AARP and AAA Are Enough For Me
AARP and AAA Are Enough For Me
There are two types of discount cards available. One type is usually free such as the supermarket, airline, or pharmacy card that most of us let our checker scan for discounts not available to others that do not present a card. All you have to do is to go to customer service and sign the card and most will hand you your wallet sized and keyring sized cards right then and there.The other discount card type is one that you pay for. I pay for AARP and AAA. The requirement for AARP is that you have to be 50 years old to join. Most people get AAA in case their car breaks down and AAA can provide roadside assistance at discounted prices by calling their phone number. The discount cards for the supermarkets and drug store chains usually are worthwhile for discounts only within their respective stores. The airlines, AARP, and AAA have agreements with car rental agencies, hotels, restaurants, and many other businesses to provide discounts to their card holders.
There is another category of cards where a fee is involved which usually is a health card that may included drugs, eyeglasses, dental, and hearing services. I have discounted prescriptions, eyeglasses, and hearing services with my health insurance and discounted dental with my dental insurance. My insurance benefit is greater than the benefit I have ever seen offered with the health cards. The health cards may be of value to others who do not have a drug plan or dental plan or otherwise have few benefits from their health insurance.
Everyone should check out the cards they possess. They should also check out their credit card and checking account statements for discount card fees they also may be paying for. I found I was being charged on my credit card for a discount card I do not remember signing up for and it was difficult to spot. $18.95 was being charged from AP9*Businessmax that I thought was Office Max which is a chain of office supply stores that I frequently make purchases. I looked up AP9 and Businessmax and found they were organizations for membership clubs. I called my credit card company to cancel the charge and also talked to Jennifer #26646 at Businessmax who said she would cancel my account and refund my last month's payment and that they obtained my information from Vistaprint. I do not have a Businessmax discount card and I do not remember receiving any mail from these people describing their service. I also called Vistaprint customer service and the representative denied passing information to Businessmax and I told her I will never do business with Vistaprint in the future.
I strongly recommend obtaining and using discount or membership cards because I saved thousands of dollars with them, but we still have to watch out to verify what we are paying for. I am going to save an extra $18.95 each month because I found out about the Businessmax charge to my account and I cancelled it. I can't believe I would sign up for a discount or membership card that would cost $18.95 per month or $227.40 per year, which I think is excessive for what they provide even if I needed the service. I can understand confusing Businessmax charges thinking it was for charges from Office Max a legitimate office supply company where I make frequent purchases.
Checkout the discount membership cards that you have and also review your credit card and checking account statements closely. I cannot say Businesmax was fraudulently charging my account, but the entire ordeal stinks. If you Google Businessmax you will find many search entries complaining about Businessmax charging bank accounts of people who have also done business with Vistaprint. I think that the banks, state attorney general's, Office Max, and all other investigative organizations should look into the practices of Businessmax and Vistaprint. Even if what they do is legal and legitimate, it is surely predatory. I think this is also a form of identity theft.
There are two types of discount cards available. One type is usually free such as the supermarket, airline, or pharmacy card that most of us let our checker scan for discounts not available to others that do not present a card. All you have to do is to go to customer service and sign the card and most will hand you your wallet sized and keyring sized cards right then and there.The other discount card type is one that you pay for. I pay for AARP and AAA. The requirement for AARP is that you have to be 50 years old to join. Most people get AAA in case their car breaks down and AAA can provide roadside assistance at discounted prices by calling their phone number. The discount cards for the supermarkets and drug store chains usually are worthwhile for discounts only within their respective stores. The airlines, AARP, and AAA have agreements with car rental agencies, hotels, restaurants, and many other businesses to provide discounts to their card holders.
There is another category of cards where a fee is involved which usually is a health card that may included drugs, eyeglasses, dental, and hearing services. I have discounted prescriptions, eyeglasses, and hearing services with my health insurance and discounted dental with my dental insurance. My insurance benefit is greater than the benefit I have ever seen offered with the health cards. The health cards may be of value to others who do not have a drug plan or dental plan or otherwise have few benefits from their health insurance.
Everyone should check out the cards they possess. They should also check out their credit card and checking account statements for discount card fees they also may be paying for. I found I was being charged on my credit card for a discount card I do not remember signing up for and it was difficult to spot. $18.95 was being charged from AP9*Businessmax that I thought was Office Max which is a chain of office supply stores that I frequently make purchases. I looked up AP9 and Businessmax and found they were organizations for membership clubs. I called my credit card company to cancel the charge and also talked to Jennifer #26646 at Businessmax who said she would cancel my account and refund my last month's payment and that they obtained my information from Vistaprint. I do not have a Businessmax discount card and I do not remember receiving any mail from these people describing their service. I also called Vistaprint customer service and the representative denied passing information to Businessmax and I told her I will never do business with Vistaprint in the future.
I strongly recommend obtaining and using discount or membership cards because I saved thousands of dollars with them, but we still have to watch out to verify what we are paying for. I am going to save an extra $18.95 each month because I found out about the Businessmax charge to my account and I cancelled it. I can't believe I would sign up for a discount or membership card that would cost $18.95 per month or $227.40 per year, which I think is excessive for what they provide even if I needed the service. I can understand confusing Businessmax charges thinking it was for charges from Office Max a legitimate office supply company where I make frequent purchases.
Checkout the discount membership cards that you have and also review your credit card and checking account statements closely. I cannot say Businesmax was fraudulently charging my account, but the entire ordeal stinks. If you Google Businessmax you will find many search entries complaining about Businessmax charging bank accounts of people who have also done business with Vistaprint. I think that the banks, state attorney general's, Office Max, and all other investigative organizations should look into the practices of Businessmax and Vistaprint. Even if what they do is legal and legitimate, it is surely predatory. I think this is also a form of identity theft.
posted by God Bless America - Bob at 8:54 AM
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