Boomers not planning rebate-check spree, survey says

Yet another Internet poll testifies to the fact consumers are feeling miserly about their rebate checks.

What makes this survey different is that it exclusively questioned baby boomers — that 78 million strong human wave of spending power that has pushed retail sales and homeownership up to now.

Social networking Web site Eons.com, which caters to boomers, found that 44 percent of its members plan to use their checks to pay bills or to buy necessities such as food and gas. An additional 17 percent will save it for retirement. Just over 9 percent said they would spend their check on travel. Only about 8 percent planned to buy retail goods such as flat-screen TVs.

And only 1.5 percent said they would spend it on entertainment.

“The results are a little surprising given that boomers are considered the most affluent age demographic in America,” said Jeff Taylor, founder of Eons.com. .

Still, the results suggest the broad effects of the struggling economy on consumers. “No one is immune,” said Taylor, who is also the founder of Monster.com.

But will boomers really stick with a savings plan once they get the checks in their hot little hands? Consumers said the same thing in 2003, during the last go-around with rebate checks. Then they went out and spent.

“With the baby boomer generation aging, and their costs of living getting higher and higher, it does seem that this will be case this year,” Taylor said.

The survey was conducted online May 6-8. There were 564 responses. Just under 6 percent of respondents said they didn’t qualify for a rebate. The rest said they were either unsure what they would do with their checks or would give the money to family or, at least a portion, to charity.

To reach Paul Wenske, consumer affairs writer, call 816.234.4454 or send e-mail to pwenske@kcstar.com.