I am NOT happy with TGM!

[krissyh]

Edited - no more opinions. SO not worth it.

 

[d4est]

Just because the OP was looking for ways to buy cheaper tickets does not mean he/she was trying to "scam" Disney. Don't we all look for discounts, codes, savings of some sort? And what does that thread have to do with this one?

Back to the topic. I ordered TGM & had a devil of a time figuring it out. Honestly, I thought I had purchased a service that would provide me with a personal plan of attack. I was wrong. I emailed for a refund & got it...with NO attitude or snotty comments.

 

[Matt]

Krissy, um, not allowed to post and sponsor? You honestly have to explain this completely ridiculous comment.

Well if you don't want Disboards to make any money, I suggest we all start PAYING to post here so we don't have to complain about who pays money to sponsor the message board. Oh, I'm sure that would cause a lot of threads.

I'm very proud that the Dis can get people/companies to sponsor their message boards. Not many internet sites are this lucky.

 

[C.Ann]

TGM seems to be "love him or hate him". Not for me, I like to sleep in, but he seems to an almost cult-like following (including friends who swear by him) . And if you find his information helpful - more power to you. That is what discussion boards are supposed to do - discuss what you like and don't like.

I do, however, have a MAJOR problem with him sponsoring this board and posting on it. My friend did receive one of his nasty "how dare you not find my information helpful and voice an opinion against me email" when she wanted to cancel. (She did get the refund, along with the snotty attitude.) Look at the big picture - he is an advertiser, it is now more important to the board to keep him happy - could he get boards closed if they voice opinions against him? I don't think he should be allowed to post.

And HATE the colors!

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I've never felt the need to use these services, but I have to say I would not be a happy camper if I received a nasty reply upon requesting a cancellation..

As for the OP - pretty amazing how most everyone immediately jumped down her throat rather than just answering the question.. The comments about "intent" must have come from the folks that have a crystal ball sitting on their desks - I don't put much stock in those things either..

 

[goofy4tink]

Good Call - Vacation Dad.

TGM seems to be "love him or hate him". Not for me, I like to sleep in, but he seems to an almost cult-like following (including friends who swear by him) . And if you find his information helpful - more power to you. That is what discussion boards are supposed to do - discuss what you like and don't like.

I do, however, have a MAJOR problem with him sponsoring this board and posting on it. My friend did receive one of his nasty "how dare you not find my information helpful and voice an opinion against me email" when she wanted to cancel. (She did get the refund, along with the snotty attitude.) Look at the big picture - he is an advertiser, it is now more important to the board to keep him happy - could he get boards closed if they voice opinions against him? I don't think he should be allowed to post.

And HATE the colors!

Nope, I don't think he is going to have the power to 'get boards closed'. Just cruise around the different boards here. You will find plenty of people that don't care for Dreams Unlimited or FL Tours....this is a public forum. For the mot part, there are more people that have had good experiences with the various board sponsors than those who have not. Will I use TGM? I've been to WDW close to 10 times now...I think I'm pretty conversant on most things Disney (just don't ask me about car rentals!!!). But, I may just try him out for my trips this coming year....just so that I know what the story is. I spend way more than $18 in guide books....simply because I like to read them. None of them has given me any new info in a very long time. In fact, these boards have given me info that I have yet to find in a guidebook. The info here is much more up to date and current. That's the nature of the beast so to speak. So......you don't have to like TGM. If someone has a not so great experience then sure, post about it. But, be sure to let Mike know what your issue is. That's the only way someone can improve their service. And it's only fair to give the service provider a chance to make good.

 

[Matt]

Does Coke have the power to shut down the Super Bowl if somebody talks bad about them? Honestly, some people are way too paranoid for my tastes. He's an advertiser. He ain't the Emperor.

 

[krissyh]

 

[In a hurry]

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I've never felt the need to use these services, but I have to say I would not be a happy camper if I received a nasty reply upon requesting a cancellation..

As for the OP - pretty amazing how most everyone immediately jumped down her throat rather than just answering the question.. The comments about "intent" must have come from the folks that have a crystal ball sitting on their desks - I don't put much stock in those things either..

If i have question about a refund for a product, I don't go to a MB sponsored and post a rude note. I email the person I am dealing with. That is a responsible/respectable way to deal with a company.

 

[Matt]

"We are all entitled to our opinions" is posted one post after "I do, however, have a MAJOR problem with him sponsoring this board and posting on it"

HAHAHA I love unintentional humor. Ahh... that made my day. We are all entitled to opinions. Some are just better than others.

 

[krissyh]

 

[Disneyhappy]

Here is your explanation - "conflict of interest".

Edit - That just makes no sense to even post a response.

 

[Allison]

It would be a shame if sponsors couldn't post. I would hate to see people from Dreams Unlimited, The TimeShare Store or any other sponsor not be able to offer information on here.

Anyway, it's not for us to decide as we don't own the site.

(Sorry, this was off-topic from the original post).

 

[goofy4tink]

I think you will find that a lot of the board sponsors will post from time to time...especially if someone has had a problem and is looking for a response. I know that those that work for DU have posted on the resort boards, offering help or advice. If someone is going to post a negative experience, then I have no problem with the 'sponsor' posting a response. In fact, I like it...I have always said that anyone can sell you something, but it's when something goes wrong with that product and how the seller deals with it, is more important.
I am a paying board sponsor...I buy a gold sponsor membership every year...I don't think I have any more say about what happens here than the next person. But since I think these boards are a wonderful planning tool, as well as a terrific community, I want to be sure they are kept up and running. I would actually like to see more 'official' sponsors here. I think it only adds to our good experiences.

 

[ahappydisneymommy]

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I've never felt the need to use these services, but I have to say I would not be a happy camper if I received a nasty reply upon requesting a cancellation..

As for the OP - pretty amazing how most everyone immediately jumped down her throat rather than just answering the question.. The comments about "intent" must have come from the folks that have a crystal ball sitting on their desks - I don't put much stock in those things either..

I agree!

In my opinion most people on the boards do like TGM and it seems like if someone posts a negative they get flamed. I used TGM and while I did get some useful info I didn't think it was as fabulous as "people" said.

Oh and I hope that it isn't true that Mike badmouths people that cancel, if so shame on you Mike.

 

[MinnieAnn]

I'm a loyal Tour Guide Mike member and a big fan. He's the best!

I've read ALL the guidebooks and websites and no one comes close to the amount of current and really useful information that Mike offers. I thought I already knew quite a bit after planning many trips, but every time I read some of Mike's articles, I learn something that I can't wait to try out on our next trip this spring.

This is the first time I've ever heard any criticism of his site. Please don't hesitate to check it out if you're interested.

 

[traciedee]

Ya know I signed up with TGM before he became a sponsor. I like a lot of his info, but a lot of it I learned from these boards. I have also looked at other boards, other guide books and other Disney sources of info. The same info can be found on a dozen sources. But for me, I learn something helpful from each source and to me that is worth it.

Folks, you can't reinvent the wheel and there is only so much info you can provide on any source, so of course a lot of it will be repetitive. But as one poster said when you spend a lot of money on a vacation the price of a few guide sources seems pretty minimal. For me, if the Best Days and times provided by TGM work it will be 100% worth it as we are going during a hot, busy time of year.

 

[beth_cam]

I dont understand how saying someone doesnt like a sponsor is unhappy with the services and asking for advice is so wrong. Sure they probably didnt really need the advice on how to get the refund. But it was just like any of the other negative posts on the board. Everyone talked about it I tried it I didnt like it so now I'm posting MY OPINION. But oh boy this was TOUR GUIDE MIKE and now he's a sponsor so shut up quick. UGH. but then again in the same spirit we all get to state our opinion - the good and the bad and the arguing and the trying to control others.

By the way advertising is advertising - good or bad. The intent of this may have been to ward off customers from TGM but will probably end up getting several new people out of it....these arguing threads are the most popular most read things. isnt it fun????????

 

[VacationDad]

I never heard of TGM until reading disboards. I have in the past read the "Unofficial Guide", and that guide book is tops in my opinion as I love the computer model approach to park touring, plus there is just a ton of information in it. That said, I do have a problem with complainers and whiners. That is why I searched and found that the OP was looking to scam Disney in a prior posting. Trying to get a Florida resident to buy your tickets is not "trying to save money". It is trying to cheat the system. I learned all I needed to know about this person from that one post.

Have a great day.

 

[C.Ann]

If i have question about a refund for a product, I don't go to a MB sponsored and post a rude note. I email the person I am dealing with. That is a responsible/respectable way to deal with a company.

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Really? Then I guess that would apply to everyone who posts about bad experiences on the Resort Boards, Restaurant Boards, Transportation Boards, etc., - who come on here and ask where they can file a complaint and request a refund..

Just because it was in regards to TM doesn't make it any different - unless you're a loyal fan that feels there should be no complaints - under any circumstances at all..

A simple "There is an area on his site where you can request a refund" would have been the responsible/respectable way to answer the question..

 

[In a hurry]

I dont understand how saying someone doesnt like a sponsor is unhappy with the services and asking for advice is so wrong. Sure they probably didnt really need the advice on how to get the refund. But it was just like any of the other negative posts on the board. Everyone talked about it I tried it I didnt like it so now I'm posting MY OPINION. But oh boy this was TOUR GUIDE MIKE and now he's a sponsor so shut up quick. UGH. but then again in the same spirit we all get to state our opinion - the good and the bad and the arguing and the trying to control others.

By the way advertising is advertising - good or bad. The intent of this may have been to ward off customers from TGM but will probably end up getting several new people out of it....these arguing threads are the most popular most read things. isnt it fun????????

I could care less whether people like TGM. Never used the service...I'm a book reader. I think that the OP was behaving very childishly by throwing a temper tantrum on a msg board rather than going to the business from whom whe wanted a refund. She didn't merely post an opinion. But came here with claws out to get a reaction from the newest sponsor. And it doesn't take a crystal ball to figure that one out. A first grade teacher recognizes first grade behavior pretty quick.