I honestly don't believe it....
Discussion
There's a whole forum for moaning about Tesco's:
http://www.verylittlehelps.com/
The pictures are entertaining.
http://www.verylittlehelps.com/
The pictures are entertaining.
Interesting topic.
I have some experience of this, as before the summer holidays started, for my entire last year at secondary school, I worked weekends at my local to save up a bit of dosh for uni. I left in June and have a better job, but my time will be remembered.
Mainly because of arrogant customers belittling the checkout staff, when they're the stupid fools unable to process the basic information held on a price tag, till receipt or signage in the store. Basket only tills? Not in my store, as only 10% of the customers seemed to be able to scrape together the necessary cognitive ability to read the big sign hanging above the till saying "basket only". My favourite tack was picking up a product that the customer - who had sauntered up with a trolley and then unloaded the damn lot before I had a chance to politely point out their mistake - and asking them to read the label. Then pointing at the sign, asking "so what does that say?". It used to get on my goat so much, simply because other customers with baskets appeared to blame me for serving the trolley customers.
But that's another story.
With regards to the alcohol, supermarkets have a pretty hard time to restrict the sale of alcohol. As I was under 18, I couldn't authorise the sale of alcohol myself, not being of the legal age to do so. So my supervisor had to authorise everything. The ID was a contentious issue - I was "protected" by my supervisor needing to authorise everything, which removed my complicity if anything went wrong, but the hefty fines levied towards both the company and the individual are enough, that if I had to go it alone, I'd seriously think about IDing anybody who looked as if they could be under 21. Heck, that was company policy anyway.
I'd wager that vigilance with requesting ID for age restricted products to prevent the cashier - sorry, "muppet at the till" - from gaining a criminal record, losing their job and being heftily fined was worth the inconvenience to the individual of being asked for ID. It comes with buying alcohol I suppose.
Although to refuse a sale to a mother and toddler is ridiculous, but can probably be apportioned to inadequate training, somebody unsure what the stance of the law is, and using the mantra "if in doubt, no sale".
I have some experience of this, as before the summer holidays started, for my entire last year at secondary school, I worked weekends at my local to save up a bit of dosh for uni. I left in June and have a better job, but my time will be remembered.
Mainly because of arrogant customers belittling the checkout staff, when they're the stupid fools unable to process the basic information held on a price tag, till receipt or signage in the store. Basket only tills? Not in my store, as only 10% of the customers seemed to be able to scrape together the necessary cognitive ability to read the big sign hanging above the till saying "basket only". My favourite tack was picking up a product that the customer - who had sauntered up with a trolley and then unloaded the damn lot before I had a chance to politely point out their mistake - and asking them to read the label. Then pointing at the sign, asking "so what does that say?". It used to get on my goat so much, simply because other customers with baskets appeared to blame me for serving the trolley customers.
But that's another story.
With regards to the alcohol, supermarkets have a pretty hard time to restrict the sale of alcohol. As I was under 18, I couldn't authorise the sale of alcohol myself, not being of the legal age to do so. So my supervisor had to authorise everything. The ID was a contentious issue - I was "protected" by my supervisor needing to authorise everything, which removed my complicity if anything went wrong, but the hefty fines levied towards both the company and the individual are enough, that if I had to go it alone, I'd seriously think about IDing anybody who looked as if they could be under 21. Heck, that was company policy anyway.
I'd wager that vigilance with requesting ID for age restricted products to prevent the cashier - sorry, "muppet at the till" - from gaining a criminal record, losing their job and being heftily fined was worth the inconvenience to the individual of being asked for ID. It comes with buying alcohol I suppose.
Although to refuse a sale to a mother and toddler is ridiculous, but can probably be apportioned to inadequate training, somebody unsure what the stance of the law is, and using the mantra "if in doubt, no sale".
Edited by delays on Wednesday 16th September 10:39
For reference I'm pretty sure that the checking of ID's when you buy spoons is in reference to heroin users and that's why checkout staff have now been asked to check for that too.
To be fair it's not really Tesco's fault, they're just covering their arse from the lawyers. A few customers storming out in annoyance is better for them then a sodding great fine or a lawsuit.
I'm suprised so few people seem to carry ID with them anyway, if I'm shopping I always have my wallet on me and my wallet always has my drivers licence in it. Never have a problem.
To be fair it's not really Tesco's fault, they're just covering their arse from the lawyers. A few customers storming out in annoyance is better for them then a sodding great fine or a lawsuit.
I'm suprised so few people seem to carry ID with them anyway, if I'm shopping I always have my wallet on me and my wallet always has my drivers licence in it. Never have a problem.
Edited by MiniMan64 on Wednesday 16th September 09:11
MiniMan64 said:
I'm suprised so few people seem to carry ID with them anyway, if I'm shopping I always have my wallet on me and my wallet always has my drivers licence in it. Never have a problem.
I carry as little as possible when I go out, generally just my phone, carkeys and debit card. Its also somewhat of a matter of principle for me, we don't (yet) live in a "ihre papieren bitte" state so why carry ID?
deevlash said:
The actual law, in scotland merely states that if you believe the booze is being bought for consumption by a minor you must refuse sale.
The same applies in England. Whilst working in a shop many years ago, I refused sale on this basis on quite a few occasions.Edited by Moonhawk on Wednesday 16th September 09:19
HUW JONES said:
Corpulent Tosser said:
I really find it difficult to believe that a company could be so stupid, but I have heard so many example I think I am going to have to borrow my grandaughter and go to Tesco to buy a load of groceries, and some wine, just to see if it happens.
...make sure you pile it high with frozen goods..they might get the message when the skips are full of defrosting products.deevlash said:
Also, if they do get entrapped by trading standards using a kid to go in and buy booze undercover they get a £20k fine, a criminal record and will almost certainly lose their job.
I think that's probably fair enough if they serve a toddler directly, working on behalf of trading standards. Serving a mother though is a little different?delays said:
Interesting topic.
I have some experience of this, as before the summer holidays started, for my entire last year at secondary school, I worked weekends at my local Sainsbury's to save up a bit of dosh for uni. I left in June and have a better job, but my time at Sainsbury's will be remembered.
Mainly because of arrogant customers belittling the checkout staff, when they're the stupid fools unable to process the basic information held on a price tag, till receipt or signage in the store. Basket only tills? Not in my store, as only 10% of the customers seemed to be able to scrape together the necessary cognitive ability to read the big sign hanging above the till saying "basket only". My favourite tack was picking up a product that the customer - who had sauntered up with a trolley and then unloaded the damn lot before I had a chance to politely point out their mistake - and asking them to read the label. Then pointing at the sign, asking "so what does that say?". It used to get on my goat so much, simply because other customers with baskets appeared to blame me for serving the trolley customers.
But that's another story.
With regards to the alcohol, supermarkets have a pretty hard time to restrict the sale of alcohol. As I was under 18, I couldn't authorise the sale of alcohol myself, not being of the legal age to do so. So my supervisor had to authorise everything. The ID was a contentious issue - I was "protected" by my supervisor needing to authorise everything, which removed my complicity if anything went wrong, but the hefty fines levied towards both the company and the individual are enough, that if I had to go it alone, I'd seriously think about IDing anybody who looked as if they could be under 21. Heck, that was company policy anyway.
I'd wager that vigilance with requesting ID for age restricted products to prevent the cashier - sorry, "muppet at the till" - from gaining a criminal record, losing their job and being heftily fined was worth the inconvenience to the individual of being asked for ID. It comes with buying alcohol I suppose.
Although to refuse a sale to a mother and toddler is ridiculous, but can probably be apportioned to inadequate training, somebody unsure what the stance of the law is, and using the mantra "if in doubt, no sale".
Hmm. Pretty chippy for a minimum wage till monkey.I have some experience of this, as before the summer holidays started, for my entire last year at secondary school, I worked weekends at my local Sainsbury's to save up a bit of dosh for uni. I left in June and have a better job, but my time at Sainsbury's will be remembered.
Mainly because of arrogant customers belittling the checkout staff, when they're the stupid fools unable to process the basic information held on a price tag, till receipt or signage in the store. Basket only tills? Not in my store, as only 10% of the customers seemed to be able to scrape together the necessary cognitive ability to read the big sign hanging above the till saying "basket only". My favourite tack was picking up a product that the customer - who had sauntered up with a trolley and then unloaded the damn lot before I had a chance to politely point out their mistake - and asking them to read the label. Then pointing at the sign, asking "so what does that say?". It used to get on my goat so much, simply because other customers with baskets appeared to blame me for serving the trolley customers.
But that's another story.
With regards to the alcohol, supermarkets have a pretty hard time to restrict the sale of alcohol. As I was under 18, I couldn't authorise the sale of alcohol myself, not being of the legal age to do so. So my supervisor had to authorise everything. The ID was a contentious issue - I was "protected" by my supervisor needing to authorise everything, which removed my complicity if anything went wrong, but the hefty fines levied towards both the company and the individual are enough, that if I had to go it alone, I'd seriously think about IDing anybody who looked as if they could be under 21. Heck, that was company policy anyway.
I'd wager that vigilance with requesting ID for age restricted products to prevent the cashier - sorry, "muppet at the till" - from gaining a criminal record, losing their job and being heftily fined was worth the inconvenience to the individual of being asked for ID. It comes with buying alcohol I suppose.
Although to refuse a sale to a mother and toddler is ridiculous, but can probably be apportioned to inadequate training, somebody unsure what the stance of the law is, and using the mantra "if in doubt, no sale".
I'd consider staying away from anything customer facing untill you revise that appalling attitude and grow up a little.
sstw said:
I saw this happen earlier. Tesco must have gone mad!
Bloke in front of me at the checkout in his early 20s shows his ID to buy some drinks. A couple of his mates are waiting for him by the exit. Cashier spots them and refuses to sell the guy the Beer unless his mates come over and show their ID. His mates are a good 10 yards away, half out the door and not buying anything! His mates think its ridiculous and walk out, which prompts the guy to ring them telling them to come back in because the cashier is refusing to serve him other wise. Crazy
That's perfectly reasonable IMO. It is very likely that they're going to be sharing the booze, and therefore the cashier is not supposed to serve them. Seen it happen before when a group of yoofs gets their mate who's old enough to buy the booze and they hang around near the tills and get spotted.Bloke in front of me at the checkout in his early 20s shows his ID to buy some drinks. A couple of his mates are waiting for him by the exit. Cashier spots them and refuses to sell the guy the Beer unless his mates come over and show their ID. His mates are a good 10 yards away, half out the door and not buying anything! His mates think its ridiculous and walk out, which prompts the guy to ring them telling them to come back in because the cashier is refusing to serve him other wise. Crazy
Refusing to serve people with their children is stupid though...
MiniMan64 said:
For reference I'm pretty sure that the checking of ID's when you buy spoons is in reference to heroin users and that's why checkout staff have now been asked to check for that too.
So what is the legal age for the use of Heroin, and hence the purchase of spoons? Just so's I know in future.deevlash said:
longblackcoat said:
If this happens, simply refuse to move and request that the pinhead checkout bod summons their manager. If said manager doesn't sort it, repeat, this time with the store manager.
No point shouting or in any way arguing with the muppet on the till, they haven't got a clue.
I'm a serial complainer in supermarkets, though usually over incorrect pricing. Being patient and making your point to someone who can actually make a decision usually pays off.
A manager will never override a checkout operators decision. I hate people like you, quite a lot of the checkout operators will be students etc, the countries future lawyers and leaders of enterprise. Just because mummy and daddy havent funded their education and theyre working doesnt give you the right to belittle them. Even if theyre not a uni student or whatever, at least theyre working and not scrounging off the state. In scotland at least those "pin heads" will have just had to pass a short exam on the subject of the new licensing laws so they probably know a damn site more about it than you appear to.No point shouting or in any way arguing with the muppet on the till, they haven't got a clue.
I'm a serial complainer in supermarkets, though usually over incorrect pricing. Being patient and making your point to someone who can actually make a decision usually pays off.
Also, if they do get entrapped by trading standards using a kid to go in and buy booze undercover they get a £20k fine, a criminal record and will almost certainly lose their job. In the situation where youre refused alcohol, its the state that has created the situation where its easier to refuse the sale than risk the consequences. Admittedly Tescos application of the policy seems somewhat moronic but ho hum.
Oh as for people who complain pricing issues, 99.9% of them are idiots who cant read tickets properly anyway.
I don't try to belittle or undermine the staff, but as they have zero discretion, there's no point arging with them, is there? I simply ask them to get someone who can make a decision.
So I get the manager. And as the 0.1% of the population who can read a ticket, I get them to do what they should, which is charge me at the price they've advertised. A regular problem is that the price per kilo or litre is calculated incorrectly. Sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot. After complaining to the manager, I usually end up walking out with said item free. Not a big deal when it's a 50p item, but if it's a £30 rib of beef, it's worth 10 minutes of my time.
Last week I got refused an alcohol sale (in Tesco, unsurprisingly) because I had my kids with me. Technically this is correct but it was a poor judgement by the checkout operator, who seemed to be inhabiting another planet. As I always do in this sort of situation, I simply asked to see the manager. After a few minutes, said person came, agreed that I was hardly likely to be buying for them, apologised, and I was on my way.
No histrionics, no impoliteness, but I got my way. Only by complaining and actually making the point will you ever get anything done. Whinging about it on Pistonheads won't change a lot, will it?
Baron Von Alders said:
Excuse me if I'm missing something on the spoons front - So provided I'm a heroin addict over 18 with id I can buy spoons? I thought heroin was illegal whatever age you are?
On that basis it won't be long before Tesco et al won't sell you spoons without undergoing a drug test
I wonder if plastic spoons will trigger the same warning, and if the spastic spoons behind the till would realise the futility of using a plastic spoon to cook up some brown On that basis it won't be long before Tesco et al won't sell you spoons without undergoing a drug test
delays said:
Basket only tills? Not in my store, as only 10% of the customers seemed to be able to scrape together the necessary cognitive ability to read the big sign hanging above the till saying "basket only". My favourite tack was picking up a product that the customer - who had sauntered up with a trolley and then unloaded the damn lot before I had a chance to politely point out their mistake - and asking them to read the label. Then pointing at the sign, asking "so what does that say?".
If you spoke to me like that in a shop I'd have your job.mouseymousey said:
delays said:
Basket only tills? Not in my store, as only 10% of the customers seemed to be able to scrape together the necessary cognitive ability to read the big sign hanging above the till saying "basket only". My favourite tack was picking up a product that the customer - who had sauntered up with a trolley and then unloaded the damn lot before I had a chance to politely point out their mistake - and asking them to read the label. Then pointing at the sign, asking "so what does that say?".
If you spoke to me like that in a shop I'd have your job.
mouseymousey said:
delays said:
Basket only tills? Not in my store, as only 10% of the customers seemed to be able to scrape together the necessary cognitive ability to read the big sign hanging above the till saying "basket only". My favourite tack was picking up a product that the customer - who had sauntered up with a trolley and then unloaded the damn lot before I had a chance to politely point out their mistake - and asking them to read the label. Then pointing at the sign, asking "so what does that say?".
If you spoke to me like that in a shop I'd have your job.longblackcoat said:
A regular problem is that the price per kilo or litre is calculated incorrectly. Sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot.
Really !!Are you sure this is not just rounding on the weight they print vs the weight used for the price calculation?
Edited by XTR2Turbo on Wednesday 16th September 13:54
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