FE "advertising"

[alisrockin]

Just got off a great cruise, has tons of fun with the fish extender. I was surprised to see the advertisements in the FE gifts. Does anyone else feel it is not the right time or place?

 

[Zandy595]

Just got off a great cruise, has tons of fun with the fish extender. I was surprised to see the advertisements in the FE gifts. Does anyone else feel it is not the right time or place?

What kind of advertisements?

 

[canadiandisneyfamof4]

We had one advertisement in our, the sender is a Tupperware rep and included her information. One of the gifts was a small piece of Tupperware (for salad dressing or condiments)

 

[sissy_ib]

Someone in my group was a thirty-one rep and included a flyer. I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[chateau]

I'm all about freebies!! Giving me something is way better than taking away. You also have the option to give away anything you don't want too.

I know what your point is, though, and could see where it could be very intrusive.

 

[alisrockin]

I had 2 travel agents. Good for them promoting their business. But it seemed like that was why they were doing it.

 

[over50visits]

Just got off a great cruise, has tons of fun with the fish extender. I was surprised to see the advertisements in the FE gifts. Does anyone else feel it is not the right time or place?

I believe this is way out of bounds. FE gifts are among "friends" (kind of like secret Santas), and advertising for some kind of business for financial gain is so inappropriate and an abuse of the spirit of giving.

 

[Momma2Jax]

I think if it was just an advertisement, yes, that is inappropriate. But if they give you a sample, or a product, and just add in an info card or flyer, I wouldn't mind that.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I can see where it would feel kinda like, "Really?" because it might feel like the wrong time/place. But then think about it this way. That person works for themselves. They are pretty limited on how they can get the word out that they do what they do. They're trying to go on the next voyage, same as the rest of us, so it doesn't hurt. I think the little ads aren't so much to say directly, "Buy something from me!" as it is to say "Hey, this is what I do. If you or someone you know are interested, let me know." Personally, I'm a huge Tupperware fan so if a friend passed on a rep's name that was as big a Disney fan as I also am, then THAT would be the person I'd like to give my business to. Gotta keep helpin' each other all we can. Right? That's one thing I love about my TA aside from being a great person and a friend. She's a huge Disney fan like me so I feel like I'm paying it forward in my own little way.

 

[alisrockin]

This one had a letter with her room number and she said she would have been happy to meet with us while on board. Or give the future cruise desk the information so it can be assigned to her.

 

[LuvtheEars]

This one had a letter with her room number and she said she would have been happy to meet with us while on board. Or give the future cruise desk the information so it can be assigned to her.

WOW - that's a little over the top! We did get a card from a travel agent, but it had a trading pin attached to it, so I didn't mind.

 

[clten]

This one had a letter with her room number and she said she would have been happy to meet with us while on board. Or give the future cruise desk the information so it can be assigned to her.

I too feel that advertising during FE is not cool. And this is so beyond not cool. I've heard of many of these stories and felt that way on the one FE we did participate in -- so we don't participate any more.

 

[chateau]

For anyone getting the idea to do this........ I need some school supplies- pencils, pens, erasers (that WORK), safety scissors. I could use some of those alcohol singles too....... slap a label on that!!! Be sure to put it on upside down.

I'm not being snarky, advertise, but be cool about it!

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

I agree that attaching or including a business card with a sample or handmade gift is fine!

I make cruise and Disney-related gifts and will certainly include my business card with any I give away - in FE's or otherwise - why wouldn't I?

 

[SnowWhite2]

This one had a letter with her room number and she said she would have been happy to meet with us while on board. Or give the future cruise desk the information so it can be assigned to her.

That is crossing the line. I wouldn't be happy about that in my FE.

 

[AnotherPrincess]

I don't think it would bother me unless they were trying to stalk me in the halls to push their products. Simply leaving a flyer, note, or token along with what they do wouldn't hurt. I would just toss what I'm not interested in and wouldn't give it a second thought. I actually think Tupperware from a rep is a great idea for an FE gift and a little printed plug for their business along with it would be ok too.

 

[alisrockin]

I think it is rude to other TA's

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I consider that over the line as well. Perhaps if you include a card with an actual gift that had some meaning or thought (a random piece of tupperware doesn't really fit my idea of an FE gift exchange gift - even Trading pins are better). A business card by itself or worse a letter "to talk to me during the cruise" is far over the line.

As someone enjoying the FE gift exchange, I am a potential friend not a potential client.

I have a No Solicitor sign on my front door (and they *still* knock). Do I need one for my FE?

 

[GeneMachine]

UGH!

I thought the point of FEs was to make friends, trade handmade or crafted gifts related to the cruise, and foster a sense of community on board among certain members. Including an advertisement to promote oneself or a business is counter to the spirit of the FE. I don't think FE groups form as a service to anyone who wants to market to them--they do it for fun. I'd be incredibly annoyed if someone joined a FE just to let me know they were a pampered chef consultant. How long before Happy Limo joins a FE group so they can throw in a keychain or magnet with their transfer rates on it?

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Let me clarify that imo, if you own your own business or do creative stuff on the side (the PP who does cruise/Disney related items), that's ok. There is actual thought going into the gifts and it makes sense to promote yourself if you have made a hand-made gift.

Tossing in Tupperware, there's no thought to that. Throwing in something with your major corporations logo on it is also not a gift I want in my FE (my husband works for a major corporation and there are always boxes of branded freebies lying around - I would *never* consider giving these as a gift!).

To me it's sad that this is apparently rampant enough that other DIS members have stopped doing the FE because it was too much advertising. I'm seriously thinking of making up No Solicitor signs for FEs now...