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SalvatoreD727247
Contributor ⭐
January 17, 2024

Beware: Some vendors do not accept discounts obtained through the "Near You" rewards program

  • January 17, 2024
  • 9 replies
  • 6519 views

The Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe is in a charming storefront in charming downtown Red Bank.  However, be warned:  The owner does NOT honor any discounts, under any circumstances, even those which are obtained through AARP.  I had earned a printable coupon through AARP’s ‘Near You’ Rewards program for 20% off any purchase up to a maximum discount of $25, usable during a specific 2-week time period.  I visited the shop during the prescribed timeframe, and when I presented the coupon to the owner, she stated that her store does not offer discounts.  When I tried to show her the coupon – with a Redemption ID number and her store’s name and address printed on it – she refused to examine it, and stated clearly and firmly that her store does not accept ANY coupons from ANY source, including those obtained through AARP.  So please, spare yourself the trouble and potential embarrassment, and never try to use a coupon, even one which is obtained from a legitimate source, to the owner of Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe.

      9 replies

      BillD916633
      BillD916633
      Conversationalist ⭐
      January 18, 2024

      @SalvatoreD727247  Already been there done that Sal. 
      same results from TWO (2) KFC stores in Jackson, MS. 

      both stores said they do not accept these coupons. Wrote KFC corporate and asked them to have these coupons removed from the AARP Near You Activity.

      never received a reply, coupons still remain on AARP’s Rewards page.

        nctarheel
        nctarheel
        Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
        January 18, 2024

        @SalvatoreD727247and @BillD916633,

         

        How right you are!!!!!

         

        Their rewards program has a history of issues. Years ago, I had the same issue as you are having …. Back then, it was with Quiznos Subs. But my best anecdote regarding AARP’s reward program had to do with a golf course. The Rewards Program back then was a coordinated effort between AARP and The Entertainment Book. A coupon appeared for the very first time in AARP’s Rewards Program selections, a free greens fee for a local course. I earned enough points for the coupon, printed it, and then found out the following: (1) The course had been closed for a year. (2) The course was overgrown with weeds and strewn with trash. (3) Fencing surrounded the property. (4) The fencing was placed there because the course had bee closed due to legal action taken against it. (5) It seems the owners were involved in some illegal activity. So, I was not surprised to see either of your above comments.

          madelitx
          Contributor ⭐⭐
          January 18, 2024

          Don't ever feel embarrassed for using coupons. It's the less savvy people who don't use them, regardless of wealth. The store owner should feel embarrassed for advertising, getting people to her store and then not honoring the coupon. Just walk away WITHOUT buying anything. The last thing you want to do is reward their behavior.

            AARPTeri
            AARPTeri
            Community Manager
            January 18, 2024

            @BillD916633 @madelitx @nctarheel 

            Please be sure to provide this feedback to us when your redemption isn't accepted - we do have a report a problem feature on AARP Rewards specifically for when a vendor does not accept your item.  Please be sure to report this in that tool so we can help!

             

             

             

              nctarheel
              nctarheel
              Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
              January 18, 2024
              @AARPTeri wrote:

              @BillD916633 @madelitx @nctarheel 

              Please be sure to provide this feedback to us when your redemption isn't accepted - we do have a report a problem feature on AARP Rewards specifically for when a vendor does not accept your item.  Please be sure to report this in that tool so we can help!

               

              I provided feedback at the time. Nothing was done. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, things were so bad with THE REWARDS PROGRAM that I dropped participating in it altogether as I viewed it as a scam. Not only were coupons not accepted, the vendors weren't even aware of your Rewards Program. And, of course, remember the coupon for the GOLF COURSE GREENS FEE that appeared in the Rewards Program after the GOLF COURSE had been closed for A YEAR!!!!! In fact, again, if memory serves me correctly, things were SO BAD that AARP eventually sent me a $50 gift card for my troubles.

              BtW751689
              Community Champion ⭐⭐
              February 2, 2025

              I would routinely have issues with almost all the entertainment.com coupons I printed and occasionally with AARP.  So I now call the establishment before printing the coupon and try to get a  solid answer with a name of someone.  But sure the inevitable happens, you print it, show up, then they say they don't take it.  Calling AARP might give you back the points but does not help if that is the reason you wanted to visit the establishment.  And if I show up and they say no, I do not patronize.  I had coupons from Restaurant.com which also seem to be hit and miss and it says right on the coupon does not expire.  I went to the establishment and no one spoke English.  I finally got someone to help interpret and because the coupon that I printed yesterday had yesterday's date on it, they said it was expired.  But I eventually got them to accept it.  A lot of work.

              RichardB815971
              Conversationalist ⭐⭐
              March 4, 2025

              EVERY time I tried to use one of the "near you" coupons, the person at the register did not recognize the offer.  Every time the manager was called, the line held up.   I had good responses from the managers a few times, but concluded the embarrassment caused by holding up the line with people behind me not happy was not worth the trouble.  And as someone else said, vendors have gone out of business, changed owners who may not honor the offers, etc.   This section is not kept up to date.   Not worth the effort even if the points used are reasonable compared to the other offers.

                KristBelt
                Community Champion ⭐
                June 28, 2026

                The local coffee coupon I "bought" with points was not honored.

                The local Indian/Pakistani food coupon was not only not honored, it had the wrong (old) address on it!

                The local pizza coupon had so many "conditions" that it was not able to be used.

                The local tour coupon, I don't know, I haven't tried to use it yet.

                  KristBelt
                  Community Champion ⭐
                  June 28, 2026

                  Oh, and PS:

                  The Jamba Juice $5 I won on an instant win? The cashier got so frustrated trying to scan the QR code or enter the code manually from the certificate that he gave up and just let me have the drink for free.

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