Using DDP knowing you won't get value?

[MamaMeggie]

Wow. I haven't read this thread for several days and things certainly took a turn for the worse. I was coming to post that I was irritated with my husband for insisting that we buy the regular dining plan (because he didn't want to think about how much anything is plus it's already paid for). I sat down over the weekend and added up our meals and what I thought we would order at each restaurant plus the snacks we'd like to try at the parks and from the Arts booths. We have 2 Disney children and are having 2 character meals. I was going to post that we are coming out ahead, however I now fear doing that since I'm unwilling to type out my notepad of numbers.

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow. I haven't read this thread for several days and things certainly took a turn for the worse. I was coming to post that I was irritated with my husband for insisting that we buy the regular dining plan (because he didn't want to think about how much anything is plus it's already paid for). I sat down over the weekend and added up our meals and what I thought we would order at each restaurant plus the snacks we'd like to try at the parks and from the Arts booths. We have 2 Disney children and are having 2 character meals. I was going to post that we are coming out ahead, however I now fear doing that since I'm unwilling to type out my notepad of numbers.

I believe you! I have dug my heals in too.

 

[robinb]

Wow. I haven't read this thread for several days and things certainly took a turn for the worse. I was coming to post that I was irritated with my husband for insisting that we buy the regular dining plan (because he didn't want to think about how much anything is plus it's already paid for). I sat down over the weekend and added up our meals and what I thought we would order at each restaurant plus the snacks we'd like to try at the parks and from the Arts booths. We have 2 Disney children and are having 2 character meals. I was going to post that we are coming out ahead, however I now fear doing that since I'm unwilling to type out my notepad of numbers.

You don't need to type out your numbers. Two adults & "Disney Kids" is the DDP "sweet spot", especially when you purchase character meals.

 

[chris benton]

It boggles my mind that people will willingly spend more money on something than they need to. Would you go into a grocery store and fork over two hundred dollars if the bill was $150? Would you pay $300 for a $39.85 pair of pant? Why pay more for food than you need to?

Quandrea,
I see this time and time again. It's amazing. I'm not referring to the DDP, either. I'm just talking straight retail. You put two Hershey bars on the shelf next to each other. Same exact Hershey bars. Price one at 75c, and the other at 89c. The results will AMAZE you. Now, just change the shelf prices to 75c, and 1.89. The results will ASTOUND you. I try to use this phenomenon to my advantage when I can. It's truly amazing. Must be the "new math" the kids are talking about these days.

Again, I'm not talking about the dining plans, just replying to Quandrea's post.

 

[Ratzo]

Gave you numbers, but they were "off"

You refused to give details, only conclusions.

Called what they perceived as benefit a psychological trick

It is.

Apparently people who claim to save don't know what they are doing and cannot add.

Correction: cited a specific example where there was a lack of understanding. You interpreted that in your head as a general statement.

People don't understand that they are overpaying, when they have shown they aren't

and perceiving benefit beyond the monetary is a psychological problem.

Both statements are true. Of course, they're free to prove me wrong and post the details they refused to do on multiple occasions.

People who save are
Lying

deluding themselves

or
engaging in logical fallacy

No, just you.

All of these are instances where you discount people's math or justification for their reasons with disparaging remarks.

These are all either willful misinterpretations or outright hallucinations on your part.

 

[Ratzo]

You are putting wods in my mouth to defend your position. I never recommended it to others. I gave an example of how it could be beneficial without making a blanket statement that any DDP is good value or bad value, OR insulting others intelligence for using it.

I'm putting words in your mouth? I don't want to do that. Do you not agree with what I said? You got the plan to be beneficial by using it in an unintended, but not "illegal," way. It's not a criticism. In fact, I called you brilliant. Are you that mired in cognitive dissonance that you cannot recognize a compliment when you read one?

 

[maxiesmom]

Quandrea,
I see this time and time again. It's amazing. I'm not referring to the DDP, either. I'm just talking straight retail. You put two Hershey bars on the shelf next to each other. Same exact Hershey bars. Price one at 75c, and the other at 89c. The results will AMAZE you. Now, just change the shelf prices to 75c, and 1.89. The results will ASTOUND you. I try to use this phenomenon to my advantage when I can. It's truly amazing. Must be the "new math" the kids are talking about these days.

Again, I'm not talking about the dining plans, just replying to Quandrea's post.

Comparison--I'm in a hurry and the more expensive candy bar is at the front of a superstore like Walmart/Meijer and the other one is way in the back. I'd pay for the more expensive for the convenience of it.

You can't go simply dollar for dollar. People place value on things other than cost. If that wasn't true every resort would be a value resort.

 

[MrInfinity]

All of these are instances where you discount people's math or justification for their reasons with disparaging remarks.

TY. I thought about going thru this thread to do this but it was a lot of work.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

You refused to give details, only conclusions.



It is.



Correction: cited a specific example where there was a lack of understanding. You interpreted that in your head as a general statement.



Both statements are true. Of course, they're free to prove me wrong and post the details they refused to do on multiple occasions.



No, just you.



These are all wither willful misinterpretations or outright hallucinations on your part.

As I said, you refuse to see anyone else's point of view, and immediately discount it as invalid. I am not the only one here interpreting what you are saying as hostile, yet you refuse to acknowledge anyone could possibly perceive it as such, right down to accusing me of hallucinating.

Methinks he doth protest too much. There is simply no reasoning with the unreasonable. I am done trying. You are welcome to continue making the same arguments over and over.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

TY. I thought about going thru this thread to do this but it was a lot of work.

Continually doing what amounts to calling people stupid irritates me enough to do the work.

 

[maxiesmom]

Continually doing what amounts to calling people stupid irritates me enough to do the work.

I do the work before every trip, but I'm not inclined to go find it (I save everything) and publish it.

I don't think any of us are stupid to the point we can't do simple math, yet that is what is being implied.

 

[Beer Me]

I agree with Ratzo for the most part. I don't get the "peace of mind" aspect. Spending less to eat whatever I want works for me.

That being said - we know that some people save money. Maybe not most but definitely some. So if someone says they saved money I'm not going to ask for the math. We know it's possible. So what's the point?

On the other hand, if they say they don't care about the money they are admitting it is irrational. Unapologetically irrational. How can you argue with that? The arguments just go in circles.

I guess what I'm saying is Ratzo is beating a dead horse. People that buy DDP seem to fall into two groups. Those that save money and those who don't care if they save money. There's really nothing more to talk about!

 

[eeyoresmom]

I'm putting words in your mouth? I don't want to do that. Do you not agree with what I said? You got the plan to be beneficial by using it in an unintended, but not "illegal," way. It's not a criticism. In fact, I called you brilliant. Are you that mired in cognitive dissonance that you cannot recognize a compliment when you read one?

Yes, " you need to be clear if you're going to recommend the plan to others" Blanket statement. I have clearly stated from my first post that I don't usually use any ddp but there are ways that a ddp can save you money and went on to explain how I was doing that. I never recommended the plan outside of my unique situation .

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Comparison--I'm in a hurry and the more expensive candy bar is at the front of a superstore like Walmart/Meijer and the other one is way in the back. I'd pay for the more expensive for the convenience of it.

You can't go simply dollar for dollar. People place value on things other than cost.

I agree with that but I also think it takes understanding that.

Most of the issues I seem to see with the Dining Plan debates is the broad statements people make on both sides.

People with experience on both sides get it in their own ways in their own opinions but if someone is newer to the Dining Plan things like "Ohhh I so beat the Dining Plan/I came out ahead on the Dining Plan" or "I would be wasting $ on the Dining Plan" ETA: don't necessarily help (didn't finish the sentence lol).

Now I'm not suggesting you need to go on a lengthy discussion but it helps someone on the fence understand. And if the question is "Would you use the Dining Plan knowing you wouldn't come ahead" (which is basically what the OP was talking about) then explaining:

~well it's because of our personal eating habits
~it's because we like to worry less about the actual price per food item while we're on vacation
~it's because we don't care about the price per food item
~it's because with our family we would want to go to those types of places anyways
~it's because we don't care about maximizing the plan we just get what we want
~it's because we like the convenience of it (and what convenience are you getting from it)
~or any other thing other than "We save $" or "No we don't save $". If you say "We save $" you're going to see many people be like..."uh how??" and if you say "No we don't save $" you're going to see many people be like....well we did how come you didn't" or something like that.

*Just a general comment not aimed at you or any poster in particular*

 

[Farro]

So my not worrying if I'm saving money (or at least "doing the math" to figure it out) is a form of irrational thinking that is making people irrationally upset. Got it!

And in regards to the above post, I've explained MANY times in this thread why I'm okay with the dining plan even if we may not come out ahead. The problem is my explanation isn't good enough for some of you, I'm irrational and being fooled psychologically. But that's not my problem, it's yours.

In the end, all that matters is a great trip. Which we get. It's not the way some of you would do it. I would never stay off-site, bring food, etc. and that's okay, I'm not going to tell you that you are wrong for doing it that way, because I don't know you and don't care about you.

I do like a good discussion, but unfortunately this really just feels more like being put on the defensive to people I don't know!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

And in regards to the above post, I've explained MANY times in this thread why I'm okay with the dining plan even if we may not come out ahead. The problem is my explanation isn't good enough for some of you. But that's not my problem, it's yours.

Ok for reals I actually wasn't meaning you at all. I said it wasn't aimed at any poster just a general statement. I was on your side and other's side and other's side because if you read my first post you would already know it's all good as long as you know your reasons for getting it such as knowing the main reason for getting it is convenience for you (general you not actually you I was quoting the OP) and then you don't have to worry about the cost comparison so much so please don't go all "it's your problem not mine" on me because I wasn't actually making a snide remark against you.

 

[Farro]

Huh? I was answering your post where you suggested that people explain their reasoning why they are choosing dining plan knowing they won't come out ahead. I'm saying I did post it, no one was satisfied with the answer. Obviously I wouldn't be talking about the posters that agreed with me....I supposed after I typed "the problem is yours" I could have added not to anyone in particular. It wasn't aimed you though.

I don't insult anyone intentionally, you can be sure of that. I also don't like to get into actual arguments on a message board with people I don't know. This thread isn't so entertaining at this point.


If I come back, someone yell at me!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I agree with Ratzo for the most part. I don't get the "peace of mind" aspect. Spending less to eat whatever I want works for me.

That being said - we know that some people save money. Maybe not most but definitely some. So if someone says they saved money I'm not going to ask for the math. We know it's possible. So what's the point?

On the other hand, if they say they don't care about the money they are admitting it is irrational. Unapologetically irrational. How can you argue with that? The arguments just go in circles.

I guess what I'm saying is Ratzo is beating a dead horse. People that buy DDP seem to fall into two groups. Those that save money and those who don't care if they save money. There's really nothing more to talk about!

I don't see it as irrational. I see it as placing a higher value on the very real piece of mind I gain than the few dollars I might overspend. That judgment call is different for everyone and there is no right or wrong answer.

For example: It is like trying to argue that it's irrational to spend $100 more on a plane ticket in exchange for 2 more days with family at Christmas. I would take the 2 extra days in a heartbeat, some people would say that was foolish. At this place in my life, right now, those 2 days are worth more to me than the $100. As a starving college student my priorities would have been different. Someone else looking at the same situation wouldn't even consider paying the extra $100 because it isn't the best option financially. Same for the DDP. everyone has a different perspective on where they find value. For me, the piece of mind is worth it.

Yes you are right, the argument goes in circles because it is inherently subjective. One's person's valuable piece of mind is another person's logical fallacy.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Huh? I was answering your post where you suggested that people explain their reasoning why they are choosing dining plan knowing they won't come out ahead. I'm saying I did post it, no one was satisfied with the answer. Obviously I wouldn't be talking about the posters that agreed with me....

I don't insult anyone intentionally, you can be sure of that.

I was saying that as a general comment that it is helpful to someone on the fence. You however took it to mean that I was aiming it at your comments and those like it to which you responded:

"I've explained MANY times in this thread why I'm okay with the dining plan even if we may not come out ahead. The problem is my explanation isn't good enough for some of you, I'm irrational and being fooled psychologically. But that's not my problem, it's yours."

I'm not Ratzo, I don't have the same opinion as him but it sure sounded like you wanted to aim your comment at him but you were quoting mine. I wasn't stating that your explanation wasn't good enough, you took it that way. I wasn't even speaking about you or anyone else just providing my opinion why the broad statements don't tend to help.

 

[Farro]

I was saying that as a general comment that it is helpful to someone on the fence. You however took it to mean that I was aiming it at your comments and those like it to which you responded:

"I've explained MANY times in this thread why I'm okay with the dining plan even if we may not come out ahead. The problem is my explanation isn't good enough for some of you, I'm irrational and being fooled psychologically. But that's not my problem, it's yours."

I'm not Ratzo, I don't have the same opinion as him but it sure sounded like you wanted to aim your comment at him but you were quoting mine. I wasn't stating that your explanation wasn't good enough, you took it that way. I wasn't even speaking about you or anyone else just providing my opinion why the broad statements don't tend to help.

So I must have added more to my post after you typed this reply.

Anyways, such is life!