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Beware of fine print

Beware of fine print

You know how AARP helpfully warns members to beware of unscrupulous companies that use fine print to deceive customers? Well... 

I ordered an AirBnb gift card yesterday morning from AARP Rewards. I didn't receive an email confirming the transaction, even though my credit card was charged immediately. I used the chat hours later and was told I should receive it within 24 hours of the order. I waited well over a day later and called AARP. I was told that someone would get back to me in 5-10 days. (Not necessarily provide the card I purchase, but get back to me). When I said I wanted to cancel the transaction because I wouldn't need the card by then, I was told I couldn't. They then pointed out fine print: "AARP further reserves the right to extend delivery times in its sole discretion and without compensation or reimbursement to Participant for any reason."
I see now that there are a number of posts going back over a long period in this online community from other AARP members who had similar experiences. Clearly, AARP knows this is a longstanding problem, but instead of trying to fix it and give people what they paid for in a timely way, they prefer to say, like many scam companies, "But you should have read the fine print..."

Beware of fine print

You know how AARP helpfully warns members to beware of unscrupulous companies that use fine print to deceive customers? Well... 

I ordered an AirBnb gift card yesterday morning from AARP Rewards. I didn't receive an email confirming the transaction, even though my credit card was charged immediately. I used the chat hours later and was told I should receive it within 24 hours of the order. I waited well over a day later and called AARP. I was told that someone would get back to me in 5-10 days. (Not necessarily provide the card I purchase, but get back to me). When I said I wanted to cancel the transaction because I wouldn't need the card by then, I was told I couldn't. They then pointed out fine print: "AARP further reserves the right to extend delivery times in its sole discretion and without compensation or reimbursement to Participant for any reason."
I see now that there are a number of posts going back over a long period in this online community from other AARP members who had similar experiences. Clearly, AARP knows this is a longstanding problem, but instead of trying to fix it and give people what they paid for in a timely way, they prefer to say, like many scam companies, "But you should have read the fine print..."

Re: Beware of fine print

An update: After repeated complaints, I just received the card. I'm grateful for that, but am not inclined to use AARP rewards again for gift cards. I also don't find it comforting that AARP's immediate response, instead of resolving the problem, is saying that I should have read the fine print....

Re: Beware of fine print

That’s why I only use the points.  Trust but verify doesn’t work, always be wary does, unfortunately