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Collections Some people have been gathering items for their collections for decades and are ready to say “Stop!” “I love my things but I have dusted this collection about 5,000 times.” “It’s hard for a non-collector to judge the quality of a collectible and I would rather my family spend their money elsewhere than on something that might be junk or that I would never buy for myself.” Good advice - if you want to add to a collection, ask your friend directly or another collector for suggestions. Appliances “I don’t have room for one more appliance in my kitchenette. And after 50 years of cooking, it’s really not a treat for me to try to feed eight people in my apartment. I’d rather go out!” Appliances that were hard to clean also were not welcomed. “Sometimes things that are supposed to make life easier aren’t as good as the things they replace. I don’t like electric can openers which collect gunk - the hand held one goes right in the dishpan.” Storage “Items that required storage were on the top of the “please don’t get me…” list. Many adults have either downsized or are preparing to downsize and storage space is not plentiful. “I don’t need another subscription to Reader’s Digest or National Geographic because I don’t have room for them. I can go to the library.” Clothes “My family buys me clothes that are too old for me. I don’t think like an old lady and I don’t want to dress like one.” People offered that they didn’t need another scarf in any color, no nightgowns, and no ties for men who have been retired for 20 years and vowed never to wear a tie again. Lottery tickets - too impersonal. What did readers want? Technology “I have a watch that has the time and date it lights up and only costs about $15 to $20 - I’m not trying to break my kids - just asking for useful gifts.” “My friend got this last year and I would like one as well - an indoor outdoor thermometer. Great this time of year when you want to see how chilly it is outside and not expensive.” “Even though I have a garage, I would like an automatic car starter. The parking lot where I volunteer is wide open and it would be great to get a head start on defrosting the windshield when I’m still inside the building.” Services “Whether they do it themselves or hire someone to do it for me, I could use some help cleaning the garage, washing the windows and the gutters. That heavy stuff that’s not as easy for me to do as it used to be.” “A work day from my kids to retile the bathroom.” The people who offered similar ideas also said “Set a date - don’t make it ‘sometime.’” Just because we’re retired doesn’t mean we don’t have obligations, too. I need to schedule around my appointments and my part-time job.” Personal services also were welcomed — manicures, massages, spa days, shopping trips and taking the car in for an oil change. Experiences. Luncheon and a GEVA or a Downstairs Cabaret matinee, wine tasting, a current movie, dinner, a ride through the country were on people’s wish lists. “I would like to see my cousin who lives in a nursing home about 20 miles from here. I don’t drive and it’s too expensive to take a taxi. That would be a gift we could both enjoy.” The gift of time and the creation of memories were highly valued by respondents. Gift certificates for restaurants and bookstores were offered as suggestions. “With a gift certificate for a restaurant I can take a friend - she drives and I buy.” “I don’t need anything but if I had a mall gift certificate, I could buy something for my great grandson - that would please me more than buying something for myself.” “I like gift certificates so when I am in the mood to shop I can, and I like to stretch my money and spend it on sales days.” One thing Golden Times readers can remind their families and retailers of - everyone is different. Just because we turn 50 or 80 doesn’t make us all the same. It’s always nice to be asked what we want. Next topic - restaurants. We’d like your opinions on everything from safe parking to portion size, readability of the menu through the courtesy of the staff. What makes it a great restaurant for you and what would make you never return? Make your voice heard and participate in our voluntary research panel - we want your opinions of what “works” for you and what products, services, advertisers or stores aren’t easy (or fun) to use or visit. You can send me a postcard with your opinion to Lynette Loomis at: The Marketing Strategists, PO Box 663, Mendon, N.Y. 14506; or e-mail me at: marketingstrategists@rochester.rr.com. Lynette M. Loomis
is former vice president of Preferred Care Gold and is a long-standing
advocate of mature consumers. |
