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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Morrisons refused to let DD pretend to pay for the shopping...

341 replies

AllTheseThingsThatIveDone · 15/06/2018 19:36

Because my shopping included a bottle of wine.

Often pop to my local Morrisons for small top up shops. Popped there this morning to buy a few bits, including a bottle of wine. DD aged 3 likes to 'help' me at the self service checkout, scanning the shopping, and then at the end I lift her up and she uses my debit card to make the contactless payment, or puts the coins in etc.

Today as I was about to lift DD up to pay, the lady overseeing the checkouts rushed over to stop me and said DD wasn't allowed to pay for the shopping. She said it wasn't allowed as then the alcohol could actually be for her, or the debit card could actually be hers. When I pointed out that DD is only 3, and the debit card was mine, and it was clearly me really paying for the shopping she said it didn't matter Hmm

AIBU or is this completely bonkers? I could totally understand this if I had an older teenager with me but it feels like there is no common sense anymore Confused

OP posts:
diddl · 15/06/2018 20:40

Seems OTT to me-if you had id to show that the card was in your name, I wonder if that would have helped?

Perhaps they just shouldn't sell alcohol to someone who has kid/s with them??

MrsJayy · 15/06/2018 20:42

My 25yr old got Id when she was with her 20yrold sister who was buying cider Dd1 was raging Grin

wentmadinthecountry · 15/06/2018 20:44

24yo was asked for ID last week in Tesco to buy a bottle of Lucozade Sport.

FTRT · 15/06/2018 20:44

So you would rather the shop assistant had common sense, rather than a job?

Interesting.

tappitytaptap · 15/06/2018 20:46

I've often wondered since they 'challenge 25' thing came in whether you can do the shopping including booze with older children/teenagers any more?

MissCharleyP · 15/06/2018 20:47

The council send people in to do test purchases....but they would never send a toddler! They send in people who are only just underage (14/15/16). That said, I used to work in a pub and a lady who lived across the road came in with her BF had a couple of drinks and paid for a bottle of wine to take home later. She left without the wine and sent her daughter (who was about 13) back across for it. I refused to give it to her, mum rang up and complained (would have been quicker for her to just walk across and get it) but my boss told her I was right and even though she’d paid we couldn’t give alcohol to an underage person.

Timeisslippingaway · 15/06/2018 20:47

DrCoconut, like the woman I met in asda said, take it as a compliment. We must look very young 😂

RunMummyRun68 · 15/06/2018 20:47

Keep the queues moving and keep kids off tills! Indulgent parents do my head in! Buy her a play till

quizqueen · 15/06/2018 20:48

Instead of criticising the staff and thinking that rules don't apply to you, you could have used this situation to teach your child a good lesson for the future i.e. that she can't buy alcohol legally until she's 18.

The80sweregreat · 15/06/2018 20:49

I used to send my older teenager outside to wait in the foyer while I paid / it was easier than being questioned about why and who I was buying my wine or beers for. Easier all round.

Timeisslippingaway · 15/06/2018 20:49

🤣🤣I hardly think at 3 years I'm OP daughter will be aware she is purchasing alcohol or even what alcohol is for that matter.

Timeisslippingaway · 15/06/2018 20:49

3 years old

Sprogletsmuvva · 15/06/2018 20:50

Chin up, OP. While you may have problems buying alcohol with your DD with you for, ooh, the next 20 years - you can legally start giving her alcohol at home within the next 2😈

On other ‘wacky age-related rules’....was in Aldi a couple of years ago when they had an offer on baby/toddler cutlery sets. With a sign saying “Not for sale to under 18s”.

NotACleverName · 15/06/2018 20:51

that’s a dangerously sheep like thought pattern!

Baaa, well if it were me I'd be happy to be a sheep rather than risk a fine or losing my job. Yes, it's annoying, but it's not bloody worth letting it slide.

MrsJayy · 15/06/2018 20:51

I also used to send mine away if I was buying booze it was just easier.

OliviaStabler · 15/06/2018 20:53

Evidence please? Who would fine and prosecute in this situation?

Read my post again. I said could not would definitely.

When you work in retail is drummed into you about the personal fines you could be saddled with if you get caught selling certain products to someone underage. It is not with the risk, however miniscule.

You might think it is silly but helping out in one of our branches, it stopped me every time I sold Christmas Crackers as I had to establish the purchaser was over a certain age as they contained a tiny amount of gunpowder. I've been stopped in Tesco self service tills before buying non alcoholic beer as the beer actually contains a trace amount of alcohol so the member of staff has to check I am of age before I could complete my purchase.

Timeisslippingaway · 15/06/2018 20:54

tappitytaptap, oh that reminds me of another time I was in the supermarket and a woman in front of me was in with her daughter (I would say woman about 55, daughter at least 25 prob older) they had their shopping mixed together and the cashier refuse to sell the older woman her alcohol because her daughter was there. Oh she was not happy. Neither was her daughter.

The80sweregreat · 15/06/2018 20:54

It is all crazy, but you can’t have rules for some and not others.
Such is life in the U.K.

nokidshere · 15/06/2018 20:55

I would be irritated but understanding in this scenario but I am less tolerant when I have my teenagers with me and need their help at the till and I get id'd (and I look every one of my 50+years) - I still have to send my 16yr old outside while I pay just in case I'm buying it for him.

checkoutchick22 · 15/06/2018 20:59

Whilst I agree that on the face on if it, this is a ridiculous situation, having working in a large branded supermarket, the fear of god is instilled in you regarding alcohol and challenge 25....
When that staff member authorised your alcohol purchase they are making themselves responsible for that purchase too, opening themselves up to the possibility of a criminal conviction, resulting in a huge fine or possibly prison, should it proved later that a person under 18 'purchased' that alcohol.
Good for you though, for feeling so aggrieved 😞

Sprogletsmuvva · 15/06/2018 21:01

DP and I have always referred to alcoholic drinks as “baby poison “ to DD (now 2.5). I don’t think she understands what “poison “ means yet - but hearing her go “POIISSSONNN!” whenever passing the wine racks or seeing sherry come out of the trolley, the staff are unlikely to imagine we’ buying it for her Grin

The80sweregreat · 15/06/2018 21:01

My old school friends mum ( this was the 1970s and we were 14 ) used to send her up the shops for ‘10 b and h’ ( fags) nobody batted an eyelid! Different times.

GetInMyNelly · 15/06/2018 21:02

I don't understand why they can ID two people stood together when only ONE is paying for the goods!

Whenever I've gone to the shop with my 10 year old DB for alcohol (for me! Not for him), I've always told him to pretend to be with someone else when I pay Grin

MadisonAvenue · 15/06/2018 21:03

It really is ridiculous. I can understand the argument of why but ffs it's a child just having some fun.

A friend was buying a 16 rated Playstation game for her husband and the Tesco cashier refused to sell it to her with it because she had her 2 year old daughter with her and it could've been for her.

The80sweregreat · 15/06/2018 21:06

No wonder the employees in retail always look so stressed. I feel sorry for them to be honest. So much to remember and implement.