to send a strongly worded letter?

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I got ID-ed on Thursday attempting to buy a bottle of Lambrini I started a thread in chat about it as I couldn't decide whether to be flattered (I'm 32 and they ID-ed me!!! [stealth boast emoticon]) or mortified (lambrini!!!! In my defence it was for a JOKE gift)

Anyway, in support of our local co-op, which is massively struggling since a humungous Sainsburies opened on its doorstep, I went back the next day to buy my Lambrini, taking my passport with me. The conversation went something like this:

Her: "Have you got ID today?"
Me: "Yup, here you go. [big smile] Now you know I'm 32 I'll make sure I come to you every time I have alcohol"
Her: "And I'll ask to see your ID again"
Me: "Hahahah"
Her: "No, seriously. Every time you come in I will need to see your ID"
Me: "But you've seen it. You know I'm 32"
Her: "Doesn't matter. I'll need to see it again"
Me: "What? That's ridiculous. I don't want to carry my passport with me everywhere"
Her: "Well then you won't get served. The law says I have to check every time. I even have to ID my friends"

What?! This isn't right is it? If she knows I'm over 18 then she can serve me can't she? I know it's petty, but I'm seriously considering a letter to head office to complain. I want to support my local co-op, but I really don't want to have to carry my passport with me every time I leave the house.

Maybe not
Strongly worded but disbelieving at such a ridiculous rule!

I thought they had to id you if there was doubt you were over 18. look under 25 now in asda and tesco. (chance would be a fine thing. ) what about 80 year olds?

I would be checking with the management and implying that you would now be shopping at sainsbury's.

My Co-op don't id me . Although I did go to school with the manageress' daughters so I would hope she knows how old I am.

Fair enough Kayano. I think that's what I meant. I should also point out that I was super polite on both visits. As I said, I was flattered! (I really do not look under 18, or even under 25 tbh!)

Okay, AIBU to send a friendly but disbelieving email to head office to check their policy?

I got refused in sainsbo once and DH said 'oh she is 26... Look here she has a wrinkle and everything!'

I was mortified at that

and I was even more mortified when the girl did look, grin and then served me!!!

Mortified!

WTF? She doesn't have to see ID every time. She has to ID you if she doubts you are over 18, or 25 or whatever their policy.

Just ask to see her manager, and get them to explain the rule in front of you.

If the manager thinks the same total bollocks, then write the letter.

I think I'd have to OP, just to see their response. I might even be tempted to approach the till with a bottle of alcohol and, if I got asked for ID a second time by the same operator, leave the bottle on the counter after announcing loudly that I was going instead to Sainsbury's.

I'd ask the manager too, and if they say the same, I would vote with my feet. I get ID'd a lot, don't mind whipping out my driving licence, but if the same person serves me every time in a little shop I expect them to remember me.

Stop buying Lambrini though!

Co-Op staff are rubbish.

YABU for drinking Labrini. How old are you 15?! Can I see your ID please?

It doesnt matter if she serves you every day, on the one occasion that she wasnt seen to check, she could lose her job if her employers saw that she wasnt doing it to their requirements.

I believe there is a story in this/ last week's That's Life magazine about an 83-yr-old who couldn't buy whisky in her local shop without bringing in her passport/DL.

I bought a flat above my local Express shop about 7 years ago, therefore the staff etc know me. One lady who works there must've been having an off day because a couple of montgs ago she ID'd me (my driving licence lives in my wallet so no big deal)

Her colleagues were pissing themselves along with me when she twigged why I look familiar

But no, if you're known to be over 18 then they shouldn't be wasting you or their time!

YABU for drinking Labrini. How old are you 15?! Can I see your ID please?

I know, I know As I said, I didn't drink it. It was for a joke present. A JOKE I tell you. DP did laugh his head off then politely suggest that if I'd been buying a 'grown up drink' they wouldn't have asked.

Is that right squeaky? Would she not just be able to say she'd asked me before and seen it? (And honestly, I do not look under 18, i doubt her manager would question it)

I don't want to get her into trouble although she was a grumpy caaah just question their ludicrous policy.

I thought they have cameras in some of these places and a supervisor checks them to see if the staff are IDing the right people. That could be why they are saying they have to Id you every time.

I'm 32 as well and often get IDd. It's bonkers, but I love it!

When I was in Vegas for my Dads 60th HE had to show his ID every time he bought a drink -as did we all. It's standard practice in the US AFAIK

I hope the same isnt coming to the UK as it is fecking annoying

It is fecking annoying. ds2 (29) was unable to buy 4 bottles of beer in Waitrose because he'd forgotten to bring ID with him. Rather ironically, he's a former publican and holds a liquor license!

However, the person who attempted to serve him apologised but said they had a over-25s policy (in fairness this is clearly publicised) and she had to ask for ID from anyone who might be under 25. He wasn't thrilled but equally didn't expect her to get into trouble with her employers.

I got ID'd in Seattle this year. It was enormously flattering until ds1 assured me this was standard practice in the US.

This Under 25 thing really annoys me. There's a big difference between looking like you're in your early 20s, but could be under 18 and looking like you're in your late 20s/early 30s and looking like you could be under 25.

Could they be under special conditions having been caught selling alcohol to underage teens? It's happened at the Co-op near my parents, as for years they had been selling to 15/16 year olds who then got drunk and arsey in the nearby park.

it may be store policy but it is not the law

however they can refuse to sell you a single thing should they so choose, just so long as they are not being sexist or racist.

A small family joke we have now was because dh bought some dvds for christmas for the children...and went through the self checkout, the supervisor came and had to authorise the transaction, threw a single up and down glance at dh and hit the "CLEARLY over 25" button, and stalked off.

:o

I really laughed, dh did not find it quite so amusing.

Some shops have special conditions on their licence meaning they have to ask for ID every time. Plus the assistants shouldn't be expected to remember every customer's age no matter how regular you think you are. If you look under 25 you will be asked.

I'm not asking them to remember everyone's Nora. I'm asking them to remember mine

They do need to see your ID every time, I used to work in an off-licence too and was told the same