The Misreable Experience trying to buy AARP Princess Gift cards

[InayT156468]

On Sunday, September 8th, my husband joined AARP and ordered 5 Princess instant gift cards. We entered all the information and then waited patiently for them to be delivered to his email.  Nothing showed up but the welcome email garbage. Of course, being Sunday, Customer Service isn’t available. 

Monday morning, 6am we call AARP Rewards, we get “Carolyn” who tells us that there is a security hold and will be 24hr before the cards are sent. 

Monday morning a10:30 we get an email from “Cynthia” who has “escalated your issue to AARP technical support team.”

Tuesday, My husband leaves a message at AARP rewards (866)451-6305 at 11:43am. No call back.  Late afternoon, I start chatting with customer service, “Stephanie” writes it’s under review – and disconnects with me.  I reconnect with Chat and get the we can’t help you, disconnect again. 

Wednesday morning my husband again leaves a message at the above number.  No return phone call.  We send a strongly worded email about how we have called twice and have had no response and asking the status of the 5 gift cards. At 12:41 pm we get an email from AARP asking for “additional information” and to call. Wednesday afternoon my husband gets a call from Cynthia who tells him now 24 to 48 hours.  We call her back and she again tells us that it’s under review. Our credit card is now no longer pending but has cleared and is a charge.   Cynthia tells us she has “pinged” her boss to help resolve the problem. What is the problem?  They can’t confirm our phone number.  The phone number is on the account.  On the emails, it is the number she called and the number we called from on Sunday morning and in the 2 messages that my husband left for a call back.   

Thursday, nothing from AARP.  It is 8pm.  Tomorrow, I will have to start disputing the charge credit card.  I will report AARP to the BBB and our state’s Attorney General’s office as a fraud perpetrator. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

I can understand your frustration, @InayT156468. The Digital Rewards will be delivered to the participant's email address within 24 hours for orders submitted during normal business hours (8 am - 5 pm EST, Monday – Friday). Delivery times may exceed 24 hours in certain instances. You can find our Terms and Conditions here: https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/rewards-terms-and-conditions?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=14652185797

I see you mentioned the issue has been escalated, please allow 3-5 business days for resolution. - Diana G.

[InayT156468]

I don't really care about your "terms and and conditions". Your organization is no better then any other scammer on web.  You took money, gave no product, and lied as to when it would be delivered.  As an organization that touts itself as a senior advocate...American Association of Retired Persons, you are simply another scam organization that benefits from the non profit status tax laws.  You're just more polished than most of the other scammers on the web, but make no mistake, theft is theft regardless how it is perpetuated.