Sir, – I read with interest Andrew Hill's article "'I'm old, not an idiot': Older customers are ill-served by online strategies" (Business, Analysis, March 4th).
I’m one of those who has opted not to have a “smart” phone.
I know what it is like dealing with all sorts of institutions! I’m happily retired from a life of administration. I keep up my skills for all sorts of voluntary work.
However, I would not like to go back to the days of a manual typewriter, cutting a stencil and then rolling it off on a Gestetner machine and almost getting high on the pink fluid! How would the younger folk deal with that? I have zoomed in and out over the last two years to all sorts of events around the world, even organising one, which is apt, with my surname! – Yours,etc,
LILIAN WEBB,
Naas,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Your article on a petition in Spain to encourage banks to stop excluding older customers by closing branches and pushing vital transactions online resonates with me in relation to my recent experience attempting to open a joint account with my daughter. The IT system of the bank did not allow us to complete the application online. Over several visits to the bank, the staff were different each time, with the exception of one person, and in my opinion lacked training and experience. A remark to my daughter, “Why don’t you get power of attorney over your mother’s affairs”, was insulting and degrading. The young think they are never going to get older.
Viva Espana! Irish banks, take note. – Yours, etc,
IRENE DOODY,
Dublin 18.