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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Challenge 25 in supermarkets

154 replies

KissMyFatArse · 13/05/2015 14:09

After school run nipped into well known supermarket for groceries needed for dinner and a couple of bottles of prosecco.

Will admit I was dressed casually and with no makeup but was asked for ID at checkout. After a rummage in bag I realised I didn't have my drivers license.

Manager called over and they both admitted that I was clearly over 18 but unsure if over 25, im 32!

If they can agree I'm above the legal age(and then some!) then why refuse to serve customers?

Aibu to assume if they're happy I'm well above 18 but unsure how close (or over!) 25 I am then they should still be able to serve you as the legal age is 18?.

Surely some common sense needs to applied.

OP posts:
HellKitty · 14/05/2015 03:07

I got an id check buying tobacco for DP. I stood there telling her I was 46 ffs! My 14 yr old was standing by the magazines so I was trying to use him as proof of my ancientness but she still wasn't having it. I then took off my woolly hat (getting all hot and bothered) and she said, 'oh yes I can see it now...'

I must have a very wrinkly forehead.

ScorpioMermaid · 14/05/2015 07:44

My husband was a supervisor where the 'think 25' policy is used. apparently, so he was told, it's because a lot of people now days look a lot older/younger than their age. it comes with a hefty fine and possible job loss. the police etc often do random checks aswell to make sure people adhere to it.
my DH once came across a customer asking for a paper round, he thought it was for his son until it turned out it was for him - he was 14. my DH thought he was about 30.

OrlandoWoolf · 14/05/2015 08:03

If you are with a teenage child, would you be prevented from buying alcohol as they are under 18?

Even if it's clearly not for them.

"Is this Merlot for your son?"

"Right, he drinks ...insert name of trendy young alchoholic drink"

I have heard stories of parents being refused alcohol because they have a teenager with them.

EuphemiaCoxton · 14/05/2015 08:12

My dh was refused alcohol because he had 14 year old dsd and her friend with him. He went proper apeshit and began to rant about teenagers not having the good sense to drink rioja and how dare they assume he was buying alcohol for children.
This was a year ago and he still goes ranty when he remembers it.

avocadotoast · 14/05/2015 08:57

The shop near me brought in "think 30" for a while. 30!! As if 25 isn't high enough! How many people are gonna look over 25 but be under 18?!

They reduced it back down to 25 after a little while. Must have realised how ridiculous it was...

muminhants · 14/05/2015 09:47

My dh was refused alcohol because he had 14 year old dsd and her friend with him. He went proper apeshit and began to rant about teenagers not having the good sense to drink rioja and how dare they assume he was buying alcohol for children.
This was a year ago and he still goes ranty when he remembers it.

This would annoy me too. I don't take kindly to being accused of lying, which effectively is what this is.

Original poster
KissMyFatArse · 14/05/2015 14:54

Thanks for all replies. First time posting in Aibu and wasn't slaughtered as much as I was expecting!

Kinda disappointed now actually WinkWink

OP posts:
HoneyDragon · 14/05/2015 15:00

kissmyfatarse You're a massive wank badger, I feel sorry for you children, and think you smell.

PsychopathOnTheCyclepath · 14/05/2015 16:04

This massively pisses me off as it's rarely fuck all to do with your face age and all about how much of a short arse people are! I am 5 ft 2 inches and ID'd all the bastard time. I'm in my thirties FGS and look it

I was always ID'd as a teen (18+) and early 20's. Just as I was hitting middle 20's they introduce challenge 2 bloody 5 and I've gone back to producing ID to buy expensive gin. I've yet to meet a teen drinker who drinks gin.

I understand the issues with trading standards and store policies but i've noticed tall people are assumed to look older so don't get asked. Lucky buggers getting height and alcohol.

In all seriousness, I understand policies are in place but common sense should always prevail and if the OP or myself look over 18 then we shouldn't be prevented in our purchases of alcohol because we aren't over 25.

OrlandoWoolf · 14/05/2015 16:17

What pisses me off is

"If you're lucky enough to look under 21"

Stop with the being lucky to look young shit .

Original poster
KissMyFatArse · 14/05/2015 16:28

Honeyd, now that's what I'm talking about!

GrinGrin

OP posts:
dustarr73 · 14/05/2015 17:18

The very people on here giving out about having to be id would be the very ones baying for blood if someone sold their 17 year old alcohol.

Its easier especially for woman who are 14/16 doing themselves up to look 18.Its far harder for them to look 25.And thats what it is basically.I know someone who sold alcohol to someone didnt ask for id and it was the guards doing a spo chek,she lost her job.So really i would rather be over cautious than get a record and a fine and possibly lose my job.

Gileswithachainsaw · 14/05/2015 17:21

exactly dus

that's what I've been trying to say.

Gileswithachainsaw · 14/05/2015 17:34

I had a complaint made about me once for IDing a young girl. It was her 18th birthday that day and her dad was taking her out.

He went ape shit at me then complained when I refused to serve her. She had no ID.

so all those getting cross about being made to feel like a liar. as I have said before its not about you.

word of mouth from. accompanying adults is not a valid form of ID and never will be. that teen could be with her dad. or she could be a plant and the dad a police officer.

or she could have been asked by a bunch of 14 year olds to go and buy them booze as she looks the oldest out of all of them.

Are people really so naive to think we don't know the tricks?

Gileswithachainsaw · 14/05/2015 17:35

Oh and my boss backed me up100%.

I was discreet and polite and apologetic for having to ask her to leave. I was doing g my job.

AnnaBegins · 14/05/2015 18:00

namechange0dq8 not just in Tesco, my ID story did happen in waitrose!

JessieMcJessie · 14/05/2015 18:00

It's a driving licenCe, not licenSe unless you are an American.

Headdesk · 14/05/2015 18:03

It's not worth the £5k fine or instant dismissal. I work in a shop and ID everyone if they look under 25, it's just the rules. I've been surprised when I've id'd someone who ive thought was around 25 to find out they're only just 18

ohtheholidays · 14/05/2015 18:19

I'm 40 this month and still get asked for ID.The people serving me are usually 10 years + younger than I am.

namechange0dq8 · 14/05/2015 18:25

The very people on here giving out about having to be id would be the very ones baying for blood if someone sold their 17 year old alcohol.

Speaking as someone with children that age, I couldn't give a shit if you sold them alcohol. It would be far easier than having to keep enough beer and wine in that they can take it to parties if they could just buy it for themselves.

Baying for blood? 17? Seriously? What do you think happens when they turn 18?

namechange0dq8 · 14/05/2015 18:28

The shops that do all this nonsense are the first to whine that they're being losing business to online retailers. Who happily deliver a bottle of wine (either as part of a supermarket order, or as part of an order from a specialist online retailers) without asking for ID. My kids have signed for deliveries of wine. So there's not a lot stopping them from ordering it themselves online, is there?

Chchchchanging · 14/05/2015 18:35

Of they don't challenge and you were underage not only does the store risk losing license but the individuals get charged Shock

sashh · 14/05/2015 18:35

Someone I worked with went shopping with her 16 year old son, who is 6ft+ but was in school uniform. At the till she remembered something and left ds packing while she got it.

When she got back ds said, "It's OK I've paid".

Colleague pointed out to the checkout person that she had just let s school child, in uniform pay for shopping including wine.

Colleague thought it was a genuine mistake so didn't go to the manager. I think the checkout person got a shock though.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 14/05/2015 20:25

I think if someone challenged me to prove I was over 25 I would kiss them Grin

dustarr73 · 14/05/2015 20:59

Namechange not everyone is easygoing and some people would literally tear you from your till if you sold their kids alcohol.I actually valued my safety.I have refused people and im sure enough i have served someone underage but really i was very strict.

People do get very aggressive about this to the people on the tills who have no choice but to do what they are told.