Someone posted back that they had been a CM at CRO in the past, and they definitely used this info to "profile" the customer and offer or not offer discounts according to what they thought they had to do to get their business based upon the profile.

 

[gepetto]

Gail, I hate the grocery discount cards too....but it's impossible to find a store now where you don't have to use one to get the sale items. The store I go to now at least has Greenpoints (new version of S&H Greenstamps) attached to their cards. That's not so bad since I have enough points to get my kids a tent.

Some CM's ask for that info when I call and some don't. I like to get prices and availablility at several resorts and then call back when we decide where we want to stay. It seems like a waste to give all of the personal info out twice, though. I usually have been able to get some kind of discount....usually DC or an AP rate.

 

[robinb]

I wonder how many of you object to the information your local grocery store, Wal*Mart etc. has on you when you write a check or use the little discount card you might have. I would be more concerned about that.

You bet I hate that too! I give the grocery store as little info as possible ... certainly not all they asked for. I know that they are building a shopping profile on me, on people of my gender who live at my zip code who are my age, etc, etc, etc.

When I lived in Chicago in the 80's your SSN was on your driver's licence. I asked to have it removed, but all the clerks were required to put your SSN on your check by management. Many times they would get very confused when they couldn't find it and then had to call a manager when I refused to tell them my SSN. I guess I could have "steamlined" the process by leaving my SSN my DL .

 

[disneyag]

First of all, different CM's give different answers. It IS annoying. However, I don't think it's part of any great conspiracy. Chances are that your sister called back and got a different CM. As far as profiling is concerned, my neighborhood grocery store even does it. They know what I buy each week. Your credit card company also has a "profile" of what you buy on a monthly basis. If you don't like dealing with a CM -- call back. Or better yet, use a DU agent to do it for you.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Robin,
You would be amazed at what the grocery store can pick up from your check. It is actually very scary. The grocery store can do a modified credit check from your check before they accept it, or will run a credit check when you apply for a courtesy card.

I totally agree with you regarding the SS for the license. MA was doing it for a long time in the 70s. I was furious, it is supposed to be a unique identifier, but, IMHO, it should be used for one purpose and one purpose only, your SS benefits.

Another thing that really tugs my chain is when they ask specifically for your license for ID. That, in CT, is illegal. You are to ask for a photo ID and if the license is offered, then fine.
The store can also list what is acceptable, but, cannot specify that you have to have a license.
Also, they cannot write your credit card number on a check anymore. They can write what it is ie: MC/Visa etc and the expiration date. That is all.
Well, see you got me started. Thanks.

 

[DebbieB]

When we were at BWV in December, I dialed "55" to make a PS for that afternoon. I had to go through the whole spiel before I could say that all I wanted was a PS!

 

[AllyandJack]

My idea on this is that they use it to decide who is going to get the free upgrades. For example, some people call CRO and give the CMs a hard time and behave rudely. When those people go to check in, the hotel knows that these people were rude to CMs and won't upgrade them. However, people who are polite and respect the CMs have a better chance of getting a free upgrade.

I don't know.....just my idea. I don't care one way or the other if I have to give my last name and zip code and it is really convenient to have them able to pull up all of my ressies for the year at one time since I sometimes call from school and don't have my ressie number available for them!!