Page 1 of My sister just got stopped buying alcohol becasue I didnt have identification!

Just been to Sainsburys and my sister was trying to buy some alcohol. She showed the lady her driving license, she is 20, but she wouldnt sell her it because I didnt have ID! Im 21, so was kind of annoyed about this especially since we had gone out especially for it and the store closed about 4 minutes later at 8, so we couldnt go back and get mine.

Now she said that if I wasnt at the teill with her she could have sold her it, and that obviously if i went and she came back she still couldnt sell her it. The lady says its law that she cant sell alcohol to anyone if she thinks that she the person might be buying it for other people in the party that looks under 21. Now lets skip the fact that if I was infact under 18 and wanted her to buy me it it would be stupid of me to go to the til with her.

Now we talked about this and said what happens if we went with our younger 11 year old sister, or even if she was 15, would she be stopped buying it for her and she kinda said it depends whether she thought my sister was buying for her.

Now the question is, is this actually the law or just company policy and if its just company policy can they enforce it if it doesnt say on the signs (they only say if YOU look under 21 they cant sell YOU the alcohol). The other thing is they actually sold my parents alcohol in there a couple of days ago with me there without asking for my ID.

Its really annoyed me, I only went cos my sister dint want to drive out on her own, and wasted 20 minutes petrol there and then back again.

Im tempted to go in tomorrow and stand by a til promting them to ask from everyone in everyones party that doesnt look 21 because I think they are buying it for their kids.

Think ive calmed down now (stupid sainsburys)

Whatever the company policy regarding ID age, do you know the serious consequences that can arise for a business if an empoyee sells age-restricted items to the wrong person?

It`s down the the prerogative of the individual employee whether to ID you or not in most cases. They also have the right not to serve someone if they think the item may be used by someone underage, but whether this is enforced normally depends on how target hungry the store manager is.

I`d be inclined to cut her/them some slack seeing as they`re just doing their job.

I was asked for ID when buying an 18-rated DVD when I was 21. Despite having a full beard and visible tattoos and clearly not looking 17 (imo), I didn`t get p***y over it.

My mate thought it was hilarious, though.

A bunch of us also got ID`d in a bar at lunchtime once, too. One of us was 24 at the time and looked about 30. He just handed over his ID and smiled. It`s their job.

This item was edited on Saturday, 15th July 2006, 20:41

Oh I understand that she does not want to risk losing her job over selling us a couple of bottles of Bacardi Breezer and I not annoyed at the lady on the till. My mam works at the same store (not actually on the til, just stocking up on a night when its closed so she doenst know the policy) and she said that the company was fined not long ago because they sold someone alcohol under 18.

I could understand if it was me buying it. It is the store that im annoyed at, and the fact that is does not say anything about other people being asked for ID on the signs. But what annoyed me the most was the double standards they show when a couple of days ago my parents buy alcohol with out me being asked for ID, and thh amount of times you see parents with with their teenage kids buying crates and crates of alcohol without asking them for ID

My edit:

Quote:
They also have the right not to serve someone if they think the item may be used by someone underage, but whether this is enforced normally depends on how target hungry the store manager is

It sounds like in this case the lady on the till though perhaps you were underage, and you might be consuming the alcohol. I presume you sister looks quite young?

She probably thought you were under age when you went with your folks. But as a general rule, a couple of responsible looking adults don`t buy alcohol to give to their under-age kids. As a general rule, mind. ;)

It`s her opinion, remember. I`ve never served in a shop or behind a till, but I bet it`s a thankless job.

This item was edited on Saturday, 15th July 2006, 20:47

I`m 28 and last year a group of us from work went down town mid-week. We were filing our way into a bar and they were asking virtually everyone for ID (some of whom looked much older than 18). I remember telling my girlfriend that I didn`t have any ID on me.

As I got up to the door the bouncer waved me straight in without taking a second look...I think it was at that point I realised I was getting old :)

Nick

The store has the right to refuse service and seeing that the member of staff is responsible if they sell alcohol to a minor you can`t blame her,it`s her ass on the line.


(A.C.C Founder)

Admittedly my sister and I both look younger than we are, but I look older than she does.
If i was the lady on the till and was instructed to ask all of the party for ID if anyone looks under 21 I would ask me for ID too!

My question somewhere in the middle of that rant really was just whether it is law or just policy as it doesnt state that I would need ID on the hundreds of stores plastered all over the store. If it is just company policy they should have it on the signs really.

Id normally carry my driving license around with me if i have jeans on, but my shorts had no pockets!

As for going out on a night, Ive been at uni in Glasgow for the past three years and they seem to ask everyone for ID in the centre no matter how old you are, think they have been told to, they must feel stupid sometimes asking 30 somethings for ID though.

This item was edited on Saturday, 15th July 2006, 21:07

I could be wrong but i believe it`s the law


(A.C.C Founder)

I was in Vegas a few years back with some pals, who`s ages ranged from 30 to 35. We got turfed out of a joint as the two eldest people in the group didn`t have I.D. The eldest looked at least his age, it had been a very heavy week, the road trip of a life time. If a licensed premises looses it`s right to sell booze it can be very costly in other lost sales.

If I get asked for proof of age and don`t have any on me, it`s my fault for not having any - not their fault for asking.

Cheers

Nick

This item was edited on Sunday, 16th July 2006, 11:41