This spring, I applied for a Discover Bank $25 bonus promotion. The written promotion said “a minimum deposit of [a certain amount]…must be received by 4/15/2013.” Discover Bank received said certain amount from me in March. My account balance was less than said certain amount on 4/15/2013.
Discover Bank has refused to give me the $25 bonus. The bank’s position is that there was an unstated condition associated with the promotion. According to the bank, not only did said certain amount have to be received BY 4/15/2013, the account also had to have a balance of said certain amount ON 4/15/2013.
Discover customer service representatives (as well as my totally impartial friends and family) have acknowledged that the plain meaning of “by 4/15/2013” does not imply or include the notion of “on 4/15/2013”. It’s hard to disagree.
Lesson: Be careful if you have anything important riding on something written by Discover Bank.
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