Over the sixmonth period before my November renewal date, I received no less than eight membership renewal reminders (might have been more, but I kept tossing the really early onces).
Why so many, and why with new card(s) included with each?
In addition, I received a notification that “your new card is on the way” – after I paid the renewal and, well, already had 6 or 7 “new” cards in hand.
These multiple renewal reminders are 1. a waste of material and financial resources, 2. create confusion regarding which card is the legit one to keep, and 3. more than a little annoying, because it implies that the recipient is incapable of renewing in a timely manner.
Receipt of these notices also results in frequent self-questioning and double checking i.e. “That isn’t due for another x months, right?”. In the case where notices have arrived after renewal was paid, it raises the question “I paid that, didn’t I?” and multiple checks of the bank account to, again and again and again, confirm it was in fact paid.
Paying a renewal six months or more out from actual renewal date is not timely. It is paying for something I may or may not need or want by actual membership anniversary date.
AARP is not the only organization our household is engaged with that sends extremely early renewal notices. Some others have actually sent notices 9 months in advance! But I digress.
Please stop this practice. Sending notices more than 6 weeks out is not helpful.
My renewal is not due until November of any given year. This year I renewed for 3 years, so hopefully I won’t start receiving early renewals any time soon.
Cathrine Weaver