Why Should Seniors Get the Discounts?
Lower prices for the elderly herald from a bygone era, but they're not going anywhere. Plus, when is imitation not flattery?
By Knight Kiplinger, Editor in Chief
From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, November 2008
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Is it right for restaurants, movie theaters and hotels to offer discounts to all senior citizens, regardless of their means? I'm a thirtysomething woman with family responsibilities on a modest income, and no one gives me a discount for anything.
Discounts for seniors go back to an era when most elderly Americans were less well off than their fellow citizens. That's no longer the case, but the discounts linger. Many seniors expect them, so it's hard for businesses to abandon them.
Discounts are offered to a variety of other people, too, such as clergy and military personnel, out of respect for their service. There are discounts for children, to encourage parents to bring them along to a restaurant or hotel, rather than make the family stay home. And discounts are offered to large associations -- such as AAA -- to attract the patronage of their members. Yes, it would be more fair for every customer to pay the same price for the same goods and services. But that's not going to happen.
Imitation isn't flattery
I'm an interior designer at an architecture firm, and one of our important corporate clients has asked us to design and have made -- at a low price -- close copies of an expensive line of contemporary furniture. My boss says this is perfectly legal, as long as I modify slightly some details and proportions of the designer line. I think this is unethical. What should I do?
I'm with you. It may be technically legal, but your boss is asking you to flout the intellectual-property rights of the original designer and maker.
Courteously share your concerns with your boss and suggest that you both discuss this with the client. To help bolster your case, you should recommend to the client another line of original furnishings that are similar but within its budget.
Reader Comments (16)
Posted by: Mochel Morris at 10/19/2008 04:14:06 PM
In my 29th year of service as clergy, I cannot think of a time when I have been offered discounts. The only discounts I get are for using my AAA card.
Posted by: Cindy Hunt at 10/20/2008 08:43:29 AM
Be reminded that we seniors paid regular prices for many years, and worked hard to give back to the society as a whole (I was an educator for 32 years). A 10% discount is sometimes a real plus to someone who is on a fixed income, unlike the younger generation who can over the years upgrade their positions and income. Also, these small discounts in no way cover the school taxes still paid by seniors who are property owners who no longer have children in school. I can understand how younger folk feel at this time in their lives, but the time will come when they will have a better understanding.
Posted by: Michael at 10/27/2008 08:15:40 AM
The reason for these discounts is market segmentation, not fairness. If a seller can define a market segment that will pay more and can find a way to charge that segment more, it can maximize revenue for the same cost. Examples are charging more for more convenient parking to get more from spenders and still capture the cheapskate market or airline tickets that cost less with advance purchase; it captures the leisure, cost-conscious traveler and charges the more willing business traveler who can't plan as far ahead wtih a higher price. Another factor is that old folks' habits take us to discount places at less busy times, so they get more revenue at times when they would otherwise get less. It's microeconomics, not justice.
Posted by: Steve J at 10/27/2008 09:31:18 AM
To the selfish 30-something woman who gets no discounts: I am not a senior, however, keep in mind that most seniors did not have the savings vehicles that we have, 401-k, etc., so start saving and hope that you don't have to rely on discounts in your older years!!!
Posted by: tj at 10/27/2008 12:24:18 PM
To the lady who laments senior discounts. Do you know what the 5th command is? Honor your father & mother.
Posted by: GenX at 10/27/2008 01:12:26 PM
Steve J, that 30-something woman is spot on. A large percentage of seniors had and still have defined benefit pensions for which they contributed *zero* dollars, in addition to 100% paid medical for most if not all of their working lives. We 30-somethings have had all of the societal safety nets yanked out from under us. Checked your 401(k) balance lately? Also, to the senior crying about property taxes funding schools when their kids are no longer using them: my fiancee and I don't have kids at all (can't afford 'em!) but we pay property taxes to schools as well. You want your rebate? Fine. I demand mine as well. This tradition of senior discounts has long outlived its usefulness and is beyond unfair. I'm tired of footing the bill more and more to pay for the generation ahead of me who stole from future generations to live large. This while medical insurance gets more insanely expensive and useless and 401(k) and IRA money is trashed my the markets and the Federal Reserve who waters down our currency.
Posted by: mary lincoln at 10/27/2008 01:17:48 PM
The quality of local schools affects property values and the quality of life. I think it is in everyone's best interest to see that their local school's are adequately financed, and of course, well managed. I am retired and have never had children and have always been willing to see my tax dollar support a school system that it is well managed.
Posted by: Frank at 10/27/2008 02:21:55 PM
"to an era when most elderly Americans were less well off than their fellow citizens. That's no longer the case," I beg to differ!
Posted by: s2kreno at 10/27/2008 03:28:09 PM
I agree with the 30-year-old. Study after study confirms that seniors are the wealthiest segment of our society. In addition, those collecting Social Security these days will get back far more than they ever put in. The flip side is that people in their thirties will pay more and more and will get back an average of one third of their contributions. To add senior discounts to that is to pile insult on injury.
Posted by: SteveTheHawk at 10/27/2008 05:07:53 PM
I think the 30-something woman and GenX need to quit whining. Life is full of situations that seem unfair (though they are not). Sounds to me like they want exactly what everyone else gets, whether they have earned it or not. Seniors have earned their discount by getting old...I don't qualify for senior discounts yet, but someday I will, and so will the the 30-somethings....get over it.
Posted by: Nick at 10/27/2008 05:30:14 PM
I agree with steve, i never had any kids,yet i still pay school taxes for her kids!! That 30-something...woman should be grateful for us seniors!!!
Posted by: Nomen at 10/27/2008 10:35:53 PM
It's interesting how people want to redefine fair. If everyone gets the discount when they become a senior then IT IS FAIR. (Remember, the older folks didn't get that senior discount when they were younger either.) Many restaurants even have a smaller portion senior menu with correspondingly lower prices. What could be fairer than that?...
Posted by: LR at 10/28/2008 02:04:11 PM
...You're all hung up on an outdated word: seniors. Because people are living longer, the age at which you become a senior keeps getting pushed back. (It's often 62 or 65 now). It's the BABY BOOMERS (45-62) who are the wealthiest segment of the population, not the "seniors."
Posted by: James at 02/08/2009 10:15:54 PM
Recent newspaper add: 15% discount to seniors 50 and over at Rona. Discounts should apply to everyone. How can this be legal?
Posted by: Troche Truffante at 10/13/2009 04:03:27 PM
We as a society must seriously consider repealing or abolishing Senior Citizens Discounts for Baby Boomers. The generation that brought us hippies, STDs and America's first wartime defeat need to be properly compensated for all the damage wrought at their hands. Short of eternal damnation, I don't know any other way to send them the message. We must still give discounts to members of the Greatest Generation who are still with us, of course.
Posted by: Nate at 10/28/2009 11:01:19 AM
Well said Truffante... see my blog about this very subject: seniordiscountsforall DOT blogspot DOT com