Disappointed...shoddy merchandise

[cdrn1]

Just got back Tuesday from a wonderful week at WDW. I bought way too many souvenirs for the grandkids, and for me.
I have been a bit disappointed by some of the things I picked up...just cheaply made.
Examples: picked up some sticky notes, really cute to look at in the package. They were $12.95 for a pack of four. When I went to use them, I found that they won't stick after you peel them off the pad, and I can't really tape them up either because they curl up.
I got a wallet for my DGD and the first time she unzipped a small zippered spot, the little thing you hold onto (I'm sure it has a name but I don't know it) just snapped right off. It didn't just slip off a ring, or anything you could fix; it just snapped in two.
I got her a charm for her charm bracelet. When I took it out of the bubble wrap, the castle had fallen off the front.
I got DGS a set of Nightmare before Xmas characters. Jacks head won't stay on.
I got a lot more chachka that is holding up okay but I haven't even been home a week yet so we will see...
Just wanted to warn folks not to have too high of expectations.
By the way, all this stuff was purchased in the parks, not off-site.

 

[Mommee]

i noticed that about the sticky notes, too. We never use them

 

[beansmom]

yeah, i have a problem with cheap junk made in China, India, Vietnam....I'd rather pay a bit more and have American pride built into it.

 

[sissy_ib]

Just got back Tuesday from a wonderful week at WDW. I bought way too many souvenirs for the grandkids, and for me.
I have been a bit disappointed by some of the things I picked up...just cheaply made.
Examples: picked up some sticky notes, really cute to look at in the package. They were $12.95 for a pack of four. When I went to use them, I found that they won't stick after you peel them off the pad, and I can't really tape them up either because they curl up.
I got a wallet for my DGD and the first time she unzipped a small zippered spot, the little thing you hold onto (I'm sure it has a name but I don't know it) just snapped right off. It didn't just slip off a ring, or anything you could fix; it just snapped in two.
I got her a charm for her charm bracelet. When I took it out of the bubble wrap, the castle had fallen off the front.
I got DGS a set of Nightmare before Xmas characters. Jacks head won't stay on.
I got a lot more chachka that is holding up okay but I haven't even been home a week yet so we will see...
Just wanted to warn folks not to have too high of expectations.
By the way, all this stuff was purchased in the parks, not off-site.

I would try to contact Disney merchandising. If it was just one item I personally would write it off, but four items not working properly or breaking in a weeks time is inexcusable to me. If nothing else, ask them to replace the items.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Just got back Tuesday from a wonderful week at WDW. I bought way too many souvenirs for the grandkids, and for me.
I have been a bit disappointed by some of the things I picked up...just cheaply made.
Examples: picked up some sticky notes, really cute to look at in the package. They were $12.95 for a pack of four. When I went to use them, I found that they won't stick after you peel them off the pad, and I can't really tape them up either because they curl up.
I got a wallet for my DGD and the first time she unzipped a small zippered spot, the little thing you hold onto (I'm sure it has a name but I don't know it) just snapped right off. It didn't just slip off a ring, or anything you could fix; it just snapped in two.
I got her a charm for her charm bracelet. When I took it out of the bubble wrap, the castle had fallen off the front.
I got DGS a set of Nightmare before Xmas characters. Jacks head won't stay on.
I got a lot more chachka that is holding up okay but I haven't even been home a week yet so we will see...
Just wanted to warn folks not to have too high of expectations.
By the way, all this stuff was purchased in the parks, not off-site.

I would one of do a couple things yo can call Disney Merchandising (someone here would have th e number I don't have it right on hand) a nd let them know what happened and what youthink of the products. You still have your receipts?
Or write a letter/email to guest relations along with photos if you can take them of the poor quality items and let them know what you think of the qulaity and the pricing and either request replacements or refunds again receipts needed.

 

[marymac123]

We purchased a Minnie dress up playset & a little "computer" personal WDW park planner...both broken within minutes or even before the package was open-luckily we were still there so that I could return them. I am gonna tell you, I felt weird to return something at WDW!!! And, even better, they were all confused at the register. It took a sales cm, a register mgr. cm & a store mgr cm to just get me a credit because I didn't want to exchange for the same items. They were real nice but it took about 15-20mins.
I absolutely hated doing it & DH would not come near me at the register but It was $40.00! Unfortunately, the quality of all products has gone down hill, everywhere.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

We purchased a Minnie dress up playset & a little "computer" personal WDW park planner...both broken within minutes or even before the package was open-luckily we were still there so that I could return them. I am gonna tell you, I felt weird to return something at WDW!!! And, even better, they were all confused at the register. It took a sales cm, a register mgr. cm & a store mgr cm to just get me a credit because I didn't want to exchange for the same items. They were real nice but it took about 15-20mins.
I absolutely hated doing it & DH would not come near me at the register but It was $40.00! Unfortunately, the quality of all products has gone down hill, everywhere.

And this is why we as "guests" aka paying customers need to let Dinsey know that we are not pleased with the price and quality equation. If some thing is broken or breaks easily after purchase or if the quality is far less than what you would expect let them know. many people would do this if the bought a product at say, Walmart why shouldn't Disney have to have the same or better quality expectations?

 

[JB2K]

Visitors to Disney Parks need to be aware of a couple of facts:

• Merchandise, such as souvies is very much manufactured overseas
  
• Just because Disney sells it for more money, doesn't mean the quality is any better than what you get on the outside

 

[luvmy3]

Visitors to Disney Parks need to be aware of a couple of facts:

• Merchandise, such as souvies is very much manufactured overseas
  
• Just because Disney sells it for more money, doesn't mean the quality is any better than what you get on the outside

So true


OP, I would call Disney merchandising and ask for a replacement or a refund.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

If yo ucall them they will make it right! I bought a sweatshirt on our 2008 trip. I had wanted ne for several trips but could never pay those prices. I saw one and it was so pretty and soft, I just loved it, DH forced me into buying it. Within a couple weeks of being home it was tearing around the embroirdered part. It was a $60 sweathshirt! We called and they asked us to fax them the receipt. They called back and said unfortunatly it had been pulled as they had had many complaints but they offered a refund or different sweatshirt. We took the refund since I hadn't seen another I really liked and would want to try it on.

They will make it right for you if you call and let them know.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

They will make it right for you if you call and let them know.

ABSOLUTELY, you should call and get a refund or ask them to ship new merchandise!

The phone # is at the top of each & every receipt, so they must want you to!

 

[PatMcDuck]

It is a shame you can't return WDW stuff to the disneystores anymore. It made it much easier when problems like this occurred. I would call the park merchandise number.

I think I will be opening and examining my souvies while still in WDW from now on. One thing that is helpful, while AT WDW, you can return items anywhere. So stuff that is from park stores, can be returned at your hotel gift shop.

 

[daisyduck123]

I think I will be opening and examining my souvies while still in WDW from now on. One thing that is helpful, while AT WDW, you can return items anywhere. So stuff that is from park stores, can be returned at your hotel gift shop.

After what happened to us this past summer, I promised myself that I will be doing this too.

DD16 & I purchased a nice BLACK Mickey lantern at Mickey's Pantry in DTD this summer. We watched the cm wrap it in tissue paper and tape it tightly. Then she grabbed a box from under the counter, place it in the box, and taped up the box.

I never opened that box until we got home a week later. We had been home less than one hour and I anxiously opened our souvenirs. Imagine my surprise when I opened a WHITE lantern with MULTICOLORED sides.

DD16 & I still cannot believe that happened. We watched the cm wrap it. Somehow our lantern got switched with another when she was boxing it up.

 

[castmemberb4]

I had the same problem with Disney sticky note I bought from the Dollar bin at Target ! It really sucks that the "Real" ones are just as bad.
Sorry you had that experience with park merchandise but apeciate the warning, I won't waste my money on them there.

 

[jessica52877]

Been there, done that! DS's monorail (metal $16 one) fell apart instantly. He isn't a rough kid and wasn't doing anything rough with it. Wheels on the matchbox cars buses came off within 24 hours, justs the wheels off the rims. Cheaply made, but not priced.

I got a water hook a few weeks ago. Used it maybe 4x and the hook is broken already.

It really is annoying to spend all this money and the stuff be crap! We just bought a few things and I hope they hold up better. We don't buy alot for this reason and I refuse to buy the whole huge monorail toy DS has always wanted.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

(407) 363-6200

wdw.mail.order@disneyworld.com

 

[bartleby1]

This is why we no longer buy a lot of souvies from WDW. About three years ago, we bought a tinkerbell nightgown for our 2 year old. The decal began peeling off before it was even washed. Same trip, our 2 year old purchased a Belle polly pocket set. The head broke off before we left our resort. She had at least 50 polly pockets at the time and NEVER had a head break off any of them either before the trip nor after. I believe the disney ones are just poorly made. Same trip, my son bought a sword with a plastic sheath to put it in. The plastic cover split in half before we left the resort. Same trip, I bought a t-shirt for myself and after a few wearings, the seam separated. Same trip, my older daughter bought a tinkerbell baton that had lights on the end. When you twirled it, the ends would light up. Needless to say, it lasted about a week before the ends stopped lighting. We also purchased the cinderellas castle playset for our kids on this trip. Two of the characters have to be constantly glued back together and the lights stopped working within a couple of months.

It is a shame that disney won't do better quality control with their merchandise. I'm SURE they have received enough complaints that if they wanted to do better, they would have by now. They are still selling CRAP. They don't care because people still buy when they see cute things they want while on vacation. They know that kids will still beg and parents will still give in and purchase regardless of the price and lack of quality.

And yes, they are good about returns and refunds. However, that doesn't fix the tears from the kids when the souvie that they purchased doesn't turn out to be usable.

So, disney may still be suckering some people, but until they get better quality merchandise, our family is DONE wasting our money on their garbage.

 

[Tiger926]

Just email them and they'll take care of it. They need you to scan receipt, and send to them, and they'll handle it for you.

We don't buy much anymore, as it's mostly all junk, but we buy a few things here and there, and after the last 4 trips, I've had to email to get a replacement item. Some items haven't even lasted the car ride home, and my kids are not rough at all. Don't even get me started on clothes - garbage, garbage, garbage!!!

Good luck, Tiger

 

[ekball]

Call them. We came home with a $35+ sweatshirt for DS that was ruined after the first time I washed/dried it (followed the directions on the tag). I called and they replaced it, without a receipt I might add. I told them it was bought with a Disney gift card and they asked me to fax them a photocopy of the g.c. - which I happened to still have. They accepted that and promptly mailed a new sweatshirt. I now wash the ss, but don't dry it (drying was the problem).

 

[csharpwv]

DW bought a Nalgene style drink bottle on one of our previous trips and DESPITE my warning to heed the warning on the label to not put it in the dishwasher, she decided to do it anyway - and it literally was the size of a baby doll size baby bottle at the end of the dishwasher cycle.

I told her to at least call to complain about it, but she didn't because she was embarrassed at not following the washing instructions.

But in my opinion why in the world do they even sell a bottle of that type that cannot be put in the dishwasher?!?!?!

But I did discourage DW from starting one of the charm bracelets on our last trip because the pieces were so poorly made. Disney has definitely forgot the main ingredient of products made to last - quality.