Owner's Lockers New DIS Deal

[lisaviolet]

The new deal is up on The DIS.



Hang me up by my fingernails if you want but we did what was right and I stand by it.

John

John,

I did not want you to be hung up by your fingernails or any other horrendous manner. Regardless, I do think there were thoughts and disappointments to be voiced.

Lisa

 

[matysgrandma]

Thank you Brian and John for having the drive to make your dream of Owner's Locker a reality.
We are forever grateful.

Could not have said it better myself. These two guys REALLY know how to treat their customers!!!!! AMAZING CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Hard to get in these hard times, but these two guys know what they're doing!! Thanks, John and Brian, for making our trips so much easier!!

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks for putting this back up! I just signed up!

 

[DSW96]

just signed up with the new offer.

Been sitting on the fence for several months, but I really think this is a good idea. We will see after our first visit.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

John, I don't think anyone wants to hang you by your fingernails.

Before my last post, I had no intention of continuing to post on this thread; I had wanted to step back, get my thoughts straight and communicate with John, not on this thread. I had an email ready to go to John after receiving the updated Mousesavers offer, basically saying that yes I am disappointed...definitely...but it is what it is...what am I going to do ...and at least thanks for the new offer and I'll see what happens. Period. And then take it from there, since I don't even know when that first trip with our kids will be. Between now and then, I'll have a lot more time to think things over.

It does change things for me, on short notice, for my trip this week, and it also gives me more time to have doubts about a service I had some doubts about anyway...not the quality of the service, but whether or not it will work or be worth it for us; I really wanted this to be as great for us as it has been for the people whose reviews I've read in the last couple of weeks. I was looking forward to finding out this week, not only because it would be fun (I've got the Mickey stickers to decorate!) but because then I'd know where I stand with it...whether I think it's a good service for us, or not. OK, to be honest, I was looking to confirm for me and DH that it was going to be wonderful, and be done with the doubts once and for all.

But before sending the email to John (which I ended up not doing, as this thread progressd) I checked in here first, and just couldn't believe some of the posts I read. I'm not talking about the ones extolling the virtues of John and Brian and their service; I understand and agree with those supporters' desire to share their personal, positive experiences they've had with John and Brian and trips with their lockers...I'd be doing the same thing. I'm talking about the posts sounding like condescending lectures to the people who expressed disappointment concerning our first introduction to their business and how things were handled...our experiences...as if your experiences should somehow be more valid to US than our own. There are two sides to this story. Believe it or not, John and Brian aren't perfect (close, I'm sure ) and some of us have found ourselves on the receiving end of an unfortunate situation. And we're disappointed; give us that much. If there's any hanging by fingernails going on here, I think it's us who'd be the targets of the mob. And that's when I posted that last long post...in response to those so outraged that anyone would question or feel any disappointment associated with OL because it's been great for them.

 

[Inkmahm]

You misunderstood my question. I did not write it well. My why was not about John not sticking by his words to those people. John doesn't have to explain that to me. I wasn't involved in that. Nonetheless it still concerned me. And if something was missed I wouldn't have minded hearing that it wasn't the case. John has come on and reiterated i was how it played out and said he has no issue with that decision. Okay. (No sarcasm)

My why? was the same question that I've asked why can't John and OL be praised on this thread. By me as well. And still express simple disappointment with some issues.

I would have written one post. And one post only. To say my thoughts on the issue in a fair and just way. With stating how hard this must have been for him. And what a nice thing he did for his members that he didn't have to at all. Compassionately thought out.

This is why I've come back on and on. It just seemed like there were so many posts that couldn't handle both sides. I loved hearing about John, OL, and how blessed so many of you feel working with him. I had nothing to say. Fantastic. Good to know. Thank you all who shared that. Really.

But quite a few seemed to not give some of us the same latitude on a thread that many were not privy to the how the thread flowed. Sometimes there is a whole energy to such things. Especially from the beginning. Okay, I'm sounding a little off. But I know what I mean.

I know what you've been trying to say as it describes what I feel, too. You can think both that OL is a great business and that the owners provide a great service AND still feel disappointed by the way things happened in this case with the OL DIS offer that was pulled so quickly and not honored afterall for those who had been told that it would be. It IS possible to both like OL and be disappointed at the same time.

 

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

Bummer- I don't want to get to deep into this argument, but I just wanted to log on as one more disappointed DISer who WAS going to/finally convinced DH (we go 2 times a year, so that offer pushed him over) to sign up. Now, sadly, we won't be doing it. $125.00 for 2 two visits is more than I want to spend- I keep all my stuff together anyway and have just taken the extra bag, now I think I will look into shipping a box each time. Even if that costs me $30-$50 each time, I'm still ahead.

I'm sure the guys are great- I haven't EVER read a post that doesn't rave about them and the service. It's just that I don't think it's for us- With the special deal, I was going to MAKE it be for us because it's sounds like a very nice luxury and convenience (not to mention that I want to be a part of EVERYTHING Disney-related and I don't like that some people have this and I don't ), but now we'll just stick to what we know. Or at least until another deal pops up and then I'll hopefully be able to jump on it sooner!

 

[disney0210]

John, I don't think anyone wants to hang you by your fingernails.

Amen to that. OL is still after all a business. At the end of the day, John will do what John thinks is good for John - otherwise, what's the point of being in business?

couldn't believe some of the posts I read. I'm not talking about the ones extolling the virtues of John and Brian and their service; I understand and agree with those supporters' desire to share their personal, positive experiences they've had with John and Brian and trips with their lockers...I'd be doing the same thing. I'm talking about the posts sounding like condescending lectures to the people who expressed disappointment concerning our first introduction to their business and how things were handled...our experiences...as if your experiences should somehow be more valid to US than our own. There are two sides to this story. Believe it or not, John and Brian aren't perfect (close, I'm sure ) and some of us have found ourselves on the receiving end of an unfortunate situation. And we're disappointed; give us that much. If there's any hanging by fingernails going on here, I think it's us who'd be the targets of the mob. And that's when I posted that last long post...in response to those so outraged that anyone would question or feel any disappointment associated with OL because it's been great for them.

Agreed. After that post from John reiterating his stand, I thought if that was anybody else that posted that, I think an upset/angry mob would have had a go at him or at her. It's like after that post, there was silence

Thankfully, there was no obligation to keep the membership if one of the two people that shook hands on a deal wanted to take their hand back. No positive words from me AT THE PRESENT TIME (who knows, maybe our paths will cross again), but no hard feelings. It's not like John is forcing you to like their business. I'm happy for those who have found OL improve the quality of their vacations. Here's to magical vacations with or without a locker. Cheers!

 

[LisaS]

Bummer- I don't want to get to deep into this argument, but I just wanted to log on as one more disappointed DISer who WAS going to/finally convinced DH (we go 2 times a year, so that offer pushed him over) to sign up. Now, sadly, we won't be doing it. $125.00 for 2 two visits is more than I want to spend- I keep all my stuff together anyway and have just taken the extra bag, now I think I will look into shipping a box each time. Even if that costs me $30-$50 each time, I'm still ahead.

The current deal offers 2 visits per year for 3 years so between now and 2011 you wouldn't have to pay extra for the second visit. That gives you 3 years to try out the service under the same terms you were originally considering.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Well, I feel much better today. All things come to pass...or something like that. Of course, I'm going to WDW tomorrow...that always helps!

If I see John, I'll give him a , and hopefully he'll back...with all 5 fingers.

Have a good week!

 

[disney0210]

Well, I feel much better today. All things come to pass...or something like that. Of course, I'm going to WDW tomorrow...that always helps!

If I see John, I'll give him a , and hopefully he'll back...with all 5 fingers.

Have a good week!

Enjoy your trip! Looking forward to your trip report when you come back...

 

[snappy]

I have not used OL yet since I signed up with the recent Mousesavers deal.
Personally, although I would have also jumped at the DIS second free visit for life deal, I anticipate being very happy with the service I signed up to receive, espcially with the sweetened pot of an extra visit for three years.

Even If I have to pay the $25 per visit for an extra visit after the 3 year period, I anticipate value received. I cannot put a price (and certainly not as low as $25 a pop) on the value to me of saving my back and arm when packing and dragging luggage into the car, or through an airport, especially when I am traveling without my husband. Not to mention being able to rent the smaller cheaper car when the family is coming. Heck, the cheaper rental will pay for the $25 fee at least several times over.

At the prices I paid for DVC initially, my annual dues, and the cost of park admission and food, I don't think an extra $25 is a deal breaker for me in the big scheme of things.

I am speaking solely about my situation. Your results may vary. I hope to make in excess of 2 trips per year (sadly not this year), so I know I will incur additional delivery fees anyway. I actually see that the more times I use the locker each year, the better the value to me.

I think I see a premium membership in my future, but at least now I have 3 years to confirm that requirement.

I hope my post is not treading on any toes. I realize several people here have issues with being told they could switch from the Mousesavers deal to the Dis deal. I am not in that group as I was not told I could switch. I just thought I would post why I am thrilled with the 3 years of extra visits and how the cost of OL membership compares in my little world with DVC and WDW costs generally.

Now, if OL increases the cost of membership to your first born, I 'm out. Wait, not so fast, I think I would come out like a bandit with that one, seeing that he is college aged and costing me an arm and a leg. LOL!

 

[jdvm]

warning, uncharacteristically blunt post ahead.

I'm human and I sometimes need to vent as well.

First and foremost, don't worry about Owner's Locker being able to deal with the cost of us providing the extra free Visit for three years to our existing Members and to our Beta Trial Members if they continue and to the people who signed up using the Mousesavers deal. We're not going anywhere! We're going to be around for a long, long time, helping to make peoples' vacations more convenient.

Disney 0210, you are absolutely wrong when you say "in the end John will do what's good for John." We could have saved a lot of grief by just giving every squeaky wheel on this thread what they wanted and quietly dealt with anyone else who complained. But we don't work like that. Yes, I tried to be accomodating and I told a couple of people (including you) they could switch deals. That was a mistake and I'll say again that it was the wrong thing to do. You have cancelled your Membership and anyone else who doesn't like what we've done can do the same...

...including Inkmahm, who is one of our 100 volunteer Beta Trial Members that received a free Locker and the Premium Annual Plan's unlimited deliveries for two years--total value $433. I could have given her a free Membership for life but that wouldn't be fair to the other 99 Trial Members who weren't on these boards complaining.


What really drove things was our existing Members...not the bottom line...we could go a long way toward adding another purple van for what this will cost us. But when we realized how important an issue extra Visits were, we realized that we needed to pull that deal and we did. I make mistakes every day. And that was a big one.

Our focus remains on our Members (not what's best for John) and that's why Brian and I decided to pull the offer and enhance our current Members' benefits. Anyone who says we should have left the deal up is wrong. When you spot a problem--fix it.

And, that's when we also decided not to let people switch deals. Instead we enhanced the MouseSaver deal by adding a free extra Visit for three years.

Do you really expect us to tell someone who has joined using a deal from a competing site that they can switch to a deal that was offered on The DIS when existing DIS members couldn't get it? Yes, some of you from MouseSavers frequent these boards, but others don't. Should the ones I e-mailed be treated differently than someone who was in WDW without a computer? I don't think so.

MaryAnnDVC, I will meet you and shake hands and you've been given an extra free Visit for three years so you may as well meet your Locker on your upcoming trip.

Now, I've had may say. Thank you for listening. I'll go back to being diplomatic.

John

 

[dianeschlicht]

John, I had not read most of this thread until today, because I was busy with a new litter of pups over the weekend. I have always found you and your service to be a above board with everything you have presented in the past, now, and expect it to continue in the future. You gave me the opportunity to sign on as a beta member, and DH nixed the idea. I was glad when I saw your "deal" up there a couple days ago, and I had indeed talked him into it. BUT, I don't feel this new deal is a bad one either, and we still do intend to sign up under it. I am apalled that so many here expect you to "take it on the chin" for this. You are, after all, a business, and I for one would never expect you to do something that would ultimately hurt your business. I say KUDOS to you for handling it in the profedssional way you did. Sure, some will go away with hurt feelings, but in the long run, you are offering and standing by a GREAT deal for us! Thank you!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

You da man!









Sorry Brian... You da men!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

MaryAnnDVC, I will meet you and shake hands and you've been given an extra free Visit for three years so you may as well meet your Locker on your upcoming trip.

Thanks John. The handshake sounds great but it's not a good time for me to get the locker. As I've said, the best time is when we have the kids with us...we have two bedrooms, two bathrooms and use the kitchen more...which won't be tomorrow. And actually, I already started to put away the stuff I was going to bring and have packed my travel sized items. With the 3 year time frame, I want to maximize my timing. The only time the kids can really come each year is in August, and this year oldest DD is travelling Europe and Asia (dates? I don't know for sure yet), and 2nd DD will be preparing for college which starts 3 weeks into August. I'm still hoping we'll get to WDW with them, but it's not looking good for this August. And if it's not then, I'm not sure when it will be. This is to date the worst year for trying to get them altogether for a trip.

Still, I'm excited that I might catch a glimpse

of a purple locker in person and see what it's really like.

PS IS there a timeframe for actually starting to use the membership?

 

[westjones]

Pixie Dust to all...

 

[Inkmahm]

warning, uncharacteristically blunt post ahead.

I'm human and I sometimes need to vent as well.

First and foremost, don't worry about Owner's Locker being able to deal with the cost of us providing the extra free Visit for three years to our existing Members and to our Beta Trial Members if they continue and to the people who signed up using the Mousesavers deal. We're not going anywhere! We're going to be around for a long, long time, helping to make peoples' vacations more convenient.

Disney 0210, you are absolutely wrong when you say "in the end John will do what's good for John." We could have saved a lot of grief by just giving every squeaky wheel on this thread what they wanted and quietly dealt with anyone else who complained. But we don't work like that. Yes, I tried to be accomodating and I told a couple of people (including you) they could switch deals. That was a mistake and I'll say again that it was the wrong thing to do. You have cancelled your Membership and anyone else who doesn't like what we've done can do the same...

...including Inkmahm, who is one of our 100 volunteer Beta Trial Members that received a free Locker and the Premium Annual Plan's unlimited deliveries for two years--total value $433. I could have given her a free Membership for life but that wouldn't be fair to the other 99 Trial Members who weren't on these boards complaining.


What really drove things was our existing Members...not the bottom line...we could go a long way toward adding another purple van for what this will cost us. But when we realized how important an issue extra Visits were, we realized that we needed to pull that deal and we did. I make mistakes every day. And that was a big one.

Our focus remains on our Members (not what's best for John) and that's why Brian and I decided to pull the offer and enhance our current Members' benefits. Anyone who says we should have left the deal up is wrong. When you spot a problem--fix it.

And, that's when we also decided not to let people switch deals. Instead we enhanced the MouseSaver deal by adding a free extra Visit for three years.

Do you really expect us to tell someone who has joined using a deal from a competing site that they can switch to a deal that was offered on The DIS when existing DIS members couldn't get it? Yes, some of you from MouseSavers frequent these boards, but others don't. Should the ones I e-mailed be treated differently than someone who was in WDW without a computer? I don't think so.

MaryAnnDVC, I will meet you and shake hands and you've been given an extra free Visit for three years so you may as well meet your Locker on your upcoming trip.

Now, I've had may say. Thank you for listening. I'll go back to being diplomatic.

John

I got a PM about this post from someone pointing out my name being used.

Where did I ever ask for a free membership for life? I already pointed out in this thread that I am a Beta member. As a beta member, I've been very supportive of OL from the beginning, here and at various other sites.

Did you notice at all my POSITIVE comments about OL and your service even in this thread? That hasn't changed any.

If you're allowed to vent, then so are the rest of us. My comments in this thread were about two things: 1) Being irritated with myself for not signing up when the deal was presented and I saw it but waited for an answer from you (which never came) instead. I should have known better. 2) Seeing that you made promises to others that you then backed out of. The first is my own fault. The second doesn't affect me personally other than it surprises me because that hasn't been something that I would have expected from you. It hadn't been part of my experience with you in the past.

 

[KandiB47]

I'm confused. The offer is back up again but no one is talking about it

 

[KandiB47]

Nevermind, I just read the fine print and it's only good for the three year time period, not for life.