Meaders Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Misleading Gift Card Prizes That Are Actually Known Scams south Fort Worth Texas
We responded to a mail flyer from Meader Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram auto dealership in south Fort Worth, off 35W, because it was a "scratch-off" type with a guaranteed prize. There were prizes for 2 gift cards ($25000 and $300), a year of McDonald's, and $250 cash; we got a $300 gift card.
In the flyer, the card looked like a generic gift card, such as a VISA or similar type; it was actually an "All Access Shopping Card" only useable at ShoppingCardStore.com. The registration instructions said to enter the card number and pin, and pay only shippin/handling plus a one-time $5.00 order processing fee.
When I typed in the card store name, links for many scam and rip-off sites came up so, being careful about such things, I chose a few of them and read the reviews and reports. Many said you're lucky if you actually get into the site; others said the S/H fees were huge (close to $100) and that merchandise was dollar-store quality and not the advertised $15 quality.
This online shopping card/company is a known and reported scam, primarily used by vehicle dealerships as a lure to get potential buyers into their businesses. As such, they're knowingly aiding in the perpetration of an illegal consumer scam!
I reported this info to the dealership - which only lists main, service department, and parts phone numbers - and am now filing this complaint with you. I expect no sensible response from them but let them know they're being reported to many organizations such as this one and BBB, among others.
It was simply too good to be true to expect to win an actual, worthwhile prize; now we wish we'd even won the year's worth of McDonald's prize instead!
Non-buying, opportunistic, fixed-income citizens, BEWARE of your prize and do your research once you get it. If you don't, you only have yourself to blame...