I wonder if we will see a crackdown at WDW soon. There are probably just as many shoppers if not more at WDW.Maybe so. It's super interesting that they're doing this...and a good reminder to read the TOS when you buy an AP.
I wonder if we will see a crackdown at WDW soon. There are probably just as many shoppers if not more at WDW.Maybe so. It's super interesting that they're doing this...and a good reminder to read the TOS when you buy an AP.
Maybe...I guess if you're a CM who works at the same location and you notice the same people coming in for new releases buying multiple items, you start to put 2 and 2 together?
Is it eBay sellers, or "personal shoppers" like they interviewed for the article?
or "personal shoppers" like they interviewed for the article?
I routinely see people loading up their cart with a single jacket for instance and they aren't buying for a charity.
This is me. I'm in Ohio, and sometimes they don't have the things I want available on the ShopParks app...so I've used a shopper a few times. It's worked out well for me.I'm guessing many folks would appreciate somebody doing the legwork to get an item for them, just don't make an obvious biz out of it.
Is it eBay sellers, or "personal shoppers" like they interviewed for the article?
I'm in a couple of Disney purse Facebook groups and two of the "shoppers" got their passes revoked - they'd essentially buy in-park items and sell them to the rest of us in the Facebook group for retail + shipping + PayPal fees + a shopper fee, usually 10-20% of retail. I think most/all of us suspected they were also pocketing the AP discount, but it was sort of an unspoken thing. Maybe these shoppers are also doing eBay sales and I just don't know about it. If Disney is just going after personal shoppers and not eBay-ers, I agree with the person in the article who says that they (Disney) are barking up the wrong tree.
I'm not sure how Disney tracked/busted the two people I know of who lost their passes (both Disneyland locals, hasn't affected the WDW-based shoppers), they seem to think rival shoppers had a vendetta against them and turned them in. Others have said that Disneyland somehow tracks AP sales in a way that WDW (currently) does not, not sure if they scan the cards before people use their discounts? Maybe it's more of an issue at Disneyland because there are more local AP holders compared to WDW?
If Disney made all of their in-park stuff available on the ShopParks app, or still took phone orders, that would cut down on the "need" for these shoppers...but maybe that's a pretty big project that they don't want to bother with.
Make sure though, that is exactly what we do. A tip is look for socks, mittens and underwear in the cart as well.
Hey there fellow purse fan! Yep I am guessing we're in the same groups.I am in the Disney purse Facebook groups too. Probably the same ones. I am also local to Disneyland and have met the one person several times. Disney is definitely tracking purchases at Disneyland. My pass is scanned every time I make a purchase for my discount and my ID verified. I also have an AP for WDW (well a dual Premier pass for both), and I am 99% sure my AP is not scanned when I make purchases. As I recall, it is barely looked at and only to see what level pass I have. As a matter of fact in September, I had a CM in Italy who had to call a manager to verify my pass was really a pass (so definitely not scanned). So scanning the passes does help. I have gone through a personal shopper a few times at WDW if there is something I really want that will not be at Disneyland (such as the Dooney magic bands). If items stayed in stock for more than 1-2 days, I would not worry but some things sell out so fast and never make it to the app.
And for the record, my AP discount is for me and me alone. I would never buy to resell.
No horse in it, but how do they know an ebay sellers annual pass info?
I'm guessing items have a SN and its logged/e. Tto the AP at purchase?
Not sure how you'd figure out which is which. Last year, I tired and failed to get a Banshee. Lot's of 'em available on Ebay. I didn't witness people getting extras (they were already out of them when we got there). Guess I saved some bucks my not getting onegreedy ebayers
Not sure how you'd figure out which is which. Last year, I tired and failed to get a Banshee. Lot's of 'em available on Ebay. I didn't witness people getting extras (they were already out of them when we got there). Guess I saved some bucks my not getting one
The difference is that is what Costco is supposed to be for, the whole point of Costco is to allow businesses to buy items to use and/or resell and there was a point in time when you had to have a business license to get a membership there. Disney on the other hand sells the items intending them to be used by the people buying them.I'm glad they are doing it. I wish Costco would too. I tried to buy a gift for DS7 there and by the time I was able to all of the item had been bought by resellers. I routinely see people loading up their cart with a single jacket for instance and they aren't buying for a charity.
It is because this practice ruins the guest experience for those who actually go to the park and want a souvenir of their time there and can't get what they really want because these resellers buy it out in two seconds flat.I'm not sure why Disney is so much against this practice.
Is it because as a matter of principle they can't stand the fact that someone, somehow, is making money off "their" merchandise?
Or is it because the limited-edition merchandise is being offered as an inducement or magnet to attract patrons to Disneyland, in the hope that they will spend a lot on merchandise, drinks, snacks, etc. and the shoppers are hurting this strategy?
That was my first instinct, unfortunately a lot of these hoarders recruit friends, family and even total strangers to assist them when measures like these are taken, which simply result in longer lines and still no merchandise for the average park guest. Revoking passes and tickets as well as perhaps banning certain individuals from the parks may indeed be the only way to combat what has become a massive problem.They know what is going to sell big.
Make guests scan their ticket.
One per day per ticket.
They already control FP+ by tickets activated at gate.
So no one can come in with a bunch of tickets.
Will slow down the hoarders considerably and be a whole lot easier for Disney.
It is because this practice ruins the guest experience for those who actually go to the park and want a souvenir of their time there and can't get what they really want because these resellers buy it out in two seconds flat.