Please Help -UPDATE

[CopperWife]

Oh my goodness gracious.

OP, I am glad that Disney made it right for you in the end. Regardless of whether or not you should have held on to the original gift cards, customer services reps should be trained to give you the appropriate information. You shouldn't have to talk to 15 people. And sometimes you do need need to call 15 times to get an answer. If you have a problem, people aren't always quick to call back and make the situation right. Even if you were "in the wrong" by throwing away the gift cards, the first customer service rep. should have told you so - you didn't need to go through the run-around.

I'm glad you got your money back. Good job for sticking to it and putting in work to get it back.

 

[ellie'smom]

No they don't deserve a medal for giving her the run around. However they do deserve one for giving her her money back on a different card, when it was her error to toss the cards away. They have no way of knowing that the OP did indeed throw the cards away. I'm sure she did, but many people wouldn't think twice about claiming cards were tossed in order to get new ones and more money.

The OP messed up. After repeated phone calls she finally found someone who would and could refund her money. However it was not Disney's error to begin with, so no one should act like they are fixing a problem they caused, when that is not the case. What they did do was awesome, and great customer service, but NOT to be expected. Most businesses would tell you it as your error and you were out of luck.

I did not mess up. After speaking to 15 people . I learned a few things, Mainly,
THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. More often than not most people throw the cards out after they use them .They have a system in place to fix this problem. Furthermore I used the card to make a reservation, not buy and return a sweater. They know where the money went to ( reservations)and that it could not be refunded to the original card, BECAUSE IT NO LONGER EXISTED.When I asked for the refund I let Disney know the original gift cards were no longer available. I was told that I would get a refund within 10 days, this was in June, by the middle of July still nothing, this is why I started calling them back. All I got was excuses, the run around and out and out lies . No one wanted to bother they sent me off to the next person until I put my foot down. The fact that they overnighted it FEDEX. after I mentioned sending an e-mail to Meg Crofton showed ( at least to me ) that no one did anything at all to fix my problem. I had to use a threat to resolve the issue. Really do you think they would FEDEX me a new 200.00 gift card if they had already cut me a check or mailed me a card via the U.S. Postal service?
I went on Disboard for help, because they are people out there who have had this same issue. I wanted some advice, not well you should know better then throw the cards out... I am willing to bet if it was your money you would be singing another song.
I posted the update so that other who come across this problem know that it can be resolved.
To the person who asked if I kept calling and not letting the person fix the problem. I call, leave a message, wait 2 full business days and call on the 3rd day again. This I believe is not excessive.

 

[sgtfirstwife]

I for one agree, you came here for help not for a wagging finger telling you tsk, tsk you should have kept that card I am so glad you got your card in time for your visit. Enjoy that money and have fun!!!

 

[LilyWDW]

The lesson though is to hold on to gift cards until you are SURE you will not need them again. Yes, it is nice that the OP was allowed a refund beyond what Disney has to do based off of their stated rules. However, in the future for anyone, there would not have been any problems if the gift cards are kept until you are sure no refund will be needed (aka, after the trip or after the return policy). That is the lesson that readers need to take from this situation.

 

[ellie'smom]

Thank You, SgtFirstWife amd CopperWife
Goodnight now

 

[4winks]

I for one am happy that the OP got her money back. How many of us would think twice about throwing the card away. I appreciate the post since I have paid $1500 in Disney gift cards for our upcoming trip in Oct. I still have the cards and I will be careful to keep them in a safe place now!

 

[maxiesmom]

I for one am happy that the OP got her money back. How many of us would think twice about throwing the card away. I appreciate the post since I have paid $1500 in Disney gift cards for our upcoming trip in Oct. I still have the cards and I will be careful to keep them in a safe place now!

And that was really the whole point. However, the OP seemed to think Disney was doing something wrong by not immediately refunding her the money, or putting that amount on another card. They were not. Disney has no blame at all in this one.

As I stated before, I'm glad the OP got her money refunded. And hopefully this thread will save someone else from making the same mistake of throwing their cards out.

 

[Missytara]

And that was really the whole point. However, the OP seemed to think Disney was doing something wrong by not immediately refunding her the money, or putting that amount on another card. They were not. Disney has no blame at all in this one.

As I stated before, I'm glad the OP got her money refunded. And hopefully this thread will save someone else from making the same mistake of throwing their cards out.

Thank you! I followed up your other posts as well. Forgive me for getting on my soapbox, but Disney did go above and beyond. I agree this thread should serve as a reminder that you do not assume anything, do not expect to entitled to anything, and do not expect your trip will go as planned.

Always keep your paperwork in hand, including gift cards - it is like cash with no paper trail like other forms of payment. You should always keep the original receipt of paperwork, or in this case, the gift cards.

 

[Missytara]

I for one agree, you came here for help not for a wagging finger telling you tsk, tsk you should have kept that card I am so glad you got your card in time for your visit. Enjoy that money and have fun!!!

I do not think we demean her at all, it was a reminder from many of us that she should have kept the cards.

It saddens me many times that we veterans try to provide some help, it is not the answer someone wants to hear, such as you, and accuses us of being demeaning. We are basically trying to be helpful.

 

[maxiesmom]

I do not think we demean her at all, it was a reminder from many of us that she should have kept the cards.

It saddens me many times that we veterans try to provide some help, it is not the answer someone wants to hear, such as you, and accuses us of being demeaning. We are basically trying to be helpful.

Exactly.

And I know many people don't understand they need to keep the cards. When I've been at work and ringing people up sometimes they try and insist you keep gift cards/prepaid debit cards when they have a zero balance on them. We always try and educate our customers that they need to hold onto those cards, that is the only way we would credit them back should they need a refund.

Disney didn't have to give the OP any money back. They could have said tough noggies, you messed up, your problem. It is to their credit that they didn't.

 

[ellie'smom]

I do not think we demean her at all, it was a reminder from many of us that she should have kept the cards.

It saddens me many times that we veterans try to provide some help, it is not the answer someone wants to hear, such as you, and accuses us of being demeaning. We are basically trying to be helpful.

Well I did fell that you and Maxiemom where more than just a litttle deameaning . You where downright belittling. As for being a Disboard veteran- Look at my join date. I look a disboard everyday, just because I don't meddle in every thread does not make me a clod. Sometimes knowing when to keep your opinion to yourself makes you a better participant.

 

[nadira36]

Exactly.

And I know many people don't understand they need to keep the cards. When I've been at work and ringing people up sometimes they try and insist you keep gift cards/prepaid debit cards when they have a zero balance on them. We always try and educate our customers that they need to hold onto those cards, that is the only way we would credit them back should they need a refund.

Disney didn't have to give the OP any money back. They could have said tough noggies, you messed up, your problem. It is to their credit that they didn't.

I can see keeping the card, because I often keep cards. However around here you don't need a card for a refund. Instead you get a 'store' credit - or a gift card. There should be no reason why that can't happen, especially from Disney. It isn't a matter of people trying to scam money, just issue a new card. Fast, easy and only involves one person.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well I did fell that you and Maxiemom where more than just a litttle deameaning . You where downright belittling. As for being a Disboard veteran- Look at my join date. I look a disboard everyday, just because I don't meddle in every thread does not make me a clod. Sometimes knowing when to keep your opinion to yourself makes you a better participant.

I have not belittled you at all. In fact, I have said multiple times that I was happy things worked out for you. However, that doesn't change the fact that Disney went above and beyond to refund you the money. They didn't have to, as anytime a purchase is made with debit cards/prepaid cards a refund will go back to those cards. And it is the owner of those cards who is responsible for keeping them. Not referring just to the OP, but to the general public. Your card(s) your responsibility to keep track of them.

You didn't know that, and it was an honest mistake. One that many people make, as you have pointed out. But that doesn't make it Disney's fault, and it should make it understandable that it takes a bit of manipulation to get you your money back.

I mean the following advice to be helpful: No matter what you post on the Dis, or any message board, there will always be someone who disagrees with you or who's tone you don't like. The only way to avoid it is to not post. If you ask for opinions or thoughts you will get them, and they won't always mesh with your opinions or thoughts. The best thing to do is not let it hurt you on a personal level, because most people don't mean to hurt you. Tone can be hard to see in posts.

 

[CopperWife]

I can see keeping the card, because I often keep cards. However around here you don't need a card for a refund. Instead you get a 'store' credit - or a gift card. There should be no reason why that can't happen, especially from Disney. It isn't a matter of people trying to scam money, just issue a new card. Fast, easy and only involves one person.

Exactly. She paid with a gift card. It doesn't matter where the gift card came from - money was exchanged. Disney had that money and she needed a refund. From where I see it, Disney should have just issued her refund as a generic store credit on a separate card. It was the 'right' thing to do, although it wasn't the what Disney policy stated.

I think the OP was upset about not getting her money back, but also because of the fact that she had to talk to 15 people before she got it back. While some people thought it was good customer service that she even got it back in the first place, I viewed it a bit differently. Fifteen different answers for the same problem? Ehhh....not so great.

I'm not attacking anyone's opinion. People come to the boards to get opinion's from others who have opinions to give, to get information, and to share experiences. Just because someone is new to the boards doesn't mean their answers are any less valid.

I'm glad that everyone learned the moral of this story. Keep your gift cards until you are sure you don't need them. It sucks that ellie'smom had such a tough time with this situtation and yay! She got her money back.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

Why did you not just wait to pay for your room when you got down there? I know that you have to pay 1 night's deposit but I always thought you did not pay the remainder for a room only reservation until you checked in. I can't see how pre paying for your entire stay before you arrive could benefit you.

 

[smitch425]

Exactly. She paid with a gift card. It doesn't matter where the gift card came from - money was exchanged. Disney had that money and she needed a refund. From where I see it, Disney should have just issued her refund as a generic store credit on a separate card. It was the 'right' thing to do, although it wasn't the what Disney policy stated.

I think the OP was upset about not getting her money back, but also because of the fact that she had to talk to 15 people before she got it back. While some people thought it was good customer service that she even got it back in the first place, I viewed it a bit differently. Fifteen different answers for the same problem? Ehhh....not so great.

I'm not attacking anyone's opinion. People come to the boards to get opinion's from others who have opinions to give, to get information, and to share experiences. Just because someone is new to the boards doesn't mean their answers are any less valid.

I'm glad that everyone learned the moral of this story. Keep your gift cards until you are sure you don't need them. It sucks that ellie'smom had such a tough time with this situtation and yay! She got her money back.

OP stated that she kept calling back if she had not heard from them within 48 hours. Giving someone two days to try to do something completely outside of their policy is not enough time. Had she just waited (outside of the initial person that no longer worked there, of course), she may have had to talk to two or three people at most. Think about it, If you call a basic phone CM on Monday and they tell you "I'll look into it and get back to you." They probably need to get their supervisor involved and the supervisor would then get in touch with a basic billing/accounts person. Since it is outside of their policy rules, a billing/accounts supervisor (or even higher) would then need to get involved. If that takes more than two days, then OP calls again on Wednesday and starts the same process with a new set of people. I can see how 15 people could add up quickly.

OP, when you called back each time did you call the direct person you spoke with (after the initial, now ex-employee) or did you start from scratch with every call?

 

[mickeystoontown]

OP, happy to hear that you finally got the issue resolved and were issued a refund. Had I not read on the Dis that it was important to keep up with the Disney gift cards, I would have not known either.

 

[dzorn]

I did not mess up. After speaking to 15 people . I learned a few things, Mainly,
THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. More often than not most people throw the cards out after they use them .They have a system in place to fix this problem. Furthermore I used the card to make a reservation, not buy and return a sweater. They know where the money went to ( reservations)and that it could not be refunded to the original card, BECAUSE IT NO LONGER EXISTED.When I asked for the refund I let Disney know the original gift cards were no longer available. I was told that I would get a refund within 10 days, this was in June, by the middle of July still nothing, this is why I started calling them back. All I got was excuses, the run around and out and out lies . No one wanted to bother they sent me off to the next person until I put my foot down. The fact that they overnighted it FEDEX. after I mentioned sending an e-mail to Meg Crofton showed ( at least to me ) that no one did anything at all to fix my problem. I had to use a threat to resolve the issue. Really do you think they would FEDEX me a new 200.00 gift card if they had already cut me a check or mailed me a card via the U.S. Postal service?
I went on Disboard for help, because they are people out there who have had this same issue. I wanted some advice, not well you should know better then throw the cards out... I am willing to bet if it was your money you would be singing another song.
I posted the update so that other who come across this problem know that it can be resolved.
To the person who asked if I kept calling and not letting the person fix the problem. I call, leave a message, wait 2 full business days and call on the 3rd day again. This I believe is not excessive.

Yes you did mess up or else you could have spent the orginal gift cards on your trip. Where you should have started was with Chase as you threw them out.

I am surprised they got it resolved as quickly as they did. They need to get the money back from the gift cards before they could refund you any form of payment.

Denise in MI

 

[NHKristy76]

Why did you not just wait to pay for your room when you got down there? I know that you have to pay 1 night's deposit but I always thought you did not pay the remainder for a room only reservation until you checked in. I can't see how pre paying for your entire stay before you arrive could benefit you.

I'm not sure about the OP, but, I always pay for my room before I arrive at WDW. I want everything to be settled financially before I arrive so that I can be free to enjoy my vacation!

With that said, what does your questioning her payment schedule add to the conversation about her problem?

 

[NHKristy76]

I do not think we demean her at all, it was a reminder from many of us that she should have kept the cards.

It saddens me many times that we veterans try to provide some help, it is not the answer someone wants to hear, such as you, and accuses us of being demeaning. We are basically trying to be helpful.

I have to say, after reading all of the posts, I felt like you and maxiesmom were both very demeaning in your responses. I don't know any of you but I was a bit taken aback by the tone in your posts.

I wish the "veterans" on this board would take a minute to check their attitude before posting. If you can't be helpful and non judgmental, keep your thoughts to yourself and move on to another post.

elliesmom, I'm glad this all worked out for you! Thanks for posting because I would have never thought twice about throwing away an empty gift card. I certainly will now! Have a magical trip!