Disboard sponsors--ignored and mislead

[montessori]

Silver Sponsorship Benefits:

- DISBoards Email Account
- Special DIS Sponsor Logo under your forum screen name
- Access to our Sponsors only forum and website area
- Special Discounts from select DIS Advertisers
- DISBoards 16oz Coffee Mug (not available for sale)
1 Year $39.99
2 Years $67.99
Lifetime $149.99


Gold Sponsorship Benefits:

- All the benefits of the Silver Sponsorship PLUS
- Access to our new DISMessenger Instant Messenger services. Be able to chat live, on-line with other DIS Sponsors!
1 Year $59.99
2 Years $99.99
Lifetime $224.99



I appreciate these boards and have spent many hours perusing through the array of interesting posts, just ask my husband.

That said, I am not happy that I have never heard a single word about any "benefits" since becoming a sponsor. I posted a question about it on the Sponsors private (woohoo!) board and did receive a couple of replies. Those were from other sponsors who are also displeased with being ignored and mislead.
The sponsors only forum is hardly ever used and basically should be deleted. I think someone posts on there every other week or so. Sponsors only website area??? I don't even know what that is.
The Email account doesn't work. (I don't want it, but it should work if it is a benefit of sponsorship).
Special discounts from advertisers??? Really? I never heard anything about that, how does one go about getting these "special discounts?"
A mug, made especially for us? After I asked on the "private forum" I learned that the last word about the mugs was in May. If you can't get special "sponsor" mugs, why not send the sponsors a free Disboard mug, the ones you sell on your site?

I have not heard ONE word from anyone since becoming a sponsor. I have supported various websites through Paypal and have always received a letter of appreciation and usually follow-up emails sent to keep sponsors updated on any pertinent information. Such as "Mousesavers".


It's frustrating to see that you continue to try to lure others into sponsorship by offering perks and benefits that do not really exist. I don't know about the legality of accepting money from people and not provided the "goods" in return, in this type of situation. It is certainly unethical.

I expect I will be "flamed" by some and probably ignored by others. If I do receive any response, it will most likely be a list of excuses as to why this is happening. The bottom line is...this is bad business. Excuses won't fix the problem...people have sent MONEY to these boards, they don't receive so much as a "Thank you"... never mind the other "benefits" being promised.

I feel I have been taken for a ride and I really don't like it!

Oh, yes...I did get the logo.

 

[snowwhitemom]

I hope this gets straightened out for you...I was always taught that you are only as good as your word......I have always thought so much of the DIS so maybe your post will help you achive what you were promised. Sorry you are going through this.

 

[montessori]

Thank you SnowwhiteMom,

Of course, in the whole scheme of things, this is pretty unimportant. We certainly have other things to be concerned about. Such as, will the Browns beat the Steelers today?

This issue is a matter of principle and honor, as you said. The owners of this board have not stood by their word and have disrespected the people who have been generous enough to help support them.

Thanks again for replying. Enjoy your Disney vacations!!

 

[Saffron]

No flames here, the only reason I sponsor the DIS is because I like it here. I had forgotten about the "benefits" other than those I reap from making friends here, having fun, finding out lots of information about WDW etc.

Actually, I had the sponsor logo taken out of my title twice, but it seems when the boards have a little "burp", it gets put back in there, so I just leave it there.

 

[tnkrbell]

Hi Montisorri!!
Im sorry to hear that!! I would think if you lived up to your end of the sponsor deal then they should also. I hope it all gets squared away for you hopefully its just a mistade.

 

[montessori]

Saffron...I understand what you are saying. It's been a long time since I became a sponsor, I haven't harped on this issue. It crosses my mind occasionally though. After posting a question about it on our own special private forum, I thought some kind of response would be forthcoming.

I enjoy these boards and understand that it costs money to run them. The owners need to be honest with the sponsors. If they have nothing to offer besides the knowledge that you are helping to keep the boards alive, that is what they should state in their plea for support.

As it is, I don't know how my money actually was utilized. I don't know what it costs to keep this board operational, I don't know how much money is being generated by these sponsorships. Maybe running these boards is actually becoming a profit making scheme, I just don't know.


I am more than happy to sponsor sites that I frequent. I hardly ever use Mary's site.,"Mousesavers" but I will continue to help support it. It's a great site and I appreciate all Mary does to keep it up to date and informative. She's on top of the whole "sponsorship" thing too.
I've supported some of the "Smilies" sites and many "Sims" sites. I have always had my contributions acknowledged and usually receive periodic updates and newsletters from various sites.
Thanks for responding.

 

[Kitty 34]

Hmmm, I forgot about getting a mug!!! That sure would be nice but I guess overall I'm like Maggie (Saffron), I'm here for the friends and info. I think Pete has done a nice job with keeping these boards what he wanted them to be......informative and fun and for the most part, cleancut! Giving him my $$ was just my way of telling him thankyou and helping out a bit.

 

[EROS]

Originally posted by montessori

As it is, I don't know how my money actually was utilized. I don't know what it costs to keep this board operational, I don't know how much money is being generated by these sponsorships. Maybe running these boards is actually becoming a profit making scheme, I just don't know.

Frankly, the DIS is a privately held company. All elements of the financial operation are really none of our business. However, I do live by the adage, "Don't promise what you can't deliver". Perhaps the "perks" which you're looking for will indeed become available.

I'm personally willing to contribute to the site because of the value which it adds to my life. My only expectation in return is that Pete will do his best to assure that the DIS bulletin boards will remain viable.

 

[Tinkbell]

I donated because I think this is the best Disney site on the web. I would have donated even if there were no benefits. I also feel that if you state benefits of a sponsorship, the sponsors are entitled to them. My email account does not work either. I told my boyfriend, who does not understand my Dis appreciation, that I would be getting a Dis mug when I became a sponsor. He jokes about the nonexistent mug and says I was "conned". I really don't care, but an explanation would be nice.

 

[montessori]

Originally posted by Tinkbell
I really don't care, but an explanation would be nice.

I think that is my basic gripe....there is no communication at all.
I agree it's a great site...and I also would have sponsored even if they did not promise benefits. I don't even want the benefits!! I simply don't think the benefits should be offered when they are not available and I feel there should be some communication with the sponsors.

 

[Dan Murphy]

It is a quiet board there, that it is. Once in awhile, some of the DIS'ers have been able to answer some of the questions posed there, not always though. I do know the head webmaster posted back in early June about throwing his back out and he indicated that '(until I'm 100%)' we 'should email corey@wdwinfo.com (that's my main man!!!)'. Maybe give Corey an email and see if he knows what the holdup is with the promised benefits.

As you said, montessori, sponsoring the site is the main thing, helping it to flourish. Good sites, like the DIS, or Mary's www.mousesavers.com, should be supported, if one can and wants to to so. I have been helped much by both sites. Good luck, montessori.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Sorry to hear your points.

I signed up for sponsorship to keep these boards going as I have found a fantastic community here and know it takes a lot of time and money to keep, what was started as a small forum, an immense community like ours that has grown rapidly alive.

I did not know if you have emailed Pete himself on this subject, has anyone "official" come back to you on this?

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by EROS
I'm personally willing to contribute to the site because of the value which it adds to my life. My only expectation in return is that Pete will do his best to assure that the DIS bulletin boards will remain viable.

Yeah, what Eros said! I don't mind supporting a site that has brought me hours of Disney information, friends, comic relief, lending a shoulder to cry on, etc, not to mention the money it has saved me at WDW!

I don't care about the sponsor's forum (I actually forgot all about it!) or the e-mail account (already had one) but I would LOVE to have a DIS coffee mug!

Or better yet, a DIS lanyard for my Disney pins! (just incase they need other ideas!)

 

[RoutemanDan]

The point is not about why you chose to sponsor the site,we all have our own reasons.The point is,we did not get what we were promised.Whether or not you care about getting the mugs,etc. doesn't matter.We should be told what the problem is instead of being ignored.

 

[EROS]

Perhaps we could have a group PRAYER FOR MUGS . Hey, GOD works in mysterious ways............even on the DIS .......

 

[RoutemanDan]

Originally posted by EROS
Perhaps we could have a group PRAYER FOR MUGS . Hey, GOD works in mysterious ways............even on the DIS .......

Thanks for your thoughts EROS

 

[Blondie]

How about a group mug (oops, I mean hug) instead!

 

[EROS]

Thanks, DAN

We pray for MUGS
we need to drink
If GOD provides
I'll burn my MINK

 

[DVC-Don]

The mug issue is kind of like paying for the Disney Club and not getting the Disney Magazine.

 

[EROS]

In our time of need, we cry out..............
Where are our MUGS?? ...........
Is the Lord tooooooooooooooo busy to hear??
Have our sins made us unworthy of sipping from the DIS cup???
Perhaps, we NEED to be more humble
Perhaps, we NEED to be more patient
Perhaps, GOD is too busy sunning on the beach in Bora Bora ........