Disney D-Cards no longer free!

[crazy4wdw]

It appears that Eisner and the gang have found a new way to stuff their pockets from Disney Fans.

On the Disney.com web site there is a section where you could send Disney e-mail cards (called D-cards) for free. Now the D-card section of Disney.com refers you to the American Greetings site where you have to pay a yearly fee in order to send Disney e-cards. What a joke!

 

[mitros]

It's the same thing on the Yahoo home page. Although there, they still offer you some free titles.

 

[zulaya]

What a bummer! DD7 loves to send those to her Grandma's on holidays - or even just because! It's such a shame they are trying to make a buck on what probably doesn't cost them much at all.

 

[2d_star_to_the_right]

I recently went to send D-Cards and was appalled to find that they were no longer free. I absolutely refuse to spend money for an e-card so they went off my favorite list. Very disappointing since I love sending Disney as my first choice- but I don't really care to pay for something that isn't tangible.

 

[Mooobooks]

Web content will not remain free. If you're used to getting it for free, then you'd better get used to paying for it. It costs a lot of money to set up and maintain websites and things like D cards. Because advertising income from the web is poor, eventually all the things you've seen for free in the past will start to cost you money.
Many people feel the way you do because they've gotten these things for free in the past. Everyone who does business on the web is betting that eventually you'll be willing to pay for the services you're now getting for free, like newspapers such as the New York Times.
If you're not willing to pay for them, then the services will simply vanish. No business gives away stuff for free and stays in business over the long term.

 

[C.Ann]

If you want a nice selection of free Disney email cards try angeleyes2.com

They have the most beautiful cards - and you can even set them to music!

 

[crazy4wdw]

The businesses that are betting that I will pay for their services over the web will be WRONG!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by crazy4wdw
The businesses that are betting that I will pay for their services over the web will be WRONG!

----------------------------------------

I have to agree - to a certain extent.. There are many web sites that I visit that simply aren't worth paying money for.. It's no different than visiting a "free" exhibit or a "free" park in my hometown.. I might be mildly interested enough to go for free, but if there's a cost involved and I don't think it's worth the money then I probably wouldn't go..

What annoys me even more though is all of these sites (although still free) where you have to register to have access to them.. There are millions of web sites out there and quite frankly I don't have the time to come up with - or remember - millions of "user" names and "passwords" - especially if it's a site I'm only going to use once or twice....

What's up with that?

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I have to wonder if Disney will go after the angeleyes site.

In any case. Maintaining a website with everchanging content and interactive programs costs money. Look at this one...if it wasn't for the banner ads & some contributions you would be paying to use it. My site the members pay for it out of their dues (and because I give my services for free).

So...there will reach a point where people will want to send a Disney card & will find they can only do it for pay through American Greetings or whatever supplier Disney finds to split the profit with. And because it will be cheaper, more novel and more convenient than going to the store, expending gasoline and time, buying a paper card, mailing it (at 37 cents for the moment)...people will make the purchase.

I just paid for an online service to get specific weather delivered to my e-mail. The free services weren't bad but they didn't seem to be as accurate as this individual who was taking in regional conditions to make his forecast. And so I paid for an intangible.

 

[loeber]

angeleyes.com......are you sure they have disney cards?! hehe.... it didn't look like they did when i went. something about a "studios" company (?) - steven

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by loeber
angeleyes.com......are you sure they have disney cards?! hehe.... it didn't look like they did when i went. something about a "studios" company (?) - steven

---------------------------------------

Hmmm.. I haven't visited the site recently - but my grown DD is a huge Mickey Mouse fan and that's where I always found cards to send her..

Now you've got me curious and I'm going to have to check it out again!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by loeber
angeleyes.com......are you sure they have disney cards?! hehe.... it didn't look like they did when i went. something about a "studios" company (?) - steven

-------------------------------------------------------

I posted the wrong link !!!!!!!

It's angeleyes2.com

I'll go back and edit my original post.. And yes, there are Disney cards there....

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by crazy4wdw
It appears that Eisner and the gang have found a new way to stuff their pockets from Disney Fans.

On the Disney.com web site there is a section where you could send Disney e-mail cards (called D-cards) for free. Now the D-card section of Disney.com refers you to the American Greetings site where you have to pay a yearly fee in order to send Disney e-cards. What a joke!

Are you sure that Disney is even going to turn any type of profit from these? Especially if it sends you to an American Greetings site?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally posted by Mooobooks
Web content will not remain free. If you're used to getting it for free, then you'd better get used to paying for it. It costs a lot of money to set up and maintain websites and things like D cards. Because advertising income from the web is poor, eventually all the things you've seen for free in the past will start to cost you money.
Many people feel the way you do because they've gotten these things for free in the past. Everyone who does business on the web is betting that eventually you'll be willing to pay for the services you're now getting for free, like newspapers such as the New York Times.
If you're not willing to pay for them, then the services will simply vanish. No business gives away stuff for free and stays in business over the long term.

You're absolutely right....
"If you're not willing to pay for them, then the services will simply vanish. "
And sometimes even if you ARE willing to pay for them- the services still simply vanish after you pay. Ever since I paid for a year of photopoint (after using it for 1.5yrs without paying) when they started charging- and 2mo later they just POOF... disappeared (no refunds, no explanations, just gone) -I will forever more be leary of that which was free but now is charging a "per" fee (per month, especially per year, etc.)

 

[mitros]

Buyer beware! Never, ever, pay for something a year in advance. I'll do without before paying for a years worth of something before I see it or get to use it.

 

[JoshMom5]

I have been a subscriber to bluemountain.com for several years now and the D-cards were recently added to that site. This site does require an annual fee but I send tons of ecards during the course of the year so for me, it is worth it.