I have a feeling I'm going to open up a can of worms here -but why do you feel that you need/deserve a senior discount-or expect a business to offer one?

If a business is going to offer a discount-shouldn't that discount be applied to those customers that spend the most?

Let's say that a senior couple goes out to eat at OutBack, and their total bill comes out to $50 ($20 entree/$5 mixed drink/per person).

An 35 year old couple goes to OutBack and their total bill comes to $110 ($20 entree/$10 dessert/3 drinks @$5 each($15)/per person).

Wouldn't it make sense to offer the discount to the couple that spends more per sitting, than the couple that spends less?

I am in retail, and it's been my experience that the age group in the 25-50 year old range, spend more than people 50+ do.

 

I think the reason behind the Senior Discount is that most are on fixed incomes. Retired on a fixed pension and or social security.

Younger customers for the most part are still employed and subject to raises and bonuses.

 

I knew someone was going to bring up the "fixed income" argument.

I would guess that the vast majority of younger customers, really don't have that much variance in their year to year income. Not many people get a 10% or higher raise each year (outside of a career switch etc). I would guess that the average wage increase would be in the range of 3-7% per year.

 

First of all, did you ever consider that the 25 - 50 year old people have more disposable income than the "seniors"?

Newly retireds may not notice it right off, but many companies do not give cost of living increases or raises on pensions regularly. After a few years you had better have some income supplement.

My father drew a pension from Western Electric for 28 years and I remember about 20 -25 years into it he asked my mother how long she planned to live because they were going to have to start consuming some of the principal of their investments.

Some places run "senior specials" and "early bird specials" during slow hours and slow days to encourage seniors to come out and spend a little money. There must be some profit in it. I suspect those specials are intended to draw people out that would not normally be able to afford it. I'm sure there are many that can afford it that benefit from the specials, too.


My experience as a senior has been that the discount age varies from 55 - 65 depending on the policy of that particular business.

 

Of course I considered it. My point was that wouldn't it be more beneficial to offer a discount to those that spend more, rather than to that group that doesn't spend as much?

I'm looking at the discount issue a little differently than most, that's all.

I know it's up to each business to offer (or not offer) a discount to seniors (that's their choice).

I just don't like the "I'm a senior, give me my discount" attitude that comes across sometimes.

 

Supposedly, seniors hold upwards of 70% all the discreationary income in this country. I wish I could cite you a credible reference. That would blow a hole in the argument of who would benefit the most from discounts. I think we all agree that there are a lot of seniors on very limited incomes out there, who can use the break. I know plenty of well-off seniors who'll drive 25 miles to save a quarter. Plus, seniors can become a very loyal bunch to the discounters.

 

Either way the businesses must be finding some benefit in offering senior discounts.

 

But there are a LOT more of us than those young whippersnappers!

WE spent more when we were 25-50 as well.

 

Why would businesses give any financial breaks to families with children, for that matter?

It's all about having a tiered pricing structure: high prices for those who will be there anyway, and a lower price (not offered to the first group) for another group in order to attract a bit more business. It works especially well if the senior discount at, for example, a golf course is available only during weekday hours, when the full-price customers can't play. Many players at a reduced charge may generate more revenue than fewer players at full price.

 

So-if I were to play a golf course during a weekday, should I pay the full price or the discounted price?