Tesco - new alcohol policy
Discussion
I was at tesco on saturday once again with my boyfriend who was buying.
Got a few shopping bits and a bottle of wine as usual.
Got to the till and they ask for his ID and my ID.
Happened to have my bag with me, so I obliged. Kind of wish I didnt.
I am not the one buying and I feel it not my requirement to show ID.
If I hadn't bought my ID it would have been a whole wasted journey.
I honestly do not see what good they are doing by bringing this policy in.
I am actually getting quite worked up and angry just thinking about it,
Got a few shopping bits and a bottle of wine as usual.
Got to the till and they ask for his ID and my ID.
Happened to have my bag with me, so I obliged. Kind of wish I didnt.
I am not the one buying and I feel it not my requirement to show ID.
If I hadn't bought my ID it would have been a whole wasted journey.
I honestly do not see what good they are doing by bringing this policy in.
I am actually getting quite worked up and angry just thinking about it,
Edited by ilikecars on Tuesday 16th June 14:28
mel said:
Where does it say they will refuse to serve adults, even with valid ID, if they have kids with them, or young adults without ID? As that is the Tesco policy that is really getting peoples goat.
Their assumptive policy that all adults are buying the booze for kids is insulting and ridiculous. Not least because if an adult was buying it for kids, they wouldn't take the kids in with them anyway. All it does is catch out and inconvenience customers.
Edited by Balmoral Green on Tuesday 16th June 16:16
Tesco has a clear cut policy on backing a member of staff in this matter. Obviously, saying whether someone LOOKS 25 is a personal thing, everyone will have a different opinion, so rather than try to navigate around this grey minefield, Tesco has wisely chosen to back the checkout bod.
The common sense line is getting trotted out a lot.... checkout bods, quite rightly, are choosing not to employ common sense. Why? Because common sense opens up more grey areas and will sometime result in them selling alcohol to someone who will hand it straight to a 15 year old who will end up in hospital. The checkout bod will then get a big fat 5 grand fine and a P45. It is an offence for the checkout bod to sell alcohol that will be consumed by a minor.
However, if you have a teenage kid, you SHOULD be allowed to purchase alcohol, just don't give the impression that it's for them. That means don't purchse 48 bottles of blue WKD at the end of exam time...
Instead of vilifying Tesco, why don't you applaud the line they're taking? Sure, it's at the government's request, but Tesco genuinely are doing their bit to try and curb antisocial underage drinking.
The common sense line is getting trotted out a lot.... checkout bods, quite rightly, are choosing not to employ common sense. Why? Because common sense opens up more grey areas and will sometime result in them selling alcohol to someone who will hand it straight to a 15 year old who will end up in hospital. The checkout bod will then get a big fat 5 grand fine and a P45. It is an offence for the checkout bod to sell alcohol that will be consumed by a minor.
However, if you have a teenage kid, you SHOULD be allowed to purchase alcohol, just don't give the impression that it's for them. That means don't purchse 48 bottles of blue WKD at the end of exam time...
Instead of vilifying Tesco, why don't you applaud the line they're taking? Sure, it's at the government's request, but Tesco genuinely are doing their bit to try and curb antisocial underage drinking.
Edited by Papa_Hotel on Tuesday 16th June 16:53
Mr E said:
Papa_Hotel said:
Instead of vilifying Tesco, why don't you applaud the line they're taking? Sure, it's at the government's request, but Tesco genuinely are doing their bit to try and curb antisocial underage drinking.
Oh dear god no!There is only one way to deal with this sort of incident, never shop at tesco again. How can they refuse to serve the OP didn't he say he was in his 40's. Why does it matter who he is with. Why do we let Tesco thing the worst of there customeres and get away with it.
Nolar Dog said:
Slothario said:
Why oh why would anyone but the laziest shop at Tesco ?
Fruit, veg, bottled water and dried goods (pasta, rice etc) from Lidl/Aldi.....or the local market.
Breads, deli etc from Waitrose.
Then home grown herbs and some veg and soft fruits....
Meat from my farmer neighbour.
Eggs from hens half a mile away......
Could you please tell me where I can grow my own herbs, vegetables and soft fruits?Fruit, veg, bottled water and dried goods (pasta, rice etc) from Lidl/Aldi.....or the local market.
Breads, deli etc from Waitrose.
Then home grown herbs and some veg and soft fruits....
Meat from my farmer neighbour.
Eggs from hens half a mile away......
Where my nearest meat-selling farmer is?
And the closest place where I can buy farm fresh eggs?
I await your assistance.
I am certain that I am not the only person that lives in an urban environment, and for the majority of people your suggestions are impractical.
Mr E said:
Papa_Hotel said:
Instead of vilifying Tesco, why don't you applaud the line they're taking? Sure, it's at the government's request, but Tesco genuinely are doing their bit to try and curb antisocial underage drinking.
Which surely is the parents responsibility?
k and let their little bd offspring do as they please it creates problems that other people have to solve. But hey, I suppose if it gives the tinfoil hat brigade something to whive about, crack on. I know, I know, Tesco is the anti-christ, pawns of the Big Brother state Labout is trying to create, we're ALL getting watched, blah blah zzzzzzzzzzzzz.Office_Monkey said:
Nolar Dog said:
Slothario said:
Why oh why would anyone but the laziest shop at Tesco ?
Fruit, veg, bottled water and dried goods (pasta, rice etc) from Lidl/Aldi.....or the local market.
Breads, deli etc from Waitrose.
Then home grown herbs and some veg and soft fruits....
Meat from my farmer neighbour.
Eggs from hens half a mile away......
Could you please tell me where I can grow my own herbs, vegetables and soft fruits?Fruit, veg, bottled water and dried goods (pasta, rice etc) from Lidl/Aldi.....or the local market.
Breads, deli etc from Waitrose.
Then home grown herbs and some veg and soft fruits....
Meat from my farmer neighbour.
Eggs from hens half a mile away......
Where my nearest meat-selling farmer is?
And the closest place where I can buy farm fresh eggs?
I await your assistance.
I am certain that I am not the only person that lives in an urban environment, and for the majority of people your suggestions are impractical.
Live in a crime-ridden tower block and eat processed goo from Tesco ? Not for me, thanks.
I'd be jacking in my job and moving to the wide open spaces.
If a person accompanying you also appears to be under the age of 25 then they have to be IDed as well.
This is because the law states that fines will about be handed out IF SUPERMARKETS SELL TO SOMEONE WHO THEN GIVES THE ALCOHOL TO SOMEONE UNDER AGE (that's not the full legal term but it's the right jist).
Tesco only give a fk about who you drink the booze with because the law says they have to.
This issue seems to come up on PH once a month.
If I sell alcohol to someone who turns out to be underage, I could be fined £2000. That's not the shop being fined, that's me, personally, being whacked with a huge fine. For making a mistake. Having that hanging over your head is NOT a nice feeling. Knowing that you could also be fired for making said mistake, thus reducing the chances of being able to pay the fine, is also not nice.
Try walking down the street and see how many people appear to be under the age of 21, there will be a LOT.
Yes, I use common sense, if the alcohol is in the shopping with someone who is obviously older, and someone who could be around the 16-18 mark, I ask who is buying the alcohol.
When I do ask someone for ID, I try to make it light hearted, tell them they look a lot younger and they'll start to worry when they no longer get IDed. 99% laugh it off and say they're flattered, 1% swear at me.
But then I work at a much posher supermarket, if I were working at Tesco I probably would see a lot more people trying to buy alcohol while looking underage.
This is because the law states that fines will about be handed out IF SUPERMARKETS SELL TO SOMEONE WHO THEN GIVES THE ALCOHOL TO SOMEONE UNDER AGE (that's not the full legal term but it's the right jist).
Tesco only give a f
k about who you drink the booze with because the law says they have to.This issue seems to come up on PH once a month.
If I sell alcohol to someone who turns out to be underage, I could be fined £2000. That's not the shop being fined, that's me, personally, being whacked with a huge fine. For making a mistake. Having that hanging over your head is NOT a nice feeling. Knowing that you could also be fired for making said mistake, thus reducing the chances of being able to pay the fine, is also not nice.
Try walking down the street and see how many people appear to be under the age of 21, there will be a LOT.
Yes, I use common sense, if the alcohol is in the shopping with someone who is obviously older, and someone who could be around the 16-18 mark, I ask who is buying the alcohol.
When I do ask someone for ID, I try to make it light hearted, tell them they look a lot younger and they'll start to worry when they no longer get IDed. 99% laugh it off and say they're flattered, 1% swear at me.
But then I work at a much posher supermarket, if I were working at Tesco I probably would see a lot more people trying to buy alcohol while looking underage.
The thing is, it's not illegal to give alcohol to someone underage...
The age restriction for alcohol to be consumed under parental supervision is 5 years old.
Tesco are showing a complete inability to understand the law in this case, and thus if I was ID'd with a kid, teen or young adult who were under the age of 18, and declined to be served alcohol because of it, then the shopping would be left on the checkout and I'd shop elswehere.
Edited to add this link to DirectGov.
The age restriction for alcohol to be consumed under parental supervision is 5 years old.
Tesco are showing a complete inability to understand the law in this case, and thus if I was ID'd with a kid, teen or young adult who were under the age of 18, and declined to be served alcohol because of it, then the shopping would be left on the checkout and I'd shop elswehere.
Edited to add this link to DirectGov.
DirectGov Website said:
Under five years old
It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under five except under medical supervision in an emergency.
Under 16s
Children under 16 can go anywhere in a pub as long as they are supervised by an adult, but cannot have any alcoholic drinks.
However, some premises may be subject to licensing conditions preventing them from entering, such as pubs which have experienced problems with underage drinking.
16 or 17 years old
Young people aged 16 or 17 can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal if it is bought by an adult and they are accompanied by an adult. It is illegal for this age group to drink spirits in pubs even with a meal.
In Scotland, 16 and 17 year olds can buy beer, wine or cider so long as it's served with a meal and consumed in an area used solely for eating meals.
Under 18 years old
It is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket, or other outlet, or for anyone to buy alcohol for someone under 18 to consume in a pub or a public place.
It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under five except under medical supervision in an emergency.
Under 16s
Children under 16 can go anywhere in a pub as long as they are supervised by an adult, but cannot have any alcoholic drinks.
However, some premises may be subject to licensing conditions preventing them from entering, such as pubs which have experienced problems with underage drinking.
16 or 17 years old
Young people aged 16 or 17 can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal if it is bought by an adult and they are accompanied by an adult. It is illegal for this age group to drink spirits in pubs even with a meal.
In Scotland, 16 and 17 year olds can buy beer, wine or cider so long as it's served with a meal and consumed in an area used solely for eating meals.
Under 18 years old
It is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket, or other outlet, or for anyone to buy alcohol for someone under 18 to consume in a pub or a public place.
Edited by Frederick on Tuesday 16th June 21:51
Balmoral Green said:
mel said:
Where does it say they will refuse to serve adults, even with valid ID, if they have kids with them, or young adults without ID? As that is the Tesco policy that is really getting peoples goat.
Their assumptive policy that all adults are buying the booze for kids is insulting and ridiculous. Not least because if an adult was buying it for kids, they wouldn't take the kids in with them anyway. All it does is catch out and inconvenience customers.
Edited by Balmoral Green on Tuesday 16th June 16:16
I have an organic veggie/meat/fish & dairy box delivered weekly so I only have to go to the supermarket for bits in between - and booze of course!
I would be very annoyed if the checkout operative took this line because I had a younger person with me. Probably wont happen as if I go, the only child I'm likely to be with is 3 years old, however if I took my niece who is 14 who knows? As someone else said, it is legal for her to have an alcoholic drink either with a meal in a restaurant when she is 16 (thanks for the link above), or at home anyway from the age of 5 (although she's irritating enough - the thought of her after a WKD or two makes me shiver!).
I would have thought that those people who DO buy alcohol specifically for youngsters would be more likely to buy from their local off licence in any case?
If it did happen to me though I would feel angry, embarrassed and as BG says, insulted.
I guess if I do ever have to go to Tesco for a bottle of wine when she's with me, am I supposed to leave her in the car? Will Tesco stop selling alcohol to people who have driven to the supermarket, lest they drink & drive?
Edited by Agrilla on Tuesday 16th June 21:55
MentalSarcasm said:
This is because the law states that fines will about be handed out IF SUPERMARKETS SELL TO SOMEONE WHO THEN GIVES THE ALCOHOL TO SOMEONE UNDER AGE (that's not the full legal term but it's the right jist).
Tesco only give a fk about who you drink the booze with because the law says they have to.
What law please? Tesco only give a f
k about who you drink the booze with because the law says they have to.I'd like to see the law that says you get fined for selling to an 18+ person if they subsequently give it to a minor.
MentalSarcasm said:
If I sell alcohol to someone who turns out to be underage, I could be fined £2000.
Understand that completely, I don't think anyone has an issue with this.So I'm in a supermarket with someone who's 19 years old but looks younger. I'm 34 and look it. I'm buying crates of beer for party.
Checkout asks for ID, I produce mine but none available for my friend. Supermarket refuse to serve me alcohol because the age of my friend cannot be verified.They are therefore assuming that I will be providing the alcohol to someone they assume is not legally allowed to consume alcohol. They are assuming therefore that i'm going to commit a crime. Is that not Defamation of character?
Checkout asks for ID, I produce mine but none available for my friend. Supermarket refuse to serve me alcohol because the age of my friend cannot be verified.They are therefore assuming that I will be providing the alcohol to someone they assume is not legally allowed to consume alcohol. They are assuming therefore that i'm going to commit a crime. Is that not Defamation of character?
Dracoro said:
MentalSarcasm said:
This is because the law states that fines will about be handed out IF SUPERMARKETS SELL TO SOMEONE WHO THEN GIVES THE ALCOHOL TO SOMEONE UNDER AGE (that's not the full legal term but it's the right jist).
Tesco only give a fk about who you drink the booze with because the law says they have to.
What law please? Tesco only give a f
k about who you drink the booze with because the law says they have to.I'd like to see the law that says you get fined for selling to an 18+ person if they subsequently give it to a minor.
MentalSarcasm said:
If I sell alcohol to someone who turns out to be underage, I could be fined £2000.
Understand that completely, I don't think anyone has an issue with this.It's drilled in to us constantly, and it's the same at every supermarket. I don't know where it is in the law, if I did, I would be a law student rather than a cashier.
Yep , silly silly tesco thing , basically saving their arses to an extreme as they now ask if you look under 25! 
Thing is that i can argue is that say a middle age man goes in with his say 16 yo son is he then denied alchohol?
I went one time in the self service and had put quite a bit through and had the beers at the end and i was then asked id ( which i had) and my mate who was 19 but didnt have any , i was then not allowed to purchase the beers due to this. So i left about £50's worth of food and such on the end of the till and walked out!
Thing is that i can argue is that say a middle age man goes in with his say 16 yo son is he then denied alchohol?
I went one time in the self service and had put quite a bit through and had the beers at the end and i was then asked id ( which i had) and my mate who was 19 but didnt have any , i was then not allowed to purchase the beers due to this. So i left about £50's worth of food and such on the end of the till and walked out!
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