Connections Mousesavers' link MIA?

[TreeOfLife]

I tried to get some info out of it today and couldn't...
Is her link still active or is it gone forever?

 

[TY31088]

http://mousesavers.com/

 

[TreeOfLife]

Thanks, Ty but I was trying to reach her article on Connections in the site. It does not even turn up using the search function.

 

[mad4themouse]

I just tried the link that I had bookmarked for the Connections page at MouseSavers and it doesn't work. Maybe Mary has removed it for some reason or another. When I went to Mousesavers and did a search for Connections, it didn't come up but it is still there if you click on Meals under WDW. But the actual links to her Connections pages fo not work. Hmmmm....

 

[TreeOfLife]

Nope..
I go to WDW --> Meals --> no Connections link...
Not even in the discounted tickets section...
Nowhere!

Oh my, what the heck happened?

Hmmm...

 

[FoodLover]

I've decided to remove all references to Connections from my site because I have concerns about the business practices of MemberWorks Inc. (MWI), the company that runs Connections.

I've been uncomfortable with MWI/Connections since the beginning. I have always felt it was ridiculous that this company does not provide clear and detailed information about its own products before people order them. Why won't they tell you what you're getting, before you agree to join the program?

Also, I have been aware that MWI/Connections has recurring problems with double-billing and a history of engaging in questionable marketing practices. About a year ago I learned that the Minnesota Attorney General's Office had filed a suit against MWI for "false, deceptive and misleading marketing practices." Among other things, it was alleged that people's credit cards were being charged for various MWI memberships (including Connections) without their authorization.

As a result, I pulled Connections off MouseSavers for several weeks last year while I did some research. Meanwhile I was DELUGED by readers who wanted the Connections info back.

At that time my research revealed that MWI/Connections had reached a settlement with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. MWI/Connections claimed it had used an outside telemarketing firm that supposedly was the source of the problems alleged in the lawsuit. The company agreed to change its phone marketing strategy and to use a system where every order was tape-recorded to prevent such abuse.

Based on that, I hoped MWI had cleaned up its act. At that point I was so sick of hearing from readers begging me to put the Connections information back on my site that I did so, very much against my better judgement. However, I included a long disclaimer stating some of the problems with Connections and said "use at your own risk."

(Meanwhile I have used Connections myself over the past two years without the slightest problem. I joined up, ordered some passes and meal vouchers that came in right on time, and then cancelled the program. No double-billing, no major hassle in cancelling. Then I rejoined. Same experience. I've ordered probably 20 times in the last few months, and again no problems at all. Likewise the vast majority of readers I've heard from have had no problems.)

However, today I heard from a reader who has been having trouble with her Connections membership. In the course of researching MWI/Connections, she discovered this site:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/search.asp

Try searching the word "Connections" on that site and you'll see that there are over 250 complaints from the last THREE MONTHS. Apparently there are also some class-action lawsuits pending against MWI/Connections, as well as settlements with the Attorney Generals' Offices of at least four states.

Here are some other web sites I've since discovered that document problems with MWI and/or Connections:

http://www.geocities.com/mwi_sucks/
http://twiki.cageyconsumer.com/MemberWorksComplaints
http://www.countrybankusa.com/newsletter_archive1.asp#karenfraud

There are lots of others, but this gives you some idea.

For me this is the final straw. In light of the fact that MWI continues to have this level of fraud complaints, I have decided I don't want to be associated with Connections in any way. I realize this is an inconvenience for some of my readers, but in good conscience I just can't promote Connections anymore.

I am actively looking for an alternate source of the meal vouchers and I will definitely add that info to MouseSavers when and if I find something legitimate.

Sorry about the long post, but I wanted to explain all the details.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[TreeOfLife]

I have always felt it was ridiculous that this company does not provide clear and detailed information about its own products before people order them

Yup, I recall reading posts long ago bringing up that topic and Connections fans furiously barking at people for the criticism. I always wondered why people had to go through a third party to find out about Connections...

Thank you mary, I appreciate you taking the time to keep this potentially harmful company off your site...

So far for me the best way to save up on meals at WDW is using rewards programs where I order online what I needed anyhow using direct links and get webcertificates or restaurant certificates.

Let's see what the new Disney Visa has to offer, using it to buy meals in the parks may turn out to beat Connections by far after all, and be a much more honest system...

 

[Muffy]

Thank you Mary!

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks Mary for bringing this matter to our attention.

 

[marymrg]

Thanks for the info. Mary. I too am a member and always check my credit card statements closely. I have used the service a lot, but probably won't renew when my membership expires since I received an incentive to join ($25 gas card) and have ordered enough so far to offset the fees. I don't think that will be the case next year though. My big worry is whether or not there will be a hassle when I don't.
Mary

 

[SeaWitch]

Thanks Mary. We will keep our fingers crossed that you find another source for the vouchers.

 

[lalapodip]

Wow, Mary, thanks for filling us in on the details. I know that I considered joining to buy the vouchers to save some $$, but just reading your post has made me completely reconsider.

I work for a large bank, and I have seen many customers get double billed (and debited) for programs like this. Actually, it now seems that they are all one and the same company! Ouch!

THANKS to you for all that you do to help us save money and for sticking to your principles. MUCH APPRECIATED!!

 

[bobcat]

Mary I applaud you! Thanks again for bringing us a wonderful site with lots of discounts.

 

[chris1gill]

Mary,

Thanks for posting the information! I'm a big fan of Connections, but I haven't had any billing problems either... I always check my credit cards to make sure the right charges & credits are there... I also signed up for two of their other programs, but only because I knew we would use the Home Depot & Lowes gift cards!!

Some years Connections is a good deal & some years it isn't, you just have to look at your travel plans & then watch your credit card!

 

[TreeOfLife]

A service with that unpredictability is not worth supporting, recommending or arguing about.

Hopefully we'll find reliable, alternate sources. There's ticketmania.com, DS ticket discounts, restaurant.com, entertainment book, internet reward programs and other sources of safe discounts and even free meals going over merely two or three bucks off here and there.

It isn't the end of the road

 

[AWilliams]

Is there any other way to get the vouchers other than going through Connections?

I've always been nervous about using Connections, but since Disney accepts the vouchers you would think you could get them through another dealer??

Thanks!

 

[suevee]

Can anyone give me the link to connections and or the phone number? I can't find it and due to all this negative press I want to cancel.

I joined connections through my daughter's computer. I used Mousesavers connection thinking I could use it again to find the link. Now, I can't.

I got my vouchers, but no info on contacting anyone and I have not recieved a membership package. Can anyone help me? Thanks so much!!!

 

[BethR]

Try this:

www.connections123.com

Hope that this helps.

 

[suevee]

Thanks

I did a search on Aol using MWI*Connections. Boy did I find a lot of negative info! I called them using their toll free number and cancelled my membership. I explained I was cancelling based on their negative reviews and I was no longer comfortable with their company. They did not try to hard sell me and cancelled immediately.

They did not give me a cancellation number but gave me the customer rep's Id number and said that was all I needed. I hope so!

Thanks again

 

[marymrg]

Will they refund any of your membership fee?