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Since the early 1990s, the internet has dominated the attention of the media, academics and business organizations. It has the potential of being a revolutionary way to collect primary and secondary data, although much more research is needed to learn how to better harness its strengths. This project compares depth interviews collected online with depth interviews conducted face-to-face. Advantages and disadvantages are highlighted, as well as suggested strategies for successfully collecting online data. Major points are illustrated using data from a project in which both data collection techniques are employed. The online interview dataset included some of the strongest and some of the weakest interviews in the investigation. This paper argues that under some conditions online depth interviews can provide a useful complement to the traditional face-to-face interview. Sampling frame problems of nonrepresentativeness, endemic in quantitative online data collection, is not problematic if the researcher is conducting an interpretive investigation. When the researcher's goal is not to quantify or generalise but instead to better understand a particular population, online data collection can complement other datasets, allow data triangulation and strengthen the trustworthiness of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores precipitating events, emotions, and decisions associated with older consumers' disposition of special possessions. Findings are based on analyses of semistructured interviews with 80 older consumers, complemented by depth interviews with seven informants. Cherished possessions and their disposition play a significant role in older consumers' reminiscence and life review. Concerns about disposition of special possessions involve strong and ambivalent emotions. Older consumers voice concern over avoiding intrafamilial conflict, reducing uncertainty, and exercising control over the future life of special possessions. We emphasize the storied nature of the meanings consumers attach to their cherished possessions and the way in which these storied meanings are bundled with life review and disposition concerns. Many older consumers attempt to control meanings transferred with cherished possessions. They seek to pass on personal and familial legacies, achieve symbolic immortality, insure a good home for special objects, and/or influence the future lives of others. We show that there is a porous boundary between ownership and disposition of cherished possessions. And to our knowledge this is the first research to identify tactics and heuristics employed to select recipients for special possessions, time transfers, and effect these transfers. We suggest that future research could explore individual differences in disposition behaviors, the use of possessions by older consumers as external mnemonic props, disposition decision theory, cultural differences in disposition behaviors, or the role of special possessions in the creation of familial legacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the assertion that the older population should become the healthcare industry's preferred customer. The article notes the statistics that the older population spends more per individual for healthcare, and notes the reasons that increasing marketing to this population is a sound strategy. The article discusses a study, conducted by the Center for Mature Consumer Studies at Georgia State University, on a segmentation model called gerontographics, that studied the consumer habits of mature consumers. The study looked at hospital and physician choice, and findings as they relate to marketing to geriatrics.

In order to survive in today's increasingly competitive marketplace, retail banks must focus on emphasising relationships and must personalise service interactions, differentiating their organisation.(n1) Trust departments have an opportunity to build credibility and gain a competitive advantage by expanding the scope of advice given, and in doing so can build intergenerational business with spouses, children and grandchildren.(n2) Recent research suggests that the conflicts resulting from estate settlements are on the increase and are commonly due to the disposition of possessions, not financial assets that can often be easily divided. In this paper the authors focus specifically on how professionals dealing with end of life issues can better understand the phenomena of cherished possessions. The managerial implications of this research can have a profound impact on financial service providers and their ability to build loyalty and to increase customer retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the pricing levels for electronics good sold on the Internet as compared to similar merchandise sold through traditional retail channels. Business models for national market camera retailers; List prices for camera models; Comparison between dual channel business models.