FE "advertising"

[mmackeymouse]

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.

I think that is a "to each their own" kind of thing. I, for one, would love to get a piece of Tupperware! Even if it is not really cruise or Disney related, I would still appreciate it, and wouldn't mind a business card with it. A handwritten letter about setting up a meeting so I can purchase it would be a little much.

 

[gigi1313]

oh, i forgot to mention... one of our FEs (although i'm not sure it was someone from our FE group or someone who took advantage of the free "mailbox") was a flyer sharing strong religious views... very inappropriate imo!

 

[over50visits]

If you sold Tupperware you might choose to give some to your family members at Christmas. Would you include a card with the gifts telling them they could buy more from you?

FE gifts aren't for family, but the next best thing. ANY commercialization, selling, "buy from me," business cards, are way out of line. If a TA left me a note soliciting business I'd likely report them to the ship's staff.

Such a wonderful thing (FE gifting); I am so sorry someone figured out a way to turn it into a junk mail receptacle.

 

[mammacaryn]

So are these people actually participating or people just using the FE as a mailbox?

If it is someone participating with the group and they include their personal business information with their gift I see no issue. (even though, they most likely will not get my business)

If it is someone just leaving "junk mail" in your FE, I would be a bit irritated I think.(and it would go in the trash) I get flooded enough on Facebook by friends selling all this stuff---I don't need it on vacation too

 

[iloverags2]

If a TA left me a note soliciting business I'd likely report them to the ship's staff.

You definitely should report them. DCL requests that TAs do not solicit their business onboard the ship. This does not mean they cannot mention it at all, especially if asked; but they should not be handing out business cards or soliciting business.

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

You definitely should report them. DCL requests that TAs do not solicit their business onboard the ship. This does not mean they cannot mention it at all, especially if asked; but they should not be handing out business cards or soliciting business.

 

[chateau]

Taking time away from why I'm there.... I would just let it roll, not a large infraction imo.

 

[MrsScooby]

If it is someone participating with the group and they include their personal business information with their gift I see no issue. (even though, they most likely will not get my business)

That's the way I feel about it as well
Not a big deal to me
Every cabin has a trash can, just toss the info if it bothers you

 

[Orchidkris]

Ok, so then I have a question.
We are going on a cruise real soon. my mom works for a smaller company and they had some extra items that they had out with a company logo. One item we covered with a photo for something for the adults but the other gift is a window walker for the kids. We didn't cover the logo but we aren't trying to sell anything and we aren't including a business card, so... Are these items ok? I wouldn't want to offend anyone or should we cover the logo?
These aren't the only thing that we are including in our FE gifts.
Any help would be appreciated!

 

[chateau]

My kids can't read yet, but if they could, a little advertising definately WOULD NOT detract from a cool window walker! Are you kidding me?!?!

 

[gigi1313]

What's a window walker?

 

[Kbrush]

Hi,
I've only done one FE game and am signed up for my second in March. My FE groups, both past and future, like to chat online. If I was worried about bothersome advertising I would discuss it with my fellow FE'ers ahead of time, rather than skipping the fun altogether.

Would a TA join an FE group just to pass out flyers? That seems rather labor intensive and desperate. I know my TA has young kids and loves everything Disney. If she participates in FE exchanges I'm sure it would primarily be for fun. But in this economy some people may just feel they cannot let any opportunity to get more business pass them by. If you hand out flyers can you deduct part of the cruise as a business expense?

I do think trying to set up a meeting is a bit off.

I would welcome Tupperware. I don't think receiving business-related gifts would be too terrible. It does sort of speak to the identity and interests of the giver. That said, I'd hate to get mugs or drink holders advertising pharmaceuticals!

 

[JessicasMom]

oh, i forgot to mention... one of our FEs (although i'm not sure it was someone from our FE group or someone who took advantage of the free "mailbox") was a flyer sharing strong religious views... very inappropriate imo!

WAY out of line, and clearly someone I would avoid. This is a vacation, not a political or religious platform. I wouldn't appreciate the TA's approach, either.

Ok, so then I have a question.
We are going on a cruise real soon. my mom works for a smaller company and they had some extra items that they had out with a company logo. One item we covered with a photo for something for the adults but the other gift is a window walker for the kids. We didn't cover the logo but we aren't trying to sell anything and we aren't including a business card, so... Are these items ok? I wouldn't want to offend anyone or should we cover the logo?
These aren't the only thing that we are including in our FE gifts.
Any help would be appreciated!

I'm wondering how people feel about this, too. I work in healthcare and have lots of marketers dropping off hand sanitizers, keychain flashlights, highlighters, etc, that people may find useful. IN ADDITION TO my crafty FE gifts, I'm considering slapping a Disney sticker on some of these to hand out, covering the company logo. Thoughts???

 

[Orchidkris]

It's shaped like a person doing a jumping jack with no head with sticky balls for hands and feet. You throw against window and it slowly walks down window. Wow, I guess I've never really had to explain. Hope it didn't sound gruesome (looks nothing like person, just shape, for reference). It slowly lets go at top then it flips down toward window, then the part at top slowly lets go and flops toward window and so on.
I hope this helps.

 

[chateau]

What's a window walker?

Stickey (on glass, not like candy) creatures that when thrown/placed/whatever means, onto glass, appear to ''walk'' down...... so cool! Orchidkris' definition gives a better mental image, though. Jessicasmom... I think your stuff would be fun too, but now knowing you're in healthcare, and you signature says 'working to travel' I'd want some FE gifts as a patient...... new concept- hospital door handle extenders!

 

[Orchidkris]

WAY out of line, and clearly someone I would avoid. This is a vacation, not a political or religious platform. I wouldn't appreciate the TA's approach, either.


I'm wondering how people feel about this, too. I work in healthcare and have lots of marketers dropping off hand sanitizers, keychain flashlights, highlighters, etc, that people may find useful. IN ADDITION TO my crafty FE gifts, I'm considering slapping a Disney sticker on some of these to hand out, covering the company logo. Thoughts???

Mine are in addition to the many other things we are giving out too... I wouldn't mind and I'm pretty sure my kids wouldn't either.

On another note, we contacted some local and state wide companies and received samples of their products (Carmex) and some coupons for free food items that we plan to give out. .. So is that acceptable? We don't work for these companies and are just "showing off" the cool items that are made where we live.

 

[ludari]

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?

I agree with you.

 

[kristof65]

For me, it's a hazy line.

If someone makes hand made gifts like hand stamped jewelry or little clay sculptures, and they're something they sell as a primary or side business, I'd actually like a business card attached so I know where to get more. An unobtrusive ad like a bus card is a small price to pay for their time and effort - especially if it's a cool item that I or or someone else I know would like.

A little hazier would be something from a rep of one of the big companies like Avon, Partylite or Tupperware. If it came with a sample, it wouldn't bother me much - but frankly, I'd say it was a waste of effort on their part. I can find a local rep to almost all of those big companies simply by asking among my friends. Most people can do likewise. So someone getting business from an FE gift is very unlikely.

Amway would piss me off. Enough said.

Other types would really depend on the service/product and how hard the sell was. The aforementioned TA letter would annoy me to no end. Someone pimping their Auto Detail Service in Detroit with a letter and coupons would make me laugh before I got annoyed and I trash binned it, because I'm not from Detroit. But a pen with someone's company logo, or a business card included with their other FE gifts would be fine.

Bottom line, the softer the sell, and the more unique the item (or handmade), the more acceptable I would find it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We're sailing next week and are really looking foward to getting away from politics. Sure hope no one tries to put any propaganda in our fish.

If someone mentions the election during dinner, I will tell them to stop. In no uncertain terms.

We also don't need someone else's religion rammed down our throats.

We have a great travel agent and would throw away someone else's business card.

o.k. rant over.

 

[txwdwmom]

Not cool IMO.