Somethun's rotton in the TDS I go to on Saturday a.m.

[Luv2Roam]

I was second in line. DH was buying a set for another pin fanatic who is out of town this week.
He was not able to buy a Figaro pin. I bought one. The woman in front of me bought one.
ALL GONE!
Hhhmmm.... Two pins. Seems awfully odd. There may have been a third one sold, but DH and I think it was only two.
We find it hard to believe a TDS rec'd 2 - 3 of one pin.
And this is the store where a CM has already been first in line, before and after the store opens and buys what she wants. At least that is what we have witnessed every week prior to now. She was working today, I'm sure.
One of our fellow Las Vegas Dis-ers is working here on a temp assignment. He was probably 6th in line. And he was plenty mad. He said he is contacting Disney. He doesn't believe that they only rec'd a few. And he seemed to know that a CM was able to buy one. I'll have to chat around next week and see how few were able to buy them.
Another odd thing about today: As I wrote, DH was third in line to buy a set for a fellow collector, who is well known by the CM's in this store. I mentioned that DH was buying a set for so-and-so. The CM THOUGHT she had a set held for him in the back room. She went back and could not find it. But she thought another CM had held back a set for him.
That CM did call the other TDS and ask if they had any Figaro's. This was approx 10:10 and they were short shipped and sold out too. But we went there anyway. I asked how many they rec'd. Not exact number was answered, just "one box."
I would think there would be at least 6 in a box.
So, what are your thought?
I think I may be going back and seeing if I can get an answer as to how many exactly the first store rec'd today. We know they sold two. (Me being one of them.) But DH thinks that's it.
Also even after just 5 - 6 people, the CM was flat out saying only one set per person. One guy was upset. Not only was there no Figaro, he could only buy a set for himself. He was wanting to buy another set for someone else too and could not.

 

[Lynn-Marie]

Luv2,

I had a similar problem with the Rocketeer pin at my TDS. I believe Rocketeer was a week 2 pin. Well, on week 2 my store didn't receive a box of them. I was told to call throughout the week to find out when they would get their box (they couldn't save one for me even through I'd been in line.) On Wednesday the manager said that they would get their box in time for Saturday's opening. He said to be sure to be one of the first 12 in line to be sure to get one. So... I assume that he knew they were getting at least 24.

On week 3, I was 4th in line -- but didn't get one! The CM said that they had to ship Rocketeer pins to another store so they only had 3 to sell. I thought that was kind of weird that another store could scarf up another store's pins. The only reason I could create is that, perhaps, certain stores had such low sales volume for the Millennium pins -- while others had really high volume -- that now the bigger stores get to pull rank when there is a shortage of pins. (?)

Anyway, I'm glad you're calling because it really shouldn't happen. Each store should at least get 24 pins -- seems like a modest amount for a set that's really in high demand. I'd guess that this set may be more in demand than the Millennium set.

--LM

 

[DinaF]

Both stores in White Plains, NY were short-shipped on Figaro, also. Each store did not receive a full box, but rather one small packet (clear plastic bag, similar to the pouches each pin is wrapped in, only bigger), and I can't remember if the count was 10 or 12 (I thought I saw 10 from my spot 1st in line, but 12 makes more sense if a "box" has 24?). I would THINK that if a store was going to get ANY, they'd get at least the number in this small pouch, wouldn't you? I don't blame you for thinking something fishy is going on...

That Figaro pin is special, everyone should be able to get one. How does distribution STILL get botched every week? You'd think by week 5 they'd have it ironed out!

BTW, has anyone noticed that the BEST pins each week are the shortest in supply? IMO

 

[GotAnyPins]

And this is the reason that we decided not to do the DS pins..My daughter, know on the board as ismeto..
went to the DS store in her area here in Orlando, and was buying some birthday stuff for Heathers' birthday (merme
and happened to cut through the pin line to look at some stuff on the wall.

Unfortunately she happened to be near the pin stock, and some women and her huge son, pinned her
up against the wall and started screaming at her, when she asked the cm for help, all as she did was tell
Lauree to just take a number, while she is still pinned, she asked what for, and the cm told her to put back
the merchandise she had already picked up, (a beanie baby) and go back and get a number..

It got uglier, but she got NO support from the cm, in charge, but another lady , not w/ the DS, took her by the arm and led her out of the battle zone,

Lauree went to another part of the store to finish picking up what she came for, and didn't this mother
son attack team start after her.....she just stood there and screamed, for them to leave her alone, and they left
the store....

She paid for her purchase, after talking to the mgr, but they just blew her off....needless to say, that is the last time
she will visit that particular DS store..

Of course this isn't finished, they are looking into this further...

Soooo I would suggest battle gear, or armor for your next Sat visit..

 

[Luv2Roam]

I returned to TDS, hoping to buy an extra Dopey to see if I could trade that for a Figaro. No Dopey any longer either.
BUT the CM who rang me up this morning (and the manager was standing right beside her listening) was there. I asked how many Figaro's they rec'd. The reply was "5 or 6." And I asked, "But you only had two to sell?" The reply, "Yes."
I think I need to maybe write a little note to Disney..... 2 = 6?

 

[DinaF]

Tsk, tsk! This sounds soooo UN-Disney! Strange things are definitely afoot!

 

[Carl]

as far as I know does NOT allow the CMs to purchase pins ahead of time - or to set them aside for CMs. The store DOES have at least 3 CMs that are always first in line when the store opens. Personally, I believe that Disney should allow the CMs to purchase the pins before the store opens BUT that the store should receive enough EXTRA pins to supply the CMs before they are sold to the public.

 

[tammyh-oregon]

Boy if it is like this now, what is it going to be like on Dec 15th? Should we all ask for pixie dust that disney gets its act together before then? (Dreaming I'm sure) Our store is still orderly with most people arriving between 930 and 1000 for store opening. We have always been first but it seems like everyone is getting all there pins.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Carl -- agree.
But I know which CM had our fellow Dis-er ticked off. He didn't have to say. We have seen her pull her pins from the stock prior to the store opening (while we are all standing outside watching her do this). She is also the same CM who cut us off while we politely walked into the store. We had been waiting for 45 minutes. But she charged in ahead of us while the CM was still opening the door.
She was the same CM who ordered one of her fellow non-working CM's out of line (last week).
Some people's kids...
I want to maintain a good relationship with these CM's. But something is real wrong. Only sell to the public 2 of 6 pins, and thinking they held some pins back for another customer. I am sure they wouldn't have done it for me.

 

[SueEllen]

I would like to say something in defense of the CMs that are working that morning and putting aside pins. I personally think that it is perfectly fair for a CM who has to be at the store to work, and cannot get to any store to get the pins, to put aside one set of pins if he/she wants to purchase them. Why should the CM be denied the opportunity to purchase a pin just because he/she has to work? How would you feel as a CM if you were unable to buy something you wanted because you had to work?

Cast Members are not able to hold items, call and charge by phone (there are some exceptions to this rule), participate in special promotions that Disney offers, and many other restrictions. I know that some CMs abuse their priviledges, and some do not follow these rules, but please, cut the CMs some slack on getting their pins too (as long as they aren't hoarding them and are only putting aside one of each pin before opening for their own purchase)

I know some of you won't agree with me...but please, try to look at it from a different point of view. (and NO, I have not put aside any pins because I am out on maternity leave still)

Sue Ellen

 

[tammyh-oregon]

IMHO The problem with letting CMs set aside pins that morning would be what if the store only got 3 of one pin or some other small number (like I have heard has happened) and all three CMs want a set. That translates into none for the customer. Couldn't the CM ask someone else to stand in line and buy the pins for them. Sorry in advance if this offends anyone.

When it leads to questions about the integrity of CMs, I would question any practice like this.
With the millenium set didn't they let the CMs prepurchase the entire set? (I could be wrong but thought I heard this) Maybe they should do this with all pins.

On another vein, why does it seem that, there has been a pin that is shorted each week. It seems like each week there is at least one hard to get pin. It can't possibly be that Disney thinks the pins won't sell and if it is where have they been hiding their heads in the sand.

 

[JudithM]

Tammy, yes, CMs were allowed to order a complete set of the TDS Millennium pins. However, this was not offered for the 100 Years of Dreams pins. A guest in line even mentioned one week how easier it would have been for all of us had we been able to preorder these pins as a set. Just food for thought ...

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I don't think that CMs should be penalized for working on Saturday mornings, and therefore unable to get pins.

I don't think any store should be allowed to set aside pins for their CMs to the point that there are none (or virtually none) of one of these pins for the guests.

And what about park CMs? Isn't the shoe on the other foot for a change? Our CM pinfriends who work early Saturday shifts at WDW or DLR are stuck too. Hopefully, they have pinfriends who are returning the numerous favors they do for us all year long.

It truly saddens me to read of the poor behavior exhibited at some locations.

 

[hopemax]

I've decided to edit my post, because you never know who may be reading.

 

[klmall]

Even though our store got Figaro pins we were shorted Dopey entirely (with sign posted on the door the night before to warn customers).

And from Week 2 on (I missed Week 1 due to camping with Scouts) I've seen and talked with CMs waiting in line with us. They are buying pins for themselves and for each other, staying within the maximum limits.

So, I will be sure to thank them for following the guidelines so carefully and being so respectful considering the uproar elsewhere. After all, it sounds like they could bend the rules a bit and it doesn't like look they are (and it appears that all or most of them are buying one or more pin each week!).

Disney is really making this tough for us collectors and for the CMs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I have been reading through this thread (and others like it ) and I have to say I am a little upset at what guests have been saying to/about us. I hope this doesn't open a whole can of worms, but I just want to say that at our store, CM's are not allowed to put aside any pins AT ALL for themselves. This would result in termination, and believe me, to be fired all because of a pin is not worth it. I don't know what goes on in any other stores, but we are adhering to this rule very closely. We have to get up early like everyone else, get on line and wait our turn, and if we don't get the pin we want we too feel dissappointed.

If we say we did not receive the whole shipment, or infact did not receive the pin at all, please do not take it out on us - we are telling you the truth (there is no hidden supply of pins in the back for us). It is a shipping/stocking problem, and we, as CM's did not cause this. We are trying to our best in this situation, and it seems like a no win situation.

Sorry for the venting.

 

[MeanLaureen]

I can't speak for the Disney Store but I can tell you what the rules are like in my company and a lot of other retailers (not including smaller independants) - Employees who set aside merchandise to be purchased later, or put merchandise on hold are terminated if caught. This is called "understocking" and is a huge no-no for most retailers. Disney is very lenient if they are allowing CM's to hold pins!

I can see both sides... there are times I wish I could hold something to purchase at the end of my shift, but then again I understand the reasoning - customers come first.. without them, I wouldn't have a job!

 

[Dom13]

In checking up on Pin Pics, and adjusting some of the pics , I have seen EVERY pin from this past Saturday with more people having it for trade than wanting it. The closest one was the Figaro pin with nine trading/6 wanting. It doesn't seem like there is an overall shortage of these pins, just a distribution problem.

Thanks to the great people on this board I have been able to get every pin I wanted. I've even traded with people I've never traded with before, helping her with a set just as she is helping me.

I too was a little upset when I walked in at 11:10, I have to work Sat. AM, and there was not a single pin left in the store. I could have ranted and raved to the CMs but instead I came home and posted on here what I needed. In a veryshort time several of the great pin pals on this board responded saying if you need it I have it.

At least for me the trading, and the hunt, are the best parts of this hobby. Try it inteastead of taking it out on the CMs.

 

[Luv2Roam]

LOVETHATMOUSE -- I would be the first to say that I admire and respect CM's. We all know CM's are unpaid, underappreciated and over worked.

It sure would be nice if all stores followed what polices and procedures that are distributed by Disney HQ. Then there would not be near as many concerns. I wish more CM's were like yourself!
And we all know about short shipments. We don't blame the CM's at all. I hope no one has taken that out on any CM. That would be upsetting in itself.
I think in the situation I experienced, the shipment was SMALL. Which was bad already. And CM(s) at this store I am writing about made a bad situation worse by selling half (and most likely less than half) than what their shipment was.
To only get 5 - 6 of one pin was bad enough. But to admit to selling only two of that shipment to the public, with no further explanation....
And to admit openly that pins maybe held in the back.... No wonder so many in line were so very upset.

Hope I didn't come across like I was scolding. It's always hard to read a person's tone in a posting. But something is not right at this store I am writing about.
I would switch over to our other TDS (and may yet). But when someone there is camping out at 6:30 a.m. -- that's too early for me!

LOVETHATMOUSE, and all CM's, I certainly appreciate your concern and input!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Luv2Roam - I appreciate your "appreciation" of us CM's. We do try to do the best we can with what we've got. It sounds as if something is not right at your local store. I can tell you now, that if any of the CM's in my store treated you that way, they would be out on their a#%&#!!!


Dom 13 - You said "At least for me the trading, and the hunt, are the best parts of this hobby. Try it instead of taking it out on the CMs. " This is the best thing I have seen written. I feel the same way! I love to hunt down what I want and do a good trade just like the rest of you. I like purchasing the pins, but would rather trade for them. It also teaches my DD that you can't always get what you want, you have to work for it.


Here's hoping everyone gets what they want!!