Curiosity killed the....mouse

[AuntLollyLovesWDW]

Thought I'd share . I was curious about how forthcoming Disney would be about codes/pins, etc. and I wanted to see if I could get a better discount than I had already received (greedy me!). So...I called Disney last night to see if I could get a discount other than the 20% off code I had received via email. So..I called and DID NOT mention the code/pin I already had and requested quotes for dates that fell w/in the dates mentioned on the offer--I wasn't specific about resort, just told him I was looking for the best deal for 2A/2C. He found me in the system and then quoted me rack rates. He asked a few times if I had received any emails, etc. and I played dumb and said no, why? He said sometimes you'll receive a discount...he asked several times (I knew where he was going)...but he NEVER volunteered that I had a code attached to my name--it became pretty obvious that he knew about it, but never told me about it or applied it. That stinks!

 

[brighteyes]

That does stink... That would tick me off to no end.

I just tried something similar as well b/c there are several people who have been emailed more than one type of code. I called in Jan about a code and was told yes, but she said I should have gotten an email or mail about it, I did not at all, then a few weeks later I had a code emailed to me. It was 20% off.

I too wanted to see if I could do better, and told her I was emailed a code and wanted to see if there was an expiry date attached. She told me I had NO code!! I cannot access my email at the moment, so I could nto give her the pin.

Then they had another email on file b/c I can't always access the first one which I have the code in, I said just leave it.

So not quite accurate either, and she told me they have no way of knowing which codes are sent to us. So how did the first CM see that I had a code for 20% off. And does that mean I can use someone else's code and they wouldn't know it. I could just call and say here's my pin for 40% off. Ha don't I wish...

I am going to keep calling though because you get a different answer with every CM.

Stephanie

 

[angeleigh]

Thought I'd share . I was curious about how forthcoming Disney would be about codes/pins, etc. and I wanted to see if I could get a better discount than I had already received (greedy me!). So...I called Disney last night to see if I could get a discount other than the 20% off code I had received via email. So..I called and DID NOT mention the code/pin I already had and requested quotes for dates that fell w/in the dates mentioned on the offer--I wasn't specific about resort, just told him I was looking for the best deal for 2A/2C. He found me in the system and then quoted me rack rates. He asked a few times if I had received any emails, etc. and I played dumb and said no, why? He said sometimes you'll receive a discount...he asked several times (I knew where he was going)...but he NEVER volunteered that I had a code attached to my name--it became pretty obvious that he knew about it, but never told me about it or applied it. That stinks!

When I spoke to a CM last year while booking my free dining I asked him if they could tell people about specials or codes and he said not unless they specifically asked.

 

[AuntLollyLovesWDW]

I mentioned that our friend had received a rate that = 40% (w/o saying that it was 40%) for that time frame and asked him what I should have received in my email. I would have thought that was specific enough and/or asking...I may call back and see what happens if I outright ask about a discount.

 

[RMulieri]

It does stink, but traditionally ( like a long time ago) Cm's were trained not to offer up the info..you need to be the one to ask they just couldn't tell you.Now it depends on the Cm some will volunteer the info, others require persistent questioning... That said ...in all of these years I still have not received any codes.if I got 20% I would be over the moon...so if you got any discount , even if it isn't what you hoped, please count your blessings...there are many of us out there who didn't get anything.

 

[poohgirl6]

That is so strange. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the whole code process or how it's handled by CMs. I received a 40% off email in Jan and when I called to check on rates and availability (for Sept 2008) the CM said, "Oh, you've got a good discount here" and quoted me 40% off prices. I never even had to mention the code or give them the number or anything (it was already linked to my name in the computer I guess)

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

It was my understanding that if you were actually sent a code via e-mail or U.S. mail, the CM would see it. Some CMs might be nicer or more knowledgeable than others, so they'll bring up the topic of your having a code even if you do not.

However, if you did not personally receive the code, you might still luck out if you get one of those nicer/knowledgeable CMs, and they'll be customer-friendly and bring it up. I'm guessing that the newer CMs were probably put through a drill to not "give away money" (i.e. don't bring up a specific code), so even if they see it on your record or don't see it on your record but know about it, they're not forthcoming. Not customer-friendly focused, but certainly savy business-focused, and Disney is a business.

As for us, we've never personally received a code. Have been thankful that our 1st year, Disney was generous about offering a room-only general public dicount code for our dates and place, but they've not been as generous with later trips for our dates/place. Time will tell this year, but at least we did get an AP rate (will have to buy 1 AP, but still worth it considering the room rate is $$$ because it's a deluxe).

 

[G8r4evr]

Interesting, but like all things Disney, seems that it highly depends on the CM you are speaking to.

Consistency is definitely not a strong point at the Disney call centers, that's for sure.

 

[AuntLollyLovesWDW]

Oh, I'm exceptionally greatful for what I got! Thrilled to say the least--but after reading all of the posts, I got curious. Since research is what I do for a living, I conducted an experiment of my own and if it turned out that I reaped a bit of benefit, I was all for that...but mostly it was for curiosity sake!

 

[twinklebug]

Interesting, but like all things Disney, seems that it highly depends on the CM you are speaking to.

Consistency is definitely not a strong point at the Disney call centers, that's for sure.

I had a great chat with the CM I booked the bounceback offer with...

From what he told me, apparently there are some odd 2200 booking CMs working off of just two servers. With that number of employees and how complicated the software can be on their end, looking for rooms/packages & codes, added to the slowness of just 2 machines you can bet you'll encounter both good/knowledgeable/patient CMs and ones who, well, let's just say they need their mouse ears strapped on a bit tighter.

Just do what I do when calling tech support for my company (out sourced) ... if I get someone I can't communicate with or who doesn't know what I need them to know, I thank them for their time, apologize, hang up and call back.

 

[auntie]

There has also been some mention on another thread about how these so called "codes" are really not codes at all. Quite a few callers to Central Reservations and Disney Travel have been told they have a code of some twenty percent or more. Naturally excited, they go ahead and make a reservation. Only afterward did the callers come to realize what the actual rack rates were and that a discount hadn't been applied. When they would call back they were told there was "no code" attached to their names. The only codes applicable would require the pin code number and would either be e-mailed or a post card sent to their homes. I'd like to think it was just a misinformed castmember/reservationist, only there were WAY to many of them to have been a mistake. So...if you believe you have a "code"...make sure you are aware of what the rack rates are for the room you are inquiring about..and make sure that the discount is applied when you are making your reservation.