Hidden Disney Costs

[Susan R]

My Disney trip was in January and I just wanted to warn some international travelers of a hidden cost that never occured to me!

I booked "Lunch With an Imagineer" and part of the cost of the lunch was a signed glass plate from the Imagineer was included. When I attended the lunch I was told that they didn't have any plates left but if I gave them my address they would ship it to me when it was back in stock. At the time I thought this was a great compramise. I received the plate today and found that I owed $41.32 as an "Import Charge"!!! I had no idea I would be charged this! I was in so much shock it didn't even occur to me to refuse it. I am very dissapointed that no one from Disney warned me that I would be charged for a free item like this.

So that's why I'm writing this...to warn those of you travelling internationally of the charges you will incur if something is shipped to you by Disney.

A considerably poorer Susan

 

[deesquared]

Oh no! That is not a nice surprise at all.

I live close to the border, so I have a US shipping address for these types of situations. I learned my lesson the hard way, just like you, when I bought a sewing machine off E-bay and had it shipped to Canada. The brokerage fees were outrageous!

 

[Pocahottie]

Maybe you should write to Disney and tell them you would have care to have a warning on the import fees. They tend to be nice and will try and help you out.

 

[Susan R]

Pocahottie- I did send guest services an email today. I hope I receive a reply so that I know that someone has read it.

Thanks,
Susan

 

[ice cube]

wow what an expensive lunch that turned out to be...

 

[Susan R]

ice cube - it sure was expensive...the lunch was fantastic but really dissapointed with the lack of warning about the plate.

deesquared - I can understand paying an import fee if I had bought something but I didn't buy the plate...it was a souvineer that was included with the purchase and if they had had some in stock that day I would never have needed to pay anything because I could have packed it in my suitcase. It's a nice plate and all but by no means is it worth $43 dollars! Maybe $10 at the abslolute most! I am curious to see if I get a reply from Disney.

 

[noahdove]

I hope you get a response from Disney. It wasn't your fault that they ran out of plates and I feel that they need to adjust your cost...FREE, I think...keep us posted and whatever you do, don't give up until you receive some sort of answer...the type you want, again, FREE

 

[luckyfin]

That is terrible! I'm guessing they wouldn't have expected you to be charged either. I don't understand why they wouldn't have the plates available. They should have, at the very least, had an alternative item to give you!

 

[Susan R]

Hi All,

I just wanted to update you on my email that I sent to Guest Services. I received a generic email reply on Tuesday saying that my email had been received and forwarded on to someone to research. I thought to myself that I was glad that someone will read the email but frankly didn't expect anything else. Let me say here that I work for a company that prides themselves on great customer service and I really notice both the good and the bad. I know Disney is known for their great customer service but I had not had the chance to see the "behind the scenes" response to service failures.

Well, today I recieved 2 voicemails from a woman who works for Disney. The first one was to apologize for being charged for the import charges on the plate and to let me know that they were not aware that this was happening. She also advised me that she would credit back my credit card for any charges I incurred. (This is the resolution I asked for). She took the time to give me her email, fax and phone number and the various ways I could send the receipt to her to start the credit process. She sounded very sincere and not scripted at all. I was very impressed with her empathy and she didn't make me feel like I was being an imposition at all. The second voicemail was to advise me of her working hours and that she was opening a file for me for this issue that she would keep open for a month.

So I am preparing the receipt to fax to her so she can credit back my card.

I will keep you updated as to how prompt this is but from what I have experianced so far I am greatly impressed!

Susan

 

[seashoreCM]

Some carriers cost more than others because of import fees or broker fees. Disney and also eBay sellers need to not choose those methods of shipment.

ONe person a few years ago commented here that shipping by UPS often runs into these fees.

 

[Susan R]

SeashoreCM - I find it surprising that Disney seems not to be aware that their guests are being charged these fees. For that alone I'm glad I took the time to send them an email.

There was a family of 4 from Alberta at the lunch as well. Can you imagine being charged $165 for 4 "free" plates

Susan

 

[seashoreCM]

Some costs such as GST and PST (sales taxes) and duty must always be paid.

Inquire of the federal and provincial government as to whether there is any credit for sales taxes paid to another jurisdiction (Florida). A separate written application is needed.

 

[deesquared]

Susan, glad to hear that Disney is making things right!

 

[MrsHockey]

That is good information to know. I am glad to hear that Disney is delivering great service and refunding!