I heard the promotional deal over the radio four days ago. It first caught my attention because the radio commercial said, “$300 gas gift card… no restrictions, easy to use… just spend at any gas stations or any grade of gas.” So I called and the representative told me that I would be charged $24.95 for shipping and handling and for transaction fees. I hesitated but then asked him, “Will I be charged anything else? ” He said that I would need to sign up for two different trial memberships in order to get the full benefits of the gas program. But then quickly assured me that I could cancel the memberships as soon as I get the packet in the mail. I asked him, “Will your company sell my personal information to a third party company? ” He said no. So I thought, well, if I only need to spend $25 for a $300 gift card, then I’ll take the chance.
Soooo…I just received the letter in the mail yesterday afternoon. It turns out to be a REBATE PROGRAM! Not a gift card. I was under the impression that I would receive a credited gift card to spend as I please throughout the year with NO restrictions. Then I read the Terms & Conditions. It’s a joke! According to their terms, it would take me ONE YEAR to save $300 in REBATES that take 8-10 weeks to receive.
“To redeem your vouchers, you must make a minimum monthly purchase of $100 in gasoline (at a gas station you preselected) and send in receipts with voucher. The maximum rebate voucher value per month is $25.00.”
“Only one voucher per month.”
That means I would need to spend my OWN $100 per month, fill out my monthly voucher, send a self-address stamped envelope along with my gas receipts, in order to receive $25.00 MAX a month, which would take 8-10 weeks to receive. HOW IS THAT A DEAL??? Yes, if I wait a year to spend my own money and follow the program precisely, then I would get a total REBATE of $300 at the end of the year. BUT, did the representatives and radio commercial disclose that? NO!
I was furious and jaded. So I called this morning: 207-937-4801. I spoke to an asshole, claiming to be the manager, with a chip on his shoulder. Perhaps tons of other disappointed customers have already called him. I asked him to remove me from any other promotional monthly memberships. And rudely replied, “That’s NOT my company, you will need to wait for the pamphlets.” I began getting angry and defensive. So I addressed my DISSATISFACTION with the representation of the company and the promotional deal. We argued for 8 minutes. He tried to give me all the rebuttals in the book, but I refused to hear him out. I told him, “There’s nothing you can say that would make me want to continue this program. I want my money back.” He then said, “Why did we waste 8 minutes of time arguing about this? I told him I want a REFUND of all my money. He said he would refund it in 7-10 business days and hung up on me.
Do not sign up for any promotional deals!!! Nothing is for free, so beware for the terms and conditions.
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