tesco 14 year old cashier challenged me about wine

Cycrow

DCodd wrote: »

You don't have to look 25, you only have to look 18 or over. That is the law and there is nothing within any licensing guidence notes that says otherwise even though they do encourage a 21 or over policy it is not mandatory. It is the shop's policy only.

Technically the cashier is not responsible either. The "responsible person" as defined in the Act is the person to whom the purchaser should look 18 or over. Again the cashier carrying the responsibility is the shop's policy.

wrong on both counts. There is no law to say you have look 18 or over.
that would mean a 15 year old who looks like an 18 could legally buy alcohol. That is clearly not the case.
The law says they must be 18, looks dont come into it. How old someone looks is very subjective. The reason they have the policy is to minimise the chance of them selling to someone too young, and therefor breaking the law.

And the cashier is responsible for the sale. If they sell to someone underage they could be fined, or even have a prison sentence. The license holder can also be fined and lose thier license

Darksun

Cycrow wrote: »

The law says they must be 18, looks dont come into it. How old someone looks is very subjective.

Well, the law does state it is a defence if "nobody could reasonably have suspected from the individual’s appearance that he was aged under 18", so looks could be a factor, but there are probably very few individuals who meet that criteria

Gers

Gers wrote: »

It's not against the law to give any child over the age of 5 years alcohol. It is only illegal to give under 5s alcohol at any time.

Under 18s can't buy it or drink it on licensed premises, except in limited situations - see the links below.

Over 5s can drink alcohol off licensed premises, that means at home or other private premises.

https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-young-people-law

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/alcohol-and-the-law/the-law-on-alcohol-and-under-18s

It is NOT illegal to buy alcohol to give to children over the age of 5 years. It's about location - underage drinking on licensed premises is what is illegal. As is the purchase of alcohol by those underage.

Whilst you may not agree with the law it is what it is.

Stores own policies are not law, however they are liable to fines if they sell alcohol to under 18s so impose extra strict controls. Saying that they are not allowed to sell alcohol to an over age person in case they give to under 18s is just sheer misinterpretation of the relevant laws.

Resistance to such 'ignorance' is futile - as someone else has already said here shops are free to refuse to sell you anything.

:beer:

Mylo_The_Moggy

Lol. You have to laugh sometimes!
My dad got asked for I.D in B&Q when he bought a stanley knife - He's 65!!!!!! :rotfl:
I occasionally get stopped & asked for I.D for alcohol, ciggies, dvds & even the lottery & once in Asda when I was buying a disposable bbq...........and I'm 33!!

I usually take it as a good compliment tbh. When I reach 40 & if ppl are still asking me, well that can only be a good thing!!
Good job I invested in a 18+ Citizen Card, I just love seeing the checkout assistants face when I show them how old I actually am lol.

CKhalvashi

I was shopping with my kids (11 and nearly 13) on Saturday, and was asked for ID. I then lovingly had some kid that was about 18 refuse to process the transaction as I had my DD's with me. I left the trolly there, and began to walk out.

One of the managers came over, stated that she saw what had happened, and completed the transaction at Customer Service for me.

I do understand that the shop can be held responsible, however I do feel that occasionally a little common sense should go into play.

CK

oscarward

my nephew has been used in the past by the local council for checking corner shops for sale of cigarettes. He was 14/15 at the time but looked older.

It's fairly common to read in the local rag someone has been fined for selling to under age people.

Angry_Fanboy

People just need to accept that employees working in places where age-restrictions like these are in place face severe penalties if they sell such items to people below a certain age. There is massive pressure from licensing bodies upon retailers that age-restricted items are not sold to underage people, that is then placed upon ordinary shop staff to enforce.

Age-verification testers are sent into various retailers that sell alcohol, gambling establishments and places selling knives and the like who are over the required age but deemed to appear young enough to be challenged to prove their age. Failing such a test results in severe disciplinary action and potential sacking for the member of staff and also consequences for the retailer.

If you're over the legal age by however many years and you're challenged to prove your age when buying a restricted product, you need to accept that the consequences of not asking are potentially massive for the member of staff. You may think you look old enough, and the rest of the world may think you look old enough, but that member of staff is constantly working in fear of failing an age-verification test by a number of agencies employed to carry out such testing, so they're understandably cautious.

You have no right to buy anything from a retailer, they can refuse service to anyone. If you're challenged and are unable to provide proof of age to the person asking, you don't purchase your wine, knife, betting slip or whatever, however old you may be.

Are these staff members going to risk their job for you? No chance.

Simple as that.

wheezy57

CKhalvashi wrote: »

I was shopping with my kids (11 and nearly 13) on Saturday, and was asked for ID. I then lovingly had some kid that was about 18 refuse to process the transaction as I had my DD's with me. I left the trolly there, and began to walk out.

One of the managers came over, stated that she saw what had happened, and completed the transaction at Customer Service for me.

I do understand that the shop can be held responsible, however I do feel that occasionally a little common sense should go into play.

CK

The problem here is that 18yr olds dont have any common sense. That doesnt develop until they are much older. They are also employed as they are cheap to use as cashiers. It all comes down to money naturally.

DCodd

Cycrow wrote: »

wrong on both counts. There is no law to say you have look 18 or over.
that would mean a 15 year old who looks like an 18 could legally buy alcohol. That is clearly not the case.
The law says they must be 18, looks dont come into it. How old someone looks is very subjective. The reason they have the policy is to minimise the chance of them selling to someone too young, and therefor breaking the law.

And the cashier is responsible for the sale. If they sell to someone underage they could be fined, or even have a prison sentence. The license holder can also be fined and lose thier license

You need to read my post in context.

As for the cashier, as the cashier was under 18 they can not be held responsible under the current laws. The "responsible person" is the only person who can be held responsible and they have to be over 18.

stephen77

No cashier / company is ever going to be sacked/fined for asking for ID.

No asking for ID might lead them to getting sacked / fine if the person is under 18.