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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Tesco make it up as they go along

233 replies

Devilishpyjamas · 22/09/2018 14:58

Son just popped out to buy some AA batteries from the Tesco down the road.

They refused to serve him saying they’re ‘not allowed to sell batteries to children’. Eh? Since when?

Ds3 is nearly 14 and has bought AA batteries from there (unaccompanied) before.

OP posts:
Teaandbi5cuit5 · 23/09/2018 06:46

Some of these are really funny..... About 10 years ago I worked the night shift at sainsburys (18yrs old)
When you have about half an hour left on your shift you begin to see the day staff coming in..... Anyway, straight after my shift I went and purchased a dvd certified 13. The cashier asked for ID Confused even though she sees me working the night shift all the time, plus you have to be 18 and over to cover that particular shift!

kalinkafoxtrot45 · 23/09/2018 07:05

Totally infuriating policies! Makes no sense whatsoever.

QuestionableMouse · 23/09/2018 07:06

@Potplant2

People with eating disorders sadly.

zen1 · 23/09/2018 07:16

The self scan even flags up U films for an age check

Yes, 12 year old DS went to Tesco to buy a U film and they wouldn’t sell it to him. They told him he had to come back with a parent. I would have understood had it been a 12 rating.

KaosReigns · 23/09/2018 07:24

Two young girls almost died in my home town drinking vanilla essence. I still have no problem purchasing it, even under 18.

I did once fight my corner over buying non beer and win in the strictest of all supermarkets in my country. Took 5 minutes and 2 managers, but I really wanted the beer.

whyIsARavenLikeAWritingDesk · 23/09/2018 07:27

Got refused when I tried to buy standard spoons to eat my ice cream with. Said ice cream as being bought at the same time! They were the only things I was buying!!!!

MargaretDribble · 23/09/2018 07:28

DS was allowed to buy Paracetamol in the Co-op when he was 12 because the packet said 12 and over. I challenged them over it because he is autistic and I was a bit concerned.
There doesn't seem to be any consistency between shops.

Original poster
Devilishpyjamas · 23/09/2018 07:39

I do understand why retailers have these policies, but would suggest however that it's worth asking companies to provide clarification that a particular request for ID or refusal to sell an age related product is actually part of their company policy as my own experience working in several locations of one company is that these kinds of policies are often interpreted very differently in one place than they are in another, and generally the big retailers are keen to provide the same level of service across their business

Actually that’s a really good idea. I’m off to Twitter.

OP posts:
curlycat · 23/09/2018 07:46

DD 18 was I'd for petrol. Surely the car on the forecourt is a dead giveaway.
Not sure what they would have done if she hadnt had her driving licence on her - drained it???

Phillipa12 · 23/09/2018 07:47

My sister got refused cigarettes once, she had forgotten her id, the bloke wasnt having any off her excuses. I was allowed to buy my cigarettes directly after her as i had id. We and other customers were truly baffled by his stance even after arguing her case. We were in a petrol station in the uk, my sister had driven in, oh and we are IDENTICAL twins. Still amuses us to this day!

Unihorn · 23/09/2018 07:54

Yes this whole thing really winds me up. I understand we wanted stricter alcohol policies but retailers have just taken it to the extreme. The last three times I've been to Wilkinson's and bought a scratchcard I've been ID'd. At 27 whilst accompanied by my husband and two children. They always say they know I'm over 18 but maybe not 25. The policy is just stupid. I don't blame the workers who fear for their jobs.

TheObwaldhutte · 23/09/2018 07:56

A month ago I bought two bottles of Bass and a bottle of cheap sherry to put in the Christmas cake. I was asked my age. I looked up and said, "I watched the moon landings". I don't even think she was old enough to know what I meant let alone work out that I am old enough to be her Gran. It's a weird policy that has them asking stuff like this. Just stick to the law.

pinkmagic1 · 23/09/2018 07:59

My sister got asked for Id in Morrisons buying a bottle of ginger beer in her 20's. Not the alcoholic type, just the fizzy pop!

BillywilliamV · 23/09/2018 08:06

My 14yr old DD ( who looks 25) has the ID page of her passport scanned into her phone for cinema, buses etc. Anyone know if that would suffice to purchase, alcohol, spoons, vanilla etc when she is older?

WrongKindOfFace · 23/09/2018 08:19

I once got ID’d for buying a PLASTIC picnic set.

Cronesquerness · 23/09/2018 08:43

I'd complain if a cashier refused to sell my partner something that I had been refused. Only alcohol and tobacco does this rule apply to. Make a fuss, get a supervisor or manager and explain the law to them re proxy sales. One xmas, working in a supermarket, the items that triggered the think 25 message on the tills included The Snowman dvd!!

Buswankeress · 23/09/2018 08:47

The problem is that as a pp said we wanted tighter control over alcohol sales, and so instead of actually doing something about the alcohol abuse and teen binge drinking and all that goes with that, the government have made the retailer responsible. The retailer isn't going to have that, it might cut into profit, so the person selling is made responsible, and the fear of God put into them at training sessions regarding this. That they'll make you the scapegoat if someone gets something they shouldn't, or does something they shouldn't with the product.
And the law is at best ambiguous in some areas, gives little direction however if someone decides you've broken it you bear the concequences.
Oh and challenge age policies are actually a legal requirement of a license. You must have one of them in place to get and keep a license and can have sanctions put on the alcohol license if you don't. In itself you don't have to look 25 or 30 or whatever to buy alcohol, but a retailer must have one of these policies in place.

Deedee248 · 23/09/2018 08:50

I bought some alcohol free wine, and the cashier had to confirm that I appeared over 25. When I asked why she said because it comes from the alcohol section!

spader1987 · 23/09/2018 08:53

Co-op wouldn't sell me j20's without id. She wasn't having any of it when myself and several others told her it was only fruit juice!

ihearttc · 23/09/2018 08:54

I was ID'd buying Non Alcoholic Kopperburg in Tesco. I did point out to the lady that I was over 40 and they didn't have any alcohol in them anyway but apparently it was flagged up on the system!

Oliversmumsarmy · 23/09/2018 08:59

Tesco that I was in said I had to prove I was over 25 in order to buy a lottery ticket that you only have to be 16 to purchase.

As I too watched the moon landing I was somewhat bemused.

Lunarsey · 23/09/2018 09:04

I have refused to set foot in any branch of Asda since they refused to sell me wine as part of my large weekly shop because I MIGHT be buying it for my 14 and 10 year olds who were doing the shop with me.

I had two valid forms of ID on me but, no, the wine could not be sold to me in case it was for the children.

I walked away and left my entire shop on the conveyor belt.

DD (now 17) was refused sale for plasters in Superdrug last weekend as she was underage and "might need medical attention".

Original poster
Devilishpyjamas · 23/09/2018 09:05

Plasters??? WT?

OP posts:
kateandme · 23/09/2018 09:06

ok someone that works in the clothes department please explain this one for me my mother got the same and and was gobsmacked to see she needed ID for her bra. her bra people! this was when she went to collect it having it delivered to store

kateandme · 23/09/2018 09:06

My brother hopefully said it might be because kids could use it as a slingshot hahaha

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