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AARP Services review: misrepresented 26

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Author of the review
2:58 pm EST
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Apparently AARP has been sending this crappy little good for nothing bag for a long time (looks like the complaints started in 2009 on here). The bag in the photo shows a bag with 3 (possibly 4) zippered pockets and a large AARP logo on the bottom pocket. I renewed my membership only to receive an insulated miniature bag that as others have said, isn't good for much of anything, and they had the balls to send me my membership card with ANOTHER offer for the zippered bag when you give a gift membership. I emailed them a nice email asking for a replacement as I'd thought they'd shipped out the wrong one. Never heard back from them. They sent me renewal notices I don't know how many times per year when I was only a member for one year several years ago. I shouldn't have fallen for the ad, but I did because nowhere on it did it say anything about them having the option to replace the bag with a similar item at their discretion. I like their magazine, but I'm not happy with the way they communicate things to their CUSTOMERS - and I still want the other bag. I've offered to send this bag back to them.

Update by indigogirl1
Mar 07, 2012 4:18 pm EST

Had they responded I wouldn't have [censor]ed.

Update by indigogirl1
Mar 07, 2012 4:32 pm EST

Just for your information - the bag they offer is shown in the picture attached. It's not even close to the one I received. The bag I received is a red bag with a velcro pocket on the front of it.

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26 comments
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Audrey Diggs
, US
Sep 22, 2022 12:59 am EDT

I have had positive results with getting the bags that I want from AARP. Perhaps the difference is that I made certain that I got the bag that I want by calling AARP and letting them know what I wanted.

I got this card in the magazine with another bag that I want, the Clssisic Courier Bag, but when I went online they had a different bag so I have to call AARP

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Susan Corbin
, US
Nov 30, 2021 3:50 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

AARP got me too! The picture looked like a 3 piece luggage set. I am traveling out of the country in January and thought the free gift would come in handy, as the bags seems lighter in weight than the ones I would be taking on my trip. That is the sole reason I decided to rejoin. Definitely a misrepresentation! BIG MISTAKE!

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Tracey L Davis
, US
Jun 06, 2018 7:55 pm EDT

I'm cracking up over these comments because I wanted the bag precisely for its small size, that is easily noted by looking at the picture showing the passport and cell phone!

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TucsonTerry
Tucson, Arizona, US
Nov 18, 2021 9:45 pm EST

I just got an AARP membership offer. The "Classic Courier Bag" is shown without any other objects. https://join.aarp.org/aarp-21BF-form-pyp/?jkc1=UBF21FB9&jkc2=UBF21FB10&rkc1=UBF21FB9&rkc2=UBF21FB10&cta=j&defaultoffer=24AR&rd=24AR&rt=so&cmp=SNP-MIV-dm_zp_v-fb_i-join_p-3p_t-experian-consolidated_f-upp_it-null_d-allscreens_g-usa-nat_l-eng_dm-50plus_null&utm_medium=social_prospecting&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=ad-sb_o-prem-red-speaker-classic-carrier-bag_v-formal-black-friday-promo-2021_cta-join_c-access-to-hundreds-of-benefits_ctac-signup_tt-bf21jsocfb2_td-UBF21FB9_s-multi-sq&utm_term=261166960&fbclid=IwAR38bSe1g2m6qCdITLogcm-voh5GWq0xiB0o5XEZWkqxtZMLuI_tanoVG0M&google=AMsySZaMXVK1AQJ9SZhJOlKIutrB&dclid=CJLEoPKxo_QCFQ7WZAodMSML1Q&tc_tm_meth=MAN&tc_tm_xg=bf21jsocfb2&tc_campaign=BF21JSOCFB2&tc_channel=Social&tc_vendor=Facebook&tc_tm_uid=AARP61970D4629DD6&tc_tm_visitid=AARP61970D4629DD9&tc_tm_version=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.aarp.org%2Faarp-21BF-form-pyp%3Fjkc1%3DUBF21FB9%26jkc2%3DUBF21FB10%26rkc1%3DUBF21FB9%26rkc2%3DUBF21FB10%26cta%3Dj%26defaultoffer%3D24AR%26rd%3D24AR%26rt%3Dso&tc_hpc=join.aarp.org

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Graciela Watts
, US
Apr 25, 2018 5:23 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Yes crap is what was sent to me. Cancelled right away they need to be straight forward about things people want to believe. For now you suck!

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imgrandyx4
, US
Mar 21, 2021 9:21 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thanks for these posts. I wanted to think AARP had changed for the better and thought about joining. The current AARP is running off the good reputation it use to have. When it was taken over by a new CEO they were no longer advocates for the middle-aged and elderly people in the United States. It's now about the almighty dollar. The health insurance is not as good as they make it out to be. Especially when it comes to the need for mental health care.

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Donatetohelp
, US
Mar 04, 2018 6:21 pm EST

I am amazed at people who are whining about the FREE bag that they get from AARP. Are you donating only for the free bag? What does it matter what the bag looks like? You donated from the goodness of your heart, didn't you? You donated to help people, didn't you?

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radiantrosa
, US
Feb 25, 2018 5:44 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Everytime I look at that bag and see the one advertiosed it gets to me. Big business using ploys to get Customers! Hoq about sending out the real one pictured to us. You lied and am not happy! Neither are a lot of other customers! Like I said, if you lied about these imagine what else you'd lie to us about! Sad

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radiantrosa
, US
Feb 25, 2018 8:38 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Cause they LIED! Imagine what else they'd lie about to you! Wake up and smell the coffee!

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Helena Montana
, US
Oct 08, 2016 7:14 am EDT

If you all are only joining for the bag, that's an issue all in itself. AARP has discounts and other membership perks. If you are going to join anyway, why re you complaining about something that's free?

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eskimojoe
, US
Jul 08, 2016 6:28 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I was about to renew my membership; but I remembered the hassle - several emails and finally a phone call - and length of time - 3 months - I had with another "free" item upon previously renewing my membership;. i think i will wait to renew and see if the "travel bag' matter is resolved. I guess we need to focus on its description, "minibag".

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lruthe
, US
Oct 24, 2015 10:48 am EDT

Here it is October of 2015 and the Free Travel Bag is still being used as a trick to get us to join. It isn't very useful but I will give it to my grandkids to play with. I have two year old twin boys and maybe they can haul around there micro cars in it :)

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david91406
Van Nuys, US
Jul 01, 2013 11:05 am EDT

Thank you all! I really enjoyed your comments re "The Little Red Bag"! However, the tag inside states "Made in China". With the language problem, it could very well be that to the hard working Chinaman/woman, this, in fact, is a large travel bag. After all, there's enuff room inside for their week's supply of rice. If the Sake comes in a can, there's room for 12 cans (depending on the size of the can).

My bag hung open, on the hallway closet doorknob. This was done in the hopes that the terrible plastic odor, emanating from inside the bag, would eventually dissipate before I gave it to a needy charity. It worked! I didn't, as it's still hanging there.

In closing, remember, it's free, it's a gift. Enjoy it for what it is(n't)! Years ago I purchased a portable radio for the beach (MANY years ago!). The ad clearly stated: Batteries NOT included. The salesman, in an effort to be nice, told me "Here, here's a couple of free batteries to start you out." Well, I got to the beach and the radio didn't work. Those free batteries were no good. Fortunately, I had spare ones. But, I was furious. My day was ruined as I fumed inside. I couldn't wait to give that salesman apiece of my mind! Keep that in mind as you rip up that nasty letter to AARP; replacing it, with a than you for the gift and more important, all the good things that AARP can offer you!

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Sandra in Hampton
Hampton, US
May 07, 2013 6:17 pm EDT

Very disappointed about my bag. It is small, even though I saw the passport, it lacks the AARP letters.. It appears to lack the extra pockets in the picture. I had no idea that it was supposed to be a lunch bag. Sandra from Hampton

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Dandelion2
Sterling Heights, US
Mar 27, 2013 4:29 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

First of all, I am not a whiner and never have been. Today, I received a small package in the mail from AARP and I thought they were giving me something but didn't know what but instead of that large bag with compartments that could hold many items, instead, a less than 12 inch cloth bag with a pull tie and a small pocket. In no way was this the advertised picture of what they had promised to send if my insurance was renewed with them. I was so disappointed and felt I was being used. No matter if this was free, it was not even close to the one I should have received. With the size of it, maybe a sandwich and cookies can be put inside the insulated bag and a napkin can be placed inside the small front pocket. If I knew this was the gift and shown a picture of this small one instead of the much larger bag, then I had the option of wanting it or not wanting it. I'm not whining, just stating the facts. This was not represented correctly and something should be done about it because too many of us have been used. I hope those in charge at AARP read these comments and do the right thing to correct it.

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magnusfl
Tampa, US
Jan 17, 2013 12:00 am EST
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The only thing I got to complain about are whiners who complained about it even thought they got it free as by the time I become eligible to join it no longer offered

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magnusfl
Tampa, US
Jan 16, 2013 11:55 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I disappointed that it no longer offered by the time I was eligible as I would only complain about it, if I payed for it which no one did. so if I got a complaint it about all the people who [censor]ed about some thing they got free which is probably why they stopped give the bag out before I became eligible for membership

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Rosydoesit
Van Nuys, US
Jan 07, 2013 1:06 am EST

Take a close look at the bag, the zipper tangs are very large and the passport takes up a lot of room in the pocket.
Check out how big the cell phone is compared to the bag. These items give you a better understanding of the actual size of the bag.
AARP wants Obama to cut back on Medicare so the public will have to buy Medigap to make up the difference.
AARP gets a kickback from these Medigap insurance companies. I have never understood why anyone would join AARP.
There are no discount or any type of savings. I get more discount and service from AAA Auto Insurance. Save your money and join AAA. Don't fall for AARP medical Insurance, you will never get it at the low cost they advertise. They refuse to accept you because of some minor ailment you might have had. They will then offer you a different medical insurance plan but at a much higher cost.
Everyone needs to ask for their membership fees back and when they continue sending you mail, you return it all in their no postage due return envelope. They will eventually get the message. AARP gets a grant from the government to do taxes for free.

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sandymc
Scott Depot, US
Sep 15, 2012 5:15 am EDT

I cracked up when I received this bag, I thought it was so funny, thinking about giving it to my 6 year old grand-son to take a snack in when he goes fishing, just big enough for a can of juice and a small snack, I laughed all the way home from the post office, made my day.

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ChezH
Medford, US
Aug 01, 2012 8:33 am EDT

I am glad I found this site as I was just about to join mostly for the free bag. I need one that will hold at least a sandwich and water bottle. I would have been very disappointed! I'll just take that 16 dollars and buy my own bag. The picture on my offer shows a Vitamin water bottle, a granola bar, a banana popping out of the main bag and a map, passport and pen sticking out of the pocket on the front. I thought AARP was above such shenanigans!

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Atlas Shrugged
bla bla, US
Jul 31, 2012 4:33 pm EDT

You are all a bunch of whiners. If you are joining AARP for $16 just for the gift and expecting anything substantial you are naive and stupid and got what you deserved. Look at the photo, it has a passport showing sticking out of the top pocket and the AARP card sticking out of the front pocket. The photo clearly shows the bag is the width of a passport.

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Jackie Little
, US
Sep 15, 2018 11:24 am EDT

It’s pointless to call people names just for complaining.

The photo I received in the mail shows a passport in the a small front pocket and larger items in the body of the bag. Very misleading! I’m grateful for the complaints.

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Rosie2U
Eugene, US
Jun 29, 2012 6:08 pm EDT

Looks like the joke is on me. I renewed our AARP membership and thought we were getting the bag in indigogirl1 's photo. Instead, we got the old "bait and switch" from AARP. The miniature red bag they sent is insulated, but so small, I'd be surprised if I could fit 1/2 a sandwich in it. Disappointed? That's an understatement.

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DaybyDay50
Monroe, US
Jun 09, 2012 8:20 pm EDT

I too am very disappointed. I joined to get the nice red travel bag they advertised not this little black bag. Very misleading.

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granna
Clinton, US
Apr 23, 2012 7:30 am EDT

I thought the bag looked large enough for maps an other travel by car essential..in truth it is like a small camera bag..maybe that is what I will use it for..but I was so disappointed!.