Have You Had Any Personal Experience with AARP? Good, or Bad?

Demeter

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:19 PM
Original message

Have You Had Any Personal Experience with AARP? Good, or Bad?

When I looked into American Association of Retired Persons several years ago, I concluded it was a ripoff. But a lot of time has passed, and they have been chastised for several stupid things they did during the W regime. So, what are they up to now? Do they offer anything of value?

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mimitabby

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:23 PM
Response to Original message

1. i avoid them

but i know my mother gets good discounts from them. they are not there for you, they are like any big corporation. But if you can use them to help you, by all means do it.

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rustydog

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:23 PM
Response to Original message

2. I am still dragging my heels. My kid brother likes discounts

on some things. My son's father-in-law likes the discounts on car insurance being an "older" driver with AARP.

I dunno.

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tularetom

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:29 PM
Response to Original message

3. Don't let them get their hooks into you, they never give up

Years ago I inquired about one of their Medicare supplement plans. I ultimately didn't avail myself of their services and never responded. Now, not a week goes by without Mrs. T or myself receiving a membership solicitation from them in the mail. I have called twice to tell them to knock it off and both times they promised to do so but so far nothing has changed.

At least they don't call or email me.

It's merely a front for some big insurance companies, not a real advocacy group for seniors.

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dixiegrrrrl

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:43 PM
Response to Reply #3

7. Ditto.....ELEVEN years, and 5 moves, after I stopped membership

they are STILL sending me "last chance " membership offers plus I am still on their junk mailing list
for every single insurance, senior citizen offer in the world.
How do I know they Put me on a mass mailing list?
Because I used their initials in my name when I joined ELEVEN years ago and the junk mail has that name on it.
Dixie ARP etc............
Have never ever been able to get them to stop.

They sold out to insurance and medical companies long long ago.

:mad:

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damntexdem

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:34 PM
Response to Original message

4. I joined when I turned 50.

Then they supported the horrid GOP Medicare Part D plan, so I quit.

AARP later recanted, saying the plan was terrible and that it had been a mistake to support it.

Later they asked me for use of some data (they had used my data in previous years). When I told them I didn't have current data, they funded my collection of new data. So I felt better about them.

But I still haven't joined again.

They do some good advocacy for services for the elderly.

But I wouldn't trust their insurance products.

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Wait Wut

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:36 PM
Response to Original message

5. I was a member of AAA for several years, does that count?

Told the husband last nite to hurry up and sign up for AARP so we can get the free tote bag (that HE can carry, not me).

I have YEARS to go before I'm eligible...or sumthin.

Honestly, my brother's wife loved it for the discounts. They traveled a lot and it saved them tons o' cash. That's the limit of my personal experience. Tote bags and in-laws.

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liberaltrucker

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:36 PM
Response to Original message

6. United Health carries their Medicare supplemental policies, IIRC

Case closed.

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madrchsod

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Thu Jun-02-11 04:51 PM
Response to Original message

8. my parents used the medical supplemental insurance

no problems at all. everything was paid on time. they used the other discounts when they were traveling. i`ll probably sign up when for the supplemental next year

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UTUSN

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Thu Jun-02-11 05:07 PM
Response to Original message

9. Lots of us here quit when they backed Shrub's tinkling on Medicare

Their president at that time, don't know about now, was the a-hole in charge of the Harry & Louise (or whomever) commercials against Hillary's health care plan.

I know nothing current.

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hyphenate

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Thu Jun-02-11 05:11 PM
Response to Original message

10. I think they're more like

a lobbyist nowadays, but that's been true for awhile. Their mission is to mollify all these people who are over 55, but their target audience is still the middle class--they have a lot less to offer those of lower class levels,

I used to enjoy reading their magazine when my mom used to get it, but they just keep sending me offers and I just ignore them.

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bemildred

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Thu Jun-02-11 05:12 PM
Response to Original message

11. Basically, an insurance marketing scheme. nt

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TreasonousBastard

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Thu Jun-02-11 05:14 PM
Response to Original message

12. Discounts on a lot of stuff, at least half of which I can't use...

but the homeowners and auto deals can be good.

It's cheap enough to sign up for a year and see what happens. I suspect they might lose money on the membership fee.

(You're gonna get the junk mail anyway whether you sign up or not.)

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xmas74

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Thu Jun-02-11 05:15 PM
Response to Original message

13. Parents love them.

They took a trip to see a family member and the amount they saved just on hotels more than doubled what the membership cost.

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jtuck004

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Thu Jun-02-11 05:28 PM
Response to Original message

14. They supply a bit of the funding (from their member's dues?) to pay

a part of the expenses for tax preparation without cost to people with lower income or many of those in retirement. (VITA program).

I'm not sure it makes up for the actions detailed by others above.

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Demeter

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Thu Jun-02-11 06:25 PM
Response to Original message

15. Thanks Everybody

Sounds like they still don't have anything I need....

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