Getting Asked for ID When Buying ALCOHOL FREE BEER!

[0FrillyKnickers0]

Right.

Before andyone suggests that the till lady was "just doing her job", I totally understand that she was just doing her job (although she could've been nicer), I understand that she was just doing her job. This is not a moan at checkout staff, but at the morons who imposed this rule.

I am 27 weeks pregnant and the weather is super hot. So, I went out with my husband to do the weekly shop and decided to buy some Becks Blue (as it has to be the best AF beer ever). We got to the checkout and she put through all our shopping (veg, meat, cereal...all good sensible stuff) and then she put through the alcohol free beer (we weren't buying any real alcohol, just the Becks Blue). She looked at DH(24) and asked for ID, I snickered to myself as it was AF beer, she then said "I don't know what you're laughing about, I need to see some for you too". I'm 25. Only problem was that although DH had ID (and passed this age test), I didn't have any on me as I didn't think I would need it FOR BUYING ALCOHOL FREE BEER. Well...she wouldn't let us buy it! Neither would her manager.

Needless to say I was pretty pissed off. Apparently it has 0.01% alcohol in which is why they ask for ID. Of course that makes sense because I'm going to get toatlly hammered on a 6 pack of Becks Blue, aren't I .

Seriously. Who are the nitwits that decided to impose such a stupid rule? I bet they don't ID people when buying aftershave which, most likely, has more alcohol in than 0.01%!

Moan over.

This happened to me in the USA. Same thing, 0.01% alcohol beer and obviously pregnant and old Fortunately I had my driving license in my purse so could proove I was indeed old enough to drink a non-alcoholic drink! Bloody stupid

It does my head in too. Me (21) and my younger brother (20) were at morrisons once and he didn't have ID on him. I said he's not buying it I am, (we were buying separate things, divided by one of them divider things) she said its because we come in together. I argued back with what he was with my mum? To be told that 'that's a different story' WTAF??

It's ID cards by stealth. No one wants ID cards so they come up with this plan of introducing "the 25 rule. The law in this country states that you cannot buy alcohol under the age of 18, it doesn't state " you must have id at all times to buy alcohol"

Agreed stupid rule, but try and take it as a compliment, you obviously have fabulous skin and look so young

I got id for a lottery ticket on the way to get my hair done on my wedding day a few months back. I go in sainsburys with ds and hubby at least 3times a week, and there are only a handful of staff as small local one. Stupid people.

The whole situation sounds ridiculous.

And I've always wondered about the group IDing. What about parents shopping with their young teenagers? Are they denied alcohol as well? I don't have children yet so have not run into this, but surely in fairness parents with children should not be allowed to purchase alcohol if two adults aren't.

I think if the purchaser is 18+, then that should be good enough. This is all micro-policing.

I worked in a supermarket and was told I had to ask everybody if they were over 18 to buy alcohol. OAPs looked at me like I was stupid so I used to just scan it through and ask it as a joke.
No way would I stop you buying alcohol free beer, and I never stopped parents clearly with their kids. What age would that rule start at? Apart from the fact you can give 5year olds alcohol in your own home.
The sweets with alcohol in you have to be over 16 or is that 18?

I had this same issue, I am 36 weeks pregnant, aged 35 and was asked for ID in the Asda near where I work, I only had cash on me and in the end I left without anything as I was so hot and bothered.

I'm in my 40's. I've never been asked for ID (which is a good thing as I don't carry any) but if I ever was I'd be tempted to open the bottle and pour the contents away right in front of the checkout operator.

After all, they don't know that I'm over the 17 so they can't charge me for it, can they?

I got asked for ID for a case of Diet Coke once. I think she thought it was a case of beer given it was in a carboard box but she got a very strange look and "I'm sorry?!" then decided she didn't need it.

I've got a friend kicking the arse off forty who still gets IDd for cigarettes and lotto tickets!

*Over the age of 17.

I think this must be a recent thing - I'm in my forties and was scrutinised the other day in Tescos. I'm saggy and wrinkly with the odd grey hair showing through - there's no way anybody could mistake me for under 18. Was on my own at the time - no dc with me.

Bought alcohol free beer yesterday and young cashier did the "alcohol" shout for another member of staff to ok it. Thought maybe they hadn't looked at the label properly but maybe not reading this.

It is sold in the alcohol section of the store, so comes up as needing ID. I bought some cocktail mixers that were for adding to alcohol the other week and they flagged up as needing age confirmation... it isnt the cashier at fault, they are simply doing their job! Hardly worth getting in a strop about and making a fuss, is it.

Exactly this happened to me, aged 33 , when 36wks pregnant with DS2 and 2yo DS1 in the trolley. I was so knackered I must have looked about 55.

I just thought it was hilarious. Poor cashier looked a bit . Like Squeaky says, they're just doing what the computer tells them!

I think they have to do the "alcohol shout" when THEY are under 18.... has to be authorised at least verbally, in some stores a grown up has to come over and enter it on the till...

sadsac if they called someone over to ok it it probably means the cashier wasnt over 18.

Our council have annual campaings against underage drinking however it's not just local shops selling booze "One mother from the Home Counties, when told that her child had been behaving badly, dismissed the officer's concerns and said: "My child is not the usual riff-raff"

I think IDing has got ludicrously out of hand. I understand that the cashiers are just doing their job and following company policy, but the policy is just plain wrong and should be changed.

I was once buying a bottle of champagne in asda (and it wasn't cheap). The cashier insisted on IDing me (I'm in my 30s and there's absolutely not doubt that I am over 18). She even said, 'oh I know you're definitely over 18, but you might not be 25'. Aargh. I went to sainsbos where they didn't question me at all. On the way out I noticed that this particular cashier had a sizeable collection of confiscated bottles of wine next to her. She obviously just likes refusing people. I purposefully avoid her till now.

The think 25 thing is stupid. I can see the logic of it in terms of judging between old looking 17 year olds and young looking 21 year olds. But where there is no doubt that you are over 18, it's just stupid. You do not have to be 25 to buy alcohol.

DD said it because its made in the same way as beer so they have to ask she said its stupid but they have to ,she works in a supermarket and hates the 25 rule as she sometimes asks if she isnt sure and if they dont have I D they kick up a fuss ,

That is quite a funny story. You should get the Daily Mail onto the case!

YES! This rule is a pile of crap. Routinely been unable to buy alcohol in the past as have been with someone who didn't have ID or opposite situation. I am keen to know too if parents with children are refused due to the children not having ID.

The most stupid thing of all is that it just means people will work around it. Went down with a colleague to get a bottle of cava for another colleague's birthday and she had forgot her ID so we pretended to not know each other in the shop and I bought it, 28 weeks pregnant and all idiocy!

This is so silly! I know people are "just doing their jobs" but I do think ridiculous rules eventually undermine our willingness to take rules seriously in general. I mean, really - how silly. And when people always have to work out ways to get around rules they don't agree with - in this case because the rule is completely ridiculous - we'll stop accepting other rules that seem silly to us (even if they might actually be there for a reason) ...

The 25 rule is because it's less likely that someone who looks over 25 is under 18, whereas someone who looks over 18 may well be under.

The people on the checkout get a high fine and a criminal record if they make a mistake on this, please give them a break. They'll also have a high chance of losing their job as the store's alcohol license is at risk (I think it's something like 3 fails during Trading Standards spot checks and the store loses its right to trade alcohol).

TBH, in their position I'd be IDing everyone short of grey hair and wrinkles - it's just not worth the risk.

Didn't explain well rainbow but two separate issues. The first time - I was asked was I over 18 - when it's bleeding obvious I am.

2nd time - buying alcohol free beer and cashier was asking another one could she sell it to me.

Oh, and with huge problems with underage drinking there's been large crackdowns and increased spot checks and fines. This is also the reasoning behind IDing everyone shopping together or refusing a sale if your mate tries to buy it for you instead because you left your ID at home.

Shops don't have to sell you anything - it's just invitation to treat. They reserve the right to refuse any sale for any reason up until the point money has changed hands.