The refillable mug debate continues

[mdhkitten]

I would never buy a used mug off ebay (refillable or not!) but know that the problem will not go away until Disney starts cracking down on the "repeat offenders". Due to the fact that the CM's look the other way, it's obviously not an issue they want to address at this time. Perhaps in the future they will issue a removable sticker that goes on the mug which indicates the dates of the stay...when your trip is over, you just peel off the sticker and throw it away. It would be nice if on future visits you could still bring your same mug and get some type of discount on purchasing a new sticker.

I agree about the sticker idea.........I know that they do this at the water parks currently, so maybe they're trying it out there first before moving it to the hotels. You think?

 

[INgal]

jahow7
I can't understand why some people on these boards get so upset over the refillable mugs question. If someone wants to buy a mug off Ebay and then use it at Disney, who cares.

I can't speak for everyone, but I get frustrated when I see people behaving as if rules do not apply to them...regardless of their reasoning. It's that simple.

Do you really think Disney will go bankrupt from these kind of transactions?

Absolutely not. But, that isn't the point. It is a matter of principle.

Using the same logic I wonder if these same people who are holier than thou take the dining plan to save some dollars or do they insist on paying full price. Would they refuse to take an upgrade at a Disney hotel if offered, or insist that that they want to pay for the upgrade? I don't think so. Have they ever bought park admission tickets at a discount, or do they always pay full price because they want Disney to maximize revenue.

Apples and oranges. How does taking something that you have no rights to compare to acccepting something that is offered by the rightful owner? It doesn't.

If people would stop worrying about what is right for Disney and worry more about what is better for themselves we would all be better off.

To be honest, I am not the least bit concerned about "what is best for Disney". I'm so sorry that you don't see that what many of us who share my views are really concerned with is a matter of morals. Not Disney's [albeit overstuffed] pocketbook.

 

[deany]

I have never responded to the refillable mug debate but now I have a question for everyone. We purchased 5 refillable mugs at Dixie Landings (now POR) in 1998. At that time we were told that they we can use them for free refills for that trip AND ANY FUTURE TRIP. I stored them in my cupboard for 4 years and we took them back in 1998 and they put stickers on them for that trip. I cannot remember if we paid anything more or not. Because they sold them to us to use for any future trips, I think they should honour that. I am not trying to rip anyone off at all. Three of us are returning to POR in Sept and we would like to take three of our mugs (same family members as before). Do you think this is wrong? Now, buying three more mugs will not break my budget too much but it would be nice to use that money elsewhere.
As far as the mugs go, I am into recycling and we do not need more mugs going into our landfills. Please give me your thoughts on this.

 

[INgal]

We purchased 5 refillable mugs at Dixie Landings (now POR) in 1998. At that time we were told that they we can use them for free refills for that trip AND ANY FUTURE TRIP. I stored them in my cupboard for 4 years and we took them back in 1998 and they put stickers on them for that trip. I cannot remember if we paid anything more or not. Because they sold them to us to use for any future trips, I think they should honour that. I am not trying to rip anyone off at all. Three of us are returning to POR in Sept and we would like to take three of our mugs (same family members as before). Do you think this is wrong?

I don't see anything wrong with that...ONLY because of the terms under which you originally purchased the mugs. If at the time of purchase you were promised "lifetime refills", then the seller should honor that. The major problem I can see with that is how is Disney supposed to know whose mugs were purchased during the "lifetime refill guarantee" period. They can't. And unfortunately, I can't imagine everyone being totally honest about the origins of their mug(s). I suspect that has something to do with why they sort of look the other way when old mugs are being refilled.

 

[lustergirl]

Uuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[toocooltobeMom]

The WDW great dilemma!! I too questioned myself many times whether I should bring my mugs back or not. As you see belowed, we are die-hard All-Star people. I have all original resort mugs from all 3 ASR's dated way back when the mugs were good for life as long as that you stay at the resorts(AS). I have noticed that the colors and designs have changed over the years. Maybe it is how Disney could tell which is which. I have acquired 14 mugs from 1994 to 2000 (all ASR's) I don't think I need anymore mug(please!!!!)
I really think now is the time for Disney to clarify the mug topic once and for all.

 

[kimntrent]

I am going to ad to this. We purchased Port Orleans Riverside mugs 2 years ago. At that time I too was told that i could bring my mugs back trip after trip to use again and again. As long as I was staying at that resort. And while we were there we noticed quite a few people who had the original Dixie Landings mugs that were being used. No stickers nothing. I don't have a problem with it and I am going in a month and plan to use my mugs again.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was just browsing this thread & thinking how disgusting it was to buy someone's used mug.....then I realized that I'm using used mugs/glasses everytime I go to a nice restaurant. And this just reminds me that you can find anything on ebay!!!

Um, well, but you know THOSE glasses have been washed and sterilized in accordance with Board of Health regulations (or at least they should have been )
We can hope and assume that the mugs sold over ebay have been similarly cleaned. OTOH, I don't have a dishwasher - well, except me - so I wouldn't purchase an item like this to use.

I can't understand why some people on these boards get so upset over the refillable mugs question. If someone wants to buy a mug off Ebay and then use it at Disney, who cares. Do you really think Disney will go bankrupt from these kind of transactions?

No, but I do think they'll raise prices to compensate, or possibly even eliminate (in this case) the entire refillable mug program, or start charging for each refill...

Why in the world would anyone buy a used mug for the same amount of $$ or more when you can purchase your own brand new on for the same amount or less yourself? I don't get it? I mean, I understand the people trying to sell them, but why would anyone buy them on Ebay? And used? Ewww.

A couple/few years ago, there was somebody boasting on the AOL Disney message boards that they found four refillable mugs in the trash at their resort, took them out, washed (not sterilized!) them in the bathroom sink and used them on that trip. Speaking of ewwwwwwwwww...

I don't see anything wrong with that...ONLY because of the terms under which you originally purchased the mugs. If at the time of purchase you were promised "lifetime refills", then the seller should honor that. The major problem I can see with that is how is Disney supposed to know whose mugs were purchased during the "lifetime refill guarantee" period.

Hmm... well, in this specific instance they probably CAN tell - because there's no more Dixie Landings

 

[jcanary]

Also beware that Disney is starting to change the mugs. We got some mugs at OKW in May and they were not just for that stay, the ones from PoP state that they are for that one stay only. Went back this month and they got new mugs already so we couldn't use the old ones.

 

[vertigo235]

Don't worry, Disney isn't losing any money on mugs. There may be some lost revenue, but they certainly aren't loosing money. We got the mugs when we went in February, and honestly I don't really think they were all that much of a great deal. I probably didn't use it enough to make it worth while, and I might not even get a mug when I go back in September.

That said, if they want to keep people from re-using mugs, they should change the mug each month or something.

Disney wouldn't do it if it were not financially beneficial to them, trust me.

 

[randmel]

Isn't disney losing twice as much $$ this way?

Debate aside, I personally think it's funny that you're concerned about Disney losing $12 here and there when we all spend money hand over fist on Disney stuff in our lives:

movie tickets
Happy Meals to get the Disney toys
DVDs
character stuff for our kids
the $3000 offering to the Disney gods for allowing us to tread upon their holy place (in addition to the fuel gods for allowing us to draw upon their holy liquid to make the pilgrimage)

All of this is tongue in cheek of course! But seriously, I doubt it even makes a dent.

I personally wouldn't resell a mug, and I wouldn't buy one from someone else, especially when I'm clearly not getting a good deal on it. If Disney finds it to be a true problem, they'll find a way to make the mug only refillable for the duration of your stay or for a given number of months out of a particular year. They could change the design once a year or something.

Just my opinion.

randmel

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Thats very true. Its sort of like people who park in the CR parking lot, eat at Chef Mickey's, then go to the MK all day. Its a free country in that scenario too. I think unfortunately people will always find creative ways to make a buck and then justify it later on.

I also agree that some people may just want them as part of a collection.

Thank you for making my afternoon!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If Disney finds it to be a true problem, they'll find a way to make the mug only refillable for the duration of your stay or for a given number of months out of a particular year. They could change the design once a year or something.

Just my opinion.

randmel

The thing is because some people have purchased their mugs when they were using the good for life & future visits to the Resort you purchased them at, so people will continue to use them & because of that promotion. The Contemporary mugs my family & I have were purchased under that promotion when we got them in January of 2000, so we continue to use them to this day. Also the mugs we have our completely silver & the ones they sell today are white with a red or purple hand & lid, but they use the same design. So even if they change the design, people with mugs that were purchased with this promotion can still use them tody, even if the design changes.

 

[Dorisk3]

The only thing that usually baffles me regarding the mugs on ebay is what they usually sell for. Once in a while you see someone get a good deal but when you factor in shipping- many times people really are only saving a couple of dollars.