Are Villagers / elderly being Ripped-Off
 

After living here in The Villages, I have noticed that many salesman / companies appear to over charge those of us who live here in The Villages.

Generally speaking, "some" of the landscaping people servicing The Villages are scam artist. I was quoted 40% more for palm trees versus purchasing the same trees on my own in Ocala.
The large exterminating companies generally servicing The Villages are much more expensive than obtaining extermination services from the surrounding area.
The local Honda dealership attempted to overcharge me an extra $1500 for a new vehicle and when I stated that I could purchase the same vehicle cheaper in Orlando, the salesman cited that I could afford the higher price since I was a Villager. The same salesman also cited; why drive an extra 90 minutes to save $1500 since as an older person the extra driving to a large city could be dangerous due to my age. ( I'm 61 )
I attempted to use a franchised floor cleaning company and when I attempted to use the coupon codes generally found online, I was told discount codes generally allowed to the rest of the state of Florida was not permitted for those who live in The Villages.
I purchase a new Golf Cart just 60 miles from here and the same exact cart sold in The Villages was almost $1800 more.
In my opinion, it seems to me that many companies servicing The Villages take advantage of the elderly when it comes to pricing.

You caught on quick. We also have experienced over charging on automotive and other consumer services except tv’s. It's worth getting out of the BUBBLE for major purchases. Our last 2 vehicles have been purchased in Orlando with substantial saving it's a 1 hour drive.

I caught on quick---I assume this practice of overcharging the elderly / those living in The Villages is something that's been going on for some time...
Then that's the fault of prior villagers who have allowed this practice of overcharge to continue. As a newbie, my business is going outside The Villages.....

We went to Ocala for our car. Was cheaper than Leesburg

I'm amazed that some people will spend 60 minutes in Publix reviewing their purchases in order to save an extra ten dollars, but will neglect to do their own investigating and fail to travel to different car dealerships in order to shop for the cheapest price on a new car and blindly settle for the price the first dealer offers them....

I paid for a hot dog, small amount of freedom fries and a coke $11.50 plus tip, thought that was to much but what can we do beside order it again somewhere else...

Jeez - how old was the salesman...12?? I'm 61 as well and I probably would have popped him good for considering me an 'older person'. (That's my Brooklyn coming out) Then I'd go to Orlando for my car! :1rotfl:

Without question we are marks, sitting pigeons...Could have sued certain ubiquitous little white trucks with a green stripes running around T.V. for fraud..Charged $1200. for two hours of imaginary ghost work..On and on...Head on a swivel, around here...

Isn’t the thinking “Since you can’t take it with you, ya old geezer, you might as well share it with me?” Problem is some in TV have worked all their lives to have a few golden years, the salesman’s turn will come if they do the same. People have money in the first place because they have looked after it usually, so why would they change just because they are older?

Villagers worked all their lives, saved money and are living the dream.


They did not turn stupid once they arrived.


Speaking of stupid, thinking otherwise.


:clap2:

Why You Call Seniors vs Crime
 

Seniors vs Crime is a special project of the Florida Attorney General and it has files full of "Rip Off's" of Seniors and Non Seniors. That's why it makes a lot of sense to call them before hiring a Contractor or Landscaper, etc etc before signing up!! There are some with many multiple scams, etc and yet they still get lots of new customers. It's best to use TOTV for recommendation's then call Senior's vs Crime to determine if they have any records on them and then if appropriate hire them. :popcorn:

wow!
So glad you arrived to save us.......

I've bought two new cars since moving here in 2017 one from Jenkin's Honda in Leesburg and the other from Phillips Buick in I believe Lady Laker or Fruitland Park. I researched the MSRP and available incentives on both before purchasing, went in with my absolute max price I would pay "out the door" Phillips actually gave me a better deal than I was looking for, Jenkin's gave the car to me for what I offered but it took several hours of seeing who wore out first, I finally told them I was leaving and would not be back, they accepted it.. I would prefer to buy locally but if they had not at least accepted the price I had in mind I would have walked. I really haven't seen restaurants and stores with high Villages prices except for the cost of cocktails, they vary greatly for the same product and at some restaurants they are extremely high so I won't order cocktails in those establishments.

Why are we blaming the vendors for trying to make as much money as they can.....is there a rule someplace that limits what they can charge? Didn't the business you worked for or work for do the same thing? As long as the customers will pay the rate they will charge the rate. WE control that. Some will exercise that control, evidently the majority here view it differently. Competition controls pricing and pricing is determined by what customers are willing to pay. I don't view it as they taking advantage of seniors, I view it as seniors making choices that fits their lifestyle, and sometimes that's paying more for local convenience.

Somewhat agree except many merchants make it a concerted effort in attempting to charge as much as possible to those residing from The Villages. If I followed your logic, would it be okay for Walmart to charge more in neighborhoods where the clientele where minorities / less educated who didn't fully understand the free market ???

Some of the elderly population residing here in The Villages who are also financial secure may have diminished mental capacity or are vulnerable to slick salesmen.

:bigbow:

[QUOTE=JoMar;1850527]Why are we blaming the vendors for trying to make as much money as they can.....[QUOTE]




We aren't.



Just a pot-stirrer.

I agree, this is the basic free market economics argument...based on survival of the fittest...but.... as long as the business is not counting on the elderly to be too weak mentally due to dementia, or physically (can’t drive further) to get the same service etc because that is being ageist, and taking advantage. Because that is abuse.

This is a little harsh, don't you think? Perhaps a lot of people are willing to pay more for convienience and keeping shopping easy. Doesn't make them foolish or at fault.

Not quick enough.................you purchased an over priced house.


:1rotfl:


:1rotfl:


:1rotfl:

Geez, you don't really have to twist the knife after stabbing him, now do you?

:boxing2:

I have to agree with that. My parents, now just Dad, were willing to pay for convenience. Dad is now in assisted living, still in The Villages, and there have been still a few instances where the convenience has been worth the cost.

And you didn't??

This is one reason why we use TOTV. The power of social media! The members post their experiences with services and providers: 95% of my service providers and things I do in TV is influenced (not determined) by what I read on this site. I am careful as to whose advice I follow. Some people on TOTV are altruistic and helpful, especially if you are a newbie. I also try to share my experiences with you guys and hope that it is of use.

[QUOTE=dewilson58;1850536][QUOTE=JoMar;1850527]Why are we blaming the vendors for trying to make as much money as they can.....To dewilson58 - Sir

Why do you dislike me so much ?
Have I done anything to upset you ?
I haven't done anything to you.
I'll be the adult and apologize to you if you honestly believe I have been rude to you.
Now please let it be......

I did pay a premium for the LifeStyle.
I was well aware what other developments were charging, both in Florida & AZ.
I made the decision.
BUT
I don't come on ToTV and say the area businesses are ripping off old people, taking advantage of them and blame prior Villagers for presumed problem.


:ho:

@dewilson. . . i should have put a ROLF but i didn't see it.

@fg111 - so your post reads like you are whining, like you want the same prices everywhere, just because you can prove that prices are cheaper elsewhere. So the world isn't fair by your standard. However, you don't have to pay those prices, you just have to shop around. So the free market works if everyone puts in the extra effort like you did, and bought outside the villages, and then the local vendor would match the prices. However, evidently that isn't happening, because TV is a relatively wealthy population as compared to the surrounding rural farm land cities and towns.

So you may not be able to afford or believe that you want to spend at the same level as the other TVs. fine, you just have to do more work to save the money. However, there is a cost to your time, and you might have a lower value on your time than others. Lower value means that spending the extra time is less expensive than the money you can save by shopping elsewhere. For example, to save $100 and shopping around, including driving back and forth, gas, and telephone time, took 5 hours, or you value your time less than $20 an hour to make an economic decision.

If I value my time at $50 an hour, the 5 hours of time = $250 and spending that much time isn't worth it to save $100. . . like wise, I value my time such that only large expensive items are worth spending time searching and negotiating. So as the item starts to climb in price, then I start to get interested in saving money, like on a new to me truck. . . at anywhere from $40-80K

Now don't ask a salesman to expect to know that you value your time less than everyone else who has walked in before you, and you can negotiate some prices, the larger the item, the more the price may be negotiable . . but don't whine and complain to a salesperson about his / her price. That's his or her living and responsibility. Just offer a lower price or keep shopping for your price point.

Also, don't dress like you have money or come from the villages, dress like you fit in to the world outside the villages. . . you might be surprised how much just that influences a sales rep.

sportsguy

I’m thinking about driving back to Ok. To purchase our next new vehicle. 3000 to 3500 dollar lot price differences than anywhere in Florida.

[QUOTE=FG111;1850573][QUOTE=dewilson58;1850536]Good luck with that.:boom:

as a month of social security worth of savings, or equal to an annual real estate tax payment, probably very worthwhile!

sportsguy

Especially when I’ll be heading that way in few months.

I'll betcha a Nickel that every one of those Salespeople who ripped off Villagers were CALORICALLY CHALLENGED. :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Payback is a Something?? I forgot! :1rotfl::1rotfl:

In our previous city it was obvious that people thought you were well to do they should try and charge more. Kind of thought you made some money and than turned stupid.

Seems to work the same way here.

When we first arrived landscapers thought we would agree to pay 2-3x the going rate.

Just looked at them and said thank you and walked away. Found out what others were paying and got a recommendation and happy with the fellow we are using.

Same with other services.

Do not understand going to say a car dealership wanting to buy a car and having no idea about pricing.

You can buy a bag of little masher potatoes, a pack of good quality hotdogs, and two 2-litre bottles of coca cola, a pack of hotdog buns, a bottle of spicy brown mustard, an onion, and a jar of relish - for less than the cost of two of those dine-out dog lunches. And it'll be good for EIGHT hotdog lunches.

Plus you'll have mustard and relish left over for another 16 dogs.

Village price, know exactly what you mean. Sad.

Many companies do over charge. For repairs and additions We get three estimates and then make an offer. Lawn service including mowing, fertilizer and insect care are pretty outrageous. If i nee other services i ask for information on Nextdoor.

Buy a car no more than 3 years old. Look into rental cars that car rental companies want to move. There are great deals available.

@FG111 should have his membership revoked at the "The Friendliest Home Town" for a complaining about vendors servicing non commodity items to the economic engine in central florida.

They think only rich folk live here
 

In 13 years price have in some cases tripled, and the less wealthy are always last on the list. Vendors should remember that we put these businesses where they are when they started all those years ago and deserve the same service as others.

We often feel we are a nuisance to these companies and get second rate treatment, or our repairs and renovations are "too small" for them to bother.