What else happened at Disneyland last Sunday?

[Gn2Dlnd]

Yeah, I don't think it's such a big deal. The websites have to pay full retail for the items they're selling, The resorts pay (probably far less than is fair to the manufacturer) wholesale. The resort isn't losing out on a sale, and the person who buys off a website is paying for a shopping service. When I worked at Disneyland, we knew that guests could call the Park and order any merchandise they wanted and have it delivered. It's one of those "extras" and examples of good customer service we all like about Disneyland.
I don't think it's unethical for a shopping service to charge a fee, although they might do better to post the "in-Park" price, and then how much they're charging you to do your shopping for you. Service based businesses have to charge what the market will bear. How do you know how much personalized shopping is worth to people? Run a business doing it for a couple of years and find out what people are willing to pay.
I would guess that if you're doing your shopping on a website, you're probably participating on the message boards. You're probably pretty "Disney savvy," no matter where you live. I can't imagine you'd be ignorant of "Disney Deliv-ears."
Anyhoo, I manufacture and sell a product at a number of different price points. Retail, wholesale, shipping, farmer's markets, etc. I know some of my stores also do delivery of my product. Is it any of my business to know what these stores are charging? Not really. Once they've bought the product from me, it's theirs to do with as they please. I have customers who like to buy direct from me, and customers who prefer to do their shopping through a favorite store's website.
All in all, I'd say not to worry about the people who don't use Disney Deliv-ears. Disney doesn't advertise it, and the folks who use LP or MS are probably happy to support their favorite Disney fansite.

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

they might do better to post the "in-Park" price, and then how much they're charging you to do your shopping for you.

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.

Additionally, it would be interesting to see a comparison to another business model that buys retail and sells retail, which is what personal shoppers do. So far, the only one that's been mentioned here is eBay.

[Sheila]

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.

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.