Refused Alcohol from Tesco

Simon11

Hi all

I produced my full driving licence at my local Tesco; however they refused to sell it to me. This is despite me showing my proper ID and I’m actually 21

I've produced a complaint letter and was wondering if anyone would mind tinkering with it to make it sound better? English and complaining isn’t my strong point. All posts welcome

Dear Sir/Madam

I have always been a loyal shopper and always shop at Tesco where I can. Today, I went into your store in ******** London to purchase 8 cans of beer. I produced my Driving Licence card; however they refused to serve me even though I’m 21. I have purchased alcohol many times before from your stores and never had an issue. The customer service assistant called the Manager/ Supervisor to help. I produced other ID that I had in my Wallet such as Debt Card, Student ID and my Rail Staff Identity Card.

Reasons they gave were

1. The picture cut off my ear.
2. My middle name wasn't on the driving Licence

With regards to point number one, I sent the DVLA a full size picture of myself when I sent off for the card in July 2007 however they ended up cropping the picture. I have the picture to hand if you wish to see the full picture.

Point number 2, I searched the DVLA website and found no evidence that any middle name is required on the Licence.

I was disgusted with how they treated me as a loyal customer and refusing to serve me. I totally understand that your staff have check ID thoroughly, but getting denied was embarrassing and frustrating.

I look forward to your reply

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

kymi

sorry to lol but I can feel your pain.

A couple of years ago I was in Tesco's and a woman who was obviously in her 30's was challenged re her age. (I kid you not).

Apparently they have some ridiculous policy where they have to challenge so many people (so I was told), and if they arn't happy with the ID produced, they refuse the sale.

The lady in question was refused her bottle of plonk because she didn't have ID with her.

I bet she's still dining out on the story...

Kymi

DCFC79

kymi wrote: »

sorry to lol but I can feel your pain.

A couple of years ago I was in Tesco's and a woman who was obviously in her 30's was challenged re her age. (I kid you not). the staff if unsure about the customers age have to ask for ID

Apparently they have some ridiculous policy where they have to challenge so many people (so I was told), and if they arn't happy with the ID produced, they refuse the sale. I cant comment on tesco but i know sainsbury's doesn't have a policy like that, if joe bloggs looks under 25 then ID is asked for so no ID then no sale, if teh store isnt happy with the ID then it must be for a reason eg photo wasnt very clear

The lady in question was refused her bottle of plonk because she didn't have ID with her.

I bet she's still dining out on the story...

Kymi

In the case of the OP its gone a bit ott re the photo

LilacPixie

does an ear cut off from picture somehow make you under 18?? did it make you unrecognisable ?

Zooxanthelle

It all depended on that ear... incase you'd stolen the ID from someone who looked alot like you but may have had a COMPLETETELY different ear.

Bizzarre times....It's too late for april fools right?

Perhaps the lady on the till was 'fooling' you.

Simon11

They said that since one of the ears was cut off, they didn't believe it could be a proper ID.

I went down to the newsagents 2 doors down and got beers from there instead, lol

jd87

If it's good enough for the DVLA it should be good enough for Tesco. Pursue the complaint all the way.

momov3boys

i have the same problem too im 28 and get refused alcohol and ciggerettes..sometimes i dont know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult lol i went to the petrol station filled up me car had me 11 year old son with me and asked for some fags to shich she said do youhave any id...there was a big que behind me and i have never felt so embarrased in all my life

now i carry my id with me all the time just so i can prove a point i am 28...it is annoying but at the same time it is good that the people who are serving are doing there jobs

LeeSouthEast

Tesco are indeed stupid when it comes to ID.

My girlfriend and I went in to Tesco to buy a bottle of wine to give as a present one evening (along with other items we'd bought). I'm 26, she's 19 and she had ID but I did not. Despite the fact she was paying and I was just 'with' her, they refused to sell it to us.

I went back to the car, and she went to a different checkout and appeared 2 minutes later with the bottle.

Crazy.

Indie_Kid

LeeSouthEast wrote: »

Tesco are indeed stupid when it comes to ID.

My girlfriend and I went in to Tesco to buy a bottle of wine to give as a present one evening (along with other items we'd bought). I'm 26, she's 19 and she had ID but I did not. Despite the fact she was paying and I was just 'with' her, they refused to sell it to us.

I went back to the car, and she went to a different checkout and appeared 2 minutes later with the bottle.

Crazy.

It's because for all they know, she's buying the alcohol for you.

sarahg1969

A young man was buying alcohol at Tesco on the checkout next to me. He was chatting to the SA, asking how he was, what he was up to now, etc, etc.

He came to pay and was asked for his ID. He just laughed and said, "You are joking, right? We were in the same form at school."

He had to run out to his car for his ID. After all, maybe he hadn't aged as much as the SA?