Just an FYI about Connections

[macs4us]

I know some people have mentioned that they wonder how Connections makes money when people order an cancel. Connections is part of MemberWorks, which has 6.5 million members. Here is a link to some of their other programs:
http://www.memberworks.com/mw_programs_life.htm

Just in case anyone was curious - don't feel too guilty and think that you are putting them out of business because you cancel after your 30 days. We are just drops in the bucket...

 

[chris1gill]

Interesting, Thanks for the info!!

We personally like Connections & we'll keep using it for all the benefits... I mean 20% off Toys/Kids R Us is pretty great in our book.....

 

[Humpbacks1962]

I still recommend to anyone considering an investment in Connections to pull out the calculator and scrutinize ALL offers before you follow faithful posters' savings testimonies, to confirm the authenticity of the claims.

It is just what any reasonable, sensible consumer would do.


Wanda

 

[chris1gill]

Humpback, are you questioning the authenticity of my claim(s)? I think I've actually posted my exact savings... Perhaps the savings aren't as great as what you can get (where are your savings by the way?)

And you are so correct I am a faithful poster for many years now, thanks for noticing!!!

I think it goes without saying that anyone looking into Connections would do their homework, as few people go through life with blindly following others comments.

 

[AK4EVER]

I don't think it is necessary to take that suggestion as a personal attack.

I have considered joining Connections but in fact it is not for everybody and if anyone joins because some people encourage it without checking out the math, you could lose more money than you think you'd save.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

I think that Chris was responding to more than just that one post AK4Ever. There has been a repeat of those same type of comments by the same person on other threads and I would guess that Chris' response is worded as such due to those other threads.

I KNOW you can save money using Connections but obviously the burden is on each person who joins to figure out the exact savings for themselves. Constantly berating the need to calculate the savings seems rather like overkill to me.


Rhonda

 

[chris1gill]

Thanks akasleepingbeauty, we're definitely on the same wavelength

 

[LKS]

When I made my connections purchase, I also received a comment card that refered to memberworks, asking which program I used, and I thought that was interesting. I had never heard of memberworks. And I'm also with you Chris, as a comment quoting one of my posts on the subject was abrasive. Obviously everyone is going to make their decision about using connections based on their needs, but giving people information about our experiences is what the boards are all about, isn't it?

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Gawd, save the paranoia for more important things in life. We probably were posting at the same time because I thought I was the first reply. Never even read yours, dear.

And, good advice in life: Take online message board posts, in general, more lightly!


Wanda

 

[mjenni27]

I looked at Connections, the money I would "save" did not even make up for the money I would spend. I do not shop at Toys R Us, they may give you 20% off, but around here they are typically higher than buying the same toy at Walmart or Kmart or Target or KBToys to name a few. An example: Rescue heroes toys (my son loves them and has quite the collection)$14.99 at Toys R Us and same toy at $9.99 at Target. Not much of a value to me. I think reminding people to do the math first is wise, not an attack on Chris.

 

[mjenni27]

I looked at Connections, the money I would "save" did not even make up for the money I would spend. I do not shop at Toys R Us, they may give you 20% off, but around here they are typically higher than buying the same toy at Walmart or Kmart or Target or KBToys to name a few. An example: Rescue heroes toys (my son loves them and has quite the collection)$14.99 at Toys R Us and same toy at $9.99 at Target. Not much of a value to me. I think reminding people to do the math first is wise, not an attack on Chris. But Chris did post hours before you humpback.

 

[LKS]

Mjenni,

I agree that it would be difficult to save more than the $80 annual fee without buying some sort of admission media. I saved $134 on my Disney 6 day PHPs. I would not have considered joining Connections before I found out about the savings on the park hoppers. I am not big on buying gift certificates/cards up front to save $2 on every $10 either. If you know you are having a big meal at a certain restaurant far enough ahead to buy those GCs, I guess it would be a decent deal, but even there it seems like a lot of planning, and still very difficult to break even. For big savings on Park Hoppers though, I think Connections is pretty good.

 

[mjenni27]

LKS,

I get what you are saying, but if you are only joining for the savings on the tickets, it makes more sense to join, order immediately, and then quit before the thirty days are up.

Of course, if you are like me, you are wary of such deals because you have been burned before by such things.

 

[LKS]

I will almost certainly cancel before the 30 days are up so then my savings will be the $134-$1 for the trial period. It has been over two weeks and I haven't received a membership package yet. But, I have never been burned by a trial offer, that I can recall, although I have done things like this maybe 2-3 times before, so I guess I am just optimistic that when I call to cancel, the call will go through and I will cancel. I will certainly post if that is not the case. Meanwhile, I have plenty of plans for ways to spend that $133 at WDW! It still seems like a much better deal than sitting through a timeshare presentation like some people here do to get tickets or cheap rooms in Orlando. I could never do that, but more power to them.

 

[mjenni27]

I got burned by a trial with Ancestry.com I cancelled and they still took the $25 from my visa. It took 4 months to get them to give it back and only then because I turned them in to the BBB. That is why I am wary of trial offers. I am not about to waste my time with the timeshares either. I think that I will get my tickets from discount tickets or something like that. Let me know how they do about allowing you to cancel.