*RANT* The new Honeymoon Registry is so Bogus!!

[Scrappy_Tink]

As of 6 months-1 year ago, you could build a registry, put items on it you'd like, and people could give monetary gifts on your registry, which would go on a honeymoon giftcard you could use while on your honeymoon.

NOW....THEY CHARGE 7% to the contributor (which you can choose for them to subtract from the gift amount), and you don't get a gift card, you have to have the funds transferred to you before or while you're on your honeymoon.

Why, oh, why, did they have to make something soooooo simple, into something so difficult. A bride/groom used to be able to make a purchase while on their honeymoon and simply hand over their pretty honeymoon gift card, and it would be received back with the BALANCE printed on the receipt!!!

Okay, I'm already married and used the former system....but why did they have to change this so drastically? I wouldn't even bother with it now.

 

[Deborah Huie]

Hi Scrappy... I just created a registry on the new system and I think it's great. I'm glad you had a good experience with the old system and I hope you had a fun wedding/honeymoon! I can't wait for ours! Really though, I like the idea of getting the money transferred to me and have already set it up so that it goes direct to my bank account. I can then use it to pay for any of the items and activities as I need -- and it provides far more flexibility than waiting for the gift card to arrive. As for the fee -- well yeah - it's a service that's being provided - and everything costs money these days. I'm paying a photograher, a minister, for a cake, the flowers, airline tix for the honeymoon, airport parking and the list goes on.... I'd rather pay a small fee for a great service -- easy to set up and use, great for my guests, an 800# that we can all call if needed.... I used to work at a BBB and let me tell you - they don't "charge" for a registry but that's just because they make so much money on the wholesale to retail mark up. Like 40-50%. So 7% seems like a bargain to me! I know my friends won't mind - they're already excited to buy cool and fun stuff off my Disney Registry!

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

Hi Scrappy... I just created a registry on the new system and I think it's great. I'm glad you had a good experience with the old system and I hope you had a fun wedding/honeymoon! I can't wait for ours! Really though, I like the idea of getting the money transferred to me and have already set it up so that it goes direct to my bank account. I can then use it to pay for any of the items and activities as I need -- and it provides far more flexibility than waiting for the gift card to arrive. As for the fee -- well yeah - it's a service that's being provided - and everything costs money these days. I'm paying a photograher, a minister, for a cake, the flowers, airline tix for the honeymoon, airport parking and the list goes on.... I'd rather pay a small fee for a great service -- easy to set up and use, great for my guests, an 800# that we can all call if needed.... I used to work at a BBB and let me tell you - they don't "charge" for a registry but that's just because they make so much money on the wholesale to retail mark up. Like 40-50%. So 7% seems like a bargain to me! I know my friends won't mind - they're already excited to buy cool and fun stuff off my Disney Registry!

I agree and completely understand the fee. I am trying to decide whether I want to use Disney or Traveler's Joy. With traveler's joy it can go straight to my paypal account which is awesome!

Teresa

 

[lurkyloo]

Why, oh, why, did they have to make something soooooo simple, into something so difficult. A bride/groom used to be able to make a purchase while on their honeymoon and simply hand over their pretty honeymoon gift card, and it would be received back with the BALANCE printed on the receipt!!!

Okay, I'm already married and used the former system....but why did they have to change this so drastically? I wouldn't even bother with it now.

I agree.

Basically, they didn't change Disney's Honeymoon Registry—they abandoned it completely. Instead of fixing the problems with their own system, Disney is now just partnering with an existing third-party site that's received a thin veneer of Disney branding. It's actually kind of funny how off-Disney-message the site is when you really start to poke around it.

Back when we were planning, I remember seeing that site and thinking, "Why would anyone choose a honeymoon registry with fees when they could do Disney's Honeymoon Registry for free?" I guess a deal that good couldn't last ...

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Hi Scrappy... I just created a registry on the new system and I think it's great. I'm glad you had a good experience with the old system and I hope you had a fun wedding/honeymoon! I can't wait for ours! Really though, I like the idea of getting the money transferred to me and have already set it up so that it goes direct to my bank account. I can then use it to pay for any of the items and activities as I need -- and it provides far more flexibility than waiting for the gift card to arrive. As for the fee -- well yeah - it's a service that's being provided - and everything costs money these days. I'm paying a photograher, a minister, for a cake, the flowers, airline tix for the honeymoon, airport parking and the list goes on.... I'd rather pay a small fee for a great service -- easy to set up and use, great for my guests, an 800# that we can all call if needed.... I used to work at a BBB and let me tell you - they don't "charge" for a registry but that's just because they make so much money on the wholesale to retail mark up. Like 40-50%. So 7% seems like a bargain to me! I know my friends won't mind - they're already excited to buy cool and fun stuff off my Disney Registry!

The Honeymoon Card usually arrived within around 10 days from registration, and could be used immediately for rooms, tickets, etc....and what money your generous guest gave, was 100%, no 7% deducted. I'd rather just give the Bride/Groom cash.

 

[serenityfire]

My friends used Honey Fund (which it won't let me post a link to, but you can find on google) for their honeymoon registry. It doesn't charge your guests a fee and they can give the money directly to you. I haven't used it myself, but I know they liked it, so I thought I'd pass that on.

 

[DisneyCP08]

My friends used Honey Fund (which it won't let me post a link to, but you can find on google) for their honeymoon registry. It doesn't charge your guests a fee and they can give the money directly to you. I haven't used it myself, but I know they liked it, so I thought I'd pass that on.

I have to admit that I use to play around on the registry before we were engaged and was very excited to use it when we got engaged. That was with the older registry and I'm not too crazy about the new one either. Thanks for posting about honey fund, I am going to look into it now for our honeymoon.

I agree and completely understand the fee. I am trying to decide whether I want to use Disney or Traveler's Joy. With traveler's joy it can go straight to my paypal account which is awesome!

Teresa

Teresa, Thank you for posting about Traveler's Joy. DF and I are not too crazy about the new Disney Registry and were glad too look into this one after you posted it!

 

[sambycat]

Hi Scrappy... I just created a registry on the new system and I think it's great. I'm glad you had a good experience with the old system and I hope you had a fun wedding/honeymoon! I can't wait for ours! Really though, I like the idea of getting the money transferred to me and have already set it up so that it goes direct to my bank account. I can then use it to pay for any of the items and activities as I need -- and it provides far more flexibility than waiting for the gift card to arrive. As for the fee -- well yeah - it's a service that's being provided - and everything costs money these days. I'm paying a photograher, a minister, for a cake, the flowers, airline tix for the honeymoon, airport parking and the list goes on.... I'd rather pay a small fee for a great service -- easy to set up and use, great for my guests, an 800# that we can all call if needed.... I used to work at a BBB and let me tell you - they don't "charge" for a registry but that's just because they make so much money on the wholesale to retail mark up. Like 40- 50%. So 7% seems like a bargain to me! I know my friends won't mind - they're already excited to buy cool and fun stuff off my Disney Registry!

Sounds like you had a great experience! Good for you! But seriously, Tge fee doesn't bother you? And you've had zero trouble with disney's
Website in general?
I see this is your first post - can you say more about the timing of your wedding/planning experiences? We'd love to hear more!

 

[librarygeek]

I used the old one, and honestly I wouldn't have used the new one because of the fee. It's one thing when you're getting a service and you're paying for it (photographer, cake, etc). It's another thing when you are giving money that is presumably going to Disney anyway, but they have to add another fee on top of that?

I also don't really understand why they transfer it to your bank account now? I would think the Disney gift card would be better for them because it guarantees that you spend the money on Disney stuff. If it's going into your bank account anyway why not just stick with the cash/checks guests are going to give anyway? I know as a guest I wouldn't want to use a system that sucks 7% out of your gift.

 

[Eponine1]

If I was to give a gift via the registry and they are going to charge 7% of what I'm giving them, I wouldn't do it.

I would give them a Disney gift card instead and let them do with it what they want and not lose a dime!

 

[Jilian]

I don't understand why guests wouldn't just give cash or a gift card? What is the point of the registry? It just seems like Disney is trying to siphon some of your wedding gifts now.

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

Shannon and I did some research on this today together here is what we came up with:

Disney Registry:
-7% fee for the site usage it covers the making of your registry and all the work to keep the site running. This is not a surprise since the disney registry is now a part of honeymoon wishes
-3% fee for your guests that use credit cards
-Total of 10% fee
-Easy to use interface
-Has good disney specific gifts
-Caters more to the disney honeymooner

Travelers Joy:
-7.5% fee that is deducted from the amount that is given
-options to go straight to your pay pal account
-great interface
-easy to use
-integrates with wedding wire
-recommended by the knot
-has some good disney centered gifts to start you off

Honeymoon Pixie:
-7% fee that can be charged either to your guests when they purchase the gift or deducted from the gift amount
-semi confusing interface
-not as many disney options up front
-gifts can be transferred a number of ways including paypal

Honeyfund:
-no fees up front for anyone
-3% fee for those that choose to use a credit card to give you a gift
-guests can promise to give you a check or cash and then they have to give it to you at your wedding
-can transfer to a paypal account only if money is given by credit card
-horrible user interface
-very confusing to build your page
-for easier and better interface you have to pay $39 for the premium site

After we did all this research we both are leaning towards travelers joy. I do not mind the amount being taken out of the gift that is ok and I like their interface. Also I use the knot and wedding wire so I like the fact that it is integrated and recommended by them.

Hope this helps

Teresa

 

[MrsDrewsky]

I don't understand why guests wouldn't just give cash or a gift card? What is the point of the registry? It just seems like Disney is trying to siphon some of your wedding gifts now.

I agree, even Walgreens and some grocery stores carry Disney gift cards, so this wouldn't be too difficult.

Certain travel agencies, including AAA, will allow guests to make payments towards your honeymoon and they will provide your guests with "certificates" to present to the couple free of charge. I hate the idea of the couple or the guest pay an additional 7 to 10%.

 

[Bewitch324]

Food for thought...the markup now to buy gift cards at retailers like grocery stores and drug stores has gotten really crazy too!! $5 per card in many cases. I bought several $50 and $100 gift cards for Christmas gifts from Walgreens and paid $5 per card. Similar fee at Target...so those fees equated to 5% on the $100 card and a whopping $5=10% on the $50 card. BUT I paid it because it was easy and convenient.

I'm sure these websites are trying to tap into that "oh its just easier to do this" mentality...Kind of a bummer, but easier even than going to Walgreens or the grocery store to pick up a Disney card maybe?

While it would be preferable of course to have no fees or lower fees, I think the research from the message above shows that the fees are in line with what the rest of the marketplace is doing (for the most part) so at least they're not crazy out of line with their fees...

Traveler's Joy does seem like a really good option too.

Brooke

 

[librarygeek]

Yeah, it seems like all or most of the sites are doing that so it's not like Disney is the first. But still, if I was a guest I would definitely just give a check or cash. In the end, with the way these registries work it really makes no difference - I don't think I would have used any of them because I wouldn't want my guests to feel like they were being "charged" to give us a gift. I can kind of see the other sites doing it because they have to make money somehow, but the way Disney used to have it set up you were straight up giving the money to them anyway.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Yeah, it seems like all or most of the sites are doing that so it's not like Disney is the first. But still, if I was a guest I would definitely just give a check or cash. In the end, with the way these registries work it really makes no difference - I don't think I would have used any of them because I wouldn't want my guests to feel like they were being "charged" to give us a gift. I can kind of see the other sites doing it because they have to make money somehow, but the way Disney used to have it set up you were straight up giving the money to them anyway.

My point exactly!! Sure, the old system had some glitches, but once you learned your way around them, it wasn't so bad. I will have to admit, I used it for our "2nd Honeymoon" too, and contributed all of the money myself, just as a way to save $ for our trip, knowing it was going instantly onto my gift card.

I really am surprised that Disney went this route, because they are actually losing money on it by the money going directly to the bride/groom. The bride/groom can easily change their wedding venue and spend the money on that, or even pay for a new clutch in their car. You'd think at a minimum (Disney-wise), they'd ensure the money went on their Honeymoon gift cards (which are really cute, btw) instead of funds to a personal account, to make sure the money is spent on Disney. I mean, the outsourced company is getting 7%, you'd think Disney would make sure the got something out of it. (Okay, realistically, they are probably making at least 4 of the 7 percent through the contract) Money, money, money....I hate that you can't even give money without it costing you!!

 

[Mindyjoy]

After the new registry was announced, instead of signing up for it and wasting our guests money, we put on our Registry page of our wedsite "Disney Gift Cards are also very much appreciated" and included a link to buy them online.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

After the new registry was announced, instead of signing up for it and wasting our guests money, we put on our Registry page of our wedsite "Disney Gift Cards are also very much appreciated" and included a link to buy them online.

That sounds like a good idea! I really think the original website was under-utilized....maybe because it was intimidating to some, I got several comments from CMs how cute the card was, like they'd never seen one before.