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Originally Posted by mousepod
My only issue.
For the record, I've never talked about "ethics" in my discussions of MS or LP (check the thread) - I use words like 'creepy' and 'blah', because that's how it makes me feel.
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I must say, reading some of the responses in this thread are making me angrier and angrier.
Because I am neither an owner nor employee with MS, I can't speak officially for them, but I can tell you that the steps they take are in no way underhanded or unethical. They don't have "secret" contacts at the park. They don't have CMs do stuff that bends the rules. (And for the record, MouseShoppe was in existence long before LP's service started up.)
Any kind of mark-up charged by MouseShoppe barely covers the cost of their going into the park, purchasing the ordered merchandise then lugging it back to their shop and mailing it out. The owner/operator of MS has always been above-board and open and TPTB are well aware of her and have even been supportive!
Disney has known about these outside services for *years* and so far has not decided to provide a similar online service. So, MS has gone around and spent considerable time and money to photograph all the available merchandise, and set-up a sophisticated retail website for those who can't get to the park so they can browse DL merchandise. They've also stockpiled many of the most popular items themselves so they can give even give same day service. And this is creepy?
MousePod, it looks like this is pushing a button or two for you, but MS has in fact done a good job of providing a service that Disney will not. You may not know it, but Delivears ain't all that and a bag of chips. If you don't know exactly what article of merchandise you want, how are you supposed to know how to order it? Plus, they aren't the fastest in mailing out the merchandise once it's ordered. MS steps in and fills the void -- you need 50 mousears by tomorrow? No problem!
As far as I can see, DLR is not being ripped off by any third party services; they make plenty of profit, and services like MS make enough of a modest profit to continue in business.
Okay, I've ranted enough.... Sorry, everybody, but this just got to me bigtime.