Tesco...Alcohol, Over 21

Skyuser

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Ya exactly, SHOCK.

Was in Tesco yesterday and whilst I was looking over at the fools at the self service checkout doing Tescos job I saw a sign beside the checkout. A thing about buying alcohol. I saw em loads of times before, but now it said over 21's :eek:

How are they allowed to do that? I'm not 21 yet, what em I gonna do.

conky_05

Skyuser wrote:

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:



I'm not 21 yet, what em I gonna do.

maybe go to another off licence !! feck that sounds a bit crap. but aswell as that, it's their shop and they can call the shots right ? it's like some night clubs don't let you in if your under 21 too ?

Skyuser

Ah well I'll ave to join d fools at self service and buy it there. I won't ask myself for ID.

Töpher

Got refused in Tesco's - aged 22 - with Driving Licence and Passport, for not having a Garda Age Card. I think they just don't wanna make any sales!

Skyuser

Lol passport is most official document you can prove.

tintinr35

yea same happened me, ur one actually refused to take my passport, i got tres píssed off and got the manager down!! he told me i would have to use an age card next time!!! bollox to that i dont have and am not getting an age card, passport is the most official and recognised form of id you can use!! imagine being asked for id in a foreign country " ya do ya take the garda age card" ffs tesco need to De-tard their policy!!

Hobbes

Skyuser wrote:

How are they allowed to do that? I'm not 21 yet, what em I gonna do.

Yes they are allowed and what planet have you been living on? Its been like this for all Supermarkets in Ireland for years.

Beer is Life

Einst&#252 wrote: »

Got refused in Tesco's - aged 22 - with Driving Licence and Passport, for not having a Garda Age Card. I think they just don't wanna make any sales!

Is it not illegal for them to ignore a government issued document?

eirebhoy

What exactly are they gaining from this and their demand for Garda ID?

Skyuser

Hobbes wrote:

Yes they are allowed and what planet have you been living on? Its been like this for all Supermarkets in Ireland for years.

O be quiet, I saw 18 signs a couple of months ago. :rolleyes:

Tipsy Mac

It's not illegal for a supermarket to have any lower age limit but it is illegal for them to have an upper age limit as this would be age discrimination....only in Ireland.

AngryAnderson

It seems like a grey area to most but the law is fairly clear - it is discriminatory not to serve alcohol to anyone over the age of 18 or to adopt policies whereby people over 18 but below a certain age are ineligible for entry to a licenced premises. The fact that 99.999% of people can't be bothered getting a solicitor involved when they're discriminated against means that booze-merchants can pretty much do what they want. You've got the cowardly, "don't rock the boat" Irish mentality to thank for that.

Red Alert

That's definitely illegal.

I'd get the manager down just to piss him and the swine behind the checkout off. In fact I've long since stopped shopping in tesco because of their staff (and the fact that they're british).

Skyuser

Red Alert wrote:

(and the fact that they're british).

That's just stupid.

What's your mobile phone network.....

Hobbes

Red Alert wrote:

That's definitely illegal.

Under what law exactly?

maidhc

eirebhoy wrote:

What exactly are they gaining from this and their demand for Garda ID?

They are complying with s.15 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.

SoupyNorman

I'm sure it was always over 18's in Tescos until recently?? I'd say they are sick of watching gangs of boarder line teens hanging around the off-sales area, where in an off-license its easier to monitor.

It would be good for the legislation to be a bit clearer but tbh you wont go thirsty will ya OP, plenty of off-licences about!

DamienH

I hate that when they don't accept my passport. I don't have a garda Id so I just keep saying " I need this to get into a country and your saying I can't get drink?" Usually works. Or I've been sold cigarettes and then been refused alcohol which I though was funny, after a bit of arguing I got it so I was happy

jor el

I think those signs actually say that if you look under 21, then be prepaired to prove you're over 18 with the Garda ID card. They don't refuse you once you have that. But, if you're 22 they really shouldn't be refusing you for not having one of those age cards.

According to http://oasis.gov.ie/health/alcohol_and_drug_treatment_services/alcohol_and_the_law.html

Licence holders that allow people between 18-21 years on their premises without appropriate identification can face a fine of 1,500 euro for a first offence and 2,000 euro for any subsequent offences. (Appropriate identification includes a National Age Card, a passport, a driving licence, or a identitiy card issued by an EU member state).

It's OK for them to accept passports or driving licences, but maybe they don't have to.

padi89

Hobbes wrote:

Yes they are allowed and what planet have you been living on? Its been like this for all Supermarkets in Ireland for years.

No it hasnt.Not in any Supermarkets i have ever been to.

SoupyNorman

Red Alert wrote:

(and the fact that they're british).

Racist

FillSpectre

WHY ARE PEOPLE SO SHOCKED?

When it was Quinnsworth they had at 21 in many stores and I beleive Dunnes are the same. I am in my 30s and a ton of off licences had a 21 limit. Yes it is legal and any documentation may be refused if the shop beleive it is a not yours or fordged. No matter how many people say how is this legal, they can't do this etc... they can, do and always have. Don't like it? Don't shop there again for anything and let them know why in writing to head office.

Sauce

jor el wrote:

I think those signs actually say that if you look under 21, then be prepaired to prove you're over 18 with the Garda ID card. They don't refuse you once you have that. But, if you're 22 they really shouldn't be refusing you for not having one of those age cards.

But how can they prove that you are over 21 if you dont have an age card. The only way to solve this problem is to bring in a national identity card.

Hobbes

padi89 wrote:

No it hasnt.Not in any Supermarkets i have ever been to.

Every Dublin Supermarket I have been to has this policy in place. In some cases it is even higher. A friend of mine got all happy when she was told she didn't look over 25 so they wouldn't serve her.

If you look old to begin with then you don't get hassled. I've never been asked for ID in Tesco but then I don't look 21

Gurgle

Hobbes wrote:

If you look old to begin with then you don't get hassled. I've never been asked for ID in Tesco but then I don't look 21

lol, I was refused in Lidl a couple of months ago because I had no ID with me.

Im 30, and was buying a bottle of wine on the way to dinner in a friends house with my wife and kids. :rolleyes:

I think its more about some twat in a bad mood than anything else. Some days the 'rules' are just an opportunity to spread their misery.

Crucifix

I guess the over 21 thing is to avoid hassle...but jesus, they must be throwing away money on it.

Carb

Was an off licence in Dublin not closed down for a couple of days a year or so ago becasue it refused to sell alcohol to an 18 year old because they had an over 21 policy. It was taken on discrimination grounds and the judge ruled that the off licence had no right to refuse somebody over 18 on the basis of age, when identification was prodcued.

I believe the licencing laws for pubs are pretty much the same, although I'm open to correction. Management have a right to refuse admission, but not over 18s on the basis of been U21, even though most places seem to get away with this. I think the fact that pubs are supposed to be public houses also raises questions about the legality of charging an admission fee (New years eve), but this is another one that doesn't seem to get challenged.

Manolo Blahnik

I got served in both Dunnes and Tescos in the last few weeks no problem and I'm just 18. I always get asked for I.D. though cause I look about 16. Maybe they didn't check my D.O.B. or something if it's over 21's.

Two weeks ago I was out around town in Cork. First of all I tried to get into a PUB a pub like and the bouncer was like sorry it's over 19's tonight even though it was 18's the week beforehand. Then we went to five more clubs this time ''sorry over 20's tonight'' ''Over 21's...'' It's ridicluos in the end after 2 hours of searching we found a club that was over 18's...

It's like this countrys will soon be just like in the U.S. - Over 21's

FillSpectre

I belive you are right about the off licence but they had no sign hence he won.

Pubs and off licences can have an age policy is my understanding but it must apply to all. So they must have a sign to allow everybody to know.

Carb

FillSpectre wrote:

I belive you are right about the off licence but they had no sign hence he won.

So if you let everyone know that your discriminating, then its ok.

BTW, I'm not attacking your post. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if your right. I think I'll do a bit of googling at lunch time.

FillSpectre

Carb wrote:

So if you let everyone know that your discriminating, then its ok.

Yeah it is how I understand it. The idea being that the law makers don't see it as discremination hence it is not and the EU laws let you govern alchol sales as you see fit hence it works there too.

Saruman

jor el wrote:

I think those signs actually say that if you look under 21, then be prepaired to prove you're over 18 with the Garda ID card. .

Thats what they say! Well more like "if your lucky enough to look under 21 etc etc...

Never been asked for ID in this country to buy alcohol. No Garda card but i always have drivers license.

I would say its just staff having a certain interpretation of the rules in some stores.

maidhc

"(4) In any proceedings for a contravention of subsection (1) or (2) of this section, it shall be a defence for the defendant to prove that the person in respect of whom the charge is brought produced to him or her an age card relating to that person or, if the defendant is charged with permitting another person to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor contrary to either of those subsections, to prove that an age card relating to the person to whom the intoxicating liquor was sold or delivered was produced by that person to that other person.".

Contrary to my previous post it is the intoxicating liquor act 2000, not 2003. Production of the Age card is a defence to a potential prosecution, production of the passport or driving licence isn't

padi89

Hobbes wrote:

Every Dublin Supermarket I have been to has this policy in place. In some cases it is even higher. A friend of mine got all happy when she was told she didn't look over 25 so they wouldn't serve her.

If you look old to begin with then you don't get hassled. I've never been asked for ID in Tesco but then I don't look 21

Must be a Dublin thing so.Not the case in Galway anyway.

zuma

Skyuser wrote:

That's just stupid.

What's your mobile phone network.....

Well as your asking its 02 which is owned by Telefonica, a Spanish company

Whats was the point of this stupid question anway?

daymobrew

Carb wrote:

So if you let everyone know that your discriminating, then its ok.

BTW, I'm not attacking your post. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if your right. I think I'll do a bit of googling at lunch time.

No need to google - go to the source.

It's not discrimination according to Section 25 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, provided they display a sign indicating the age limit (a figure that must be over 18).

Aside: An interesting item in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 that says that the the name and address of the off-licence must be on a on a label on the bottle/can sold. I guess that this section is there to all for that option in the future.

FillSpectre

I did mention that a sign allowed it.

I am not sure about the acts and laws however. The lables on containers is not law as such or we would know about it. THey spoke about it and didn't make it law

Chinafoot

Passport is a travel document and is only supposed to be used as such as far as I know. Shops/supermarkets don't have to take your passport. A lot of places will but they aren't legally required to.

jor el wrote:

I think those signs actually say that if you look under 21, then be prepaired to prove you're over 18 with the Garda ID card. They don't refuse you once you have that.

Exactly. If the OP had read the sign properly he would see that it said that people under 21 need to provide a garda age card in order to be served. They don't refuse to sell alcohol to anyone under 21 in general....only if you don't have the required I.D. Like Hobbes said, this has been the policy in Irish supermarkets for years.


Our local tesco, supervalu and spar all have the same policy. If you are under 21 you must present a garda age card. A lot of them do accept a passport but they can refuse it if they wish.

Also, if you are between 18 and 21 you can only buy a certain amount of alcohol. (At least this is the case in our local spar) This is to try and curb underage drinking as if there is one 18 year old in the group, most of which are underage, then he/she can no longer go in and get 30 cans and 2 litres of vodka for all of his/her mates.

Bottom line: They won't refuse you if you are over 18 and under 21 provided you have the required I.D. to prove that you are in fact of legal age to purchase alcohol.
Definitely a case of crossed-wires here with the OP. Next time read the sign properly before having a panic attack.

Litcagral

peachypants wrote:

Passport is a travel document and is only supposed to be used as such as far as I know. Shops/supermarkets don't have to take your passport. A lot of places will but they aren't legally required to.
QUOTE]


Spot on peachypants. They are not obliged to accept passport as ID.Under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Section 40):


Age cards. 40.—(1) The Minister may by regulations provide for the issue to a person of or over the age of 18 years, if so requested by the person and subject to his compliance with the regulations, of a card (in this Part referred to as "an age card") specifying the age of the person.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, regulations under this section may make provision in relation to all or any of the following matters:

( a ) the information as to his age and any other matters specified in the regulations to be furnished by a person (in this subsection referred to as "the applicant") applying for the issue of an age card,
( b ) a form of application for an age card,
( c ) the charging and payment of fees in respect of the issue or replacement of an age card,
( d ) the form of an age card and the particulars (which may include a photograph of the holder thereof) to be specified in an age card,
( e ) the period of validity of an age card,
( f ) the person by whom an age card shall be issued,
( g ) any other matter in relation to which it is, in the opinion of the Minister, necessary or expedient to make provision.

snickerpuss

I've never seen a supermarket with this policy. Maybe its a southside dublin thing, certainly not in coolock, i've not been asked for id in tesco, superquinn, dunnes, spar anywhere. And i look about 17 (i'm really 19)

daymobrew

Litcagral wrote:

Spot on peachypants. They are not obliged to accept passport as ID.Under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Section 40):

That seems to have been superceded by Section 15 of the 2003 act, which mentions an age card, passport, ID card from an EU country or a driver license.
Of course, the shop can decide to refuse to serve you if it so likes.

The Real B-man

Think thats bad you have to be 25 in Superquinn!!!

Litcagral

daymobrew wrote:

That seems to have been superceded by Section 15 of the 2003 act, which mentions an age card, passport, ID card from an EU country or a driver license.
Of course, the shop can decide to refuse to serve you if it so likes.

Point taken daymobrew. They probably can get away with accepting one form of the examples of ID provided.

Burning Eclipse

I'm not positive on this but AFAIK Invitation to Treat rules the roost in shops, "Contract" begins by the customer wanting to buy something, not the shop offering to buy you something. IIRC, a shop can point blank refuse to sell you something if they want to. Question is, do they have to give a reason, I don't think so, but again I'm not sure....

maidhc

daymobrew wrote:

That seems to have been superceded by Section 15 of the 2003 act, which mentions an age card, passport, ID card from an EU country or a driver license.
Of course, the shop can decide to refuse to serve you if it so likes.

s15 of the 2003 act deals with entry into a licenced premises
s14 of the 2000 act deals with the sale of alcohol.
s40 of the 1988 act deals with the creation of the age card.

Fighting Irish

Hobbes wrote:

Yes they are allowed and what planet have you been living on? Its been like this for all Supermarkets in Ireland for years.

No it hasn't, it use to be over 21 in nearly all supermarkets until about 5 years ago then they all dropped to 18(except for aldi and lidl) what planet have you been living on?

b0bsquish

I was wondering what the story was with the self service things in tecos? Can they ID you while using one, or even if u tried to buy drink out of hours with em? can they stop you...or more to the point, will they stop you?

Skyuser

b0bsquish wrote:

I was wondering what the story was with the self service things in tecos? Can they ID you while using one, or even if u tried to buy drink out of hours with em? can they stop you...or more to the point, will they stop you?

No, other customers will stop you and ask for ID in a self service kinda way where we all end up running Tescos. We still gotta unload the tesco lorrys that arrive.

daymobrew

b0bsquish wrote:

I was wondering what the story was with the self service things in tecos? Can they ID you while using one, or even if u tried to buy drink out of hours with em? can they stop you...or more to the point, will they stop you?

The self service checkouts should have a member of staff supervising them. The staff member will be at a terminal that displays the activity at each self service checkout.

When you scan alcohol it should say something about "Authorization required" on the screen. The staff member can authorize the item from their station, or ID you as necessary. So, I don't see the self-service checkouts as a way around an ID check.

Ronan|Raven

Here in New Zealand if you look under 25 you will be asked for ID , from bars to supermarkets. They are really strict about it.

MagnumForce

Slightly off topic, but do you know whats really annoying about those self service things when buying alcohol, well three things really, first of all theres hardly ever a supervisor there and you cant continue with payment until they key in their code, secondly, they need to do this for each alcoholic item scanned, and thirdly if you're buying six cans of, for example, Miller, you need to scan each one separatly and cant just go "multiply by six" which is really annoying cos theyve got the plastic holder thingies that keep em together which makes scanning each one quite difficult.