I was deeply offended recently when I started receiving offers of mystery shops at a well-known coffeehouse chain, offers that stated the shopper had to be 65 or under. I am 79, and over the years I have done more than 100 shops at this coffeehouse chain, literally all over the San Francisco Bay Area. If I have ever gotten less than a 9 or 10 in the evaluation of a coffeehouse shop shop, I would be surprised. There is absolutely NOTHING that is age specific about the shop. I can count the number of scraps of toilet paper on the floor in any restroom just as well as anyone else. I can assess the state of cleanliness of the condiment area as well as anyone else. I can note the name of the person at the register and I can count my change as well as anyone else. I am not decrepit. Most people judge me to be in my late 60's. I walk 2 miles a day. And the coffeeshops I have shopped have a large number of customers over 65.
When I complained and asked if this discrimination was against the law, I was told I was an independent contrator and had no legal beefs. It isn't that I was making lots of money doing these. It was that it was a mystery shop I could often do on my way to other shops, and I was very, very good at it. At this point, the next time I get a message saying someone canceled and the company has an urgent deadline and an urgent shop, will I take it, I will just so no thanks and tell them why.
When it happens to you, just know that age discrimination exists, and if you are lucky enough to live long enough in good health, you will be subjected to it, too.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/2017 05:57PM by Richard94611.