Stolen medals on Ebay???

[cewait]

I think our friend will be hearing from the Mouse. Received a nice letter this afternoon which leads me to believe the issue escalated up the ladder..

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I think our friend will be hearing from the Mouse. Received a nice letter this afternoon which leads me to believe the issue escalated up the ladder..

That is wonderful news!! Don't mess with the Mouse Attorneys. They are brutal. Guess people will think twice before selling medals. I wonder if the rack process will change in the future to avoid anyone stealing extras?

Regardless, you were right as well as the OP about this person not being a good person and I am glad that it has been taken care of.

 

[Saylan]

That's great news. I'm glad to see that the Mouse (and his lawyers) are taking it seriously. Clearly they also feel this person is wrong and his actions deserve consequences.

 

[Korileigh]

Thanks, Coach for taking this to Disney! I am glad to know they are going to look into it further. It just meant soooo much for me to finish that race and earn that medal that it really bothered me that someone had possibly stolen some and were profiting from them.

 

[johde]

Stealing medals is wrong, but I've often wonder what happens to the extra medals for people who don't finish a race or extras they purchased? I know Medals for Mettle want earned medals.

 

[Saylan]

Stealing medals is wrong, but I've often wonder what happens to the extra medals for people who don't finish a race or extras they purchased? I know Medals for Mettle want earned medals.

I'd suspect some go to the companies that do the professional shadow boxes. It seems like a good place to use the extra.

I'd like to hope the rest get donated to some sort of benefit or recycled in someway.

 

[scoolover]

I don't get why anyone cares. As long as everyone who finishes gets one then I could care less what happens to the rest. If after the last runner passes a water stop volunteer wants to pocket a couple waters who cares. Same with the medals.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I don't get why anyone cares. As long as everyone who finishes gets one then I could care less what happens to the rest. If after the last runner passes a water stop volunteer wants to pocket a couple waters who cares. Same with the medals.

Did the volunteers pay for the medals with an entry fee? Do they suddenly charge to be a volunteer at Disney? No. So, if you didn't pay for it, you are stealing. Not sure why you can't see that? If stealing was okay, people wouldn't be arrested for it. Very surprised to hear such a comment from a runner frankly...it is quite disturbing that anyone would think that stealing is okay as long as you got your medal.

 

[scoolover]

Did the volunteers pay for the medals with an entry fee? Do they suddenly charge to be a volunteer at Disney? No. So, if you didn't pay for it, you are stealing. Not sure why you can't see that? If stealing was okay, people wouldn't be arrested for it. Very surprised to hear such a comment from a runner frankly...it is quite disturbing that anyone would think that stealing is okay as long as you got your medal.

Not as long as I got my medal. As long as "everyone" gets their medal. After that who cares. My point is - what business is it of yours who does what? If Disney has an issue I am sure they can handle it.

BTW - what does being a runner have to do with anything?

 

[VernRDH]

Not as long as I got my medal. As long as "everyone" gets their medal. After that who cares. My point is - what business is it of yours who does what? If Disney has an issue I am sure they can handle it.

BTW - what does being a runner have to do with anything?

I think the fact that many of us train very hard to run these races and EARN them is what the PP is referring to. I would hope that most runners would not take a medal they didn't earn, just like some of us don't wear a shirt from a race we didn't run either. Karma and all

Apparently, Disney HAS an issue, as Coach has told us, since their legal Mouse folk will be dealing with this.

And if a volunteer is stealing medals, what makes you think they won't pilfer through the bags at bag check and help themselves to whatever folks might have there? (Yes we know not to check electronics or money, but you know, ya can't carry everything you own while you are running). Perhaps Disney will make an example of this and will help to maintain the reputation of the volunteers who are AWESOME and would not think of stealing.

Just my opinion.....

 

[cewait]

I don't get why anyone cares. As long as everyone who finishes gets one then I could care less what happens to the rest. If after the last runner passes a water stop volunteer wants to pocket a couple waters who cares. Same with the medals.

Scott I am really going to differ with you on this....

I guess I am a little old school. To see where I come from, I grew up in a part of the country where a hand shake was a man's word. Went to a university where the emphasis of living to a code was a part of daily life - simply stated, "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do." I live life doing my best to follow ten simple commandments......... one of which is thou shall not steal.

So in my book it is really simple. I cannot simply rationalize theft, no matter how minor, It's not much different than being in the local hardware store and seeing a customer pocket a set of drill bits. The owner of the store did not see it, but the 'right' thing to do is to point the theft out to the owner. The comparison here is that I did a little homework and handed enough evidence to Disney to work the issue. As I have said, what they do with the information is up to them.

I take this one, albeit a little minor to some, a lot more personally than the set of drill bits. Having had a medal hung around my neck a few dozen times I understand that there is a communion between the volunteer and the runner. Just that brief moment passing in time where they and you share that special moment. From a very personal and somewhat spoiled way, I honestly do not want that scumbag hanging a medal around my neck.

 

[HockeyKat]

This is awesome. You guys rock!

I am so with you on selling stolen goods on ebay, which is what this is.

For the poster who doesn't care, fine. I don't think anyone asked you to care. I am sure, however, that any company would like to know if someone in their employ (volunteer or otherwise) is selling something obviously stolen from said employer and I applaud the effort to let the company know about it.

Also, like was said above, if someone is willing to steal/sell medals, what else are they stealing and selling?

I would hope that most runners would not take a medal they didn't earn, just like some of us don't wear a shirt from a race we didn't run either.

I would never take a medal I didn't earn, but I guess I will/do wear a shirt from a race I didn't run.

My Galloway training group occasionally gets cast off tech shirts from runDisney events, and I can't pass up a free tech shirt (those things can be $$!!). I would be unlikely to wear it anywhere but treadmill/training/under hockey gear, though, and would be quick to say I didn't run the race if asked.


On the medal topic, though, I have heard that Disney was not very good at keeping people in the Donald/Mickey from getting a medal even if they didn't race.

I also don't think the Princess medal-givers were paying much attn to whom they were giving the medals. The medic tent was before the medal-giving and we went back to assist a friend and could easily have picked up an extra medal.

 

[verticalchaos]

I agree that they weren't keeping an eye on things closely during Marathon Weekend. My medal wasn't even hung around my neck - the person just kind of half-heartedly held it out and barely looked at me. I had more interaction with the person who gave me the mylar blanket. Kind of a bummer, but I got over it.

 

[fashionista311]

what i don't understand why does anyone want a medal they didn't earn??

i mean yes i love my medals and i love displaying them...but the reason why i do is because they represent all the hard work and dedication to the sport and bring back fond memories of the trips that often accompany the race. if you didn't run the race...a medal is just a piece of metal tied around fabric. big deal.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I agree that they weren't keeping an eye on things closely during Marathon Weekend. My medal wasn't even hung around my neck - the person just kind of half-heartedly held it out and barely looked at me. I had more interaction with the person who gave me the mylar blanket. Kind of a bummer, but I got over it.

That is a bummer. I have always had the volunteers place them around my neck...and I didn't even ask for that to be the case. It does seem like Disney doesn't keep an eye on their medals (which still doesn't give someone the right to steal them) but I have never been to any non-Disney races as a runner to know what the setup is at say Boston or the New York City Marathon.

 

[Pumbaa80]

I had more interaction with the person who gave me the mylar blanket. Kind of a bummer, but I got over it.

I had the same experience with the 5K and the half. But, at the kids races, I know for sure they put the Mickey Mile on DD (I don't remember about the 100)...she was smiling like she was the winner! lol

 

[verticalchaos]

That is a bummer. I have always had the volunteers place them around my neck...and I didn't even ask for that to be the case. It does seem like Disney doesn't keep an eye on their medals (which still doesn't give someone the right to steal them) but I have never been to any non-Disney races as a runner to know what the setup is at say Boston or the New York City Marathon.

I haven't seen it at the NYC Marathon, but I can report in on the NYC Half set-up after Sunday.

I know for a fact that when we pick up our bibs, we're all getting "banded" with writs bands (sort of like what they'll put on you on a cruise ship if you purchase an unlimited drinks thing) that we have to keep on through the race. We have to show them AND our bibs to get into the corrals. If anyone is seen on the course without wrist band AND bib, they will be pulled from the course. AND in order to get your finisher's medal, you have to show your bib AND wrist band. I think part of it is there was so much of an outcry because of their lottery process with people saying stuff like "I'll run it anyway...it's in Central Park and the streets...not on private property" that they decided to do this to ensure that only registered runners are on course and getting medals. We'll see what it's like.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I haven't seen it at the NYC Marathon, but I can report in on the NYC Half set-up after Sunday.

I know for a fact that when we pick up our bibs, we're all getting "banded" with writs bands (sort of like what they'll put on you on a cruise ship if you purchase an unlimited drinks thing) that we have to keep on through the race. We have to show them AND our bibs to get into the corrals. If anyone is seen on the course without wrist band AND bib, they will be pulled from the course. AND in order to get your finisher's medal, you have to show your bib AND wrist band. I think part of it is there was so much of an outcry because of their lottery process with people saying stuff like "I'll run it anyway...it's in Central Park and the streets...not on private property" that they decided to do this to ensure that only registered runners are on course and getting medals. We'll see what it's like.

So, do they have the medals on huge racks like at Disney? Is it possible that people could walk off with those medals too? The only time I have had a wrist band is for the Coast to Coast challenge and I would imagine the Goofy runners get the same thing. They were very careful with the Coast to Coast medals but not with the regular half marathon medals. I guess there weren't as many. I am angry that anyone would steal medals that they didn't earn, but I would be even more angry if someone stole the Coast to Coast ones!

 

[verticalchaos]

So, do they have the medals on huge racks like at Disney? Is it possible that people could walk off with those medals too? The only time I have had a wrist band is for the Coast to Coast challenge and I would imagine the Goofy runners get the same thing. They were very careful with the Coast to Coast medals but not with the regular half marathon medals. I guess there weren't as many. I am angry that anyone would steal medals that they didn't earn, but I would be even more angry if someone stole the Coast to Coast ones!

I don't know. The race isn't until Sunday. I'll report back.

 

[cewait]

So, do they have the medals on huge racks like at Disney? Is it possible that people could walk off with those medals too? The only time I have had a wrist band is for the Coast to Coast challenge and I would imagine the Goofy runners get the same thing. They were very careful with the Coast to Coast medals but not with the regular half marathon medals. I guess there weren't as many. I am angry that anyone would steal medals that they didn't earn, but I would be even more angry if someone stole the Coast to Coast ones!

I don't know. The race isn't until Sunday. I'll report back.

The coast-to-coast band is to help the finish line folks know who you are. In past Goofies but not including the 2011, there was a wrist band system. In 2011 they changed over to electronic. In the perfectly line there was a printout of half finishers that I was checked off of. I assume the same was in the regular(?) Goofy line. I liked the electronic method but can see how that would be a hassle on a wet and windy day.

For the record, many large venue triathlons use a wrist band for weekend identification. It is an easy identifier used really so that we can rack bikes and gear early and more importantly, so they have a check to assure themselves the only I am able to pull my gear out of transition