Sainsbury's

[Diggingmyselfoutthehole]

I don't know if I am been a drama queen if I am I'm sure you won't hesitate to tell me .

Yesterday I went to Sainsbury's with my 5 year old. His dad was at work he's in the forces so a key worker. Before I got inside one of the blokes on the door stopped me and said they are asking for only 1 person per shopping trip. He then went on to say that rather than bringing my child in if I haven't got anybody to look after him, he could wait in the car...

After thinking about it I then messaged Sainsbury's on Facebook to say I didn't think it was an appropriate alternative to leave a young child in the car while I was in the shop and this is the response I got.

The second person is welcome to wait outside the store, at a safe distance, to support once the shop is complete. These measures are to protect as many people as possible. Thanks, Greg

So the question is am I over reacting?

Our SB has been super! A lady with her little boy in front of me, was welcomed into the store .And he was wiping down the trolley for Mummy ,while the lady at the door looked on smiling .Have had bad exp at Tesco ,(similar to chips and ketchup) and was almost in tears .Now wanting a few bits from them ans feel scared to return TBH .

Whoever is looking after the Sainsbury's Twitter account isn't coping. I contacted them previously and got a copy and paste answer that ignored my question. When I queried it, I got the same copy and paste answer back.

I don't think anyone would reasonably believe leaving a 5-year-old alone was a smart idea, but as I said, their Twitter people aren't even reading what they're replying to.

@CrowCat

"It's illegal for them to refuse entrance to a child under 16" no it isn't. They can refuse entry to anyone they like. You'll look a bit foolish if you go shouting this at them.

That’s a good response. Another case of people in uniform overstepping.

It’s a lose-lose situation at the moment If you’re a single parent/other parent not available.
The options are: take child with you and face justifying why whilst getting judged by others (locally people have been verbally abused if they have children with them).
Or order online and get judged by neighbours and go against Government advice (not mandatory) that states if you’re fit and healthy go to the supermarkets.
Or go alone whilst leaving child in car or at home (if older) and risk their health and safety. We all know the dangers of leaving children in cars especially on a hot day and the horrific incidents that happened last year and it really worries that more parents will see this as the ‘best’ option.
I can not believe that Sainsbury’s staff member was encouraging you to leave your young child in the car OP, children’s health and safety should not be compromised because of the current situation we are all in.

For that stupid answer I’d be shopping somewhere else anyway!

Of course you can’t leave a 5 year old outside, his not a dog!

Last time I contacted them by Twitter didnt get an answer for a week ! But I did get my refund for a damaged item eventually.
No slots available last night just looked and thur and fri available next week

This is the reply from the email

Thank you for your e-mail to Mike Coupe which has been received into our Executive Office. Mike has asked me to personally look into your complaint and respond to you on his behalf.

I am sorry to learn of the poor customer service you received at our Monks Cross store.

Our current policy is to only allow 1 person per household to enter our stores however, if you are unable to leave your child at home then the stores should be allowing them into store with their parent/guardian.

Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Kind regards,

Executive Office
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

That's a fair enough reply.

@circusintown I can assure you I'm correct. But ok.

I can assure you I'm correct. But ok.

Well, you aren't correct so it makes no difference how much assuring you do.

You wrote "It's illegal for them to refuse entrance to a child under 16", which is patently absurd. Shops can refuse entry to anyone they want to, as can the owners of any other private property.