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GregK345660
Contributor ⭐
Oct 4, 2025 2:46 PM UTC

Deceptive Marketing Tactics

As a newer member, I find AARP to be pretty great, and I'll continue to be a member.

 

But I have a criticism of some of the deceptive and manipulative marketing tactics used by either AARP or AARP-sanctioned partners.

 

These are:

 

1) Marketing mail that use cards that appear at first like a gift card of value, but really are just print outs of the "savings" you could get if you buy the insurance, etc.

 

2) Fake polls.   An example is answering poll questions like, "Do you support Social Security?".   These are blatantly just to get clicks, and are not good faith gathering of information.

 

Using these tactics on a population of people with increased susceptiblity of deception isn't a good look.  I'd prefer AARP have a set of standards for marketing that prevented the low-brow tactics.

 

Again, overall great, just offering criticism if it helps.

 

 

 

      5 replies

      memallard2
      Contributor ⭐
      Nov 6, 2026 10:21 PM UTC

      It infuriates me to find an offer I wish to explore only to find out that to get the information I want, I have to enter information, sometimes including a credit card,  just to find out what this company is offering.  I wanted to find out about meals offered by Tempo, the company wanted a credit card without giving me the chance to see if they even offered food I would be interested in eating.

      Shame on you, AARP.

      How about putting more effort into fighting for larger COLA rates for senior citizens, better, affordable  health care for all 55+ members? Cut better deals with the companies you hype for your members to use?

      How about fighting for things like no state or federal income taxes on wages earned by working seniors, at least over age 70? 

       

       

       

        SamF132135
        Contributor ⭐
        Nov 6, 2026 3:46 PM UTC

        I agree that marketing shouldn't rely on making people think they're receiving something valuable when it's really just a sales pitch. There's a big difference between promoting a genuine offer and using misleading tactics to get someone's attention. Clear and honest communication goes a long way toward building trust.

          DeborahS342364
          Contributor ⭐
          Oct 8, 2025 9:16 PM UTC

          I too have experienced disappointment with some AARP affiliated vendors. AARP seems to have little interest in after sale issues.

            VincentN328859
            Contributor ⭐
            Oct 8, 2025 11:40 PM UTC

            Hello. Been with AARP a while, will continue to do so, but I must comment on programs associated with Insurance companies. Since 2000, as reported by " Violation Tracker", United health care has had 3.5 BILLION in violations. Unfortunately, the insurance industry has a horrible track record, and have ruined their industry. I have also been offered " Life Insurance", through " New York Life", and they have had over 70 Million in fines as reported by " Violation Tracker".It is unfortunate the American people, who have been burned by the insurance industry, no longer trust them. It is unfortunately very sad.  Some  companies , are making money hand over fist!, over the pain of the Americal Family, and government allows them to do it!

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