Over 65? We're not interested in your opinions.

[anasv]

So, a few weeks ago weatherunderground has a link to a survey about a new design on its site. I start the survey, it asks my age, I click over 65, and it dumps me out.

Ditto a New York Times survey a bit later.

Tonight a company called Issues and Answers calls me up, asks me if I'll take a twenty minute survey. Okay, I say. First question is age. Oh, sorry, we are only collecting information from people under 65.

Like, we don't buy stuff? We don't vote? We don't click on websites?

[frazzled]

1. You could always lie about your age

if you want to have your opinion be part of the survey.

Of course, it will be interesting if they get a lot of Preparation H and Depends responses from a 35 year old.

[Auggie]

2. Next time say you're 35

Screw 'em

[anasv]

3. I thought of that, but

I'd hate to mess up the data of a non-nitwit. If I knew in advance they were nitwits, then I'd lie.

[hollysmom]

4. they don't have time for me, I don't have time for them.

I dpnt take surveys though , but if I wanted them to have my input I would like. Who cares if we mess with their data.

[elleng]

5. They're fools.

[2naSalit]

6. This is one way

in which the data gets skewed in order to "prove" that what they want it to indicate would do so.

It doesn't just depend on how you fashion the questions, it's also who you choose to ask.

[Jesus Malverde]

7. It likely the survey itself was a marketing effort and you were not a target.

Push polling.

here is the classic from wikipedia

"Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain for president if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?"

They don't care about your opinion they want you to know about the illegitimate child.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push_poll

[anasv]

11. no.

I can smell a telemarketer or a push poll a mile away. I'm not stupid.

[bemildred]

8. I always lie on polls, if you tell the truth it just encourages them. nt

[GP6971]

9. I don't do surveys

anymore......haven't for over 10 years. I don't sign petitions either, especially online ones.

[Generic Brad]

10. Advertisers savor young people who do not have money

Much the same way clothing manufacturers have convinced themselves that slightly obese people do not want to dress nicely. They manufacture tons of clothes for skinny people who do not exist and nearly nothing for people who can actually afford to buy their clothes.

The people who have the money and are in a position to spend it are never the target audience. Pollsters, advertisers, clothiers all miss the mark.