Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think the Saunburys checkout lady shouldn't have told me I look like I could have had my children at 13?

192 replies

CarriedAwayAnnie · 21/02/2013 13:52

I am 32 in 2 months. I would like to tell myself I look like a young 20 something but the truth is sleepless nights and the general stress of children has taken it's toll.

I was buying alcohol through self service and she refused to allow the transaction as she said I looked under 25. I would have been flattered if it weren't so ridiculous. I haven't been ID in years.

I explained that I had my 6yr old with me so it was unlikely I was under 18 and she said I looked the sort who would have their children at 13.

I was incensed so asked for a manager. Manager agreed I didn't look under 25 but said he couldn't overrule a colleague. I asked him for a form to complain about the comment his collegeue had made but he said there are no forms to complain.

So I asked for the store manager who told me I could complain through the careline. I asked the manager why he hadn't told me this and he was very insolent, he just stood there looking sulky and shrugging my shoulders.

The store manager then said I couldn't buy my shopping. So I felt as if I was being asked to leave the store without purchasing anything. To be clear, I hadn't been rude or aggressive. It was as if they knew the policy was daft and wanted me out.

But instead of leaving I went back round, picked up the same alcohol and purchased it through a different till with no problems. Surely this shows a fundamental flaw in their Think 25 policy.

AIBU to think that when I am stood there with my wrinkles and my 3yo and a 6yo and a manager and the store manager agree I look over 25, I should be allowed to purchase alcohol? How can a collegeue overrule a store manager?

OP posts:
notsofrownieface · 21/02/2013 18:24

damned of we do, damned if we don't

ifso · 21/02/2013 18:26

On your side OP, she was very out of order with her comment!

a checkout person with a gob such as this should be trained better in the fine and delicate art of small talk - or just scan your groceries and smile. And mind their own business

Definitely complain. They'll prob just send you a twenty quid voucher tho

manticlimactic · 21/02/2013 18:31

Make everyone have ID to purchase alcohol, like USA. Oh hang on, something else to moan about then Hmm

TheChimpParadox · 21/02/2013 18:32

Anyone for Wine ?

Form an orderly queue so I can check your ID

ddubsgirl · 21/02/2013 18:41

*shows id...............

TheChimpParadox · 21/02/2013 18:44

Yeap you pass Wine

YesIamYourSisterInLaw · 21/02/2013 18:55

OP I had every sympathy and was outraged on your behalf when I first read this post but after reading through to page 7 and your replies I agree with Ellie.
I think you need to get a grip, the comment was rude the I.d was not the end of the world and you still got your booze so what does it matter.
The worst thing is you know the comment was the worst bit or your thread title would have read " to think this woman shouldn't have asked me for I.d?"

erowid · 21/02/2013 19:00

If a company has a policy in place in accordance of the law and they don't follow it, their license comes into questioning. No matter how bloomin obvious it may be that this sale would be legal, the policy is there to protect their business. They have to follow the rules just as much as we do. Carry a card or go somewhere else.

She was rude with her comments but you can't blame her for doing her job.

midastouch · 21/02/2013 19:03

ooome id like Wine i havent got any id thoughSad

TheChimpParadox · 21/02/2013 19:06

Got kids with you ? you're OK have a Wine

Original poster
CarriedAwayAnnie · 21/02/2013 19:32

Are you still going Grin

OP posts:
TheChimpParadox · 21/02/2013 19:37

Oh yes drinking Wine but you can't have any so have a Brew Wink

x

zwischenzug · 21/02/2013 19:56

OP I think you need to get out more and stop picking fights with shop assistants. Clearly you are unhappy because this particular one didn't put up with your shit.

Original poster
CarriedAwayAnnie · 21/02/2013 19:58

Oh yes, I picked up the bottles of beer, gathered my children close and thought lets go and cause shit at the self service checkout Wink Grin

OP posts:
IneedAsockamnesty · 21/02/2013 20:10

I was refused sale on a bottle of red wine the other day on the grounds that I had teenagers with me so was probably buying it for them.

My teenagers are very obviously not able to go out alone due to a very obvious disability.

I was livid. But at least they just insulted my parenting rather than my sexual conduct.

Yanbu

ddubsgirl · 21/02/2013 20:14

*hic....... Keep pouring

Original poster
CarriedAwayAnnie · 21/02/2013 20:35

Shock Socket

Who knew you had to leave your teenagers outside/at home when purchasing alcohol?

OP posts:
IneedAsockamnesty · 21/02/2013 20:35

But yabu for her actually asking for ID and complaining its her job.

Its purely the comment she made that made me say yanbu

IneedAsockamnesty · 21/02/2013 20:43

Carried apparently it happens quite a lot,some shops are so used to adults buying for teenagers they refuse anyone who has teenagers with them.
I could understand if I was close in age or if any had passed me cash, but seriously two wearing harnesses rocking and obviously not able to be unattended. I was a bit cross.

sneezingwakesthebaby · 21/02/2013 21:14

When I worked at moggies, it was actually on the training video that we had to ID everyone if teenagers came to the checkout with parents and alcohol was in the shop. It was ridiculous though. If we didn't ID them all even though it was clear it was the parents drink and not the teenagers, we would get told off if a supervisor saw. There was one time I did ID a mum with her teenager and that was because her teen in school uniform banged some alcopops on the checkout and said something along the lines of "pay for these for me mum". The woman went crazy at me for asking for her daughters ID and complained. The manager overrode it and put the sale through under her log in. After the woman left the manager told me I had done the right thing in that situation but she couldn't be bothered with the hassle from the woman. You can't win either way when you work on a checkout. Do what you are told to, ID everyone and get abuse from the customer. Use your common sense and don't ID the teenager and get told off by the manager. So glad I don't work there anymore!

sneezingwakesthebaby · 21/02/2013 21:15

I should have used paragraphs hmm.

3monkeys3 · 21/02/2013 22:09

I am 30 and get asked fairly regularly. I don't like it, but I just carry my driving license. Last time it was a 17 year old lad who asked me! I think it's a bit daft and that buying booze underage is a bit of a rite of passage. I get asked more now, 12 years over the legal drinking age, than I did when I was 16!

Xmasbaby11 · 21/02/2013 22:15

Bit annoying, but I'd just forget about it. It's not that big a deal, is it?

PinkyCheesy · 21/02/2013 22:37

Ilikebirds

see
www.gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence-photocard-licence#before-you-start
about getting a photo card driving license

MerryCouthyMows · 21/02/2013 22:47

I have no id. I LEGALLY cannot hold a driving license due to my epilepsy. Not even a provisional.

I haven't been abroad in years, because I can't afford travel insurance. As it costs more when you have epilepsy...

Where DO you get AFFORDABLE id from?

I can't afford a passport that's not going to get used. Haven't had one since I was a child, on a parent's passport, so it's quite expensive.

All I want is affordable id.

Swipe left for the next trending thread