to not give the Amazon delivery driver my date of birth?

[Evalina]

Amazon just delivered a couple of packages including one for my husband which had alcohol in it. The delivery driver asked me for my date of birth to enter into his handheld device.

I wasn't happy to give it, and said that I was 53 so clearly well over the age of 18. He said he had to put my date of birth into the device, and that he couldn't deliver the package without it.

I offered to show my driving licence but restated that I wasn't happy to have my Date of Birth recorded in the device. I asked what Amazon use the data for and he couldn't tell me, but said someone had been fired for not collecting this information on a delivery.

In the end my husband signed for it, gave his date of birth and is going to contact Amazon to find out more.

WIBU to refuse to sign it, and is this now standard practice?

all the delivery driver needs to do is to check some ID to prove they are over 18

I get wines from Virgin Wines and they leave them at the back of the house if I am not in.

I don't think they do need to see ID and they definitely don't need your date of birth. The first time they ask will be when I cancel my account with them. Not sure how giving a false DOB protects the driver who often doesn't work for the retailer anyway. They are not selling the item.

And "working in infosec/IT" is nothing to do with alcohol licensing or age restricted sales.

As ever, a little knowledge is a bad thing, and we have a corporate legal team who don't train their colleagues properly.

And what if you don't have a driving licence or passport? I've never driven, and didn't have a passport until I was in my 30's. Would they refuse to deliver to me?

I did feel I was being an awkward customer, and felt guilty for delaying the Amazon driver and making his life difficult, as I think they do have it pretty tough.

However I also think we give away personal information too easily without thinking about it or the consequences. If this is Amazon's policy then we won't order age restricted products from them any more.

I was interested to see what others thought, hence my question and some think IABU whilst others don't.

I'll update when we get a response back from Amazon.

Take it up with Amazon. It’s unfair to give the driver hassle. He’s only doing what he’s told and the more delays he has, the less he earns.

I have just done my training for amazon flex and all drivers are told they have to ask ID if alcohol is being delivered, if you don’t then you can deliver the parcel. OP I think your being a bit dramatic, the guy was just doing his job.

I had this with alcohol from Amazon - never had it before so it maybe a new policy. He just asked for my id. I had no problem giving it to him.

Interested in this, as I was contemplating ordering wine from Amazon, but won’t be doing so if it means I have to hand over my dob to whichever Tom, Dick or Harry turns up to deliver that day.

I always marvel at how many MN posters are happy to bend over backwards to accommodate any and every request made from a large corporate/someone perceived to be in authority, irrespective of how outrageous the request might be.

Amazon drivers do not need to be capturing this data, and anybody giving it to them is taking an unnecessary risk by giving it to them. There are plenty of other shops to buy alcohol from.

The driver has to enter a date of birth on the app (on his phone) before handing the parcel over.

This is all so ridiculous.

I'm clearly over 18, fuck, I'm clearly over 25, even on a very good day, so why would anyone want to question that is really beyond me.

All this ID nonsense has gone too far.

@Evalina

Never had anyone ask me for my date of birth when delivering a package.

How odd!

Don't think I'd be bothered though; I'd just give it them.

I’m guessing it’s hit or miss depending on the driver given that DS(17) has accepted several Amazon alcohol deliveries on our behalf when we’ve not been home and none have ever asked for proof of ID (am aware that they should have!)

This is a new policy. I recently took a booze delivery from Amazon. Asked for id to prove my age .... I’m nearly 60

You must look younger, Busted. By over 30 years.

Not quite sure what your worry is:

Regardless of whether or not he input it into the system, he still has to see your DOB on your licence and thus he personally will know it, just like a cashier in a shop.

You can't get around him knowing it, or a shop assistant knowing it, when they ask for ID.

If your worry is about Amazon knowing it once he puts it in the system, well they already know it, as someone pointed out.

So I'm just confused what the issue is?? Who are you worried about? The driver, or Amazon?

It's a new policy as Busted said. It's not just for alcohol either.

I looked at my Amazon account and they don't have a DOB there.

The thing about grenedine reminds me of the staff in Tesco asking for id when I was buying chicken slices in Tesco because the computer said so. I pointed out it was chicken and they said they still needed to see ID.

Amazon have the right to check your age. But they don't need to have your date of birth on file in order to deliver the goods. They ask for it for their own purposes, marketing etc.

I get annoyed by how many companies demand information from me that they do not need, except for marketing.

I agree that we don’t have to order from Amazon. That’s why I have cancelled my wine subscription from them and will buy from Majestic/Tesco/Waitrose etc who deliver wine to my door without me having to go and find my passport.

Laithwaites sell good wines as well.

I can't believe it's that much of an issue at Amazon's end either - if all the supermarkets can deliver age restricted items using think 30 or whatever then I don't see what Amazon need to collect this much data for.

Hi, I'm a driver so I thought you may appreciate that (my) perspective? We are required to see ID and to record the DOB from that into the device and to take a first name its used in our metrics and to ensure driver compliance, we could be sued (personally) for delivering to a minor. We check EVERYONE because we have to, no matter how old or young you 'seem' to be. If Amazon do record the data its not going to link your ID to you or whoever offers their ID. Its been said here already, if you want to buy restricted items from Amazon those are their rules, I make 15-20 deliveries like that a day, mostly to satisfied customers. You should protect yourself where ID is concerned but you can go overboard. I had a guy refusing to give me his 'data' then promptly started harassing me, taking my photo and videoing my van, seemd ok for him to do it then? The whole process is outlined in emails that you will receive having made the purchase, vast majority don't read them though. Drivers want to get home to their families too and they have a job to do. Dropping off 175 parcels having left the depot at 11:00 is a tough day. Be nice please we are trying to get your parcels to you in all weathers, in bad traffic, amongst rude people (sometimes), pandemics and the rigors of life oh and on time for you. Have some thought and consider your delivery guys & gals please. We're out in the covid19 world risking ourselves to deliver what are often non essential goods where most people dont consider that, they just want their stuff!

I will also ask these favours please. Firstly, please have your house number on your house, its so hard to find houses especially at night in the rain or snow,. If you're going to be out on delivery day please make arrangements for what you'd like the driver to do with the parcel. Don't assume he/she'll do exactly what 'you'd' like them to do, we can't read minds and everyone is different. Please understand that expecting us to go a neigbour is another drop and takes twice as long, if everyone did that we'd be out all night at your behest. If Amazon say you need ID, please have it ready for us or hust don't order from them. Its a tough job, I have been a professional (previously) for 25 years and wanted a change, I've lost 4 stone and got much fitter, I like interaction with people too - mostly! I have a 5 yo daughter and a nice house, its my own van too. I'm human and I have feelings. We are not all scumbags that spit on parcels or dump parcels and run away or any other of the things the press love to report. I love to deliver to a smiling customer with a cheery "thanks" which is 90% of my day I'm pleased to say.

Ok...

Why would you make the poor guys job even more difficult than it is already. Give him your date of birth and let him get on with doing his job in the way that he's been told to ffs.

I'd have taken the parcel away.

It must be awful for them making deliveries at the moment, no idea what condition the person opening the door will be in.

They don't need petty stuff like this.