Senior Citizens Discounts

[OnMyWay]

I'm starting a new topic, related to the Discrimination topic.  I think this topic has been discussed many times.

I think you guys are barking up the wrong tree on the McD video topic.  I believe the guy in the video is completely off base and has not done his homework.  McD and the manager are correct.  If you disagree with the law, you should take it up with people who can change the law, not business' who are following the law.  Is a foreigner going to change the law?  Probably not.  Is McD going to change the law?  Probably not.  However a government department like tourism or retirement might get interested.

Don't get me wrong.  I hope they will change the law and that I will be able to avail of the senior discounts.  They are not just a few pesos.  They are a lot, among them being a 20% discount and, no VAT.  I'm not sure if VAT applies to McD.  That is a lot of money saved on many things, and there are other perks in the law too.  Read it.  PUV's, doctors, etc.

Here is a fairly good source for the law:

http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_9994_2010.html

The law says you have to be a citizen to get the discounts.  End of story.  Become a citizen, get the discounts.  The law was written for citizens, not expats or tourists.  If you are a citizen, foreign born or not, you pull out your ID, prove you are a citizen, and get the discount.  If they deny you, report them.

I have worked for a big corporation.  Memos like the one the McD manager mentions usually come from the legal department, not the accounting department.  I can't see the accounting dept saying that we will make a few more pesos if we start charging all foreign senior citizens full price.  The bottom line will improve by .00001 %.

Also, as mentioned in the law, the SC discounts are tax deductible to the businesses giving them.  That means there is some kind of accounting for them in the system.  This also has to account for the lost VAT, if any.  McDonald's could have a global senior citizen discount program but it could not exactly match the Philippines government program.  For instance, if they said we will give the SC discount to all people 60 or over, not just citizens, do you think they could claim the tax deduction on all of those?  No.  Or provide accounting that separates foreigners from citizens?  No.

So look at the issue this way, for another perspective.  Hypothetically:

1.  McDonald's is warned by the gov that they are in violation of the law by giving the discount to non-citizens.  Quote the law:

Penalties. - Any person who refuses to honor the senior citizen card issued by this the government or violates any provision of this Act shall suffer the following penalties...  

Giving the discount to someone who is not entitled to it is definitely a violation.  

2.  Legal team issues the memo.

3.  Local McD starts following the law, even if they did not in the past.

4.  The line manager risks his job if he does not follow his boss and follow the law.  He does not know if the store will be subject to audits, both internal or external.  In fact, I would be willing to bet that the manager in the video was not offering a senior discount, he was offering a goodwill discount to appease the customer.  I am sure they have a budget for that.

In fact, I believe at the end, the manager said that some foreigners are taking advantage of the discount and I did not hear McD generosity mentioned.  Maybe that was elsewhere.  And he is right.  In fact, I believe it has been discussed in another thread that a foreigner can be prosecuted for availing of the discount or asking for it.  You are basically committing fraud.  If someone issues you a government senior citizen discount card, they are in error as well.

I hope I can get the discounts some day, but I'm sure not going to blame McD for following the law.  Most of us wish more laws were followed here, not less.

One way McD could improve the situation is to make sure that the employee asks if you are a citizen, rather than point out that you are a foreigner.  We don't know what the case was in the video.

Added by edit:  On the You Tube page, Bud has a description:

This man believes he should be entitled to a senior discount at McDonalds. The manager showed me an internal memo saying that the senior discount is only for Filipino citizens. To me it doesn't matter, but this fella says, "It's not the money. It's the principle of the thing." I would like a discussion, but a respectful one.

The guy in the video argues is about the principle.  Sorry, you have no principle to back you up as you have obviously not read the law.

There is quite a discussion over there on You Tube too.

 

Edited April 10, 2016 by OnMyWay

[expatuk2014]

most places its no senior ID card no Discount !!

even the buses are getting strict regarding this.

 

[scott h]

What I find interesting (ironic?) about topics like this, is the number of topics where we as expats complain/comment about the lax law enforcement here in the Philippines. Traffic laws, jaywalking, businesses in traffic lanes, overloaded motorcycles, no helmets etc. etc. etc. and shrug them off with a shake of the head and a smirk and say to ourselves "what the heck, its the Philippines, what do you expect?" But once it affects our pocketbooks or sense of right and wrong, man o man do we get upset.

[Gratefuled]

Things here are so cheap that you do not need a discount. Pay CASH and you'll get a discount. You have to ask for it. My wife does. 

If you have a few gray hairs or just look old, the guard will direct you to a special line for seniors. 

Only Philippine citizens can get a "senior citizen" card.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

First... although I am completely gray haired - I am only 52... 

I don't see the discount as a right. Like OnMyWay said, it is a legal issue, not a McDo policy issue.  So I have to side with McDo on this one.  Also, I get lots of benefits just for being a foreigner.  Not sure if it is that I am 'exotic' or look older, but I get head of the line treatment quite often. Without asking for it (I would never ask).

I went to NBI last week to get my clearance for my 13a. The service was horrid. We were sent back and forth between counters getting different answers... a total cluster-f&*#.  But... I waited in no lines. There were over a hundred people in line and I was moved from counter to counter - given priority at each counter.  If I had to wait in line - and still get the run around - I would still be there!

So, there are pros & cons here, but overall I am ok with it.  If the discount is for citizens, by law, then so be it.  You can always try to get the law changed...

As for the guy in the video "For 35 years I paid my US taxes"... Then go to the US and get your discount??

Reminds me of the vets complaining about not getting VA care here. I am a disabled US vet - all my medical is free in the US. Guess what... I moved away form the US. There is no VA care in any other country - yet they expect it in the PI's? There is a small clinic in Manila that does service connected care only, and I think we are damn lucky to get that! I would never complain that it is not enough.  

[Dave Hounddriver]

I think that many members are focusing on 'the law' while I see it as a human dignity that seniors are seniors no matter their citizenship.  Thus I follow the law and do not even apply for a senior citizen card but expect some common courtesy extended towards seniors such as:

One of the biggest companies in the world, who offer senior discounts all over the world, should not discriminate against me.

Businesses everywhere should give preference to older people so that they don't have to stand in line so long.

The self proclaimed 'biggest mall in the world' at SM Seaside, Talisay, should have a few benches for seniors to sit on so a guy does not have to sit on the floor to tie his shoes.

I am not looking for discounts from Mom and Pop operations.  I notice that the longer an expat actually lives here, the more he notices discrimination against foreigners, and particularly retired foreigners on a tight budget.  I expect that discrimination to get worse in time, not better.  I respect the guy in the video for standing up for his beliefs, even though its not the way I would do it.

Edited April 11, 2016 by Dave Hounddriver

[Sander Martin]

He just made a fool out of himself. Its not Micky Ds rules that you need to be a citizen, but the goverments. The manager handled him very well and was polite. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

9 minutes ago, Sander Martin said:

Its not Micky Ds rules that you need to be a citizen, but the goverments.

I have never seen a law that says McDonalds is not allowed to give seniors discounts to foreigners.  Have you?

[Jack Peterson]

2 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I have never seen a law that says McDonalds is not allowed to give seniors discounts to foreigners.  Have you?

 Nope and if I may add only a Filipino Citizen can demand the Discount for us (The Foreigner) it would be at the discretion of the Company/Manager who they will and will not give a Discount.

My Wife will always try for a Discount. Mostly she gets it. But as with many things, it is in the way it is asked for.  Quite often when I am allowed out shopping on my own I am offered a Discount especially if I decide to buy the dearer option. 

 

[RBM]

There are without doubt some people whom are just not suited for living here.

Edited April 11, 2016 by RBM