Amazon age restrictions on knives.

[Frane Selak]

This is ridiculous, I've been a member of Amazon for years and years, at least 2013 where my search history goes back to and that's only since I became a prime member. So unless I started buying stuff off amazon like a dash cam and 6 gang light switch when I was 5 then I must be 18 or older by now. Not only that, when I go to buy a stanley knife it tells me that I last purchased the same item in 2017, how can it be that they were willing to sell it me 9 years ago but not today because I might not be old enough.

It seems the only way I can possibly purchase stuff like this from amazon is with a credit card as that verifies you are over 18, but I don't have one. Surely common sense should come into this, their computer systems can work out a route for a driver with 30,000 parcels that allows him to deliver them all in an hour yet cant work out that someone with an account 18 years old is actually 18. Ebay don't seem to sell knives either.

I've tried contacting customer services but the bot chat is useless and I cant find their email address.

[untakenname]

I use a debit card linked to my Amazon account and have never experienced issues with age restricted items.

[knotweed]

I had exactly the same with Amazon. I've had an account for almost 20 years, it won't let me buy knives. I generally just buy from independent outlets that don't even ask for ID (though they usually do when they're delivered)

[Drumroll]

Sorry but I don't see the issue. Knives are, and have been for a couple of years now an "age verified" purchase. I had to "verify" my age when I recently purchased a roughing gouge.

[Frane Selak]

untakenname said:

I use a debit card linked to my Amazon account and have never experienced issues with age restricted items.

Try buying this and see what it says.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/STANLEY-FATMAX-Retractabl...

[Frane Selak]

Drumroll said:

Sorry but I don't see the issue. Knives are, and have been for a couple of years now an "age verified" purchase. I had to "verify" my age when I recently purchased a roughing gouge.

I've nothing against verifying age when buying knives and stuff but don't you think someone who has had an account for years has already verified their age simply by using the medium of time. What amazon are basically saying to me is you aren't over 18 so when we sold you that knife years ago we are admitting to selling an 8 year old a knife in 2017.

[Funk]

Frane Selak said:

Try buying this and see what it says.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/STANLEY-FATMAX-Retractabl...

I get a warning asking me to use a credit card - I've had my Amazon account since 2003 so am clearly old enough to buy knives...!

[Harpoon]

I purchased a Gerber multi-tool that had a knife from Amazon and needed to show ID on delivery (which I was fine with).

Unfortunately I wasn't in so the driver couldn't leave it without seeing my ID. Problem was he left the Gerber multi-tool and took the 4 pack of luggage straps back to the depot with him instead

Screwfix make all knives and blades in-store collection only.

[Frane Selak]

Funk said:

I get a warning asking me to use a credit card - I've had my Amazon account since 2003 so am clearly old enough to buy knives...!

That's what is happening to me. you cant own a credit card until you are 18 so if you buy with one then you are clearly over 18 and that satisfies them but I don't own or want a credit card.

Its like when you go into a shop to buy beer, the assistant has to come over to clear the till if its self service, but they don't ask to see ID as its pretty obvious I'm over 18 solely due to the number of years I've been alive. Amazon have concrete proof I'm over 18 due to the number of years I've had the account but still won't sell me a stanley knife, its just bizarre.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Frane Selak said:

untakenname said:

I use a debit card linked to my Amazon account and have never experienced issues with age restricted items.

Try buying this and see what it says.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/STANLEY-FATMAX-Retractabl...

I had exactly the same issue with that knife, gave up in the end and went to screwfix

[Frane Selak]

I don't mind going to screwfix or toolstation as I'm in every other day anyway, trouble is I always forget to tag things like this onto the order I'm getting for the job we are doing so I get back onto site with all the materials and still don't have a knife to do the job with. Its annoying because I did an order with amazon at the weekend for various tools I've either broke, lost, or lent out and never got back and got everything apart from the knife. I could probably do more damage to someone with a claw hammer than a little farty stanley knife.

[Sheets Tabuer]

I buy a huge amount of condoms off Amazon and don't have a problem.

I know it doesn't help I'm just bragging.

[mmm-five]

Despite being a member since 1998, I get the same warning, which is strange as my Mastercard is registered as the payment method.



(just realised it wants a CREDIT CARD, not a DEBIT CARD)

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 3rd August 14:26

[untakenname]

Yeah, I do get that now despite previously buying the product.
Just tried Alcohol and it's allowing that with the debit card so must be restricted to knives.

[AB]

I bought this last week, I don't remember having to verify anything and it wasn't handed to a resident, it was left by my gate.

[Drumroll]

Being a member or using a service for a number of years doesn't work for "age verification" purposes. From my understanding Is that the police or trading standards would turn up at an online shop that sells knives and ask them "please show how you verified this person was over 18". Matching the sale to a credit card give some verification of that. Debit cards don't, as you can get a debit before you are 18. The fact you have traded with a company for X number of years doesn't actually "verify" anything.

[Frane Selak]

Drumroll said:

Being a member or using a service for a number of years doesn't work for "age verification" purposes. From my understanding Is that the police or trading standards would turn up at an online shop that sells knives and ask them "please show how you verified this person was over 18". Matching the sale to a credit card give some verification of that. Debit cards don't, as you can get a debit before you are 18. The fact you have traded with a company for X number of years doesn't actually "verify" anything.

It should do though but we aren't allowed to use common sense anymore, we have to follow the government mandate because of course they know best, its ridiculous. If I ran an online food and drink shop and a customer added a bottle of beer to his order after 18 years of buying food off me I wouldn't stop his or her order and say prove you are over 18 or you're not getting it. It would just be common sense that they were over 18.

[nordboy]

I wanted to buy a hand saw, despite my account being active since at least 2000 I couldn't get past the age verification bit, I just wouldn't work for me.

So my account is 26 yrs old, yet I have to prove my age somehow?

[butchstewie]

Amazon have a legal liability if they sell a knife to a kid without appropriate and recognised checks.

In legal terms you having an account isn't proof you're an adult - it's proof you have access to that email address.

[CMTMB]

Frane Selak said:

Drumroll said:

Being a member or using a service for a number of years doesn't work for "age verification" purposes. From my understanding Is that the police or trading standards would turn up at an online shop that sells knives and ask them "please show how you verified this person was over 18". Matching the sale to a credit card give some verification of that. Debit cards don't, as you can get a debit before you are 18. The fact you have traded with a company for X number of years doesn't actually "verify" anything.

It should do though but we aren't allowed to use common sense anymore, we have to follow the government mandate because of course they know best, its ridiculous. If I ran an online food and drink shop and a customer added a bottle of beer to his order after 18 years of buying food off me I wouldn't stop his or her order and say prove you are over 18 or you're not getting it. It would just be common sense that they were over 18.

If you really can't see the risks involved as a business and why this can't happen, I don't think it's worth trying to explain it to you.