daughter was asked to leave homebase because she's under 18?

[whatisgoingonitw]

My daughter and her friend (both 15) went shopping yesterday and nipped into Homebase as my daughter wanted a plant and her friend wanted a heated blanket. They were approached by a member of staff who said “what age are you both you don’t look old enough to be in here” they replied 15. The member of staff asked them to leave as you need to be 18 to shop. My daughter is very straight forward and says how it is, she told the member of staff no as that is not true. The girls continued to walk around the store and they were followed by this lady who works there. They got to the till and paid with no issues the employee at the till didn’t mention age. My daughter told me this when she got home and explained the employee was rude and followed them around the store as well as giving them “dirty looks” I rung the store today to speak to a manager as that customer service is not okay. He told me you do infact need to be with an adult 18+ to shop. Is this serious? I can’t find anything on the website.

and decided she knew better.

Except she did know better, because this is not a clear established Homebase rule with all the signage, webpage, and general enforcement that would entail. Plus the other member of staff was happy to serve them, and at least half the people on this thread have not heard of this about this brand, let alone been banned themselves under 18 or had their child banned. I personally have never seen a sign on a DIY or hardware store that says this and I'm quite observant - Homebase or any other. So if they exist they must be written in tiny writing or hidden.

OP's daughter and her friend are as entitled as anyone else to state their point politely but firmly, and it doesn't have to be couched in twee fawning language to be valid either. Some PPs on this thread really do sound as though they are complete doormats when it comes to issues like this, and one can only assume those PPs are bringing any daughters they might have to be doormats too. There are already far too many unreasonable behavioural expectations on girls and women (as against their male counterparts) so it's not helpful to add to it.

They're completely wrong. I've never seen anyone praise being wrong as common sense and decency but this thread has thrown up a lot of weirdness so I'm not shocked by it.

What’s weird about this thread is some posters’ massive indignation at a teenager being asked to leave a shop, and their presumption that they’re experts in Homebase’s internal corporate affairs.

It’s been very entertaining though.

This may have been said already but neither the search engine on Homebase's website nor Google itself brings up anything for me on policies about under 18s or children even though it gives me various other policies. Which is odd considering they must actually have some policies about sales of certain items to under 18s because that's the law. If it's a bona fide store policy, not based on law, it's one they are keeping secret! And there was no need to be rude to your daughter initially, so that needs dealing with anyhow, whatever the policy is.

Sounds as though some staff are going a bit freestyle in that store, and that OP needs to write a sternly worded letter to Homebase head office.

massive indignation at a teenager being asked to leave a shop

Could that be because there is no reason at all for a teenager, if they are behaving reaosonably and not trying to buy age restricted products, to be asked to leave a shop at all? The fact that you think this is fine tells us a lot. Do you hassle teenagers often yourself?

See, this is what I mean. Why would you ask me such a daft question? Of course I don’t hassle teenagers. Strange.

When I was a teen I was followed around shops. Staff think teens are more likely to steal. We’ve all seen the ‘no more than 2 school kids at one time’ signs in newsagents’ windows.

I really don’t think this is any big deal, whatever the reason for it. But as I say, it’s made for great entertainment.

No. There isn't a policy. I asked them and they said there wasn't any such policy. You can contact them yourself? I don't think they'd lie. Have you tried breathing techniques? They're helping full for stress. All the best.

How very odd. Why would you give me advice about breathing techniques? You’ve actually rung up Homebase and you’re doing the PA thing to me about stress?

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You win. You're super clever and beautiful. Well done. My hero!

This thread’s got it all!

This

some people on here 🤣🤣🤣 you are very laughable

I haven't 'rung up' Homebase. It's 2024, my queen. Today I observed a teenager talking to an elderly person, about your age, and I tried to muzzle them. During the struggle, it transpired that said young person - let's call her Chloe - was quite erridite and empathetic. Should I unleash the bitter, barren old.person beast, my queen?

lol

Er…

What a dick comment

You get me a psych assessment. I'll get you a haircut. It's a a bit unkempt and wiry right now, isn't it? I understand getting it cut might be a bold step. But give it a brush, maybe? Put some day clothes on? Go to Homebase?

They would struggle to have their own flat at 16 as they can’t enter into a contract at that age.

I did. No one took issue with it at all. And the council still made me pay council tax! It was me who the gas and electricity company billed every month. They don't have an issue collecting money from under 18's.

I just thought I'd try a different approach with the rabid narc posting all the horrid stuff about teenage girls being shoplifting, cider gulping twunts. Sorry my response to a nutter fell below my usual high standards of not giving two hoots.

And how did you feel, being followed round the store when you’d done nothing wrong? No, don’t tell me - you loved it and valued the opportunity to be made to feel like shit by your elders 👍😂

As far as I remember I think I got over it without any great difficulty. It’s hardly uncommon.

Great, great thread. From such a tiny subject and a slow start it’s really turned into a cracker.

Ah well done you.