There’s a discount shopping site for seniors that actually works

Asked if I would do a piece for Starts at 60 about Senior Shopper, I admit that I was working from a basis of total ignorance.

So, with no pre-knowledge, I went ‘undercover’ to see if this service was a good as it seemed. And you know what? This is something we should all be using. 

Senior Shopper is a free, online money-saving service for Seniors Card holders across Australia, offering discounts on products from electrical appliances and theatre tickets to cars. Carers and seniors in Queensland with the appropriate Business Discount Cards can also use the service.

I wanted the best prices for two items, a fridge and a car. After searching a couple of websites, I had prices for each item, so I hit the phone, dialling Senior Shopper on its national number 1300 366 265.

You can also search the site yourself at seniorshopper.com.au.

What a great experience I had with this service! There were no disinterested, mechanical voices, these were real human beings with real voices on the other end of the phone, whose sole aim was to assist me in finding what I wanted. I was treated with respect, given straightforward advice and what’s more, Senior Shopper’s advisers were knowledgeable.

When I gave my first choice of fridge, I was immediately advised that they could not assist as this manufacturer did not offer discounts through the site.

I had a second choice, and was asked pertinent questions about the model number and colour – these details affect the price. Just an hour or so later, as good as their word, a Senior Shopper staffer called back and advised me the model I wanted was obsolete and that none of their suppliers could do better.

My second request was a car. The lady advising about the fridge immediately stopped me from giving any details and transferred me to one of Senior Shopper’s car experts.

Again, I was asked pertinent questions about brand, auto or manual, current or old model, colour and inclusions. This person knew cars!

When they called back, I was told Senior Shopper could save me many thousands off the $29,000 price I had seen and gave me full specifications of the car the site had found for me.

The process becomes a little more complicated with this big-ticket item, though; for Senior Shopper to lock in the best price for me, they call for tenders from auto traders, while already holding my deposit, license number etc. At this point, because I was ‘secret shopping’, I didn’t proceed.

Overall, I cannot speak highly enough of Senior Shopper; the two people I spoke to were polite, efficient and helpful. I felt confident that I was given the best advice and that their purpose was to assist me, not gain a sale for themselves.

Would you use a discount service like this? Have you tried Senior Shopper already?