Connections vouchers: people have lost their minds!

[mjenni27]

Originally posted by Kitster
Jinnyboom, here's what you get in the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream....worth every penny of the price too

Kitchen Sink - Scoops of Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Coffee and Mint Chocolate Chip, smothered in every topping we have $21.99

YUCK!!!! I think I am going to be sick!

 

[ceecee]

Don't forget the entire can of whipped topping!!!!! Actually it is quite tasty. You can find some part of it you like. Next time I think I'd ask them to keep the Mint ice cream. My DD got a big kick out of it, not knowing what to expect.

 

[DisOrBust]

I thought someone posted that B&C was not going to be including the kitxhen sink with the "new" vouchers.
I know how rotten I felt when I paid rack rate at CBR and had the ablity to get an AP rate, it really made me feel sick for awhile. These people will go to WDW and have that same "sick" feeling. I love getting a good deal on ebay but some of the stuff with WDW on there is about criminal ,ie hopper passes. Remember last year when someone sold their PS for 70$ on ebay for CRT??

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I guess I don't see how the sellers are 'greedy' and ripping people off, since these are AUCTIONS and the final selling price is market driven. It isn't as though they are forcing people to buy them, and most of them are starting the prices below the price paid for the vouchers. Nor is it like they are hording all the vouchers, and then re-selling them (as people will do with Limited Edition pins, for example.)

We have seen some valid reasons for purchasing via ebay. Another reason people may buy them on Ebay vs. joining connections is that they do not have a credit card. Most ebay sellers will accept a money order, but to join connections you must have a credit card.

I have never understood why people get angry about auctions. The price has virtually nothing to do with the seller, and everything to do with the buyers.

I don't see selling the vouchers on ebay as any less ethical than joining connections with the intent to only purchase the vouchers, and then cancel your membership.

BK
PS--no, I am not a voucher reseller. LOL

 

[tonilea]

To answer the original question, in a word : YES!

Anyone going to E-Bay to buy something should know what they are buying. If anyone advertised a Ford Pinto on e-bay as a rare collector car and showed a picture of said Pinto, then whoever bids on it gets what they bid on.... A Ford Pinto.... whether they pay $100 or $10,000. Research before you bid and buy, don't just take someone's word for it!


Clear as mud, right?

 

[SeaWitch]

I agree with tonilea and BedKnobbery2! The latest 'free info' post on Ebay just seems like sour grapes! Maybe this person bought some from Ebay and then found out about Connections?

Most of the ads are leaving it up to the chance of the auction... if the bidders are uniformed - oh, well. Of course, I have noticed a few of those ads with a starting price higher than what they paid... and while I don't necessarily agree with that - again, do your homework before you bid and you won't get burned.

I'm sure there are lots of people who feel like someone paying full price for a Disney hopper pass is just plain stupid.. but it happens everyday folks.... do we need to post a 'free' message on Ebay about it though? I just joined Connections and have purchased a few vouchers for my trip... but I must admit, it took me a couple of days to stop feeling guilty about joining them solely for the purpose of ordering my vouchers and then dropping them. To each his own!

 

[jgates]

Can you PM me a link to that auction? My curiousity is killing me and I have hunted thru page after page without finding it!

 

[Kimkimba]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I have never understood why people get angry about auctions. The price has virtually nothing to do with the seller, and everything to do with the buyers.

I totally agree. If people are willing to buy, why not sell it? It's just like the real estate market right now......people want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars more than a house is really worth, it's the buyer who's generating the market. For many, the Ebay seller is just trying to make a decent living or a part-time income. For the most part, they're not trying to rip people off.

 

[Daisimae]

The price has a lot to do with the sellers when they are starting the auction for $15-17 dollars per ticket with a BIN price of $19 EACH! These buyers know right well how much they cost and were they got them. It's just a huge rip off!

I could understand the sellers driving the price if the auctions started at or even below cost and then sellers got into bidding wars and drove the price up.

I can't believe that anyone would want to pay those prices just so they wouldn't have to join or deal with Connections. I would never think of selling URLs on eBay. It's tacky. But, I think the person who was doing it on eBay was more ethical than the sellers of the vouchers who are overcharging astromical amounts. I would have gladly paid $4 to somone to give me the URL's to the DIS, Connections and alot of the other money-saving places I've found on the web.

I started coming here in 1999 and joined in 2000. I don't know how long Connections has had these passes, but, in the time I had been coming here then, I had never read anything here about them. When I found them, joined thru MyPoints, and ordered them, I made one of the first posts here about them, at that time. Spent a good amount of time typing all the participating restaurant names and ticket terms directly from the ticket and had to do it twice, since the old boards "ate" my first attempt to post the info. At that time we all also went thru the first "Should I join Connections just for the month?" and "Is this really for real?" debates. When I came back from WDW I reported that it realy was for real. DH and I used two lunch coupons ($58) for a $120 lunch, (including tip), at the restaurant in the Canadian pavillion at EPCOT. I haven't been here regularly for a while, but, to come back and read that anyone would be fleecing others like that is disheartening. I know that those who are doing it couldn't be from the DIS. But it still is wrong for anyone to do it, no matter how they heard of Connections or the deal.

That's my 2 cents,

Daisimae

 

[tonilea]

I agree that it is sad. And I am not implying that the sellers are Angels, but the one thing we all know about E-Bay is "let the buyer beware!"

 

[travelitis]

At first I thought those vouchers being sold on Ebay were terrible, but then after thinking about it more I've changed my mind. The point of selling anything is to make a profit. Did the buyers get what was advertised? Yes! Did they willingly pay the price? Yes! When you shop at a store, instead of selling to you do they tell you how to get the product through their supplier for less? NO!

I sold Harry Potter Lego sets on EBay last Christmas and didn't sell one for what I paid, because it was a business not a charitable service. Was EBay the only source online or offline for these toys? Nope! Was I morally wrong for selling on EBay instead of telling people where to shop? I don't see the fine distinction between the Connections vouchers and my toy sales.

 

[SeaWitch]

Sorry, jgates... looks like the freebie 'auction' has ended - and has not been posted again. And I don't think it will be. Looking over Ebay's policies, I think it may have been considered a violation... besides the 'description' was offensive in that in called the people selling vouchers LOSERS, HUSTLERS and CREEPS.

And, THANK YOU, travelitis... very nicely said.

For those of you who didn't see the 'auction' on Ebay... this is a cut & paste of description of that FREE Auction:
Hello, I'm sick of these losers ripping people off with their Disney Meal Voucher auctions. Their prices are exhorbitant and cost more than paying full price for the meal in the parks. Go to www.connections123.com. Sign up for $1 for a 30 day trial period and buy unlimited meal vouchers for $11 each. That's it. My price for this information is very expensive. I expect each of you to kiss and hug your kids today. Treat them right. There is too much grief in the world. Good luck and email me if this was helpful. I hope this auction upsets and frustrates the hustlers trying to sell these vouchers on ebay for way too much. They should be ashamed of themselves. Ebay is supposed to be for people looking for items hopefully at a bargain; not for creeps looking to take advantage of people.

 

[Kimkimba]

Originally posted by travelitis
At first I thought those vouchers being sold on Ebay were terrible, but then after thinking about it more I've changed my mind. The point of selling anything is to make a profit. Did the buyers get what was advertised? Yes! Did they willingly pay the price? Yes! When you shop at a store, instead of selling to you do they tell you how to get the product through their supplier for less? NO!

Hope you don't mind me quoting you - but this is just what Ebay is about. So perfectly said. Between Ebay fees, Paypal fees, packaging (I mail a lot of stuff out not priority - need to find the box or the bubble mailer and the clear packaging tape) and dropping stuff at the Post office after work, it can cost a seller a small or not so small (I've lost $$$ on more than one occasion) percentage of their sales. Their cost of doing business. Ebay has been good to me, as both a buyer and a seller. I'm able to buy things I have a hard time finding in the stores (or simply don't have the time), and I've got some great bargains. Today I received a nice package of clothing for my son.....mostly for next year. Like new clothing - 2 Tommy Hilfiger shirts, a RL winter shirt, a couple pair of jeans (CP and Duckhead), a couple of Oshkosh items, and several Duckhead items. This stuff is like new - as if I had washed it 2 times. I can't afford to buy my ds new Tommy or RL items, but no one will know the difference. I have the best dressed little boy, and have spent maybe less than I would have at Kmart or Walmart. I've gotten a lot of good deals of Ebay and I've offered people a lot of different items which apparently they are pleased with - I'm totally honest with my buyers. I don't think these vouchers are a bad deal for people - afterall, they don't have to go through the hassle of Connections. Just my .02 - P.S.: I've been doing Ebay a little over 3 years - my Ebay name is PhillyScrubs (hopefully providing my SAHM income soon).