Tesco refused to sell me a bottle wine

[oneandonly]

without seeing my freaking ID!!!

I was increadibly annoyed. Spent ample time to choose a bottle of wine and bought loads of stuff to make nice dinner only to find the cashier demanded to see my ID that I didn't have with me!

I mean, I bought a bottle of wine about 10 times since I moved to this new area. Not even once was I asked for my ID till today!

The only ID I have is my passport. Am I supposed to carry it around all the time cos I might fancy a bottle of wine? It's not a flattery at all. I was utterly annoyed and found the whole thing ridiculous.

Their inconsistency annoyed me more than anything else. I mean, 10 times in the past was okay!

The cashier didn't know what to do when she first asked me for ID and I said I didn't have one. She wanted the 2nd opinion haha but she couldn't get hold of anyone. In the end, she told me to go to Customer Service and pay for it there. I dully explained what happened to a girl in Customer Service. She was adamant that if the cashier refused to sell it, she couldn't either.

I demanded to speak to the manager. He said the same. Apparently, once a cashier has decided to not sell it to me without seeing my ID, he had to back her up no matter what. I walked off. No wine. Fuming!

Dropped by a corner shop and got a beer instead

[lahnnabell]

It's nothing to do with you. Most likely their business got nailed for selling to someone underage, or they got caught not asking for ID. So, they have to protect their business. I think you are overreacting really. Were you that desperate for a bottle of wine?

[Gigabitch]

That was still happening to me after I turned 30. I'm 42 and I STILL get carded occasionally. Just go get a photo id, why don't you? That can't be all that much more complicated in England.

[QueenofCorona]

Consider yourself lucky. Cashiers here will card people buying cigarettes if they look under 26 or something. I'm almost 31 and get carded anytime I go to the liquor store or order a drink with dinner. There are just too many liabilities out there for businesses, servers, and even cashiers. They can face huge fines, most of which are over $500. I don't think anyone making minimum wage wants that on them. Its just the way it is. Carry your ID in your wallet from now on.

[Petit Papillon]

Yeah, that wouldn't be a problem if UK used ID cards ,like any other european country My ID Card is small, size of a bank card, fits perfectly into every wallet and I don't need a passport (at least in European Union) Cause I can use my ID Card on airports etc

[oneandonly]

Will a photocopy of passport work? I never thought of carrying one till now. I had this once before but never learnt my lesson, I guess. I thought iit could not possibly happen again.

It's cos I spent quite a bit of time choosing one that I thought I'd really enjoy and was excited to try with all the other stuff I bought! It wasn't cos I was desperate.

I know it's nothing personal but all business. Nevertheless, it was freaking annoying!

[Riyko]

I don't believe a photo copy of the passport will be allowed, I think it has to be the actual document because people can fake/change photocopies where as changing passports is harder. I know everywhere i've been to in Canada and the US they don't accept photocopies of the passport as proof of ID.

[Lipp]

I'm almost 31 and get carded anytime I go to the liquor store or order a drink with dinner.

I thought that as a woman that'd count as a compliment

Anyways, they used to issue a "National Identity Card" in the U.K, but apparently scrapped its and its being decommissioned this august, couldn't really find any other government providers apart from that (In Australia they issue "Proof-of-Age" cards from the transport department, and in Sweden you can get one from a police station), but apparently in the U.K there seems to be private companies that are allowed to issue identity cards. If anything, just find some mates who don't hold a driving license and ask what they've got.

And don't hate on the cashiers, they're just doing their jobs.

[pringlej]

don't you have a drivers license? or are you THAT old that you have a paper license? it is a bit ridiculous if thats the case.

[qwertz]

It is quite common practice in every major shopping chain in the uk that if you look under 25 then you will be asked to prove your age. There are loads of signs up everywhere in tesco, they are just covering their own back as the individual who sold you alcohol(if you were under age) could be fined up to £5000 i think.

I got asked for ID to buy cigarettes(for a friend i dont smoke) a few months back!!!

[xxazurexx]

To consume alcohol, you have to be 18 and over. But to buy it, you have to look over 25...

I wonder which bright spark thought of that one....duhhhh.

[oneandonly]

Nope, no driving licence unfortunately.

The main reason I demanded to see the store manager was that I was pretty certain he could see me I was WELL over 25! I didn't know he could not override the casher's decision!

If I were remotely anywhere near 25, I'd think it's a compliment but I am VERY old. lol. The past 10 times, it was fine. Thinking back, those cashiers were all young ones, early 20s. This cashier's an old lady. To her, I must have looked young! Bless her.

[doppelgaenger]

Hey you're lucky that an ID there is just a flimsy card. Here in Serbia, it's a little booklet, half the size of your passport. Get the ID. You shouldn't expect not to get carded, unless you have gray hair and are balding.

[xxazurexx]

Know when I was in my early 20's I was tired of not being able to get into nightclubs, etc and because I didn't look old enough. But these days they don't ask (Im in my 30's)...should I be worried?? lol

I like to take the piss out of the cashiers sometimes and I say 'Would you like to see my ID'...

Or if I'm catching a bus, I will try to pass for a 15 year old and ask for 'half fare'. The look on the bus drivers face when I do that is soooo funny

We can actually apply for an ID card here, or we can use passports, driving licence...anything with a photograph on.

If the old government had remained in power, British citizens were all going to issued with an ID card. But it was 'scrapped' and because the Liberals would have refused to form a coalition government with the Conservatives, otherwise. I personally think we should all have ID cards. And those with nothing to hide shouldn't fear ID cards....

[Illusional]

maybe you don't drive, but most people always carry a drivers license.... hrmm....


raverboy