Was I wrong to refuse sale at work urgent advice needed

[LemonBlueberryX]

So this morning at work (I work in retail - but not a supermarket, think along the lines of b&m), someone came in and tried to buy an item. I was working on the till. When they came to the till I felt frozen on what to do as I didn’t feel comfortable selling this item in these circumstances (based on a stereotype of what this person looked like). I asked for ID (it’s a look25 item) hoping they wouldn’t have it so I could refuse sale but they did. After that I felt I had to make a choice and so I refused sale. Because of things that have happened in my area recently I felt that by allowing this sale I would be personally contributing to bad things.

They kicked off and asked for the manager who came over and asked me why I refused the sale and I just froze and couldn’t answer. Manager took over the till and served the person. The rest of my shift went on as normal but Managers just whatsapped me an hour ago asking me to come in at 10 tomorrow for a chat. I don’t work saturdays so not usually in. What do I say?

I dont really want this getting back to my manager so have tried to be vague about said item

I think you were absolutely right to refuse the sale. A lot of people here probably don't know much about knife crime and the absolutely hideous outcomes in some areas.

I agree you did the right thing, the sale is now on your managers conscience.
It may have been totally innocent, he may be doing a chefs training, or buying for the house....or..
he had more sinister intentions, and it will be the management interviewed by police if it ends in fatality not you.
I have lost someone I cared about to a knife murder by a youth. He had a collection of knives.

I think you absolutely did the right thing

I can absolutely understand why you were concerned. Having said that your manager was obviously entirely unconcerned. I think you just have to be honest and say you felt it was odd, but realise you've made the wrong call and apologise. Better to be honest and own what the manager will deem to be an error in judgement.

You didn’t right thing. I actually didn’t think you could buy single knives! i would have refused the sale as well.

Reading between the lines it sounds like you did your own bit of racial profiling

You've not heard of students then? Or indeed other 18 year olds who leave home.

Age?

op , all you have to do is apologise as you made a mistake and explain your thinking and maybe share your lived experience and be clear you will follow policies and procedures in the future

it’s hard you were trying to do a responsible thing but the law was not in your side

One knife and nothing else at a cheap shop?

It is the same thing though, because any decision based solely on protected characteristics is discrimination

Do you think it would save lives if everyone who tried to buy a single knife in Asda was sent back to get a tin of value beans and half a pint of milk?

You can’t discriminate based on look 🙄

poor OP she is trying to do the right thing and not only does her manager not back her up. she is accused of discrimination
the voluntary code is unhelpful in that it doesn't address the OPs situation, but helpful in that it says shope should provide training

the gay wedding cake scenario is a complete red herring, wedding cakes can't be used to kill people

If they need a kitchen knife what do you expect them to do?

When kids are killing kids wasn't it better that op took the stance that she did.
What's with the facetious tone?

You did the right thing OP. It’s laughable to think anyone believes an 18 year old goes into a shop and buys a single knife for legitimate reason. 🤣

It’s not bollocks. You back your staffs decision publicly, if the manager thought it was a discrimination issue that’s for them to take up internally, not in front of the customer who has been refused. They don’t have to sell anybody anything.

Because you and others are ignoring a very valid reason for an 18 year-old to need a kitchen knife?

OP, I haven't read all your posts, however it seems to be you were worried the person might have looked different compared to the ID they produced.

This would have been enough reason to refuse the sale.

You have done nothing wrong.

The customer complained.

The manager intervened.

I used to work in retail.

Customers complain and managers intervene all the time.

Do NOT go into too many details.

Do NOT panic.

Do NOT incriminate yourself bt saying you should have done this and that.

Keep things simple would be my advice

Adults are allowed to buy kitchen knives.

What the OP hasn't told us is why she decided this one shouldn't be. Whatever it was, her manager disagreed. If she has a way of recognising those who may be involved in knife crimes her manager doesnt have due to her "lived experience", she needs to share it with him at the interview tomorrow. If she doesn't she needs to follow store policies.

I don't honestly see how people in OP's position are supposed to do their jobs if they can't make decisions based on people's appearance. Suppose, for instance, they look drunk and they are trying to buy alcohol. The till attendant hasn't got a breath testing kit, so surely they are only going to work on the basis of appearance?

I often just replace my vegetable etc knife.
My DD, cooked from a young age and did catering at college. You've discriminated based on age and sex. It's a stackable offence, but you will probably get a warning.

I would feel the same way you do op

Precisely. I hate to break it to you all, but a knife is still as sharp if you buy a chopping board and a colander at the same time.

“Your manager should always back you up when it comes to refusing sales”

Not always.

at the moment all we know is that they are a white 18 year old boy who lives in an area where there is knife crime. There are two other sides to this story but with what the OP is telling us she was discriminating for no tangible reason. If she was selling a machete that would be a different matter, if he came in looking strung out and jumpy different matter.

no wonder there is so much crime common by teenager boys people are already thinking they are criminals they might as well be one.