Why not?
Posted on 09/03/2006 11:28:12 AM PDT by John Jorsett
After walking the Great Wall of China and making plans for a trip to Russia, Shirley Greening-Jackson thought signing up for a new internet service would be a doddle.
But the young man behind the counter had other ideas. He said she was barred - because she was too old.
The 75-year-old would only be allowed to sign the forms for the Carphone Warehouse's TalkTalk phone and broadband package if she was accompanied by a younger member of her family who could explain the small print to her.
Mrs Greening-Jackson, who sits on the board of several charities, said: "I was absolutely furious. The young man said, 'Sorry, you're over 70. It's company policy. We don't sign anyone up who is over 70.'
"Later a young lady said company policy is that anyone over 70 might not understand the contract. She said, 'If you would be prepared to go to the shop in town and take a younger member of your family we might give you a contract.'
"I have just completed a visa form to go to Russia. Last year we did one for walking the Wall in China and here is this person saying I would not be able to understand a basic form - and it was basic. It is pure ageism.
"Somebody has decided when you turn 70 you lose a lot of your mind. I find this is ridiculous."
When her case came to light on Radio 4's You And Yours last week, Carphone Warehouse admitted it had adopted an over-70 rule.
But the firm insisted it was not a blanket policy and claimed the guidance was to protect the elderly. A spokeswoman said: "It is not our policy to refuse business from adult customers of any age group. However, we do ask our agents to use their discretion when dealing with older customers."
She added that the discretionary rule had been introduced in response to complaints that staff had mis-sold products last year.
Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on older people, described the practice as 'deeply offensive'.
He said: "It is nonsense to assume those over the age of 70 cannot understand this sort of package, especially with the huge explosion of 'silver surfers' using the net."
New laws next month will outlaw ageism in the workplace. But Help the Aged wants the rules extended to protect consumers. "We see companies putting in place arbitrary age rules all the time,' a spokeswoman said. "To deny people services because of their age is just crazy. There needs to be legislation to address this."
Could this be why Ted Stevens doesn't know jack about the internet?
My dad will be 70 in a few years and he is one of the most intelligent persons I have ever known. I would hate to be on the receiving end of anyone who did this to him.
Ted Stevens answered an email I sent him, and with alacrity. It shouldn't be said he doesn't know jack about the internet. He at least knows enough to have somebody on staff monitor it, which is more than can be said about my real estate agent who claims to use the latest technology but can't send an email.
"...'silver surfers'..."
Some astute entrepreneur might put together an ISP just for these folks. And considering their income levels are hardly in the poverty range, do very well for himself. Also, print the contract in larger type. So it runs an extra page; big deal...
I don't think it's that they think the "fine print" is too small, it's that they think seniors are too addlepated or dim to comprehend its complexities.
Why not?
All of those old people need to be euthanized. /sarcasm off
Seniors are a valuable asset. My spouse's grandfathers were sharp as a tack until the day they passed, well into their 90's. Grandma is still going strong and should hit 100 at the least.
Yes! And how ancient is Donald "The Eternal" Rumsfeld?
It can happen. I lost my mind at 50.
Sounds like they were trying to protect elderly folks from being sold stuff they didn't really want or need. A blanket policy is stupid, though. That 70 year old woman could have been extremely computer savvy, after all, the Intireweb has been around for quite some time, and it isn't just kids using it.
Take your business elsewhere sweetheart, and stop crying to the government every time your feelings get hurt.
My dad is 80 and has been surfing the net for 10 years. He has no problem with it.
The big shock to me is how she is so active and involved in life and is just now signing up for the Internet (unless she was changing ISP's).
Better than crying to the government, discuss with the AARP. Perhaps they would like to pass the name of this company on to their readers. Word of mouth is also good. They won't be around long with a policy like this.
Once you get seniors on the internet they just don't stop.
I think this is pure commercial suicide.
Imagine is the store had a "women must get their husband or their father."
If one group of people needs protection from this company (as the company itself claims), don't all people need protection from them?
They're just afraid that she'll leave her turn signal on when getting onto the Information Superhighway!
Mark
Such companies are run by the addled and do not deserve the commerce they receive. Putting children in charge of one's customer base without adequate training and supervision is the surest way to drive a business into the ground.
Demanding to speak to someone over 35 might be an appropriate response to foolish members of the antielderly youth culture.
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