Page 3 | Refused alcohol in Marks & Spencer's?

frankiesamson · 2018-07-26T18:42:15+00:00

My husband just got refused buying a bottle of wine in Marks & Spencer is, at the age of 38! Whilst he took it as a compliment.. (he hasn't been Id'd in years!) we both were just wondering randomly where the law stands with this in the UK?

Original poster

frankiesamson · 17/08/2018 16:41

One episode who is the dc?

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Original poster

frankiesamson · 17/08/2018 16:42

And what are u shopping in tesco for?

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OneEpisode · 17/08/2018 21:42

Frankie, I wasn’t in Tesco at all. DH was there for a big shop with our DD who is the female type of DC. The cashier’s concern was that the wine was for her.

Original poster

frankiesamson · 18/08/2018 08:24

Ah didn't make it clear that the Dd u were referring to was the same as dc

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Original poster

frankiesamson · 18/08/2018 08:25

They tried to ID your child? Are you having a laugh?!

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SoyDora · 18/08/2018 08:32

I just checked, the posters in & around the store say "UNDER 25? Please be prepared to show proof of age when buying alcohol." So at age 37 one wouldn't expect it. They don't say "LOOK UNDER 25?

But they don’t know he was over 25 without ID do they? So they can only go on appearances. I get ID’d regularly and I’m 33 (and pregnant with 2 young DC!).
They can legally refuse to serve anyone for any reason.

VickieCherry · 18/08/2018 08:35

I got ID'd in Morrison's recently buying paracetamol. I'm 36, I was ill and had no make up on. I definitely looked my age, and then some!

I had to go home (luckily only five minutes) and get my ID. When I think of all the alcohol I bought before I was 18...!

youarenotkiddingme · 18/08/2018 08:42

I totally understand why they do this.
However it has got a little out of proportion!

The challenge 25 was meant to be for when you couldn't distinguish if someone was 16 or 20. And those basically didn't change anything as most people around 18 years of age were ID'd anyway! It was more a 'don't be offended' sort of thing.

The fact we now are in such a nanny state and employees are so worried about their jobs 30/40!yo are being asked for ID is slightly OTT.
It's quite obvious a 32yo isn't under 18!!!

KateMcD451 · 18/08/2018 08:48

I'm in my 30s and I went to Waitrose to get some drinks with my DP. He was the one buying the drinks but they wouldn't sell to him because I was with him and the silly sod thought I was under 18 and they were for me! The woman's face when I told her my age was priceless but she still wouldn't serve us. I don't drive you see do what photo ID am I meant to have on me, my passport? (I'd like to add I definitely look my age she obviously didn't have her glasses on)

Petitpomme · 18/08/2018 08:57

I'm 30 and husband and I always get ID'd by the same dopey lady in Asda every few weeks. I'm short and baby faced so that understandable but my 6"2 husband with a big bushy beard isn't. Some people are just a bit slack on judging people's ages realistically.

Original poster

frankiesamson · 18/08/2018 09:26

Oneepisode - did they seriously try to id your 4 year old child?

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Livinglavidal0ca · 18/08/2018 09:28

When I worked in a supermarket I struggled with this, I’m rubbish at ages and once you’ve asked you literally can’t go back on it!
Not to generalise, but polish women were the hardest to tell. There’s something in their genes that makes them look so youthful I once ID’d a 38 year old!

youarenotkiddingme · 18/08/2018 09:32

I don't think people can't tell the difference - I think they are fearful of being sacked.

Yes, it's hard to tell the difference between a 16 and 20yo a lot of the time.

It can be difficult to tell if someone's 23 or 29!

I don't think it's difficult to tell if someone's 29 or 18. Or if they are 35 or 25.

Challenge 25 has blurred the lines on requesting ID. It's meant to be if you are unsure someone is 18 or slightly older (looks under 25) then they will be asked for ID.

It's not if you think someone is older than 25 or not. The legal age for selling these items is 18.

Libra · 18/08/2018 09:55

DS1 was asked for ID in Waitrose (where does he get these expensive tastes??). He was on his way home from work and the only ID he had on him was his work ID. It did not state his age, but did have his photograph and the information that he was a doctor. The cashier still refused to sell him alcohol on the grounds that he could have qualified under the age of 18.....

Mindthecat · 18/08/2018 18:03

DH was once ID'd when buying a school t shirt for ds. When questioned the cashier refused to sell it to him. I walked over and she let him buy it. The reason she gave me was 'Why would a single man want to buy children's clothes? He could be anyone!, You can't be too careful'

AlbertaSimmons · 18/08/2018 18:11

I was ID'd in Waitrose buying a cutlery set. I'm 55 .

19lottie82 · 18/08/2018 21:34

What do you mean “where the law stands with this” OP?

I’m 36 and still get ID’d now and again.
And I got ID’d for a scratch card in the coop last week!!!

19lottie82 · 18/08/2018 21:36

Libra although you’d think common sense should have prevailed, there is a list of IDs that the staff can accept for proof of age. If the customer doesn’t have one of these, they’re not allowed to make the sale.

AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight · 18/08/2018 21:47

I find all this over-zealous ID-ing and refusing sales a bit... nannyish I think is the right expression. There are ways to implement the very important law protecting children from inappropriate things without treating adults like children.

I'm guessing there has been quite a lot of in-store training basically stating 'even if someone is white-haired, covered in wrinkles and is with a child who calls them Gran, they still might be under 25, because you can never tell and if you let one of those slip through that's your job gone'.

AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight · 18/08/2018 21:48

DH was once ID'd when buying a school t shirt for ds. When questioned the cashier refused to sell it to him. I walked over and she let him buy it. The reason she gave me was 'Why would a single man want to buy children's clothes? He could be anyone!, You can't be too careful'

I hope he complained!

BigBlueBubble · 18/08/2018 21:49

I was ID’d for alcohol up to the age of 37. Hasn’t happened for a few years though... must be looking old now

LeavingTheSandBehind · 18/08/2018 21:57

I was in Aldi the other night with my mum and bought some wine as part of the shopping. The (very young, perhaps a few years older than my own teen) cashier asked for ID. I have just turned 40; I thought Mum was going to combust with pride!

Oliversmumsarmy · 18/08/2018 21:59

I am nearly 60 and got refused a lottery ticket because I didnt look under 25

AlbertaSimmons · 19/08/2018 09:31

I think we should start a push back movement on this. Seriously, every time a cashier asks for ID, ask them to clearly explain why they are asking for it. They should say that it is because to them, in that moment, they are unable to clearly see that you are of age to purchase the product in question. If they say that, and you clearly are of age, then ask them how old they think you are. At that point, where they are telling a 55 year old that she could be 18, laugh in their face and walk away.

SoyDora · 19/08/2018 09:39

DH was once ID'd when buying a school t shirt for ds. When questioned the cashier refused to sell it to him. I walked over and she let him buy it. The reason she gave me was 'Why would a single man want to buy children's clothes? He could be anyone!, You can't be too careful'

WTAF?! What did she think he was going to do with it??
I hope he made a formal complaint.