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

Tbh - I agree with the op. I think it’s very odd for an 18 year old to go into a shop and buy a single kitchen knife. I think the OP thought she had reasonable grounds to suspect it might be used in a crime given recent activities in the area by people with a similar profile to the purchaser.

Honestly we need to be getting smarter on knife crime and stop this crap about not profiling people. Statistically some groups of people are more likely to carry out certain types of crime.

if a policeman stops a youth who is known to carry knives they can’t search them unless they have grounds to suspect independent of police knowledge they’re carrying a knife. If they mess this up a bunch of do gooders will be on the case.

Round up all the young people, say I - if they haven't already committed a crime, they're bound to do so very soon!

Because they needed one to prepare food. A knife isn’t a regular item, you wouldn’t pick one up with your regular shop. You would go out specifically to buy one and therefore just buy one. Unless you’ve broken all your kitchen knives at the same time, then you might go for a block.

It sounds like you have discriminated against the man. I’m not surprised your boss wants to speaks to you.

she already said it was a WHITE boy. Please read more carefully.

I bought a single knife in Lakeland and they weren't going to sell me it till they were satisfied that I had a bag and wasn't going to just put it in my pocket.
I'm a lot older than 18 but they were thorough.

OP, you'll either be sacked or you won't - my guess is it'll be a conversation and no further action taken.

And? That’s not what I said.

Beautifully put.👍

I don't know why people are mocking this.
Knife crime has escalated. In the last decade assaults with knives have gone up almost 70% in the uk and in 2022/2023 (the only dates I could find) over 40% of homicides involved stabbings with some kind of sharp instrument (knives, scissors, etc)

No I didn't make a mistake. I don't regret my decision.
Lived experience meaning I lived in hostels as a teen, in which every boy there was proud about carrying knives, it is easy for me to spot these specific types of people. During that time I lived there, 2 of my friends were stabbed. Over drug issues. He kicked off to the point where I felt scared, even though the knife was in packaging.

Morrisons just let me pay for it and take it home.

@LemonBlueberryX just tell management you thought the guy was high and therefore hesitated about selling him the knife but that next time you will call your manager if you're not sure about a situation.

Lakeland obviously stricter policy.

I think the only one racially profiling people is you. This person was white. I am white.

He did stink of weed to be fair

When you own the store, you can use your 'lived experience' to decide who should be sold what.

While you're working on the tills, you don't get to make those decisions. I expect that's what your manager will be reiterating to you tomorrow.

Do you think that people who go ‘stabbing’ plan to get caught? 🤣🤣🤣

You should repeat this to your manager. Nothing wrong with having a moral compass. I’m guessing they will tell you to serve these people (after checking ID) in future without any hesitation. Realistically though, why would an eighteen year old man be buying a kitchen knife? Maybe he’s at uni etc but I would feel the same as you.

Did he look at least twenty five?

I’m going against the grain. If you felt uncomfortable, regardless of why, then you went with your gut

You have either misunderstood these examples or are deliberately misrepresenting them to make a particular point. Of course you can sell alcohol to someone who appears under 25. The Think 25 policy is there to encourage staff to check ID (which they’re entitled to do even if you look 110). 18 year-olds can legally buy alcohol - how would they ever happen if it was illegal to sell to them because they look under 25?

You can’t sell a 15 year-old The Shining because it’s an 18 certificate. You can sell Monster to under 16s as there’s no legal ban - many retailers simply choose not to do so.

You’re supposed to be 25 minimum with ID to back it up.

Because only a "POC" might use a knife for crime? Really?? Give yourself a shake, that's abhorrent stereotyping.