Seniors Give a Thumbs Up Locally

These ladies kept well informed of businesses targeting seniors and avoided loosing money to companies that target their demographic. They networked with each other and blew the whistle to stop any of them being taken advantage of. A big thumbs up to them! The senior communities in the Comox Valley are particularly vulnerable and it’s good to get the word out any way we can about possible unscrupulous businesses they could fall prey to.

Unfortunately, some businesses do exploit seniors. This can happen in various ways:

Inflated prices:
Some companies may mark up the prices of safety products significantly higher than their actual value, taking advantage of seniors’ limited knowledge of market prices.

Unnecessary add-ons:
Businesses may push unnecessary add-ons or upgrades, claiming they’re essential for safety but are actually just profit drivers.

High-pressure sales tactics:
Seniors might be coerced into buying expensive safety products through aggressive sales tactics, preying on their fear of accidents or emergencies.

It’s crucial for seniors and their caregivers to research products, compare prices, and be wary of high-pressure sales tactics to avoid falling victim to exploitation.

High-pressure sales tactics to seniors can indeed push expensive contracts.

Here’s how:

Urgency: Salespeople may create a sense of urgency, convincing seniors that they need to sign a contract immediately to secure a discount or special offer. This pressure can prevent seniors from taking the time to carefully review the terms and conditions.

Confusion: Complex language and overwhelming amounts of information in contracts can confuse seniors, making it difficult for them to fully understand what they’re agreeing to. This confusion can lead to seniors unintentionally agreeing to expensive terms or services they don’t need.

Fear tactics: Salespeople may play on seniors’ fears, such as concerns about their health or safety, to persuade them to sign contracts for products or services that promise to address these fears. Seniors may feel compelled to agree to costly contracts in order to alleviate their anxieties.

Again to protect seniors from being pushed into expensive contracts, it’s important for them to take their time, ask questions, seek advice from trusted family members or professionals, and carefully review all contract terms before signing anything.

So if it’s still a good idea, tomorrow it will still be a good idea. Go slow.