Seventy two year old man stopped from buying alcohol

Originally Posted by Damien

Ok Fair enough, But my point was that it was needless to go to the media. He was correct to see the manager and file a complaint. After that though there is nothing else, it's a private company and if, after taking it to the HQ, they do not do anything he is left with little choice but to shop elsewhere or to hope it does not happen again.

But that's not true. There is something else - he can make a fuss. The store, and Head Office, are more likely to do something if they think their reputation is at risk. Customer comment cards are very easily swept under the carpet.

He was absolutely spot on to go to the Press with this. There are two free local papers there, either or both of them would love a story like this. Then there's the Liverpool Echo. In all likelihood it's already had local Press coverage, that will be where the BBC cribbed it from.

The bigger profile this story gets, and the more Morrisons decline to make any meaningful comment - by which I mean, engaging with the specifics of this case, rather than brainless repetition of company policy by an official 'spokesman' - the more room this pensioner has to cast himself as the victim, and the local store as the bad guy.

We have had other, bigger demonstrations recently of how media coverage can be more important than actual facts on the ground in establishing in the mind of the public who is to 'blame' for something. This is a far smaller incident but the principles are the same.

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

Seems like it's just that store?

"To further limit any element of doubt staff at the West Kirby store are required to ask anyone buying alcohol to confirm that they are over 21."

Doesn't say that an answer is required...

All they did was brainlessly follow store policy no matter how absurd. It's not worth going to the media with IMO. Complain, then either decide to continue shopping there and bring ID just in case or shop elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Damien

All they did was brainlessly follow store policy no matter how absurd. It's not worth going to the media with IMO. Complain, then either decide to continue shopping there and bring ID just in case or shop elsewhere.

You're setting up a 'false dilemma'.

There are other options - such as complaining in a public way that may be more effective at changing store policy than a simple comment card is.

[Woolly One]

Hope I'm not going 'off topic' too much?!?

Just been to our local Sainsburys. At that tobacco counter there are signs saying that 'as of 01/10/07, you have to be over 18 to buy tobacco products.

Didn't realise that that one had been passed!

http://www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk/

Passed by Parliament this time last year.

[Woolly One]

Originally Posted by Chris T

http://www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk/

Passed by Parliament this time last year.

Thanks. Wasn't warching that one. To old and too busy watching the world demolish itself!

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

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.

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

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.

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

They can, It's just policy to ask anyone who looks under 21. I guess because some teenagers can look over 18...

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Chris T

You suggest this man is stupid for making a fuss - I think he would be stupid if he needlessly complicated his weekly shopping trip rather than trying to sort it out.

As he clearly stated, and was quoted saying in the BBC article, he has no problem with the principle of ensuring alcohol sales are not made to children, he has a problem with the brainless, humourless way it was enforced.

It seems an assinine policy. The one you usually get around NY is expect to be carded if you look under 40. The penalties here are pretty strict on the server, not just the bar. Some bars (I know this is a supermarket) enforce this by carding at the door so the bar staff know everyone in there is over 21.

Seems to be a more sensible cut off than 60+ IMHO.

Originally Posted by Damien

They can, It's just policy to ask anyone who looks under 21. I guess because some teenagers can look over 18...

So why ask someone whom it is obvious they are well over either age?

Originally Posted by Incognitas

So why ask someone whom it is obvious they are well over either age?

I suspect that somewhere in the background is a corporate lawyer, paranoid about the company being sued for discrimination or slander or something ...

Originally Posted by Incognitas

So why ask someone whom it is obvious they are well over either age?

They are idiots I guess

Maybe he was a very young looking 72 year old.

Originally Posted by Chris T

I suspect that somewhere in the background is a corporate lawyer, paranoid about the company being sued for discrimination or slander or something ...

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..

[superbiatch]

Originally Posted by Chris T

Then there's the Liverpool Echo. In all likelihood it's already had local Press coverage, that will be where the BBC cribbed it from.

Made front page of the echo last night