FE "advertising"

[FOV]

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.

Not cool. I wouldn't like the tupperware business card either.

A little piece of jewelry (from a national chain) that someone sells? Very nice gift! A business card tucked inside, now it feels like a trade show.

I'd be fine with the window walker (with company logo) - my kids would love that. A little bundle of Wisconsin products would be fun - and interesting.

I won't be participating in an FE on our upcoming cruise. So glad I read this thread because I think I would have felt a little bamboozled. Receiving business cards etc.. would be like "Ohhhhhhh!!! I get it! FE is a sales tool. Silly me, I thought it was all about sharing little gifts with new friends."

 

[mdvlprof]

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.

That's how I feel, too. I have no problem with a card/flier taped to or stuck inside a FE gift. Pens, etc, that are printed with ad info are tacky to give as FE, but as long as they're useful ....

 

[jodical]

IMO, People are going to do what they want to do and that's their perogative. I don't have to chose to read it or respond to it - that's mine. When I get "junk mail" at home I just "file it".

 

[glindamood]

In all the FE exchanges I have participated in, I have NEVER received any advertising. Not so sure exactly how I would feel about it either, other than food for the wastebasket.

 

[Stimpy]

We only received advertising once & it was for a B&B the people owned. It came with a bunch of other stuff from where they were from. I held onto it since I would love to stay there if we ever visited that area. I thought it was a great idea!

I don't think I would be so much offended or annoyed about the other stuff...it would probably make me laugh and I would toss it.

And if you really don't want that little tupperware thing, pass it my way. Those suckers are useful for so many other things...but you can keep the ad

 

[cruisecrasher]

In all the FE exchanges I have participated in, I have NEVER received any advertising. Not so sure exactly how I would feel about it either, other than food for the wastebasket.

Yep

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

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.

I think this is a GREAT idea!

Do you think Disney would give me free passes to give out in FE gifts?

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

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.

I feel pretty much exactly like this.

 

[iloverags2]

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

We had tablemates during our last cruise that point blank asked everyone (on night one, no less!) what their political party affiliation was! I am not kidding! So bizarre and uncomfortable.

 

[ImDMous]

We had tablemates during our last cruise that point blank asked everyone (on night one, no less!) what their political party affiliation was! I am not kidding! So bizarre and uncomfortable.

Ew, that's weird. Would they move tables if someone was opposed to them? I would have made something up in hopes of scaring them off.

"DINKS for Malificent"?

 

[nickcapp]

Don't see the harm. Disney hits us with tons of advertising on the ship anyway. (Auctions, Shopping, you name it.)

Also, DVC entices its members to get other people to come to their sale pitch via little cards.

Just another outlet. Doesn't ruin the experience.

 

[Momma2Jax]

We had tablemates during our last cruise that point blank asked everyone (on night one, no less!) what their political party affiliation was! I am not kidding! So bizarre and uncomfortable.

And that's the moment I would request another table! Yuck!

 

[LemonPie]

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.

I agree 100% I even tell friends at home that there are 3 things you never discuss in polite company; religion, politics and money.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I agree 100% I even tell friends at home that there are 3 things you never discuss in polite company; religion, politics and money.

 

[lbgraves]

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.

It sounds like a sticky rubber slinky that can walk down a window/door instead of stairs.

 

[babytalula]

We had tablemates during our last cruise that point blank asked everyone (on night one, no less!) what their political party affiliation was! I am not kidding! So bizarre and uncomfortable.

That would be very strange, especially on a vacation. There is so much of that going around right now that when people ask who I am for I just say, "Obi-Wan Kenobi, he's our only hope"

Yup, I stole that from a FB thing but I love it and you can use it too

 

[kristinfly2]

That would be very strange, especially on a vacation. There is so much of that going around right now that when people ask who I am for I just say, "Obi-Wan Kenobi, he's our only hope"

Yup, I stole that from a FB thing but I love it and you can use it too

I am so stealing that line!!!! We are big Star Wars fans!

 

[gigi1313]

Thanks for the window walker explanation... I want me one! LOL

 

[Momma2Jax]

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.

Hahaha! I love this! I don't think I've ever had to try to explain it, either!

 

[PizzieDuster]

That would be very strange, especially on a vacation. There is so much of that going around right now that when people ask who I am for I just say, "Obi-Wan Kenobi, he's our only hope"

Yup, I stole that from a FB thing but I love it and you can use it too

I'm stealing this line too I have to remember the "he's our only hope"