Won comp tickets in auction, not upgradable - now what?

[Seeker615]

As a fundraiser myself we do our best to disclose everything we can. We usually do just fine but sometimes in all the craziness that goes into fundraisers things can get overlooked. It seems any kind of hotel stays and park tickets have restrictions on them so we really have to check everything out. We had one instance where somebody bid on some car wash tickets and the car wash closed a month after our event! I once bid on some museum tickets and the museum was closed when we arrived and would not be open for another 6 months!

I guess what I am saying is things happen and most charities work very hard on these events and want people to bid and feel good about it and enjoy what they purchased as well. We get those one day hoppers for event and they always sell pretty well. I think if you use them for maybe a couple going on a shorter trip or buying these at the auction and purchasing others separately you could get a good deal.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Use them before or after a cruise! We are headed on the DCL this year and staying on property for a week before the cruise and after we get off, we always have a character breakfast on property before getting on the road, these tickets would be the PERFECT way to end our trip to the world. Check to see if they have an expiration date and then plan something fun to do with them!! Another option would be to pair with a Universal Studios trip and Space Center or pretty much just a Florida hopping trip. One day here, one day there...that sort of thing My final suggestion is an inexpensive beach day and then one day in the WORLD Even if you make it 2 days, one resort day and one park day.

 

[ArwenMarie]

As a fundraiser myself we do our best to disclose everything we can. We usually do just fine but sometimes in all the craziness that goes into fundraisers things can get overlooked. It seems any kind of hotel stays and park tickets have restrictions on them so we really have to check everything out. We had one instance where somebody bid on some car wash tickets and the car wash closed a month after our event! I once bid on some museum tickets and the museum was closed when we arrived and would not be open for another 6 months!

I guess what I am saying is things happen and most charities work very hard on these events and want people to bid and feel good about it and enjoy what they purchased as well. We get those one day hoppers for event and they always sell pretty well. I think if you use them for maybe a couple going on a shorter trip or buying these at the auction and purchasing others separately you could get a good deal.

I agree, it's a tough job running fundraisers (bless the people who do!) and I think it's safe to assume that they try their hardest to present the items in the most accurate way possible.

 

[720L]

I've never been to an auction where the 'fine print' on a ticket isn't photocopied and placed upon the table of items. Same as to gift certificates re expiry dates, etc. Even the online charity bidding sites i've seen are very are clear as to terms on tickets/vouchers/gift certificates.

That said, if no 'cash' value was assigned to the tix, could they at least be deducted in full as a charitable deduction? hmmm might be something for OP to check re taxes at least.

OP congrats on your winning bid! Plan a water park, resort, shopping day or even visit another park or beach in the area and have a great time.

Our "live auction" items weren't on tables, they were listed in an auction book. "4 One day park hopper tickets to DisneyWorld". I didn't work on the book so I can't remember for sure but I was thinking about bidding on them (didn't because we had Annual Passes already). I was thinking we would upgrade them so I'm pretty sure that info wasn't printed in the book.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Our church fundraiser has a book too and that's how it is done. I will have to mention this to the organizers, we have never bid on them because we knew they are not upgradeable and usually are AP holders anyway. I am 100% sure the book does not mention that people cannot upgrade these tickets and after seeing how many people don't realize that, I think it's time to update the book! LOL! Hope the people don't think I'm crazy as I really don't know any of them too well.

 

[keishashadow]

/\ interesting, have never seen the book type auction, here it's usually a silent auction combined with a luncheon or dinner.

Still, it really is up to the group to fully disclose the terms & conditions so people aren't bidding on a 'pig in a poke' chairty or not imo.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Ours is a dinner and dance as well, the book is given to you when you buy tickets in advance. I am assuming it is so you can prepare for how much you are willing to spend! LOL. The book gives each item a # and a description and then you know what item numbers you should be paying attention to. They usually do this after dinner. The items are there at the dinner, but just on a table and as for the tickets, I believe they are in a gift basket with a plush or whatever DVD just came out that year and you really can't get your hands on them.

I've been to other silent auctions where you bid right at the item and I love that as well, just sometimes wish I knew the items ahead of time so I could bring more money! LOL!!! (We don't have checks, so I have to have enough cash as many places don't take credit cards).

This thread is giving me the urge to go to a silent auction now! hahah

 

[Shanti]

Anyone want four one-day park hoppers??? LOL

I'd be glad to take them, if you're giving them away. Seriously though, I wouldn't recommend bidding on tickets assuming that you could later change those tickets because you didn't really want them as-is. You got what you paid for: four one-day park hoppers.

 

[Julylady]

Sorry this happened to you, OP! A couple of years ago, someone listed two 1-day non upgradeable tickets on our workplace Community Board. They were asking $75 each for them. I was planning a trip with extended family members including an elderly person who did not want to go to the park each day. I bought them and they worked perfectly for us. I would also think they would be attractive for a family who is planning a trip to Universal and would like to visit WDW for just one day at a discounted price. Perhaps post on Facebook that you have these tickets available? You just need to find the right buyer!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I wouldn't recommend bidding on tickets assuming that you could later change those tickets because you didn't really want them as-is. You got what you paid for: four one-day park hoppers.

Somebody who didn't know about the existence of comp tickets and the restrictions on them, or wasn't aware that any ticket you purchase at a fundraiser or charity event is probably a comp ticket, could well assume that they were ordinary one-day park hoppers, therefore upgradable. A lot of us on the boards know this because we know quite a lot about Disney, but not many out there would know that much about it.

 

[lovethattink]

Did you check about expiration date on the tickets? We have 2 comp tickets and they expire in Dec.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Hey there's a thread on the budget board someone's asking about discounts on one day tickets for a friend who plans to take her kids just one day. Check it out.... maybe you can recoup some of your $$

 

[lovethattink]

Hey there's a thread on the budget board someone's asking about discounts on one day tickets for a friend who plans to take her kids just one day. Check it out.... maybe you can recoup some of your $$

Selling is not permitted on the boards.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I went to our silent auction tonight. The flyer for the tickets listed the expiration date and a Christmas week blackout, but did not say non-upgradeable.

I told the people working the auction and they wrote it on the flyer. Hopefully that will save them any future headaches.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Oops sorry.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Thinking about this a bit I can see why they would not be upgradable. Disney writes off the donation. It's a simple number x number of comp tickets = y donation value.
If they allowed them to be upgraded what is the donation value and therefore the amount per ticket that can be written off. Is it the $155 or is it now the total number of days upgraded to divided by the total cost? That also adds another layer of tracking that Disney has to do.
It would seem the KISS system they have in place works for most organizations and for Disney.

That makes a lot of sense. Looking at it that way, I can see why Disney does this.

 

[goofyernmost]

Sorry, I didn't have time to read all 116 posts, but, is there a reason why you can't just buy the additional days that you might need and use them in conjunction with the Comp.Tickets? Under any circumstance, how would upgrading a free ticket achieve anything worthwhile?

 

[Robo]

Sorry, I didn't have time to read all 116 posts, but, is there a reason why you can't just buy the additional days that you might need and use them in conjunction with the Comp.Tickets? Under any circumstance, how would upgrading a free ticket achieve anything worthwhile?

The OP has 4 separate tickets for 4 separate guests, but...
we'll only discuss one ticket to keep it simple.
Let's say the OP needs 5 days at the parks.
If the OP bought a new 4-day ticket at WDW and used the Comp ticket for the 5th day, that comp ticket would then only be "worth" about $15.
I'm thinking that the OP paid a lot more than that for the Comp ticket at the auction.

The other option would be to buy a single one-day ticket for one of the guests and have that guest also use all 4 of the Comp tickets, one for each of the other 4 days.
That would be very "wasteful" of the Comp tickets' total potential value, as well.

 

[CT Disney]

Someone posted the following photo online. I found it interesting...it looks like the letter from Disney that accompanies comp tickets donated to charities. It pretty clearly says that the organization is responsible for showing all the ticket restrictions. It also says that the letter must accompany the tickets.

 

[jbish]

The OP has 4 separate tickets for 4 separate guests, but...
we'll only discuss one ticket to keep it simple.
Let's say the OP needs 5 days at the parks.
If the OP bought a new 4-day ticket at WDW and used the Comp ticket for the 5th day, that comp ticket would then only be "worth" about $15.
I'm thinking that the OP paid a lot more than that for the Comp ticket at the auction.

The other option would be to buy a single one-day ticket for one of the guests and have that guest also use all 4 of the Comp tickets, one for each of the other 4 days.
That would be very "wasteful" of the Comp tickets' total potential value, as well.

This is the situation, exactly.

Well, all's well that ends well. Our eBay listing was successful and we have been made whole. Whew!!

Honestly, these boards have been so instrumental over the years. It's too bad I didn't know about comp tickets ahead of time. But it sounds like I may have also helped others through this experience. Thanks!!