Rant about asda

Captain_Obvious

On the 05/09/2014 I went to Asda to buy alcohol and was refused service as I didn't look over 25 I am 33. I then returned to Asda later that day with my father to try and purchase alcohol. My father was then refused the sale as they knew it was for me. My father then asked to speak to the manager and the checkout supervisor then came across and the situation was explained to him. He also said that I didn't look over 25. My father then asked to speak to his boss and a woman came over who was also in agreement after having explained the situation that I also looked under 25. Whilst in discussion with the checkout supervisor's boss the guy advised us that "if we didn't like it to shop at Morrisons" Which came as a total shock to me. We were then spoken to Andy Roberts who is the duty manager at Asda and Andy gave us the same response about challenge 25 and how the checkout operative was right. Whilst this discussion was taking place two security guards were hovering over us & after words were exchanged we were manhandled and escorted out of the premises. My point is that If I was underage when it came to buying alcoholic beverages or if I appeared underage then I wouldn't attempt to buy it, Nor would I purchase alcohol If I was with my father. Due to said shopping experience will now use other supermarkets as advised by one of your employees and that Myself, My friends & family will no longer be going to Asda. I am also thinking of going to the police as I disliked being physically forced out of the premises.

Smidster

Captain_Obvious wrote: »

On the 05/09/2014 I went to Asda to buy alcohol and was refused service as I didn't look over 25 I am 33. I then returned to Asda later that day with my father to try and purchase alcohol. My father was then refused the sale as they knew it was for me. My father then asked to speak to the manager and the checkout supervisor then came across and the situation was explained to him. He also said that I didn't look over 25. My father then asked to speak to his boss and a woman came over who was also in agreement after having explained the situation that I also looked under 25. Whilst in discussion with the checkout supervisor's boss the guy advised us that "if we didn't like it to shop at Morrisons" Which came as a total shock to me. We were then spoken to Andy Roberts who is the duty manager at Asda and Andy gave us the same response about challenge 25 and how the checkout operative was right. Whilst this discussion was taking place two security guards were hovering over us & after words were exchanged we were manhandled and escorted out of the premises. My point is that If I was underage when it came to buying alcoholic beverages or if I appeared underage then I wouldn't attempt to buy it, Nor would I purchase alcohol If I was with my father. Due to said shopping experience will now use other supermarkets as advised by one of your employees and that Myself, My friends & family will no longer be going to Asda. I am also thinking of going to the police as I disliked being physically forced out of the premises.

:rotfl::rotfl:

Or you could have just gone back with some ID?

Checkout operator was completely correct - they have every right to ask you for ID if they believe you could potentially be underage (the Challenge 25 policy). Given the potential penalties, for both the company and employee, I can't blame them for being a tad cautious on occasion.

I don't drink Alcohol but as a 25 Year Old who looks significantly younger I would always carry ID if buying age restricted products.

Also to Add - I don't think going back with your Father helped you at all - If I was the Checkout Operator that might reinforce the idea that you were underage (hence didn't have ID) and so were using parents to purchase alcohol. Had the previous encounter not occurred I doubt the Dad would have problems.

Buzby

Were you not asked to prove your age? The whole point is to challenge and if you were fortunate enough to look young enough you would have clearly been challenged before and have some ID to settle the matter.

As to the actions taken - it all depends on which 'words ' were spoken. ASDA can have their licence suspended so cannot afford to take risks - so can you advise why you were unable to prove your age to their satisfaction?

alanq

Captain_Obvious wrote: »

I am also thinking of going to the police as I disliked being physically forced out of the premises.

I am no expert in law, let alone Scottish law, but I suspect that if you were asked to leave and refused to do so the store staff were entitled to use "reasonable force" to remove you as you were trespassing. If that is the case then you would have to prove that the force used was "unreasonable".

It does seem ridiculous that an clearly ancient person cannot buy alcohol if an apparently young person is with them at the checkout. If the intention was to buy alcohol for the apparently younger person then the ancient person would just have to go to the checkout alone.

As with some anti-money laundering legislation the business stands to lose too much by making a wrong decision and the legit customer suffers.

Where will you and your acquaintances be shopping instead?

Co-Op?
http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/10453041.Cashier_at_Co_op_in_Bishops_Lydeard_refuses_to_sell_beer_to_OAP/

Morrisons?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7003325.stm

Sainsbury's?
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/10731542.37_year_old_musician_angry_over_Sainsbury_s_alcohol_policy/

Tesco?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1281063/Jason-Wilde-33-refused-wine-Tesco--ID.html

quidsy

As a 33 year old, do you not have any form of ID? it really would be the simplest solution rather than dragging your dad there to prove your age!!

hgotsparkle

Smidster wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl:

Or you could have just gone back with some ID?

Exactly, instead of getting your dad, you could have grabbed your ID.

Its no fault of ASDA, as they have a legal obligation to check, and the operator to check to cover their own back, if anything.

If you drive, do you carry your licence on you?

WestonDave

Its also possibly worth adding that Asda don't have to sell you anything for any reason provided its not due to a form of discrimination that is outlawed. So they could quite legally decide that they won't sell alcohol to anyone wearing Man Utd shirts. That being the case if they don't want to sell you alcohol because of your appearance and lack of ID then there is little point getting lippy about it.

DCFC79

Captain_Obvious wrote: »

On the 05/09/2014 I went to Asda to buy alcohol and was refused service as I didn't look over 25 I am 33.

Yes thats the policy these days but most people have ID on them to prove otherwise.

Captain_Obvious wrote: »

I then returned to Asda later that day with my father to try and purchase alcohol. My father was then refused the sale as they knew it was for me. My father then asked to speak to the manager and the checkout supervisor then came across and the situation was explained to him. He also said that I didn't look over 25. My father then asked to speak to his boss and a woman came over who was also in agreement after having explained the situation that I also looked under 25. Whilst in discussion with the checkout supervisor's boss the guy advised us that "if we didn't like it to shop at Morrisons" Which came as a total shock to me.

Having your father there wasn't going to validate the purchase, having your father with you isnt on the list of pieces of ID the staff can accept.

Captain_Obvious wrote: »

My point is that If I was underage when it came to buying alcoholic beverages or if I appeared underage then I wouldn't attempt to buy it, Nor would I purchase alcohol If I was with my father.

Underage people do buy alcohol when by themselves or go shopping with a parent who buys alcohol, thats why the under 25 policy is in place and why trading standards carry out random spot checks.

Captain_Obvious wrote: »

Due to said shopping experience will now use other supermarkets as advised by one of your employees and that Myself, My friends & family will no longer be going to Asda. I am also thinking of going to the police as I disliked being physically forced out of the premises.

Maybe look at getting some ID and keeping it on you in future.

System

quidsy wrote: »

As a 33 year old, do you not have any form of ID? it really would be the simplest solution rather than dragging your dad there to prove your age!!

Since they will probably want photo ID then you are limited to passport or driving licence. I don't include the various 'ID cards' that you can buy as they are not widely accepted.

Having one of the above 2 IDs is not a given. I know a number of people ranging in age from 20 to 60 who have neither.

So yes, it is possible that a 33yo does not have a suitable form of ID that the store would be happy with.

As a matter of interest, there is no legislation that requires you to carry your driving licence. Mine sits at home, I never carry it.

keyser666

Captain_Obvious wrote: »

On the 05/09/2014 I went to Asda to buy alcohol and was refused service as I didn't look over 25 I am 33. I then returned to Asda later that day with my father to try and purchase alcohol. My father was then refused the sale as they knew it was for me. My father then asked to speak to the manager and the checkout supervisor then came across and the situation was explained to him. He also said that I didn't look over 25. My father then asked to speak to his boss and a woman came over who was also in agreement after having explained the situation that I also looked under 25. Whilst in discussion with the checkout supervisor's boss the guy advised us that "if we didn't like it to shop at Morrisons" Which came as a total shock to me. We were then spoken to Andy Roberts who is the duty manager at Asda and Andy gave us the same response about challenge 25 and how the checkout operative was right. Whilst this discussion was taking place two security guards were hovering over us & after words were exchanged we were manhandled and escorted out of the premises. My point is that If I was underage when it came to buying alcoholic beverages or if I appeared underage then I wouldn't attempt to buy it, Nor would I purchase alcohol If I was with my father. Due to said shopping experience will now use other supermarkets as advised by one of your employees and that Myself, My friends & family will no longer be going to Asda. I am also thinking of going to the police as I disliked being physically forced out of the premises.

I can bet you your life savings which probably arent an awful lot that your friends and family will no longer shop there

System

A 33 year old if living at the same address when they passed their driving test at 17/18 would been one of the last people to hold a paper driving licence. A couple of my friends have paper licences.

I get ID'd myself - first time aged 24 and still am aged 33.