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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think 'age related' purchases in supermarkets are getting stupid

147 replies

Mrsdavidcaruso · 28/04/2014 16:25

Just been to Tesco did a huge shop using the scan and shop, one of my purchases signalled 'age related' and had to be cleared by an assistant.

It wasn't the garden fork I bought with the wickedly sharp prongs oh no it was the box of MATCHES that I bought.

madness

OP posts:

fidelineish · 29/04/2014 01:53

I got in a row with a Sainsbury's manager who wouldn't sell me teaspoons because I had no idea. He claimed they could be sharpened (but was clearly talking bollocks).

fidelineish · 29/04/2014 01:54

Gah No ID^

NeedsAsockamnesty · 29/04/2014 09:41

A few years ago my daughter ran into a shop I was parked outside of to buy me a packet of cigarettes (she was 19 at the time) during the transaction she forgot if I asked for 10 or 20 so phoned me to ask. She did not have her passport in her pocket they refused to serve her.

So she got back on the car and I went in they refused to serve me as "they were obviously for her" I went to the car got my driving license and her passport from the glove box handed them over, they still refused to serve me because I had two of my other children in the car and the shop assistant had seen them when he watched me walk to the car (right outside the door)

One of those children was a significantly disabled younger teenager who is always with me and the other was a baby.

I did not say a word but I was furious,I really resent the accusation (because that's exactly what it is) that I would buy tobacco products for one of my children or any child.

It's not the law,and unless they have a legitimate and reasonable belief that I am I.e if they saw the child hand me money or heard the child asking me to buy them then they can not get fined or anything for serving me. Just having a child with me is not enough to form a reasonable belief.

goldopals · 29/04/2014 09:47

I get ID'd frequently. In Vegas I would stop near a pokie machine and would be ordered away because I was too young. You are meant to be 21, and I am 26

Ploppy16 · 29/04/2014 10:49

Quick question. When an adult is ID'd or has a child with them and is refused say, a bottle of wine at the till, how old does the child have to be for store policy to assume that the adult is buying for the child? Because I have a very tall 13 year old who has been with me when I've bought alcohol and not once has it been assumed I've been buying for anybody but me.
Is there a particular age that this rule/assumption kicks in?
I have however been refused Calpol at the grand old age of 35 though, if I hadn't actually needed it I would have kissed the shop assistant

NeedsAsockamnesty · 29/04/2014 10:58

Well no, because its not a real rule. It's made up clap trap

SistersOfPercy · 29/04/2014 11:00

I got ID'd going to see a friends band with number one son. They ID'd on the way in. Son was 20 at the time and had his driving licence, me, 39 didn't consider I needed it.
The bastards gave me a 'no alcohol' wristband! My own bloody son and the band members were sneaking me rum and cokes all night

Ploppy16 · 29/04/2014 11:01

Ah, just checking. I've read about it a few times but it's never happened to me. Mind you the last 2 times I bought booze and had my boy with me one was Pimms and the other Prosecco. Not something that working class kids from Rochdale drink in the park

CabinetSauvinyoni · 29/04/2014 11:09

I was ID'd for teaspoons once...knives or forks I could understand, but how much damage was I going to do with teaspoons?!?! I was 20 at the time, but so shocked when the cashier asked how old I was I sort of stammered and went "erm 18"?! I think it was a gut reaction to my pre-18 drinking days that obviously never happened. That wasn't easy to explain when I handed over my ID.

I'm guessing there was just a flag on all cutlery but it was totally bizarre.

MissDuke · 29/04/2014 11:23

I always carry my ID in the hope of being asked. I never am! I only recall being ID'd once since I turned 18 cries though to be fair I rarely buy the more traditional items that require proof of age. I have never been ID'd buying everyday grocery items, though I did have to put back paracetamol in a supermarket once, as I was attempting to buy a combination of calpol and normal paracetamol as we were all sick, because of the restriction on the amount of 'paracetamol containing items' rather than the actual amount of the drug that is in them.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 29/04/2014 17:45

The paracetamol is a common one, MissDuke (unless you buy it in Costco)

I was chatting to a customer today in a supermarket who told me she'd been quizzed on buying a bag of lemons a few days ago - apparently you can make a bomb out of them. So ridiculous

Maisie0 · 29/04/2014 18:36

I am only 36. To be honest, and I shall be blunt here I do not care too hoot about the fact that others will be checked by trading standards or whatever. That is not my job. It is also not the job of the employee to peeve the customer off, and accuse them as well. That is accusation of lying and making assumptions as well. If they cannot even tell the age of the person, then they should not or maybe they need to hold back the right or whatever to sell it to the customer. There is no need to demean somebody and make them squirm.

Never mind matches, I got asked more serious questions even when in immigration check in the Netherlands. I admit that it was my fault as I also had a hoodie too, so he did wonder if I was a working professional or not. It was way too early in the morning. I learnt from that one.

I also prefer the etiquettes of the drug officers at the Amsterdam Airports. They do check to see if you are a smuggled migrant and at least talk to you to check whether you are truly British or not. They just said a polite "Good Morning". So I responded back with a smile and a "Good Morning" also. I prefer their subtleties, than these direct offensive social situations in a typical supermarket. As humans, we are not raised to be accused. Especially without facts or details. Do not expect everyone to know a typical store's trading standards and whatever laws. As it is not our duty to know as a customer.

Bring back hardy bouncers and supermarket clerks to give the sneaky youngsters a run for their money. Cos you used to be able to check if someone is indeed acting shifty or not. They know they shouldn't buy and break the laws in any way.

WeAreEternal · 29/04/2014 18:48

I was asked for ID when buying plastic picnic cutlery a few weeks ago, apparently they have to ask because they are knives, even though they are smooth, soft and plastic.

I have been IDed to buy tonic water in the past at our local morrisons.
I am also IDed for lottery at every week there.

I'm mid 30's so I don't mind, I now consider it a compliment.

BomChickaMeowMeow · 29/04/2014 19:01

The law seems rather contradictory. It is illegal to buy alcohol for the consumption of someone under 18. Yet it isn't illegal for someone to give any child over the age of five alcohol in their own home.

So how do you achieve the legal act without the illegal one first?

ModreB · 29/04/2014 19:18

I was ID'd in ASDA buying a Pritt Stick, as apparently it's a "Glue Related Product". I am 47.

littleducks · 29/04/2014 19:34

The teenage girl in the checkout had to ring for a manager as she was underage and couldn't serve me.

I was buying vanilla essence.

Maisie0 · 29/04/2014 19:39

ModreB Really ? That's a new one.

I did get ID also going into a club in the early 2000, but it did not happen when I went to uni during 1995/8 or so.

Don't you think that the laws are becoming more and more ridiculous ?

I remember carrying a small kitchen knife to cut some oranges for a football game with some friends in a park on a Sunday. When I took out the knife, all the guys were like "woah" and stepped way back. I didn't even know about the laws on carrying knife. I was so embarrassed. And no, nobody ate my oranges. [Blush] Dating was tough in my late teens, early 20s.

Maisie0 · 29/04/2014 19:40

Littleducks Lol.... facepalm

cuntingrimmer08 · 29/04/2014 22:04

I was id for a can of red bull !!

iAmAGuyAndNotEvenAFather · 15/06/2014 14:58

I never get turned away from a bar for age. Perhaps one in a hundred times or more I might get turned away for possibly appearing too drunk or not dressing appropriately (not nice shoes usually). Except in rare circumstances where the staff lie or play silly games I usually oblige whether I agree with their opinion or not. Age has never come up except one time with my sister (to be fair girls get a greater brunt of it because of make up and perhaps because if the bar staff get it wrong the consequences are more serious).

The supermarkets however are extreme. I'm in my 30s and I wouldn't imagine anyone could look at me and think I'm 18 or under. It is simply absurd. Perhaps I might look a couple of years younger than I am but it should be clear I am beyond my mid twenties to anyone of sound reason.

Sainburies constantly asks for my ID for cigarettes and alcohol. They are really extreme about it. I never oblige because it is clearly ridiculous. Whether this means arguing, taking the piss out of them or simply leaving and letting them clear up my shopping. I think it is ridiculous that in the UK I should need to carry my ID on me all the time just so I can buy cigarettes. This is not the country I grew up in. The only ID I have is my passport and birth certificate. I'm not going to spend money or time to satisfy their extreme policies.

It just pisses me off so much. If I genuinely looked significantly younger than I am the mistake would be annoying but understandable.

However I am quite satisfied that I recently proved my point by insisting that someone who asked for my ID was old enough to serve me and that they could prove it. Funnily enough she obliged, first though by trying to get her manager to vouch for her. I have tried this before, having a colleague vouch for me but they do not accept that. I refused, especially as if they were hiring underage staff the manager would be the last one to confirm it. Eventually she actually brought her ID and it checked out. I obviously didn't have my ID and so said that I would only take the non-age restricted items. She got very upset and said now I had to show her mine and why I put her through that. I explained I didn't because I was willing to take only the tea and that I put her through that so that she would understand what she was asking me to do/putting me through. All in all, it was hilarious.

cantbelievethisishppening · 15/06/2014 15:03

You can get married at 16 but can't buy cutlery. Utterly ridiculous

cantbelievethisishppening · 15/06/2014 15:08

I was chatting to a customer today in a supermarket who told me she'd been quizzed on buying a bag of lemons a few days ago - apparently you can make a bomb out of them.

'Madam, why are you buying so many lemons?'
'I am making a bomb'

As if anyone would admit to making a bomb when challenged

Knottyknitter · 15/06/2014 15:11

I was IDed the other day in M&S.

Fortunately I had my driving licence, and the woman did at least have the decency to look sheepish when she saw I'm THIRTY FIVE. She ummed and hummed about needing to be 25.

BUT... I'm pregnant, (and beginning to look it) so had treated myself to a bottle of posh elderflower cordial, for when DP is having a real drink. Nothing age restricted in my shopping at all. The woman behind me in he queue looked like she was about to wet herself giggling!

fatlazymummy · 15/06/2014 15:14

They've been stupid for a long time.
4 years ago my 13 year wasn't allowed to buy a pencil sharpener.

Pregnantberry · 15/06/2014 16:10

[Slow clap] for all of the PP's who have revelled in ruining a minimum wage shop assistant's day by being horrible to them over something that they have absolutely no control over. You all sound really cool and edgy.

Especially iAmAGuy, I'm sure you will die a happy man after all of that hilarity.

Seriously, if you have a problem about the store's policies/the law, then complain to someone in management or above. WTF do you think the part time student who will be leaving in a few months behind the counter is going to do about it? It is entirely out of their hands.

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