Tesco's Attitude

ti1980

I do agree with the OP that this assistant was being over zealous but I can also see it from the SA's point of view too as I work in a shop too.
The fact that the OP's gf had a driving license to prove their age though says that the SA should have served her.

All the major supermarkets are involved in the 'Think 21' policy in that if you look under 21 then they will automatically ask you for ID. Stores have been told to challenge anyone that looks under 21, regardless of if the SA thinks you are over 18 of not.
Trading Standards always step up their actions around this festive season so all shops and licensed premises will be told to be on their guard as they send under aged children in to buy alcohol from places and it is the individuals that will get an on the spot fine and possibly prosecution.

I am wary of buying alcohol as I don't have any age related ID. I don't want the embarrassment of being refused but I empathise with fellow shop workers and would understand if they refused me on the basis of having no ID. The fine comes out of your own pocket, the store you work for won't pay it.

IvanOpinion

Am I the only one who thinks there is more to this story? Maybe a little attitude problem were the checkout operator invoked the 'the management have the right to refuse service'? Due to various organisations using young girls to 'fit up' various shops they are having to get stricter ... the OP may think they look older than 18 but in bad light, if you take your glasses off, turn your head to one side and squint badly he might sometimes look like an attractive 17 year old.

The last time I was asked for id I was actually 26 .. and even when I produced my driving licence the chap insisted it was a fake .. he only believed me when I also produced my passport ... can't complain though .. he apoloised and gave us free entrance

ivan

xzibit

Thanks IvanOpinion, are you saying I only look attractive in bad light? And what more could there be to the story? Other than we also looked at the DVD section whilst in there??

I'm not saying that they were wrong to ask for i.d., more in the fact the attitude of the assistant. She was very rude, and seemed to take great joy in telling us we will not be buying any alcohol that evening. Luckily we managed to.
I understand that they need to be careful who they sell drink too, though who they were selling it to proved that they were 18!! I wasn't buying anything!?!

asharon

the campaign is think 21 and they are strick about it, but yes if a cashier is having a bad day it is an easy way to treat someone badly

loracan1

More and more emphasis is being put on checking ID for underage alcohol purchases. I'll ask anyone who could remotely be under 21 and the law states that you can't sell to anyone who you think could be buying it for someone underage. Saying "but I'm 25" isn't proof.

The operator faces a fine of upwards of £80, a warning (maybe from the police) and a possible suspension. So asking you to provide ID is going to happen more and more often - start carrying it!

However, there are ways and means of asking - politeness costs nothing.

xzibit

The fact was, I wasn't buying anything! So everytime I leave the house, I need to take my licence with me on the off chance somebody I may be with may want to buy some alcohol.

But the main point is the rudeness, yes. I have emailed them, doubt they'll reply, and if they do it'll probably be "tuff" lol.

IvanOpinion

xzibit wrote:

Thanks IvanOpinion, are you saying I only look attractive in bad light?

no .. I did also mention that you had to be squinting, with your head twisted to one side and your glasses emoved

I'm not saying that they were wrong to ask for i.d., more in the fact the attitude of the assistant. She was very rude, and seemed to take great joy in telling us we will not be buying any alcohol that evening. Luckily we managed to.

I have worked in CS and often we found that the CS agent was simply responding and reacting on how they perceived they were bein treated (rightly or wrongly) ... there are always two very different sides to stories such as this and I have no doubt that both will believe they are recounting the facts to th best of their ability ... maybe here was a bit of attitude (I have friends who always appear to have an attitude problem but that is just how they communicate, an outsider would steer clear), maybe you got in her face without knowing it .. goodness only knows.

Ivan

PS: I never go anywhere without my driving licence, it has been of use on numerous occasions

nickmack

It sounds like the assistant wasn't particularly polite, but they were covering themselves and the company. As others have said, they are trained to ask, anyone who looks under 21. Even though your g/f provided ID, they often check persons accompanying the buyer as it's also illegal to purchase alcohol for someone under 18. May be worth complaining about their attitude, but their intent was correct.

Addiscomber

loracan1 wrote:

So asking you to provide ID is going to happen more and more often - start carrying it!

As I am the wrong side of 50 I shall be shocked beyond belief to be asked in the circumstances being discussed here, but what exactly are late teen/twenty somethings supposed to carry? At the moment we do not have any official proof of age in this country - birth certificates are actually useless as they can be obtained by anyone for a small fee. I do not have a driving licence or a passport, and I bet lots of younger folk do not either.

woohoo_postingid

When I was a young lad and had a saturday job in John Menzies, I asked somebody for ID to prove she was 16 to buy cigarettes.

Her reply was 'I'm f*****g 21'

Just the attitude of a grown-up eh! SHe didn't get served any.