Was going to use the title "Senior Scams" but that infers criminality. Most situations where seniors are at risk for losing money or overspending are not crimes. At that, though, the vendor or service provider often does not go out of the way to inform the (senior) customer of the savings that are readily available.
Posting this as a qualified senior... but with the idea that younger persons may have family members that are at risk.
Because there are so many stories to be told, I won't try to cover all here, but just a few to set the stage for other's to share their "warnings".
The first is the error of OMISSION... Failing to ask for a senior discount. No matter how old (I, me, we) look... chances of getting that discount automatically is IMHO... nil!. Methusalah would pay full price unless he made the request. From personal observation, virtually none of my friends and neighbors ASK for the discount, so every time they go out to eat, they pay an extra $2 to $3 on a 20 dollar meal for two. Same with retail stores. Gotta learn to say "I'm a Senior", or "do you have a senior discount?". That's not a scam but some folks avoid asking as a matter of vanity... (Gee... I don't look that old.) Many places offer discounts @ age 55.
Her's a particularly good one that happened to us yesterday. DW going in for colonoscopy and goes for the pre-procedure visit. We're old hands at this, and realize that we'll get a prescription for the ugly part of the prep...
a gallon of "Golytley" which used to cost about $7.
So the specialist doctor says she'll call in the prescription to our pharmacy, for us to pick up. We have an ongoing account, and usually just say charge it ... After we picked up the prescription, I looked at the receipt... figuring it would be under $10 after Medicare D paid. OMG... $72.50... after the $25 medicare discount (tier 3 medicine) Total cost was originally $95 + ....
Too late... after a prescription is filled at Walmart... no return is possible because of government regulations. (so we were told). The prescription was for "MoviPrep"... (Google for the outraged comments on this). Collusion between doctor and Pharmaceutical companies? Who's to say?.
Another similar pharmacy cost to avoid. One of the most common medications used for arthritis is Naproxen... sold as the Branded drug Aleve, in 220mg doses. The cost per dose varies and can be from $.20 to $.60+.
Our doctor (different doctor) prescribed the generic Naproxen... 500mg tablets... which comes under the $4 Walmart drug prices... We cut in half for 250mg...
Cost per dose... $.03.
The really scary stories come from older folks, living in their own home, who get caught by unscrupulous contractors. A neighbor who bought in our senior community aobut the same time we did (homes built in 2001) has a roofer who has been to her house for "loose shingles"... $125 each time... at least twice a year. On another thread... same neighbor with 2011 Lincoln has oil changes 4 times a year @ $100+ (with additional services) on a car with 2400 miles. No relatives to protect her.
Comcast "sold" network services to another neighbor... @$65mo... and she doesn't have a computer.
Service Contracts... enough said... $9/yr to protect a $59 Blu-Ray Player?
...........
My take only, but I'm sure others have similar or worse tales to tell...
After yesterday's con on the "MoviPrep" I know I have a lot to learn...
Feel free to add on here.
Posting this as a qualified senior... but with the idea that younger persons may have family members that are at risk.
Because there are so many stories to be told, I won't try to cover all here, but just a few to set the stage for other's to share their "warnings".
The first is the error of OMISSION... Failing to ask for a senior discount. No matter how old (I, me, we) look... chances of getting that discount automatically is IMHO... nil!. Methusalah would pay full price unless he made the request. From personal observation, virtually none of my friends and neighbors ASK for the discount, so every time they go out to eat, they pay an extra $2 to $3 on a 20 dollar meal for two. Same with retail stores. Gotta learn to say "I'm a Senior", or "do you have a senior discount?". That's not a scam but some folks avoid asking as a matter of vanity... (Gee... I don't look that old.) Many places offer discounts @ age 55.
Her's a particularly good one that happened to us yesterday. DW going in for colonoscopy and goes for the pre-procedure visit. We're old hands at this, and realize that we'll get a prescription for the ugly part of the prep...
a gallon of "Golytley" which used to cost about $7.
So the specialist doctor says she'll call in the prescription to our pharmacy, for us to pick up. We have an ongoing account, and usually just say charge it ... After we picked up the prescription, I looked at the receipt... figuring it would be under $10 after Medicare D paid. OMG... $72.50... after the $25 medicare discount (tier 3 medicine) Total cost was originally $95 + ....
Too late... after a prescription is filled at Walmart... no return is possible because of government regulations. (so we were told). The prescription was for "MoviPrep"... (Google for the outraged comments on this). Collusion between doctor and Pharmaceutical companies? Who's to say?.
Another similar pharmacy cost to avoid. One of the most common medications used for arthritis is Naproxen... sold as the Branded drug Aleve, in 220mg doses. The cost per dose varies and can be from $.20 to $.60+.
Our doctor (different doctor) prescribed the generic Naproxen... 500mg tablets... which comes under the $4 Walmart drug prices... We cut in half for 250mg...
Cost per dose... $.03.
The really scary stories come from older folks, living in their own home, who get caught by unscrupulous contractors. A neighbor who bought in our senior community aobut the same time we did (homes built in 2001) has a roofer who has been to her house for "loose shingles"... $125 each time... at least twice a year. On another thread... same neighbor with 2011 Lincoln has oil changes 4 times a year @ $100+ (with additional services) on a car with 2400 miles. No relatives to protect her.
Comcast "sold" network services to another neighbor... @$65mo... and she doesn't have a computer.
Service Contracts... enough said... $9/yr to protect a $59 Blu-Ray Player?
...........
My take only, but I'm sure others have similar or worse tales to tell...
After yesterday's con on the "MoviPrep" I know I have a lot to learn...
Feel free to add on here.
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