Who should I call? ideas?

[Cinder-Belle]

Hi-

OK, so we are Disney junkies! I enter every Disney sweepstakes, but the other day I had a horrible realization! I think we are not eligible for any Disney sweeps!!! My husband works freelance for ESPN, but is paid by Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. There is a Mickey on the checks! That makes it double the fun for me!!!

I never considered that we were not qualified. We are not traditional Disney employees. He does have taxes taken out, he does have an employee ID number that is not his SSN. He even has contributions to a Flex Benefit Plan that we are forced to be in. He does not have a boss per say to contact. He has "crewers" that hire him, but that is all sort of confusing and hard to explain. 2010 was the first year that he really got a great deal of work with ESPN and he already has a good deal for 2011. So, this kind of creeped up on me...

So, my question is this....

Is there a general number to call, beyond 407-W....? I called and encountered the RUDEST cast member EVER. I asked simple questions and really just asked for a general information number to ask what our status is... She was MEAN!!!! I am sure that the whole thing was confusing, but she did not have to bite my head off! We spend thousands at Dis each year. I just want to know, if we are truly unable to enter sweeps, be on certain survey boards, etc. I do not want to win and then find out that I lied. I do not want to be in trouble with Mickey.

In addition, do we qualify for any benefits or even a minimal discount? If not, that is cool, but it NEVER hurts to ask.... We are going to Dis either way, but we could spend more $$$ if we had a free day each year or a discount on a room. It would be a win-win. Again, I am OK if we can't get any discounts. I just know that my co-worker worked like 20 hours a year to keep her status and discounts at the World.

I just need to know so I don't commit fraud! Anyone know the answer or just a general number to call?

I do have one number from his year-end tax stuff that I will try, but this will be the payroll dept. and I am worried that I will get yelled at again.... I think I need a supervisor type person... Maybe??? HR??? I do not know???

Thanks!!!

 

[Lintasare]

Sounds like you are out of luck with the sweepstakes since ESPN is an affiliate of Disney and employees of affiliates are not eligible.

As for who to call...I would suggest Casting but I don't have their number. Hopefully someone will pop up with that number or PM it to you.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Who does your husband submit timecards or invoices to in order to get paid? Ask them for the run-down of any discounts.

But, you are no longer eligible for contests, etc.

 

[RadioNate]

You need to talk to someone in payroll or HR. If they are taking out taxes who did he turn his I9 into?

An hourly CM at WDW reservations wont know his status & they won't have access to find out.

 

[Swan4Me]

The odds of winning any Disney contest are likee 1 million to one-so just dont think about it. he works for an affiliate-so no discounts either. No one is going to tell you different.

 

[GinnyEmma]

my husband works for a company that has nothing to do with disney or even abc, but they are randomly owned by them. No luck. You can't enter.

 

[tlbwriter]

If he has an employee number and has to participate in a benefit plan, it sounds like he's an employee, not a contractor, so he would be ineligible.

 

[Acklander]

Don't worry about it - IF your name is drawn (highly unlikely) when they contact you just let them know that your husband works for ESPN. They'll just go on to the next name (or let you know if he qualifies or not)

 

[FireDancer]

I would think your eligibility would depend on the sweepstakes. Company A may offer a sweepstakes with less stringent rules then company B making you eligible for one and not the other. I would look at the official rules of any sweepstakes you enter and see if they specify that employees and immediate family of employees including affiliates are excluded.

If it still isn't clear most will have a phone number or email to send in an inquiry. I'd say still enter and if you do win you can work it out then. It's better to enter, win, and then be found ineligible than to not enter and have it turn out you could have won that particular sweepstakes.

Just my .02