How old is too old?

A couple of months ago Branden forwarded a message that was an invitation from a small research firm in Chicago, called GravityTank, to participate in a 'study in Portland on people who own the latest tech devices.' They were asking friends and family to help find people who own and regularly use one of the following:
-iPhone4
-iPad
-Android or Blackberry

Well, I/we own an iPad and absolutely love it and use it all the time for all sorts of things. We've downloaded apps and have it at the ready at all times for recipes, watching TV shows, checking the weather, looking up restaurants, directions, phone numbers, shopping, and more. It's so convenient and I was so excited to participate in this study.

Yes, they offered $175 for two hours (and Branden would get a $25 referral thank you), but that was not the main draw. Being a marketer myself, I was mostly curious about how they were going to administer the study, and what questions they were going to ask. And, okay, who wouldn't want an extra $175 in their pocket??

So, for over a week I played phone tag with a local Portland research firm that was hired to perfom this research on behalf of GravityTank. Then, finally one morning, I was walking through the Portland airport to catch a flight to Chicago and my phone rang. YAY, it was the lady from the research firm. Finally I was going to be able to schedule my appointment. I was so looking forward to it and told many people about it. The first question she said she has to ask was 'how old are you?" I didn't even think twice about saying my real age. That's when she said "I'm sorry ma'am, but we have a cut-off of 45, so I'm sorry but you won't be able to participate". So sad and so funny!!! I've never really been too old for anything, and this was a bit shocking. And I was so sad, and felt so dejected. I am NOT TOO OLD!!! Rob and Branden found it pretty funny. Ha Ha

I recently sent an email back to the original person I corresponded with at GravityTank expressing my disappointment. Today I received a response from Shelley Sather. Shelley basically said that the reason they ruled me out was not totally because of my age. They have and do make exceptions on that qualification. It was because I was given the iPad as a gift and also because I shared it with my husband that I wasn't eligible. They were looking for 'deeply engaged' individuals who made the 'leap of purchase' on their own. Funny thing though -- the lady that called me from the local research company ONLY asked me my age and disqualified me immediately. She did not ask me ANY other questions. Oh well, I guess I should just appreciate that I received a response!! And be happy that we are lucky enough to have our really awesome iPad.