Why Castmembers Hate DVC Members!

[KNWVIKING]

FIRST let me say I've only read the OP. SECOND: I agree. Many DVC members are jerks. I've seen it myself too many times. THIRD: It's not terribly hard to notice how CM's feel about us because of a few bad apples.

I'm the service manager at a GMC dealership. I deal with jerks all day. They feel that because they purchased a new truck my sole responisibilty in life is to kiss their butt. Guess what... we keep a "list" too. In the long run, the jerk will lose because someday he's going to NEED me and that's when FITAD takes place ( FITAD will be explained via PM ).

Lastly, after all I said above, in reality most of my customers are great people but that 5% or so that are jerks ruin the entire business.

Now I'll go back and read the rest of the thread. TTFN

 

[manning]

I haven't read all the posts. DVC could help by ejecting members who blantantly break the rules and make it known it was done ( I don't mean revealing names, just that it was done). If people discover they can lose points and be asked to leave at the same time maybe some behavoral changes may take place..........maybe.

 

[bongo59]

i am for it..............

 

[Chuck S]

I haven't read all the posts. DVC could help by ejecting members who blantantly break the rules and make it known it was done ( I don't mean revealing names, just that it was done). If people discover they can lose points and be asked to leave at the same time maybe some behavoral changes may take place..........maybe.

The only problem I have with this, is that it is also very subjective. Who decides, legally, what justifies bad enough behavior for the loss of a ressie or points. I mean, seriously, I wouldn't have wanted the OP to have been granted that type of authority.

And it would certainly be a problem if the situation wasn't handled then. Imagine the repercussions if someone got a letter two weeks after they got home "because of your verbal abuse of a CM, it has been decided that you will be assessed a 50 point penalty. Jeez, Disney doesn't even enforce WRITTEN occupancy limits.

 

[Deesknee]

Even though we just purchased this past summer and haven't stayed using our points yet, I feel I must defend myself & family.

We have stayed at rack rates at OKW 3x. Noone in my family has ever verbally abused any cm. Even when we were locked out of our 2bdrm villa, as we stood there about 9pm, with dinner in hand and 3 preteen kids. Even when it took apprx 20 min, after getting someone to help us , for him to get someone to help him! It's okay. These things happen. Tired, yes. Annoyed, yes. Cranky, yes. Abusive NO. We all realized it was not these people who locked us out of our room. My DH even had the CM laughing. The total wait time to get into our room was something like 45min. The key lock had broken.
These things happen.

I am well aware of "compensation" situations. Our first trip to WDW with the kids we had a few bad experiences. I was accused of stealing. Long story but in short the room delivery had transposed #s and delivered my paid for item to someone elses room. I never treated any cm rudely, not even the one who insinuated that I had stolen the item in question. Again, I am aware some people intentionally "scam". Problem remedied. As there were a few other situations, when I arrived home I wrote a letter to the hotel in question explaining everything. Not accusing, but explaining. I was "compensated". I did not ask to be nor did I expect to be. I simply wanted the hotel to be aware of these situations.

My mother taught me years ago 2 things, one treat others as you would like them to treat you (I prefer treat others as you would like them to treat your children), and 2 you get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.LOL

 

[bongo59]

The only problem I have with this, is that it is also very subjective. Who decides, legally, what justifies bad enough behavior for the loss of a ressie or points. I mean, seriously, I wouldn't have wanted the OP to have been granted that type of authority.

And it would certainly be a problem if the situation wasn't handled then. Imagine the repercussions if someone got a letter two weeks after they got home "because of your verbal abuse of a CM, it has been decided that you will be assessed a 50 point penalty. Jeez, Disney doesn't even enforce WRITTEN occupancy limits.

chuck just like the legal system a list of rules can easily be instituted by DVC at the time of purchase, and they can chose to enforce it. I would also suggest if a member is thought of so badly that they can make an unofficial list, they can easily be penalized or removed. They do it at other clubs and i see no reason it cant work here

 

[childsplay]

a response from the management. They are apparently quite aware of this issue already because they have heard the complaints form the CM's during meetings and exit interviews..

Every snowflake in an avalanche cries "Not I!!"
Apparently there is a very real problem here. Sweeping generalizations aside, let's not shoot the messenger.

 

[Chuck S]

chuck just like the legal system a list of rules can easily be instituted by DVC at the time of purchase, and they can chose to enforce it. I would also suggest if a member is thought of so badly that they can make an unofficial list, they can easily be penalized or removed. They do it at other clubs and i see no reason it cant work here

But, again enforcement would be an issue. We all signed a "product understanding checklist". All the paperwork states occupancy limits clearly (as an example), but it is routinely (wink, wink) ignored. So, why would would I believe a policy regarding a forfeit of a monetary value (points), even if agreed to at purchase, would have better enforcement?

 

[bongo59]

chuck it is simple..........it is where the value is..........if you hit a 'DVCer in the point pocket book it wil hurt..........just look at how many of us wind up buying more points...........taking them away would make people think twice in my view..........and DVC would need to enforce it.........sounds easy to do if this list is really out there?????

 

[Ksp]

The OP must have been the Manager that I encountered at ASMusic.Maybe that is where he is at now.This guy hated the world.

Could also be a CM we encountered at BCV our last trip - but he was a brand spankin' new guy - and was incredibly rude, to boot.
It was my first experience with an overly officious, truly unpleasant CM.

You know, one of the main reasons that we do go back to WDW, and why we spent our vacation savings to purchase DVC is because the CM's are so nice. I certainly make every effort to treat Disney employees nicely and with respect, tip when it's deserved, and enjoy some of the great conversations I've had w/CM's in the past.

This post (the OP, that is...not you, luvindisneyworld) will make me think twice before I strike up a conversation with CM's ...especially at BCV/SAB.
Never very nice to think you're not welcome somewhere, and that is exactly the way the OP has made me feel.

It would be great to know if the OP is really a CM, or just trying to cause bad feelings.

 

[nyjets53]

The only thing I disagree with is that it is not the people that are getting the easy mortgage or terms that are most likely causing the most trouble but the ones that have the means and think they are entitled to everything in the world and that the cast members are only there to please their every whim...
DVC Member
PS To all cast members, I like to drink a lot soda/water at meals and when my glass gets refilled all the time I like to thank the CM with a large tip, so far I've always tipped large cause i have never had bad service yet...

 

[MiaSRN62]

Almost didn't post a reply because I felt I was too emotional after reading the OP. I've read each and every response in this thread.
First of all, we've personally never been rude or abusive to any CM at any resort (or anyone anywhere). It's just not the way we believe people should treat eachother. Yes, I do make requests when I stay at a DVC resort (and my offsite timeshare). This is usually no smoking/water view. I don't always get my request but I've never made a scene or stomped my feet about it. One year we checked into the BWV during the height of a thunderstorm. Not only did we check in late (about 4:10 pm) but we were told our room was not quite ready. Ok.....we hung in there after driving 17 hours from PA. Then, they tell us our room is ready (about 4:30 pm) but that they can't print us a card because the machine is down. We were eventually called back down to the lobby to get our keys around 6:30 pm. Sure we were annoyed and cranky but we knew it was weather-related and not much the CM's could do. Not once did we think to lash out or vent our dissatisfaction at the Front Desk. We just chalked it up as a glitzch.

I don't believe DVC Members are the only ones making special requests either. I know a person who adores the Poly and always makes requests for a particular buidling/view. Go over to the Resort board and you see people asking eachother what things they should request from the disney resorts prior to check-in. Go to the offsite resorts board and people makes requests at those hotels/timeshare too. I've personally never witnessed a DVC Member making a scene or being abusive. Now, I've only been a Member for 5 years (yep, I'm one of those lower class folk too), so maybe it exists, but I can't believe it does on a large scale ? I think anyone who works in the customer service business is going to come by rude, self-absorbed people. This is not unique to DVC by any means.

But to address the OP and his wording in the post. I was personally disgusted by it. Statements made about "class", particular states profiled (I'm from PA), the use of the word "hate", the fact that there are lists......etc. I give no respect or credibility to the OP because of the tone and wording of the thread. Thank goodness there are not many CM's such as the OP (at least not that I've run into over the last 10 years) because how do these blasting/ranting/prejudices on his part make him any better/different than those he supposedly feels are so "naughty" ? If anything, the OP has made me feel profiled and unwelcomed for sure. Thanks to the OP, I'll still continue to treat everyone we encounter with respect, but now I'll also be wondering if the CM is secretly "hating" or resenting me for being a DVC Member.
On a side note.....I'm really hoping the OP is a troll, because I hate to think this is the way some CM's really are.

 

[KLR-wlv]

I find it difficult to believe that BWV lost a diamond due to guests in the lobby - and do all the DVC members making such offensive scenes in the lobby have DVC MEMBER emblazoned on their person? Perhaps it's the slack housekeeping to blame for the lost diamond - and who cares about AAA ratings - when they rate DVC resorts the same 3 diamonds as any quality inn on I-95?

I think the OP should get out of the hospitality industry. There will always be 10% of any population that is rude and annoying - including CM's - but to group everyone together as having a common base offensive characteristic is what most people call prejudiced. When you work someplace that charges an average of $500 per night - and housekeeping is slack - I guarantee you're gonna hear about it from rack rate paying guests or DVC members.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Wow! We just bought into DVC, and had one very nice time at the BCV, and are expecting more. We weren't thrilled with our room - it had pluses and minuses - but it was certainly good enough. Big deal. The CM checking us in was a nice woman who seemed to be doing the best she could, and we thanked her and that was that. It didn't occur to us to throw a fit, but it also never occurred to me that some CMs might think that my membership would automatically make them wary of me.

For all the talk of "Welcome Home" we know this is a kind of marketing ploy. We bought into the DVC because we wanted to guarantee ourselves the right to stay in a certain kind of hotel room at a certain kind of hotel at a locked in price over a long period of time. I don't want to believe that, for whatever reason, I have to worry about some CMs treating me differently than any other hotel guests have a right to be treated because there might be some rotten apples in the DVC barrel. I don't want to have to justify the fact that I am a nice person (really!) to try to win back the respect I have no reason to have lost in the first place.

I would hate to work in an environment where I had to constantly steel myself to be yelled at, but neither do I as a hotel guest want to have to try to make up for the actions of people I've never met and probably wouldn't like any better than the CMs do. Ideally, I'd like to come to the desk with an assumption on either side of it that we are both nice, reasonable people who are simply trying to complete a reasonable transaction. If either of us violate that transaction, that's the time to become concerned. For now I will go on assuming that each CM I encounter respects me and, within reason, will help me to have a nice vacation. I hope that I can expect that s/he will make no less flattering assumptions of me.

 

[jarestel]

I imagine the biggest source of front desk complaints comes from smoking/non-smoking room assignments, handicap room assignments, and views. Has anyone ever bought a ticket to a concert or sporting event on-line? You can see exactly where your seat is and what the view is from it. Everyone books their own room and you get exactly what you asked for. ( For those without internet access, DVC could distribute a hard copy chart of room locations with a description of views for the guest to select room locations when booking via telephone ).

Now before anyone feels compelled to point out that this system would require a bit of work on Disney's part, I'll concede that there's no free lunch. However, if the room selection issue is truly such an unpleasant ordeal for both guests and CMs, it would seem well worth the effort to me. A side benefit to this method allows 11-month reservations to truly receive home-resort advantage when it comes to room locations.

Rather than continue to bemoan for the next 49 years the fact that rude people exist on both sides of the desk, it would be way more beneficial to change the system to a more workable one. Again, if you know before you even leave home where your room is going to be, you don't really have much to complain about when you arrive at the resort, yes?

 

[KNWVIKING]

While I like the concept of what you propose I also don't think it's practicle. Maybe practicle isn't the right word. I'm an 11 month planner so your system would be great for me. But what happens if I suddenly find myself able to squeeze in an unexpected trip. Your system would almost certainly doom me to a less then desireable room. Maybe I deserve that room because of my spur on the moment ressie, but at least the way it is now I have a little hope of getting something better then I deserve.

I'd also expect those same jerks who whine about their room location to still whine at check-in even after they've known for 6 months they were getting a parking lot view. It's just in their nature to do so.

The other problem I envision with your system is that even the 11 month planners would start calling for a day-by-day ressie.... afraid that someone who's staying one day less then them - checking out on Saturday rather then Sunday - would get their perfect room first.

 

[Mike]

I imagine the biggest source of front desk complaints comes from smoking/non-smoking room assignments, handicap room assignments, and views. Has anyone ever bought a ticket to a concert or sporting event on-line? You can see exactly where your seat is and what the view is from it. Everyone books their own room and you get exactly what you asked for. ( For those without internet access, DVC could distribute a hard copy chart of room locations with a description of views for the guest to select room locations when booking via telephone ).

Now before anyone feels compelled to point out that this system would require a bit of work on Disney's part, I'll concede that there's no free lunch. However, if the room selection issue is truly such an unpleasant ordeal for both guests and CMs, it would seem well worth the effort to me. A side benefit to this method allows 11-month reservations to truly receive home-resort advantage when it comes to room locations.

Rather than continue to bemoan for the next 49 years the fact that rude people exist on both sides of the desk, it would be way more beneficial to change the system to a more workable one. Again, if you know before you even leave home where your room is going to be, you don't really have much to complain about when you arrive at the resort, yes?

This wouldn't work no matter how much effort Disney put into it. At a sporting event, everyone arrives and leaves at the same time. This is oviously not true at a Resort. If everyone booked their rooms as they wanted, then it would quickly get to the point where a family looking for a 10 night stay could get 3 nights in this room, 2 nights in that room, 4 over here and then one over there. That is what the room assigner works to avoid.

Also, at a sporting event there are no cancellations. People cancel rooms right up until the last minute. There is no way that this system would allow for the efficient use of the resort. This could only work if every stay was a defined block of time - say 7 nights Sun- Sat. Then something like this could work.

Edited to add: Simarly you cannot select specific seats for sporting events. You do have a lot of control over where your seats are, but if you need 7 seats, they will not let you select seats 2-8 in a row. They will give you seats 1-7. This allows for efficient use of the seats just like theyneed to efficiently use the rooms at a resort.

 

[sgtdisney]

I am not so sure that reserving a specific view would work effectively for Disney, but I honestly think making smoking and non-smoking and handicap, non-handicap a designated room catagory would solve many of the issues. A number of hotel chains allow you to book smoking and handicap room catagories at the time of reservation. Disney should have very little difficulty in altering their systems to allow this. They have a system in place to allow for 3 view catagories, they should be able to stretch that to smoking and handicap. Views should remain, except at BWV, requests.

Requests ahould be NEVER guaranteed but always noted. Perhaps Disney should send out a letter to anyone making reservations, reconfirming the fact that views will never be guaranteed. I hate to say it, but Disney has allowed a lot of this anger at the front desk to grow because they will flex on views if someone complains loudly. We have all read it here from people not only on the DVC boards but also on the Resort board, how so and so got a great view because they pitched a fit. The resort manager should explain this to irrate guests and if they persist, cancel their reservation and ask security to escort them from the property. A room view is not a necessity. It is nice to get a good view but the inside of the room is the same and in essence you are buying accomodations, not a specific view. People get away with too much, Disney allows it, and then they post on public forums their successes in getting what they wanted. If Disney would refuse them, period, this arguing over views would die down. Sure the customer is king, but they shouldn't get away with verbally abusing people over something as unimportant as a room view when they knew all along that requests aren't guaranteed.

 

[CarolA]

I hate to say this, but I have seen members treat CMs like DIRT all too often. They wander around the parks trying to get special privledges since they are "DVC MEMBERS" and/or AP holders. I once saw a OKW member literally CUSS out a CM since they didn't get room XXX. "We requested it 11 months ago....Just throw the other people out!" (Along with words that are banned here!)

If the OP really upset you, do you see yourself there? Otherwise it shouldn't bother you, didn't me. (I have read enough posts on this board to know that some of us are the "bad" guest)

 

[eeyore0062]

Very interesting thread! It is a shame!!!