Seventy two year old man stopped from buying alcohol - Page 3

20-09-2007, 17:08

Same thing happened in January to an 87 year old.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/6296637.stm

...but why is it only in certain stores? Why not nationwide?

.

fireman328 · 20-09-2007, 17:24

My local Morrisons store has been reported by police to the licence justices. 2 plain clothes police officers accompanied a 15 year old girl whilst she purchased intoxicating liquor. After the purchase, the police officers revealed their identities and cautioned the store manager that he would be reported to justices.
Whilst not wishing to appear to condone the offence, I do believe that if they had not set out to entrap, no offence would had been commited.

Gareth · 20-09-2007, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Whilst I think it's daft, but if it's company policy to ask everyone (which is what the manager said) - then they have to ask - if the girl serving him hadn't asked, and been reported/pulled up on it, she'd have got a reprimand for it

I'm with Mr Love Monkey on this one... it's company policy, neither the checkout operator nor the manager are paid to question their employer's policy, they're paid to enforce it.

---------- Post added at 16:48 ---------- Previous post was at 16:44 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Yeah but as it so happens they DON'T ask EVERYONE if they are over 21.If it's store policy they should ask the same question of everyone buying alcohol or tobacco not just the odd person whom is obviously over 21.

As far as I understand it, it is the policy within that store to ask everyone to prove their age - irrespective of how old they appear.

You can argue that this guy is clearly over 21 so why bother asking him... but where do you draw the line? Someone who is over 50...? Over 40...? Over 30...? Much easier to impose a blanket "prove your age" policy for anyone and everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Anyway when did the age of drinking revert back to 21? I swear that an 18 year old can still buy alcohol legally.

Legally they can... but legally a shop employee can refuse to sell alcohol to whomever they please for whatever reason they like.

Jules · 20-09-2007, 18:45

Sainsburys have signs up about being 21 etc I always wondered why when the legal age is 18

SMHarman · 20-09-2007, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

Sainsburys have signs up about being 21 etc I always wondered why when the legal age is 18

It's the creeping Americanization(sic) of the country.

Mal · 20-09-2007, 19:50

I have got two Morrisons near me and I have been asked in both stores to confirm that I was over 21. This has been going on for nearly 2 years now. I have seen it happen to people far older than me...

danielf · 20-09-2007, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

I have got two Morrisons near me and I have been asked in both stores to confirm that I was over 21. This has been going on for nearly 2 years now. I have seen it happen to people far older than me...

When you say confirm, do you mean prove (with ID), or simply say: yes, I am over 21?

Mal · 20-09-2007, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

When you say confirm, do you mean prove (with ID), or simply say: yes, I am over 21?

To say yes...

bonzoe · 20-09-2007, 20:03

The guy objected to the manner in which she asked, and the manner in which the store manager dealt with it. Aren't they given guidance on good customer relations?

I wonder if the assistant was old enough to be selling alcohol.

The store manager needs to learn how to deal with things like this, perhaps he is too young to have the correct life experience.

danielf · 20-09-2007, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

To say yes...

That's what I thought (again) after reading the second story that was linked to. In a way that makes it even sillier. It looks like they are just trying to cover their own back, as you must have been lying if it turns out you are not over 21.

Shaun · 20-09-2007, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Well maybe the next time I buy tobacco or alcohol and I'm not asked if I'm over 21 I should sue on the grounds of being left out..

Thank goodness this hasn't reached as far as our local Morrisons/Sainsburys. My passport's at the office being renewed - I'd have to be sober for a fortnight. Saying that I never take it out with me any way.

If you're old enough to be holding a credit card (and paying with it) then you're old enough to buy drink in the most part.

Hom3r · 20-09-2007, 20:48

There was a story a few years ago that a Petrol tanker drive, had pulled in to a service station off a motorway to fill up and get get some cigs,at 2am, they refused to sell him them because they didn't think he was old enough.

Despite the fact you had to be over 21 to drive a tanker.

It all madness.

cookie_365 · 20-09-2007, 20:54

Don't they train checkout staff properly any more?

Anyone knows that the correct way to serve alcohol to a pensioner is to flirt with them, flutter your eyes at them and say that you're not convinced by their fake ID but you'll sell them the bottle anyway so long as you don't tell the store manager

Policy or no policy - what kind of person doesn't recognise this as a rule just screaming 'break me'

papa smurf · 20-09-2007, 20:57

most big shops display signs saying if your under21 you will be asked for i/d shurly this is discrimination ,the law says 18 for alchohol and 16 for cigs, no mention of 21, theres no wonder young people fell peed off

**Hugh** · 20-09-2007, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

Don't they train checkout staff properly any more?

Anyone knows that the correct way to serve alcohol to a pensioner is to flirt with them, flutter your eyes at them and say that you're not convinced by their fake ID but you'll sell them the bottle anyway so long as you don't tell the store manager

Policy or no policy - what kind of person doesn't recognise this as a rule just screaming 'break me'

A check-out assistant.......