Sainsbury's checking IDs

Kit603

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

I don't understand the significance of 25 . You are considered an adult and therefore allowed to purchase alchohol at 18 aren't you?

Yes, that's true. A person can legally purchase alcohol at the age of 18. However, if the cashier doesn't think that you are old enough to purchase the alcohol then they are required, by law, to ask you for identification because they risk a personal fine (as in they pay it, not the store) and potential dismissal if they get it wrong. Trading Standards/The Police frequently carry out "test purchases" using people they know to be underage (who both look young, and sometimes those who look old enough) to make sure that cashiers are getting it right, so why should we put our money and career on the line?

Thus, some places have voluntarily opted into a "Think 21" Scheme because, quite frankly, a minor might look older than 18 and therefore potentially be served with alcohol. Still, some people were still slipping the net and these places decided to then voluntarily opt into a "Think 25" scheme to be sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that anybody being served with alcohol was DEFINITELY an adult.

sarahg1969 wrote: »

I think the idea is that if you look under 25, you could be underage. However, there's a vast difference between looking as young as 25, and looking as old as 25. You'd have to be completely stupid to think that a youthful 40 year-old might be a minor. However, I don't think they're paid to think that far.

I think that's a very unfair comment to make. :mad:

People moan all the time about people being unemployed and claiming benefits as soon as they leave school but as soon as they go out and get themselves a job the same people 'make fun' of them for working in supermarkets, fastfood restaurant etc

At least these people are PAID to do something instead of standing around our street corners and causing trouble. For the record... I'd happily take the £6.67 an hour that a 19 year old gets paid to put food through a checkout as opposed to some of the much more demanding jobs that are only paid the minimum wage of £4.83. PLUS, Supermarkets have plentiful opportunities for career progression (Trainee Management etc) and are very student friendly for those that are still at university.

As for the OP, YOU might think that you look 29 but if the cashier thought you looked 25 or under then he/she should be applauded for having done their job correctly instead of being moaned about. I'm sure you'd have been among the first to complain if they hadn't done their job correctly.

I constantly get refused alcohol sales because the cashiers don't think I look 25. Yes, it is inconvenient. But, if I have no ID on me to proove my age then I could be underage for all they know and in their position I wouldn't want to risk a fine/dismissal either. Would you?

Storck wrote: »

I will say it again. A provisional driving license is NOT an acceptable form of ID. This is due to the full checks not happening until you apply for your full license.

As long as it is a new-style photocard licence then there is no reason for this not to be accepted as proof of ID. I've worked in the retailing industry, the banking industry and have been responsible for taking credit applications in both of these industries and we've always accepted a photocard provisional licence as proof of identity, address and age. However, we DON'T accept old-style provisional licences.

Also, what "Full checks" are you talking about? When I got my provisional licence I had to send off my passport as proof of I.D and then when I got my full licence it was automatically sent in the post i.e. no further checks were ever carried out before upgrading my licence? I've checked with DVLA website/Direct.gov etc and they still operate the same procedure.

MissGolightly

i'm 22 and regularly get id'd in my local tesco, for cigs and alcohol. fortunately i worked in tesco from i was 16 until i was 19, and the front end manager is still the same lady. plus approx 50% of the checkout staff are my old schoolmates, so if anyone ever asks me for id, i can easily call someone close by to verify my age for them.

Storck

Kit603 wrote: »

As long as it is a new-style photocard licence then there is no reason for this not to be accepted as proof of ID. I've worked in the retailing industry, the banking industry and have been responsible for taking credit applications in both of these industries and we've always accepted a photocard provisional licence as proof of identity, address and age. However, we DON'T accept old-style provisional licences.

Also, what "Full checks" are you talking about? When I got my provisional licence I had to send off my passport as proof of I.D and then when I got my full licence it was automatically sent in the post i.e. no further checks were ever carried out before upgrading my licence? I've checked with DVLA website/Direct.gov etc and they still operate the same procedure.

You do not have to send your passport to get a provisional driving license, you can do and it is less hassle but it is not necessary. All they do at this point is issue the documents out to you. When you return your certificate to say you have passed it is then that they do the checks on your identity.

As for you accepting provisional licenses that is totally up to you but by the licensing act that covers the sale of alcohol since 2005 a provisional driving license is not in the list of acceptable id. There are three things, a valid passport, an ID card carrying a PASS logo and finally a full valid driving license with both parts there. That means technically if you do not have your paper section to you driving license they do not have to accept it.

As you said you didn't used to accept the old style paper provisional license but did you accept the old style full driving license?

sammysexspot

beth464 wrote: »

I get really sick of posts like this.
I worked as a checkout operator for a few months and I would love to see people try and do all the things we were told to do as well as be polite, not make any mistakes AND accurately guess whether someone is 25 or not. Think about it - the customers are standing up, the checkout operator is sitting fairly low down. It's not like working in a bar where you can take a good look at someone before you even approach them. We get one chance to look, from one angle while the customer is probably fiddling with their money, getting bags out etc. It's not easy. You can't say "Hold up, stand still and face me while I decide whether you're 25". I was always apologetic when I had to ask and I didn't like doing it as people give you dirty looks and roll their eyes.
I don't know why people feel the need to kick up such a fuss. As for leaving all your shopping at the till, that's ridiculous. The girl was doing her job and probably felt bad when you walked out and left everything there. Why not just buy the rest of the shopping and get your alcohol somewhere else? I'm so glad I don't have to put up with the general public at work anymore.

stuck up !!!!

thelittleredfox

I am 30, and just got asked for ID to buy a bottle of wine. I think I look my age, and I certainly don't look 18.

I very rarely buy alcohol. I'm not a drinker, I was buying it for my boyfriend who was waiting in the car. I don't carry ID - why would I, given that I am no longer even in my 20's, and why should I? Carrying ID is not yet compulsory, and I am very against the introduction of compulsory ID - talk about big brother. I don't see why I should be forced to show ID just because I want to cook bolognese sauce.

Sympathy for the cashiers? I don't think so. I worked as a cashier myself for five years. Then, we only asked for ID if we thought you were under legal age or were coming to the counter with lots of alcopops or white lightning. Common sense dictates that if I am buying a bottle of red with my weekly food shopping I'm not an irresponsible drinker.

I have a REAL problem with all those people who say "just get or carry ID". I refuse to carry ID on principle. The Government is trying to introduce universal ID by the back door by making life as difficult as possible. I'm surprised people just accept it and see it as ok (I note it is mainly the younger generation who have obviously grown up with the idea of ID being essential). Personally I value my freedom - the freedom not to have to pove my identity when I'm doing my weekly shop.

Yes, I am one of the ones who gets very offended and difficult when asked for ID. Yes, I have left the counter before now. I am legally of age to buy alcohol and have a right to buy it if I want. Besides, if I walk out there is always another shop where the staff actually have brains of their own.

DCFC79

itselliebell wrote: »

and the front end manager is still the same lady. plus approx 50% of the checkout staff are my old schoolmates, so if anyone ever asks me for id, i can easily call someone close by to verify my age for them.

is that allowed though,

DCFC79

sammysexspot wrote: »

stuck up !!!!

no need for that, beth has a point though

DCFC79

thelittleredfox wrote: »

I am 30, and just got asked for ID to buy a bottle of wine. I think I look my age, and I certainly don't look 18.

I very rarely buy alcohol. I'm not a drinker, I was buying it for my boyfriend who was waiting in the car. I don't carry ID - why would I, given that I am no longer even in my 20's, and why should I? Carrying ID is not yet compulsory, and I am very against the introduction of compulsory ID - talk about big brother. I don't see why I should be forced to show ID just because I want to cook bolognese sauce.

Sympathy for the cashiers? I don't think so. I worked as a cashier myself for five years. Then, we only asked for ID if we thought you were under legal age or were coming to the counter with lots of alcopops or white lightning. Common sense dictates that if I am buying a bottle of red with my weekly food shopping I'm not an irresponsible drinker.

I have a REAL problem with all those people who say "just get or carry ID". I refuse to carry ID on principle. The Government is trying to introduce universal ID by the back door by making life as difficult as possible. I'm surprised people just accept it and see it as ok (I note it is mainly the younger generation who have obviously grown up with the idea of ID being essential). Personally I value my freedom - the freedom not to have to pove my identity when I'm doing my weekly shop.

Yes, I am one of the ones who gets very offended and difficult when asked for ID. Yes, I have left the counter before now. I am legally of age to buy alcohol and have a right to buy it if I want. Besides, if I walk out there is always another shop where the staff actually have brains of their own.

well jeez i can see you would be delightful customer to ask for id if you were ever at my till, yes it may be annoying but theres no way round it, if you get asked for id and none on you then the sale is refused full stop

Nukumai

thelittleredfox wrote: »

I have a REAL problem with all those people who say "just get or carry ID". I refuse to carry ID on principle. The Government is trying to introduce universal ID by the back door by making life as difficult as possible. I'm surprised people just accept it and see it as ok (I note it is mainly the younger generation who have obviously grown up with the idea of ID being essential). Personally I value my freedom - the freedom not to have to pove my identity when I'm doing my weekly shop.

Bravo! a hundred times, bravo! Totally agree.

oldone_2

thelittleredfox wrote: »

I am 30, and just got asked for ID to buy a bottle of wine. I think I look my age, and I certainly don't look 18.

I very rarely buy alcohol. I'm not a drinker, I was buying it for my boyfriend who was waiting in the car. I don't carry ID - why would I, given that I am no longer even in my 20's, and why should I? Carrying ID is not yet compulsory, and I am very against the introduction of compulsory ID - talk about big brother. I don't see why I should be forced to show ID just because I want to cook bolognese sauce.

Sympathy for the cashiers? I don't think so. I worked as a cashier myself for five years. Then, we only asked for ID if we thought you were under legal age or were coming to the counter with lots of alcopops or white lightning. Common sense dictates that if I am buying a bottle of red with my weekly food shopping I'm not an irresponsible drinker.

I have a REAL problem with all those people who say "just get or carry ID". I refuse to carry ID on principle. The Government is trying to introduce universal ID by the back door by making life as difficult as possible. I'm surprised people just accept it and see it as ok (I note it is mainly the younger generation who have obviously grown up with the idea of ID being essential). Personally I value my freedom - the freedom not to have to pove my identity when I'm doing my weekly shop.

Yes, I am one of the ones who gets very offended and difficult when asked for ID. Yes, I have left the counter before now. I am legally of age to buy alcohol and have a right to buy it if I want. Besides, if I walk out there is always another shop where the staff actually have brains of their own.

A well done from me also. Our precious freedoms are gradually being eroded and it is time a stand was taken.

Twenty years ago it would have been unthinkable that we would have more surveillance cameras that the rest of Europe put together.

As long as people shrug their shoulders and say nothing can be done, or even worse invent spurious arguments as to how beneficial the proposals are (i.e asking 30 year olds for I.D), the more control authority will have over our precious won freedoms.