Ever have Problems Buying Games?

Ross_Mahon

I was up in Newry there yesterday getting Christmas Presents, I seen that new game 'Lips' for the Xbox 360, perfect present for my sister, I brought it up to the tills.

"What age are you?"

I mumble "Twenty...? Why?" The game clearly has '12' on it and i point that out to her.

"Its just that the system is saying its for 21's or over, Can i see some ID please?"

So i embarrassingly show her my passport and she says it alright, So i got the game.

I have had problems before with games over 18 and even a 16's game once! I bring my passport everywhere with me, Its great flashing the passport in their face. There was one guy that asked me for ID and he was trying to work out my age on the passport and all his colleagues were ripping it out of him that he couldn't work out the year and calling him 'Detective'.

Has anyone ever had the problem of buying an over 18's game? And what are your experiences?

tman

For your sister??? A likely story:p

I usually shave once a week (towards the middle), so usually look old/scruffy enough for people to not bother asking me for ID

DirkVoodoo

I'm 25, so going into a game shop I look like some sad old git anyway, I would take being ID'ed as a compliment. I now buy my games from the comfort of an office chair.

You should have asked her why this would be 21s, its not a nightclub and I believe the highest legal games rating is 18s, no?

Also, Lips, shame on you!

Attol

I'm going to assume this is Game. They have a new policy where if someone looks under 21 when buying an 18s game you have to ID them. The till constantly says "Think 21". I think she just got confused with the new policy.

If you get IDed please don't get offended or shout at the staff. If they're stung selling games to someone underage they could lose their job, get fined and potentially end up with a criminal record. The company gets off scott free, it's the individual employee who has to face the consequences. I know for a fact that this is UK law but I've been struggling to find a source for Ireland but apparently it's the same here too.

noodler

In my own retailing experience it is not the same here. I once missed a new staff member renting out SAW to a 7 year old.

GothPunk

When I was in New York a couple of years ago my brother and I were in Walmart. He spies this Diablo box set (marked 'M') so he goes up to buy it, I was behind him in the queue (I was only getting some CDs). So he gets asked for ID and being under 18 is refused. So I say I'll get it for him. Woman at register doesn't have a problem with that and I show her my ID. Then some woman who was infront of my brother in the queue butts in, and says I can't do that, I can't 'just buy it for him'. I just told her I don't see how that's any of her business.

I can understand employees asking you for ID, but WTF would you do if some sap in the queue behind or in front of you made it their business what you're gaming habits were. :mad: Damn Americans.

It's pretty retarded to be carded when you're buying Lips. Surely common sense overrides what the 'system' says?

Retr0gamer

They ID everyone that buys games in america. Was in Boston last year and got asked for ID when buying Bioshock. I was 24 then and definitely don't have youthful looks.

Cuddlesworth

Attol wrote: »

I'm going to assume this is Game. They have a new policy where if someone looks under 21 when buying an 18s game you have to ID them. The till constantly says "Think 21". I think she just got confused with the new policy.

If you get IDed please don't get offended or shout at the staff. If they're stung selling games to someone underage they could lose their job, get fined and potentially end up with a criminal record. The company gets off scott free, it's the individual employee who has to face the consequences. I know for a fact that this is UK law but I've been struggling to find a source for Ireland but apparently it's the same here too.

Want to spoon feed some more Bull**** to us? The ages on British and Irish games are a recommendation from a Reviewer set up by games companys. There is currently no laws against sales of games to minors, and even if their was in future you would never ever see a criminal record come out of it.

You wont get a crinimal record, but what of the person/shop that sells you the game if caught?

death1234567

I once saw a teller explaining to a Mother why GTA san andreas was not suitable for her 10-12 year old boy who was standing beside her. After two minutes of him explaining about the drugs, sex, violence the kid said "Just buy it mom". And she did.

pixelburp

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I'm 25, so going into a game shop I look like some sad old git anyway, I would take being ID'ed as a compliment. I now buy my games from the comfort of an office chair.

You should have asked her why this would be 21s, its not a nightclub and I believe the highest legal games rating is 18s, no?

Also, Lips, shame on you!

Ha, you think you look sad? I'm 28 ffs so walking into a games shop feels strange. Then again, I soon ask myself wtf I'm doing in a rip-off merchants like GAME anyway and go home to order online

Cuddlesworth

Deleted User wrote: »

You wont get a crinimal record, but what of the person/shop that sells you the game if caught?

Is this the same as when kids are sold over 18's movies, drink or smokes? A slap on the wrist and a warning.But there is no law for games, they don't come under the censors office reign of terror for ratings. They can ban games outright though.

DirkVoodoo

Please dont anyone bring america into this debate, the country that lets you buy assault weapons from gun fairs makes it far harder to buy booze.

I was going to a family barbeque, my dad was buying the alcohol, I think I was about 17 at the time and the cashier gave out to him for letting me wheel the trolley out of the store because I was underage. God knows the mayhem that would have ensued had I actually wheeled it outside: SWAT teams, snipers, etc.

Anyway I guess its fair enough if they just ask, I've had my little Garda ID since I was 18 so its always on my wallet. I think she should have had a bit of cop-on though and seen you were an older looking (maybe?) chap buying a singing game and not a 12 year old buying Leisure Suit Larry.

mawk

I used to get bored in my old job so id try ID the little old ladies coming in for a loaf of bread and a pack of cigarettes

"im very sorry about this but the law now says i have to see some id before i can sell you cigarettes or alcohol"

look of panic sets in because they havent had an id in 20 years..

*mawk stays completely straight faced for 10 seconds


"nah! im just foolin with ya! here you go"

grannies:"oh you! i guess i should take it as a compliment?"

Vic Vinegar

pixelburp wrote: »

Ha, you think you look sad? I'm 28 ffs so walking into a games shop feels strange.

Eh? why? i'm older than that (slightly!) i have no qualms about going into a games shop... did i miss something?

cmcsoft

Never had any problems getting games when I was younger and now I get them all online so no problems.....

pixelburp

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

Eh? why? i'm older than that (slightly!) i have no qualms about going into a games shop... did i miss something?

Ack, I don't actually feel strange it's just funny how (typically) I'm the oldest customer in the shop & everyone else is half my age (yet holding games with big '18's stickers on them but that's a different story).

For all the talk about how gaming has grown up & the average gamer being a 20 something, the shops don't seem to reflect that.

Vic Vinegar

pixelburp wrote: »

Ack, I don't actually feel strange it's just funny how (typically) I'm the oldest customer in the shop & everyone else is half my age (yet holding games with big '18's stickers on them but that's a different story).

For all the talk about how gaming has grown up & the average gamer being a 20 something, the shops don't seem to reflect that.

Oh, i get you now!

Jack Sheehan

I was I'ded buying Far Cry 2 the other day, but then again I am 17 so that might have had something to do with it. No bother in HMV though!

Ross_Mahon

When ever there is a GTA game released, the staff are like vultures for ID, Looking under 18 has its good and bads, Like going to a club and them telling you "Sorry mate 21s only tonight"

Soby

Ross_Mahon wrote: »

When ever there is a GTA game released, the staff are like vultures for ID, Looking under 18 has its good and bads, Like going to a club and them telling you "Sorry mate 21s only tonight"

I was asked "I assume your 18" for GTA IV..Yes i replied in my uniform:p

Attol

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Want to spoon feed some more Bull**** to us? The ages on British and Irish games are a recommendation from a Reviewer set up by games companys. There is currently no laws against sales of games to minors, and even if their was in future you would never ever see a criminal record come out of it.

This is what my employer has told me and what I was also told when working in the UK in a games retailer.

Ok, say I don't get fined. I'll still lose my job. It's not worth it. I need my job.

Cunny-Funt

Buying games is the one area this has not happened to me that I can remember. I've always looked about 3 years younger then I am and it sucks. Can't see the benefit:( I was born in 85 dammit. These people asking for my ID are accusing me of being born in the feckin 90's!

jill_valentine

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Want to spoon feed some more Bull**** to us? The ages on British and Irish games are a recommendation from a Reviewer set up by games companys. There is currently no laws against sales of games to minors, and even if their was in future you would never ever see a criminal record come out of it.

The previous poster is correct in that this is how Game trains their employees. They are informed that the responsibility is on them, told that they will pick up a criminal record, and most importantly, that it will cost them their job if they're found to be selling to an underage customer.

Doesn't matter if it's an 18 or a 12 game, their policy is the same. Staff can get a severe reprimand just for failing to ask for ID.

Lex_Diamonds

I've had a few of these over the years:

This is sad as hell looking back on it, but I was once denied when i tried to purchase GTA 1 (yes, the top down one) on the PC when it was released here. Oddly, the cashier had no qualms in selling me Quake 2, which I gladly purchased instead!

Another time, I was on a mission to buy Mortal Kombat II for the snes, a game I had been anticipating with a fervour greater than a fundie anticipates the end times.
To my horror I was refused, so in a moment of desperation, I went out on the street and asked a total stranger if he would buy it for me (Nerds ask for dodgy games instead of booze you see)! To my great relief he complied and I was soon sixty punts lighter in the wallet for what was a decidedly average game! Yay me.

chops1990

they seem to want to put strict age limits on everything these days. violent games only cause people who already have violent tendencies to do something harmful to someone else, not normal people

Q_Ball

Attol wrote: »

I'm going to assume this is Game. They have a new policy where if someone looks under 21 when buying an 18s game you have to ID them. The till constantly says "Think 21". I think she just got confused with the new policy.

If you get IDed please don't get offended or shout at the staff. If they're stung selling games to someone underage they could lose their job, get fined and potentially end up with a criminal record. The company gets off scott free, it's the individual employee who has to face the consequences. I know for a fact that this is UK law but I've been struggling to find a source for Ireland but apparently it's the same here too.

jill_valentine wrote: »

The previous poster is correct in that this is how Game trains their employees. They are informed that the responsibility is on them, told that they will pick up a criminal record, and most importantly, that it will cost them their job if they're found to be selling to an underage customer.

Doesn't matter if it's an 18 or a 12 game, their policy is the same. Staff can get a severe reprimand just for failing to ask for ID.

IIRC Game get fined too, who subsequently try to pass the fine on to you, as well as any charges that arise. I do agree that if you do get asked, don't lose it with the staff. It's not their policy they just have to enforce it.

Also IIRC, some games used to be classified by the film board. Certain games get a film (BBFC?) 18's cert as well as / as opposed to the ERSB or whatever they're called these days. I wonder if you are liable for prosecution if you sell one of those to a minor (or whether you still see them around).

I worked in Game around the time GTA 3 and VC came out. We really were like vultures for ID. We got a lot of that "I don't care what age it is" from parents who bought it straight after we'd refused their child (I was even told off once...). I'd offer a warning on the content as I sold it, that was my way of getting over the situation. It's ridiculous when a parent is afraid of their child. It wasn't as mental as it is now though, crazy what a bit of bad press in a UK rag can do!

I once stopped a kid buying GTA:London. Actually come to think of it if I was ever bored or if they'd p*ssed me off I'd do it if the game was 15+. Does that make me evil?

Star Lord

GothPunk wrote: »

It's pretty retarded to be carded when you're buying Lips. Surely common sense overrides what the 'system' says?

Was possibly this lady behind the till though

Ross_Mahon

DamoElDiablo wrote: »

Was possibly this lady behind the till though

She actually looked like a dyke, They all look like Dykes in Newry? Its mad!

Weidii

I've never been Id'd buying a game. Then again, I'm a girl so they probably presume I'm buying it for someone else.

jill_valentine

Like I say, staff in Game won't just get reprimanded for selling a game to an underage customer, they'll get the head eaten off them just for failing to ask. She had to ask you, or her manager would have lost the rag with her. They're extremely strict.

rejkin

when i wa 12 i wanted to buy tomb raider in argos,it was 15+ so they wouldnt sell it to me,i just got my sis to get it for me. Never been asked for id for a game after that even when getting 18+ games when i was 16,17. If someone ever asked me for id for a game i would tell them to leave it,ill go give my business to another shop. Not showing my id for a game,id find it quite insulting if i was asked for id for a game,dont mind drink etc but not games.

Cuddlesworth

Attol wrote: »

This is what my employer has told me and what I was also told when working in the UK in a games retailer.

Ok, say I don't get fined. I'll still lose my job. It's not worth it. I need my job.

Not to go all legalaise here, but if I was fired from Game for selling game without asking for ID and there was no documentation or terms in the contract that specified it, then I would sue the pants off them for unfair dismissal. It's not illegal. At a guess I would say game do it to avoid the bad publicity in case some reporter decides to do a article about it.

jill_valentine wrote: »

The previous poster is correct in that this is how Game trains their employees. They are informed that the responsibility is on them, told that they will pick up a criminal record, and most importantly, that it will cost them their job if they're found to be selling to an underage customer.

Doesn't matter if it's an 18 or a 12 game, their policy is the same. Staff can get a severe reprimand just for failing to ask for ID.

So they lie to their staff and unlike every newsagent and off-license I have been in, decide to ignore common sense? I suppose its just another reason to not shop there.


In case anybody was wondering, I was asked for ID in GAME two or three years ago. I laughed, threw the game on the counter and bought it in HMV 5 minutes later.

Kiith

I dont see why people are so annoyed about this? Its the same as any form of entertainment. Ratings are a good thing people, and i'm delighted that stores are enforcing the rules. I wish they'd get stricter. The ratings are there for a reason, and i genuinly cant see why anyone would get annoyed about it (bar someone not getting served a game they want).

So next time some 15 year old guns down 20 people and his parents blame it on GTA4, we can quite rightly tell them to shut the **** up.

jill_valentine

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

In case anybody was wondering, I was asked for ID in GAME two or three years ago. I laughed, threw the game on the counter and bought it in HMV 5 minutes later.

Yeah, and that staff member probably just sold it to the guy behind you.

I don't get who people think they're punishing by acting like JR bloody Ewing in a game shop.

The terms of the contract specify that you must obey Game policy, and that includes their policy regarding age ratings. Failing to do so incurs penalties, including dismissal. Regardless of whether or not there are actual legal penalties for selling to underage customers in this country, Game have extremely strict rules about it, and will have no problem at all cutting somebody loose if they fail to abide by them.

There's no grounds for unfair dismissal if you've already agreed to work under those terms.

partyatmygaff

funny seeing everyone else gets caught i never do.

Back when I was 14 I bought GTA on release day without a hassle(I had alot of stubble so I was passed off as old) and to make it even funnier someone in my school who was just nearly 17 was refused the game because he had no ID.

Cuddlesworth

jill_valentine wrote: »

Yeah, and that staff member probably just sold it to the guy behind you.

I don't get who people think they're punishing by acting like JR bloody Ewing in a game shop.

The terms of the contract specify that you must obey Game policy, and that includes their policy regarding age ratings. Failing to do so incurs penalties, including dismissal. Regardless of whether or not there are actual legal penalties for selling to underage customers in this country, Game have extremely strict rules about it, and will have no problem at all cutting somebody loose if they fail to abide by them.

There's no grounds for unfair dismissal if you've already agreed to work under those terms.

Damm you, I had to google to find out who JR Ewing was. I don't care if the Staff member sold it to the guy behind me, I have not bought a game in 3 years from that store. Thats well over a few hundred in sales lost. I hope in future, as games becomes even more mainstream and Sales are less reliant on gifts, that people will vote with their feet.


As for the other bit;
If the contract states it, then fine do it. If you want to be a thorn in their side, ask every single customer you see for ID. That includes obvious pensioners. When asked to tone it down, ask for in writing exactley how you are supposed to define the age of the person you are looking at in order to justify asking for ID. Proceed to abuse the descriptions. When fired, sue.

That being said, I would just quit. It's a crap, go no-where job anyway.

evad_lhorg

you misunderstood her. they have a new thing where they have to id anyone who doesnt look over 21(she may have mentioned something about "challenge 21" or some crap) but not on 12+ games really as it is just ridiculous. She may have been new too as it is christmas time so you have to be easy one these people and dont be silly about getting asked for ID

Attol

I've been IDed in HMV and XV in the past too for DVDs. It's not that uncommon and the policy has been enforced in any of the 3 different games retailers I've worked for.

As far as part-time jobs go I think mine isn't half bad but thanks for your concern.

Cuddlesworth

evad_lhorg wrote: »

you misunderstood her. they have a new thing where they have to id anyone who doesnt look over 21(she may have mentioned something about "challenge 21" or some crap) but not on 12+ games really as it is just ridiculous. She may have been new too as it is christmas time so you have to be easy one these people and dont be silly about getting asked for ID

Heres my problem. I look quite young. But I also wear a suit, pay with a credit card and have more grey hair then people in their 60's. So when I get asked for ID for anything besides booze, I never go back there. There is no such thing as a person who looks over 21. Its rubbish. If the policy said, anybody under 30 produce ID, then great. Thats a large enough gap to remove the margin for error. But I know 26-28 year olds who can pass for 16 and I know 14 year olds that could nearly pass for 30 until they start talking.

Feel free to "Challenge me", just don't expect my money ever again. I hope at least some policy makers read this. Tell your staff to use common sense and allow them to make mistakes.

monument

MOD WARNING: If you want use to allow these consumer issues threads, could everybody keep the emotive and offense words to a minimum. Thanks.

Ross_Mahon wrote: »

She actually looked like a dyke, They all look like Dykes in Newry? Its mad!

Any more comments like that and expect a ban.

Cunny-Funt

monument wrote: »

Any more comments like that and expect a ban.

But isnt that the guy from little Britain in that pic? I seriously thought it was

Mossy Monk

If I was asked for ID when buying a game I would put the game on the counter and walk out of the shop.

cian1500ww

Cunny-Funt wrote: »

But isnt that the guy from little Britain in that pic? I seriously thought it was

He was referring to the comment about Newry.

Never had any bother myself, but I haven't bought a game in a brick and mortar shop for the past year or more.

jill_valentine

Mossy Monk wrote: »

If I was asked for ID when buying a game I would put the game on the counter and walk out of the shop.

Why though?

I don't get this, I just don't get why people are insulted by somebody ID'ing them. What's the big deal? What point are you making by buying elsewhere?

evad_lhorg

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Feel free to "Challenge me", just don't expect my money ever again. I hope at least some policy makers read this. Tell your staff to use common sense and allow them to make mistakes.

well youre just the ****in big person arent you thowing your game at the counter and buying it elsewhere. The problem is these "mistakes" that they could let them make could end up with big fines and court cases which have happened. you get parents in irate that their little darling of 16 or whatever was allowed buy an 18s game. the ratings are there for a reason and the rules must be applied. if youre too cool to show ID then you need a smack round the head. "its only a game". so what!

Cunny-Funt

jill_valentine wrote: »

Why though?

I don't get this, I just don't get why people are insulted by somebody ID'ing them. What's the big deal? What point are you making by buying elsewhere?

Its humiliating as its an insinuation that you are a child and not an adult. I'm nearly 24 and if someone ID's me then they are implying they suspect me of being 17 years old at most.

It does not make for a pleasurable customer experience when your dealing with the gestapo , asking to see your papers every time you wanna buy something. As if your somehow in the wrong for wanting to buy it. A shop should not make you feel guilty for wanting to buy a product.

jill_valentine

Not to be snarky about it or anything but really, it's all in your head.

It's standard procedure. They ask literally everybody. There's no accusation involved, they aren't trying to condescend, they aren't implying that they think you're immature. They just need to be able to tick the box on the till that says they asked.

Why would they think you were wrong for wanting a game?

Cunny-Funt

I'm just explaining how the customer feels since you did not seem to understand why people find it really rude.

& no they don't ask everybody. If this was the case and it was 'standard procedure' to supply identification when purchasing video games etc then maybe we would not feel singled out.

Attol

Cunny-Funt wrote: »

I'm just explaining how the customer feels since you did not seem to understand why people find it really rude.

& no they don't ask everybody. If this was the case and it was 'standard procedure' to supply identification when purchasing video games etc then maybe we would not feel singled out.

Well clearly there are a lot of people not doing their jobs. It is standard procedure in most major retailers.

Cunny-Funt

lol to ask every single person buying a game for their ID? LOL. I've never once been asked ID for a game. But if I was , I would be pissed. I bought 4 copies of L4D for the PC in gamestop recently, if I was feckin ID'd I'd never shop there again.