April DSF release V2
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April DSF release V2
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markheardjr
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I think you need wristbands that can't be transferred to someone else. 1 person must stay for their spot, not switch off and on. I like it when they do wristbands the night before, only let you leave for maybe 1 or 2 hours for food/bathroom, and do vouchers along with the wristbands in the morning. So people can't sneak back into their spot or have someone cover for them for a few hours. Last time they used a highlighter to mark who was back in line and people were plotting to get the same colored sharpie to mark their friends wristband that showed up late.
All together I'd prefer an online wristband random selection process with various times to show up and buy the pins. This eliminates all overnighters. You can overdraw so 2nd chance people can see on facebook how many pins are left, and their return time is say, 2pm Sat. So have 1-75 come at 10am, 76-150 at 12pm, 150-200 come at 2pm, but post how many pins are left at like 1pm so they know if it's worth it.
DSF can't avoid overnight stays without going to some random selection process. Be it online, lottery style, or pick a random starting point once we're all lined up. The online way is the only way to keep unhappy people away when they aren't chosen. If you do a lottery the morning of and 300 people come and only 150 get picked, you will have 150 pissed off people that got up and drove to Hollywood for nothing. If you stagger the times to show up, you can maybe get some people for breakfast early, then lunch. Or even make the times in DSF's favor so we don't disrupt the tourists that actually go there and eat.
Only problem with that is there are people caming out now for the wristbands. There will be cutting for that. I personally saw it at a different release. Someone's grandparents literally came in the early morning and cut in line.
dalakersrnumba1
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Woohoo! I was approved PTO for the 12th so now I just need to find someone to sub for me on my Thursday night bowling league and I'm good to go for the BTs release. :wiggle:
markheardjr
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That's why at the valentines day boxes release this year we all put our names on a list and kept the unofficial lines in check. Believe me. After Valentine's Day last year when I was clearly inside 150 and as the unofficial line moved into get the little red tickets to hold our spots and I watched people run across Hollywood Blvd to cut in front of me, and I missed out by 4 people, I have been on a personal crusade to get DSF to change their line policy to be fair and efficient. They have tried with non-removable wristbands and it isnt' working. I wrote a 2 page white paper and hand delivered it to Ed on the benefits of an online system with proof of identification is the best way. Force people to show ID for an account, remove accounts after 3 no shows, have online sign ups 2 weeks in advance, chose the winners 1 week in advance (to allow travel arrangements,) and check ID's at time of sale (or check ID of child's guardian.) Make it work, iron out the bumps.
disneygirl333
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:x:
I agree!!!!
Psycho Pixie
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Wristbands with numbers on them. and a sign in sheet for before the wristbands start getting handed out.
online random lottery pick would end the camp outs. but it opens up a new can of worms for cheaters signing up a tonn of fake names. and once you start requiring ID it is to complicated to be profitable for the company.
online random lottery pick would end the camp outs. but it opens up a new can of worms for cheaters signing up a tonn of fake names. and once you start requiring ID it is to complicated to be profitable for the company.
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Just curious why requiring IDs would make it too complicated?
From an outsiders perspective on these releases (since I live in Florida)...I would want them to do an online lottery. They could give people a week to sign up online, and once the sign-up has ended randomly select 150 names. Then you have a certain window of time to pick up your pins, and provide a photo ID to confirm you are the person who was selected. After the window of time has passed they could allow people who choose to wait in a "second chance" line purchase whatever is left (if anything).
That way it would majorly cut down on camping, provide a totally random and fair selection process, and still allows people to line up and take their chances if they so choose.
markheardjr
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My proposal to them stated you should have to show ID at DSF to get a "DSF shopper number." If you are a minor, you must have the guardian (or perhaps 2 like mom/dad) that will accompany you show their ID (if the minor is selected the person listed must bring them.) If you are not local to DSF, you may email in a photocopy of your picture ID.
Then, after a month or so where people can sign up for a shopper number, you announce a release and let them sign up, with their "DSF Shopper number." Sign ups are via website/facebook 2 weeks prior, seleciton is made 1 week prior and emails go out. DSF randomly choses the numbers, they come in at their time, show the ID, and boom, you're done. You have to show ID to use a credit card which 75% of us use at DSF anyways. This way, you can limit those people that will try to sign up a ton of times, or sign up fake names just to take up spots and get more pins in the 2nd chance line.
Also, I told them, if you have a set of LE300 pins, and 500 people sign up, then chose 300 people and limit it to 1 per person. If you have LE300 pins and 200 people sign up, then do 2 sets per person and 50 people on stand by 2nd chance line. That way the super popular pins get into the most hands as possible.
Sure, big families, resellers who pay people, and identical twins still have a slight advantage, simply by numbers or by the fact that you look like your twin. But this limits a lot of the headache, no overnights, no unnecessary trips, no swarms of people, spread out and don't overwhelm your staff or other business, etc.
Psycho Pixie
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I asked this exact question in a thread topic a while ago... The idea of online lottery was suggested and shot down hard by multiple people. the general idea being that asking for ID wouldnt work or was to time consuming for the employees. IDK. Just repeating what was said.
I actually wouldnt mind an online lottery system for the wristbands.
Well, that doesn't really make sense since they check my ID _every single time I buy something_, even the people that know me (I pay with a credit card). So the time taken to get the ID out, show it to the cashier and have them glance at it is already factored into the time it takes most people to buy these things in the first place... (At least, maybe... How many people pay cash for pins when they go? Every time I've been there the people around me are using a card of some kind.) But if you assume everyone uses a card (which they can), ID checking is already something that happens anyway, all they'd be doing is verifying the name on another list (or however that would work).
I too would LOVE to have access to the DSF pins so an online system would be the only way that could happen. Because I have never attended a DSF release I am not familiar with the system in place. I have seen the line in pictures how hard would it be to have one, two or three employees checking each persons ID in the line and then and ONLY then give them a wristband. They could bypass the entire fiasco by ONLY doing releases via shipping. They would put a huge dent in the ebay flipping and other resale avenues, put the pins in the hands of the collectors and avoid huge lines of campers. To say the cost of checking IDs would be too great is just ignorant, if you can pay for 24 hour security for the campouts, it stands to reason that you could hire 2-3 extra people to check ids for what should take no more than an hour total for a standard size release. Must be some of the Enron/BOA business advisers suggesting that it is financially feasible to outspend by probably 10X minimum for security, risk the safety and or sanity of the buyers in the alley and of course open themselves up to potential law suits should someone be injured, mugged or whatnot while "waiting in line" with their consent for days on end.
The purpose for the ID at all is because if they did not check ID's people would be able to enter multiple times in random names, which essentially eliminates a true random lottery. With all the money that Disney has and makes exclusively from pins there should be a simple program that would spot repeat entries and void ALL entries made by that person. I have entered into several companies drawings and the rules are very clear, you enter more than once you are out of luck.
This problem is hardly insurmountable and I am not sure what the benefit is of doing nothing....it seems like it is not only in the best interest of the buyers but also the Disney franchise in general to do any and everything possible to make pin purchases safe, fair and of course prevent overnight campouts in the alley. It is not good advertising to see that kind of a thing going on and it is very hard to understand why they are allowing it to happen.
Barf bag in hand I am so so so sick about this one.
The purpose for the ID at all is because if they did not check ID's people would be able to enter multiple times in random names, which essentially eliminates a true random lottery. With all the money that Disney has and makes exclusively from pins there should be a simple program that would spot repeat entries and void ALL entries made by that person. I have entered into several companies drawings and the rules are very clear, you enter more than once you are out of luck.
This problem is hardly insurmountable and I am not sure what the benefit is of doing nothing....it seems like it is not only in the best interest of the buyers but also the Disney franchise in general to do any and everything possible to make pin purchases safe, fair and of course prevent overnight campouts in the alley. It is not good advertising to see that kind of a thing going on and it is very hard to understand why they are allowing it to happen.
Barf bag in hand I am so so so sick about this one.
I'm thinking those persons who have the time to wait in line for pins would be the same people who are unlucky in lotteries. Those people do not want luck trumping work for whether or not they will be allowed to buy pins.
I also don't see DSF implementing a system that people will eventually claim is rigged, when the same people win and the same people lose. People object to the DLR lottery already. I don't see them being happy about luck being the sole means to determine pin purchasing opportunities.
I also don't see DSF implementing a system that people will eventually claim is rigged, when the same people win and the same people lose. People object to the DLR lottery already. I don't see them being happy about luck being the sole means to determine pin purchasing opportunities.
kupo1121
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Honestly, how much is a plane ticket to CA. Because if the BT release is as hyped as it seems to be getting and if a plane ticket is less than around $500, I will just say I've considered finding someone on DPF who might let me stay at their house for a night and then waiting overnight at DSF, getting 2 sets. Selling one for ridiculously stupid Ebay prices to recoup my plane costs, keeping Enchanted, and selling PatF, Bolt, and Wall-E to someone who isn't in CA (or by DSF might be a better term) near cost -__-
DSF is really in a rut with these releases
And this is going to be a consistent problem with these BT problems in April and then Ironman 3 in May so they should figure something out.
disneygirl333
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While I think this is a good idea with the ID check, I don't foresee it happening for the simple reason of that it would require too much time on DSF's behalf. With respect to DSF, because I do love them, they can't even manage to properly update their Facebook page with accurate, current PTD pin releases, let alone have time for thorough ID check and this system. Between us pin traders coming in for repeated PTDs plus crazy pin releases, people calling left and right and then regular tourists/walk-ins and movie crowds... I just can't foresee them taking the time to do this system and do it right unfortunately. I would hope SOMETHING would change though... As it is now, I can literally see the frustration on the employee's faces (and I've even talked to a couple who've been vocal in their frustration) and I really do get the impression that after the insanity that was the chocolate box releases, DSF is about ready to just say, "They'll line up anyway so screw it, let them line up, let THEM keep track of the line and we'll just sell the pins - two per person". I hope I'm wrong on that but that's just how it feels lately.
Also, and I know this sounds bad but... I'd personally hate a lottery. To me, I see a fair side to it - everyone has the same chance as everyone else. However, I know from past experience that I have horrible luck when it comes to name draws. As it is now, I use my second set most of the time and I do pick ups for people/family/friends living out of state or those who don't live close by for simply cost plus tax and shipping and if they went by the lottery theory I probably couldn't do that anymore and I enjoy helping other members out. To top it off, I, or any other person, could potentially go 3 or 4 releases without my name being drawn while someone who's a major re-seller COULD flood the drawing pool with their hired people's/20 relative's names, get the pins and I'd still have to go to the secondary market anyway and never get the pins at cost. I dunno, it's proven really hard to find a system that works and I get that. I just don't know that I would dig a lottery personally.
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I wonder if they will limit the pins for the next releases. They did for the PTD. Disney limited it for the LR pins too (different locations within DLR were either 2 boxes per person, 2 of each revealed character per person [so 10 boxes total], or 25 boxes per person) so maybe they will do it here. One set per person?
markheardjr
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In my draft I told them they need a good programmer and to toy with the idea of an added feature to the lottery system. Weight the likelyhood of an account based on past selections or non-selections. So for the first time, everyone has a 100% ratio for selection. If you get selected, drop it to 95%, if you don't get selected, raise it to 105% for example. And so on. So if you were picked 3 times in a row you now have an 85% chance of a normal selection, if you were skipped 3 times, you have a 115% chance, 30% more likely than the other person. But have a floor and ceiling, say 75% is the lowest adn 125% is the highest. So it can't be manipulated and everyone always has a reasonable shot. Just a way to help the bell curve so to speak of who gets pins.
Also, I suggested that you can hold special raffles for people not selected more than a certain number of times. So say, if you're not selected for an entire months of releases, (based on history, probably 3 times a month,) so if you don't get picked at all those 3 times (but you did sign up,) you get entered into that monthly raffle. Prizes could range from pins, to sundae's, to DVD's, to free movie packages after the next release you are selected for. Maybe we can get DSF to release a pair of AP's for each release and raffle those!
Also, resellers who hire employees have at most 7 people, that I know of, right now. If we go to this system, yes, they will probably get some more to boost their chances, but I garauntee you the odds are against them now. Where they were for sure getting 7 employee's plus their pins, now they have 8 entries into the lottery so lets say half get picked, that's only 4 to a reseller now, not 8 like before. That's 4 more actual pin traders getting pins. Also, I said if the person gets selected and doesn't show up 3 times, suspend their account for 6 months to a year. I am sure the resellers will run into a situation where if they just get 20 names to come, some of those people will end up not being available and eventually get suspended out for a while.
I don't know much you can do about resellers that hire staff. If people are willing to wait in line for hourly pay to get someone pins, I don't know how to stop that. Even if you require each to pay for their own the reseller will just give them each cash. But kids also need parents to pay so that's not really fair. All I know how to do is limit their possibilities of how may sets they can get. A lottery means they have to have even more people willing to go, not just the base 6 or 7 people. Or their chances diminish so low it's not profitable as a full time job to bum rush DSF releases. I want to deter people from trying to beat the system. Hiring 7 butts + the 1 reseller's set to buy 16 sets of the BT pins for April will probably net someone $5000, and they pay only $113 a person or $904. So if you hire 7 guys to sit in a chair for 24 hours you can gross $4000. That is why this is enticing people to go to these lengths. You pay 7 guys $10 a hours for 20 hours and your labor cost is $1400, off your $4000 profit and you net $2600 in a weekend, payroll tax free. Thanks to DSF. That is why people do it. If DSF can't figure that out and a way to deter it then I honestly don't think the care about pin trading. They just want profit, no matter how they get it. But knowing Ed, Patty, Theresa, etc, I don't think it's ALL about the almighty dollar, yes they need to stay solvent, but they do want to carry on pin trading with their part and care for our community. We are trying to help. They keep releasing amazing pins we ask for but then have to hear all the heartache and pissed off people when it's nearly impossibly for a working adult to get the pins they want. They are allowing self-employeed, unemployed, college student, and retiree's the huge benefit of making tax free money off their pins. I know I can take vacation and try to work out going to a release, but not 3 times a month. No boss in this economy will let that fly. So DSF continues to open their doors to people scrounging for a buck, not to pin trade and continue on the tradition, but to make a dollar. Have I sold pins, yes, tons. But I don't go with the intent to go straight to eBay or here on DPF. I keep my pins and try to trade them. If after a while they don't trade, and they have skyrocketed to $100, I'll sell it. I am not above selling or resellers. But I don't do it for the profit, I do it to trade, get pins I want, and for a hobby.
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I wonder if anyone from DSF reads these threads. It would be nice to hear an official response from them, rather than "a CM told me..."
Good luck everyone!
Good luck everyone!
markheardjr
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We know they read, but I don't think they ever post. Theresa has commented to me about my DPF posts before, so she knows who some of us are and what we write! I for one like they try to keep tabs on the community. Hopefully for process improvement ideas!
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