31 year old refused alcohol sale!

ondadole

Hi I'm just curious here but I'm a 31 year old man who was refused alcohol in Lidl yesterday because I didn't have any I.D.
I'm a few months shy of 32 and adding to the fact that I'm heading towards the old 'middle age', I didn't think I would have to carry I.D. on me; understandably I would think.
I would understand if this happened in another country; but here in Ireland where I was born and raised I found the whole incident quite embarrassing as there was a big line of people behind me.(a lot of them also purchasing alcohol I had noticed and i doubt it very much if they had the same problem.)
Does anyone know if I have any rights or does the retailer have the choice who to sell to?
Thanks in advance!

cookie1977

I doubt it. They're required by law to not sell underage alcohol so if they thought you were underage you'd have to prove you weren't. I had the same thing happen to me in New Zealand when I was 30. I had to come back with Passport ID. It is embarrassing but think of it this way. You look younger then you are

MyKeyG

In short no you don't. In fact you have no rights if Lidl refused to sell you a Mars bar. In THEORY they don't have to sell anything to anyone. If you could prove it was on the basis of discrimination then that would be a different matter.

This matter has been discussed a few times on boards. More and more off licence premises are becoming more and more strict on the sale of alcohol because quite frankly the punishment pertaining to the sale of alcohol to a minor or to somebody who may be purchasing for or in the company of a minor is severe. It is embarrassing and it's only natural to feel indignant but the very thought of consumer action is a little ridiculous. Your best bet is to get an age card if you've even once been asked for ID.

mysteries1984

Unfortunately, you don't have any rights when it comes to this. I sympathise though, my sister bought me cigarettes recently and she was asked for ID (she's 30). Look on the bright side, you'll age much better than the rest of us;)

dudara

In fairness, I think the people behind you would have found it as daft as you did and there would have been no reason to feel embarassed.

Big stores enforce strict alcohol policies, and have done so for quite a while now. Shops can sell to whom they want (alcohol or no alcohol) so there was no infringement of your legal rights in this situation.

ShooterSF

You should always carry some form of ID. Im 27 and I accept that you may be asked. I work in a bar and can never understand the outrage from some people (not you personally OP) when asked for ID. Ive met 16 and 17 year olds that look in their late 20s so Im always cautious with people. It's not an accusation and Ive often asked just to cover my ass fully expecting the person to produce ID (as they look well over 18) only for them to fail to do so and at that point you can't turn around and say oh well go on ahead anyway.
I think the idea of guessing someones age based on looks to be very ineffective in some cases and you have to assume that every case is one of those.

RoboRat

I'm 34 and I was refused an alcohol sale, I was however sporting a Borat Mankini and Elvis glasses at the time. Might have been a health and safety issue...

dudara

RoboRat if you have nothing helpful to contribute, then please don't post.

dudara

UDP

Op, appearance is not proof of age. As already pointed out plenty of people look much older/younger than they actually are. Get over it.

I commend lidl for being vigilant and I wish more alcohol retailers would be as strict.

omahaid

It's happened to me a few time in lidl too, they asked me if I had id, i answered yes, and they said grand and sold me the drink, they didnt actually ask to see it

Guy:Incognito

mysteries1984 wrote: »

Unfortunately, you don't have any rights when it comes to this. )

Why unfortunately? Do you think the shop should be forced to sell to anyone that says they are over 18 or might happen to look it?

mysteries1984

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Why unfortunately? Do you think the shop should be forced to sell to anyone that says they are over 18 or might happen to look it?

What?? No. It's unfortunate for the OP who was trying to legally make a purchase but couldn't because they couldn't prove their age there and then.

Guy:Incognito

mysteries1984 wrote: »

What?? No. It's unfortunate for the OP who was trying to legally make a purchase but couldn't because they couldn't prove their age there and then.

The way I read "unfortunately, you dont have any rights.." is that its unfortunate he doesnt have a right to buy the alcohol without id rather than its unfortunate that he happened to be stopped and refused.

Del2005

I'd love to be ID'd, I keep getting "The customer looks over 25", only place I get asked is the USA. I'd take it as a compliment to be asked for a ID. We did get stung once in the US when going to a barbie and 1 person had no ID, we just left the booze at the till and walked out.

But as the others have said there is no law compelling a shop to sell anything, but they won't last long if they don't. The punishment for underage selling is huge for a shop so it's not worth the risk.

alandublin33

bet the cashier wasnt Irish

dudara

alandublin33 That has nothing to do with this topic and we are not going to go down that road in this thread.

dudara

mysteries1984

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The way I read "unfortunately, you dont have any rights.." is that its unfortunate he doesnt have a right to buy the alcohol without id rather than its unfortunate that he happened to be stopped and refused.

Regardless of the way you read it, I've explained it's not what you thought.

KTRIC

The sense of self entitlement is unreal. They dont have to sell you anything. If Lidl / Aldi / Dunnes / Tesco decide they want ID for the sale of sprouts then you have to oblige if you want said sprouts.

Go to Bavaria where beer is a civil right

alandublin33

sorry dudara , ill ask permission before I speak again

dudara

alandublin33 Since you're an adult, I'll just trust that you can use cop on.

dudara

alandublin33

first of all id like to say that my first comment wasnt racially motivated , I have polish inlaws and there really good people , I was just pointing out how sometimes crossed wires with different nationalities can result with negative consequences. probably should have said that instead of my one line answer last night , and I do have a lot of cop on , more than most , I was just surprised when I got the abrupt message from yourself , I felt like the political correctness police were after me under false pretence

mikemac1

ondadole wrote: »

I found the whole incident quite embarrassing as there was a big line of people behind me.

No need to be embarrassed, the other customers aren't judging you.

They were probably as astounded as you were

actua11

No question that the seller/cashier was in the right. When in doubt, checking for i.d is proper procedure.

However, I can understand the inconvenience of the op. Such instances surley go against the spirit of the over 18's law. It's intent was to prevent alcohol sales to the underage but perhaps the stricter regulation and penalties have swung the balance towards inadvertently affecting those above the minimum age to higher degree.

In essence, a 20/21 year old complaining about this is a non issue, however maybe we need to readdress the balance such that someone 13/14 years over the limit could be given the benefit of the doubt. (Unless you really do look 17!)

alandublin33

the seller my have been correct as far a the law goes and I suppose thats all that can be expected but ive never seen a 31 year old who didnt look at least 25 , there could be more to the story than just a cashier with bad eyesight/judgement , and I know its easy to say well he/she was doing there job , but put yourself in that persons shoes , would you not be mortified at the age of 31 not 21 being asked for I.D , the answer is yes you would be

UDP

actua11 wrote: »

No question that the seller/cashier was in the right. When in doubt, checking for i.d is proper procedure.

However, I can understand the of the inconvenience of the op. Such instances surley go against the spirit of the over 18's law. It's intent was to prevent alcohol sales to the underage but perhaps the stricter regulation and penalties have swung the balance towards inadvertently affecting those above the minimum age to higher degree.

In essence, a 20/21 year old complaining about this is a non issue, however maybe we need to readdress the balance such that someone 13/14 years over the limit could be given the benefit of the doubt. (Unless you really do look 17!)

Appearance is not proof of age. I can't believe people really think it is. Neither you or I know what the OP looks like but I have seen 30+ age guys that look like they could be underage and underage guys with grey hair and all that look like they are well over 18.

The rule is simple. Over 18? Prove it.

How old do you think this woman looks?

bureau2009

ondadole wrote: »

Hi I'm just curious here but I'm a 31 year old man who was refused alcohol in Lidl yesterday because I didn't have any I.D.
I'm a few months shy of 32 and adding to the fact that I'm heading towards the old 'middle age', I didn't think I would have to carry I.D. on me; understandably I would think.
I would understand if this happened in another country; but here in Ireland where I was born and raised I found the whole incident quite embarrassing as there was a big line of people behind me.(a lot of them also purchasing alcohol I had noticed and i doubt it very much if they had the same problem.)
Does anyone know if I have any rights or does the retailer have the choice who to sell to?
Thanks in advance!

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, would give me more pleasure in this life than someone thinking I was underage!!

Slim chance of it happening!

However, in an internet cafe I was once asked was I a student? (I was in my thirties then). I think this was one of the nicest things ever said to me ...........

skinsuit

UDP wrote: »

Appearance is not proof of age. I can't believe people really think it is. Neither you or I know what the OP looks like but I have seen 30+ age guys that look like they could be underage and underage guys with grey hair and all that look like they are well over 18.

The rule is simple. Over 18? Prove it.

How old do you think this woman looks?

I'd say she's 13. Am I right?

UDP

skinsuit wrote: »

I'd say she's 13. Am I right?

but she doesn't look 13 though -which is the question I asked.

ondadole

ondadole wrote: »

Does anyone know if I have any rights or does the retailer have the choice who to sell to?
Thanks in advance!

just wondering what you're getting at here - that you might be able to hit the shop for 10k or something. If that was possible there would be no shops left open in the country....

travellingbid

Tesco refused to sell my 55 year old mother alcohol without ID last year

Technocentral

bureau2009 wrote: »

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, would give me more pleasure in this life than someone thinking I was underage!!

Slim chance of it happening!

However, in an internet cafe I was once asked was I a student? (I was in my thirties then). I think this was one of the nicest things ever said to me ...........

I'm 45 and was asked that a few times last year and I was because I was doing a 2 year course, nothing to do with age you could be an 80 year old student.

rubadub

ondadole wrote: »

I would understand if this happened in another country

Why? what is so different?
Would you have been embarrassed in another country?

ondadole wrote: »

Does anyone know if I have any rights or does the retailer have the choice who to sell to?

How would you describe the rights you would have liked to have had, i.e. how would they be explained legally? I am genuinely interested in how you think such laws could be worded -seeing as it is difficult to have formal legalistic common sense language in the law.

There are often questions similar to this in this forum, rather than questioning "is there a law", if you ask yourself "could there really feasibly be a law", you will often find the obvious answer.

alandublin33 wrote: »

put yourself in that persons shoes , would you not be mortified at the age of 31 not 21 being asked for I.D , the answer is yes you would be

I wouldn't be, see no reason. Usually its people being mistaken as older who are mortified. I could only think of young kids & teenagers being that concerned about looking older than they are.

keithclancy

Till person is just doing their job,

I got asked for ID buy beer in a shop in The Hague, the age limit is 16, I was 29.

I didn't mind at all, thought it was good that they checked everyone, young fellas with premature beards.

CIARAN_BOYLE

ondadole wrote: »

Hi I'm just curious here but I'm a 31 year old man who was refused alcohol in Lidl yesterday because I didn't have any I.D.
I'm a few months shy of 32 and adding to the fact that I'm heading towards the old 'middle age', I didn't think I would have to carry I.D. on me; understandably I would think.
I would understand if this happened in another country; but here in Ireland where I was born and raised I found the whole incident quite embarrassing as there was a big line of people behind me.(a lot of them also purchasing alcohol I had noticed and i doubt it very much if they had the same problem.)
Does anyone know if I have any rights or does the retailer have the choice who to sell to?
Thanks in advance!

I'm pretty certain that Lidl's policy is that if you look under 25 you should be IDed

Its best to just carry ID no matter

bureau2009

Technocentral wrote: »

I'm 45 and was asked that a few times last year and I was because I was doing a 2 year course, nothing to do with age you could be an 80 year old student.

Don't be a spoilsport!! :):)

ShooterSF

alandublin33 wrote: »

the seller my have been correct as far a the law goes and I suppose thats all that can be expected but ive never seen a 31 year old who didnt look at least 25 , there could be more to the story than just a cashier with bad eyesight/judgement , and I know its easy to say well he/she was doing there job , but put yourself in that persons shoes , would you not be mortified at the age of 31 not 21 being asked for I.D , the answer is yes you would be

And Ive met some 17 year olds that look 25. Therein lies the problem.

Lawrence1895

alandublin33 wrote: »

bet the cashier wasnt Irish

What has that to do with the OP?

MissFlitworth

In fairness, the consequences for Lidl if they unknowingly sell alcohol to an under 18 year old are serious.  It goes from huge fines to being forced to close temporarily to losing their licence.  Shops that sell alcohol are basically being forced to police underaged drinking, they'd be mental to sell alcohol to someone they had any doubts about the age of.  Sucks that you didn't get served but would suck far more for the shop if you had been an extremely mature looking minor doing a secret shopper for the gardai.

Cabaal

MissFlitworth wrote: »

In fairness, the consequences for Lidl if they unknowingly sell alcohol to an under 18 year old are serious.  It goes from huge fines to being forced to close temporarily to losing their licence.  Shops that sell alcohol are basically being forced to police underaged drinking, they'd be mental to sell alcohol to someone they had any doubts about the age of.  Sucks that you didn't get served but would suck far more for the shop if you had been an extremely mature looking minor doing a secret shopper for the gardai.

spot on, Lidl have done nothing wrong here only their jobs.
I honestly don't see the big deal here at all,

RoboRat

would you not be mortified at the age of 31 not 21 being asked for I.D

I would love it!

I used to work in a garage and a girl came in buying ciggies, I asked her for ID and she got really annoyed telling me she was 19. I didn't budge and eventually she came back with ID (she was actually 19). Embarrassing, yes but sure these things happen and sure I probably wouldn't see her again.... WRONG. A few months later my brother introduces me to his girlfriend, no points for guessing who she was :-)

She id look very young though.

GerardKeating

ondadole wrote: »

Hi I'm just curious here but I'm a 31 year old man who was refused alcohol in Lidl yesterday because I didn't have any I.D.
I'm a few months shy of 32 and adding to the fact that I'm heading towards the old 'middle age', I didn't think I would have to carry I.D. on me; understandably I would think.
I would understand if this happened in another country; but here in Ireland where I was born and raised I found the whole incident quite embarrassing as there was a big line of people behind me.(a lot of them also purchasing alcohol I had noticed and i doubt it very much if they had the same problem.)
Does anyone know if I have any rights or does the retailer have the choice who to sell to?
Thanks in advance!

A resturant in Florida once refused to sell wine to my then 69 year old mother, because she did not have Id...

paddyandy

I got refused in a pub for being under age and it was difficult to be annoyed as i was around 30 .

YourName

If I went into Lidl to purchase alcohol, I am 21 with ID however my girlfriend had no ID with her, she is also 21. Can they ask her for ID, I am only buying 6 cans, nothing excessive. I am buying, I am paying, for all intents and purpose she is just following me around.

jimoc

YourName wrote: »

If I went into Lidl to purchase alcohol, I am 21 with ID however my girlfriend had no ID with her, she is also 21. Can they ask her for ID, I am only buying 6 cans, nothing excessive. I am buying, I am paying, for all intents and purpose she is just following me around.

If the retailer forms an opinion that the alcohol is being purchased for a minor then they can also refuse to sell it, even if the purchaser is over the age.
It works the same way with cigarettes I believe.
So if two people come in to buy alcohol then they can ask both for ID and refuse to sell it if they are not satisfied.

Thats why the "young wans" always wait up the road a bit when they get their over-aged mate to buy their booze and fags.

MyKeyG

Cabaal wrote: »

spot on, Lidl have done nothing wrong here only their jobs.
I honestly don't see the big deal here at all,

I don't think it's a big deal in as much as it's human nature to be indignant when refused a service we qualify for even if the reasons are sound. I'm sure the OP will get over it.

Corruptedmorals

MissFlitworth wrote: »

In fairness, the consequences for Lidl if they unknowingly sell alcohol to an under 18 year old are serious.  It goes from huge fines to being forced to close temporarily to losing their licence.  Shops that sell alcohol are basically being forced to police underaged drinking, they'd be mental to sell alcohol to someone they had any doubts about the age of.  Sucks that you didn't get served but would suck far more for the shop if you had been an extremely mature looking minor doing a secret shopper for the gardai.

Also the cashier who actually makes the sale gets fired, it literally is written into your contract. That's why they don't give in..or shouldn't if they have any cop-on.

I get asked for ID on a relatively regular basis, be it in Lidl, Tesco, always in the O2, and going into bars. I would never be mortified by it, I'm bloody delighted and I'll be sad the day it stops! So I invested (€10) in a national age card. Best thing I ever did (possibly a slight exaggeration ) it's always in my purse, so if I have money, I have the card.

The shop are absolutely within their rights to not serve you without ID, if they feel that there is a possibility you may be under age. I'm not really sure what rights you expect you might have, but the fact is, you have none. Take it as a compliment and get yourself and age card for future occurences!

LisaLee

skinsuit wrote: »

I'd say she's 13. Am I right?

Is she seriously 13?! Link?

jayteecork

Hard to believe someone made a thread about this.

Probably looking for a way to a handout "Lidl made me look daft in front of people"

blah blah blah

UDP

LisaLee wrote: »

Is she seriously 13?! Link?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCl3f-F4uNY

smelltheglove

I worked in an off license and was a demon for asking for id, I did have people get annoyed at times but I always stood my ground. Now this is going back a few years but what always irritated me was that the security guys would come over and say he is ok you can serve him. After this happened with someone I knew to be underage I went to the manager and said if he wanted the sale to go ahead he could approve it at another till as I was not holding responsibilty. There was one occasion where a lad tried to buy some beer at another till, this guy worked for my dad and was well into his 30s but he did look like a teenager, still does actually and it was only due to the fact that I was so persistent in asking for id that he was eventually served, I remember him being annoyed until I told him if I didnt know him I wouldnt have served him either.

On the other side, I would love to be asked for id, Im 31, pretty sure I look 31, in fact I only remember being asked for id once since turning 17:eek: but of course, were I asked I know the sales person would be completely in the right to deny me purchase without id.