Tesco alcohol policy

El Guapo! · 06-05-2013 06:34PM #1

What's the deal with Tesco and their alcohol policy?!
I fancied a few bottles of Tiger beer out the back garden in the sun so I drove to tesco to get some a few minutes ago.
I got a little bit of shopping while I was there and the woman behind the counter scanned it all in and then asked me for I.D for the drink. I haven't been asked for I.D in a long time and said that I had none on me. She then said, "Well, our policy is age 25!" I said "Ok that's grand 'cause I'm 26". She wasn't too pleased and still insisted on I.D.
I ran to the car to get my licence but I hadn't got it. Ran back in and explained that I forgot it but she wouldn't give me the bottles.
Now, its no big deal because its Tescos loss and I just went around the corner and gave my money to Molloys instead. But what's the story with that policy?! It's ridiculous. I'd understand if I looked young but I don't. The legal age for drinking is 18. I clearly don't look 17. I haven't looked 17 since I was 12.

In before "cool story bro".

Steve O · 06-05-2013 06:35PM

UNEXPECTED ITEM IN BAGGING AREA

Praetorian Saighdiuir · 06-05-2013 06:35PM

Tiger beer?

Peasant!

Duff · 06-05-2013 06:37PM

Lidl is worse. They'd ask Gandalf for I.D in there.

Dave0301 · 06-05-2013 06:39PM

Similar thing happened to me in a Sainsbury in England. In after work one day, buying a few bits for dinner and 4 bottles of beer. No I.D. so no beer, I wouldn't mind but I was wearing a full suit and doing food shopping!

I guess that's all the rage amongst those unruly youngsters these days.

ameee · 06-05-2013 06:40PM

Im 27 and still get asked for id. I don't think its over 25 just if they think you look under 25 they have to ask for id. Its not a big deal and probably not worth them losing there job over to trust what you are saying just bring id next time most people would always have id don them

belcampprisoner · 06-05-2013 06:41PM

they shut down one dunnes for a week for selling underage alcohol,

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/dunnes-sold-alcohol-to-underage-girl-in-sting-operation-29074954.html

IM0 · 06-05-2013 06:41PM

its very simple really, dont buy beer in tescos

errlloyd · 06-05-2013 06:42PM

That is not the worst part about Tesco's alcohol policy. If you are with anyone underage or without ID they won't serve you. I went in with my brother a couple of weeks, he is 25 I am 21. I had no ID, so they wouldn't let him buy booze.

They said it was store policy for all customers regardless, I was like "Do you stop parents from buying alcohol when they're with their kids".

somefeen · 06-05-2013 06:43PM

Was in buying a few beers with the girlfriend the other day. I was buying it and she was just waiting. Wouldn't serve me because herself didn't have ID.
The **** is that about?

errlloyd · 06-05-2013 06:44PM

belcampprisoner wrote: »

they shut down one dunnes for a week for selling underage alcohol,

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/dunnes-sold-alcohol-to-underage-girl-in-sting-operation-29074954.html

How is the 15 year old girl quoted at the top of the article turning 17 next month?

IM0 · 06-05-2013 06:44PM

errlloyd wrote: »

They said it was store policy for all customers regardless, I was like "Do you stop parents from buying alcohol when they're with their kids".

what was the answer?

garv123 · 06-05-2013 06:44PM

Could have made a fuss and asked for manager if you wanted to Im sure you would have gotten it..
They also don't accept drivers licences..Passport and age card only.

MiseryMary · 06-05-2013 06:45PM

El Guapo! wrote: »

What's the deal with Tesco and their alcohol policy?!
I fancied a few bottles of Tiger beer out the back garden in the sun so I drove to tesco to get some a few minutes ago.
I got a little bit of shopping while I was there and the woman behind the counter scanned it all in and then asked me for I.D for the drink. I haven't been asked for I.D in a long time and said that I had none on me. She then said, "Well, our policy is age 25!" I said "Ok that's grand 'cause I'm 26". She wasn't too pleased and still insisted on I.D.
I ran to the car to get my licence but I hadn't got it. Ran back in and explained that I forgot it but she wouldn't give me the bottles.
Now, its no big deal because its Tescos loss and I just went around the corner and gave my money to Molloys instead. But what's the story with that policy?! It's ridiculous. I'd understand if I looked young but I don't. The legal age for drinking is 18. I clearly don't look 17. I haven't looked 17 since I was 12.

In before "cool story bro".

I know If you look 25 or under they will ask for ID regardless of anything if you haven't got ID on you( Guards ID ,Driving license, European Card) they will not sell it end of, their very strict with the rules over the stupid police sending in spies and they get fined BIG for it if caught. Its the same in pubs they can't sell drink to underage person.

bennyl10 · 06-05-2013 06:47PM

errlloyd wrote: »

That is not the worst part about Tesco's alcohol policy. If you are with anyone underage or without ID they won't serve you. I went in with my brother a couple of weeks, he is 25 I am 21. I had no ID, so they wouldn't let him buy booze.

They said it was store policy for all customers regardless, I was like "Do you stop parents from buying alcohol when they're with their kids".

Yup was with my Brother(who's 6 might I add) I'm 19, had my ID, and they refused to serve me as I was with my brother..
I was livid..
Also the policy in Ireland is only the person actually making the purchase can be ID'd

ResearchWill · 06-05-2013 06:48PM

errlloyd wrote: »

How is the 15 year old girl quoted at the top of the article turning 17 next month?

Would take about a year or more for the case to be heard. So 15 at time of offence almost 17 at time of conviction.

errlloyd · 06-05-2013 06:48PM

IM0 wrote: »

what was the answer?

Classic "It's not our policy sir, we just enforce it, if you have a problem you have to take it up with head office"

I actually had a similar problem in a particular (and very well known) South Dublin pub a few years ago. Myself and some mates from the North went in for a pint. The barman told us we needed Garda ID. The lads from the North only had passports. He said he couldn't serve any of us unless we all had it.

The most annoying thing was it was the night before we started our exam study, and we just wanted a quiet pint to relax and take our minds off it. We weren't going to be loud or anything.

I was tempted to stand at the bar and watch him Garda ID every person who came in, but just decided to bring my business elsewhere.

My family would go there a lot, but I refuse now.

06-05-2013 06:51PM

Tesco send in people to test the checkout staff, as do the police. The consequences are huge if they fail and yes, their job is more important than your custom. Those are the rules, if you don't like them then go somewhere else. The Check 25 policy is there to protect the staff (as telling peoples ages is hard) and protect under 18's from themselves.

ResearchWill · 06-05-2013 06:52PM

errlloyd wrote: »

Classic "It's not our policy sir, we just enforce it, if you have a problem you have to take it up with head office"

I actually had a similar problem in a particular (and very well known) South Dublin pub a few years ago. Myself and some mates from the North went in for a pint. The barman told us we needed Garda ID. The lads from the North only had passports. He said he couldn't serve any of us unless we all had it.

The most annoying thing was it was the night before we started our exam study, and we just wanted a quiet pint to relax and take our minds off it. We weren't going to be loud or anything.

I was tempted to stand at the bar and watch him Garda ID every person who came in, but just decided to bring my business elsewhere.

My family would go there a lot, but I refuse now.

Legally the only ID that can protect a publican from prosecution is Garda ID. So a publican is correct to refuse unless such ID is produced.

Mint Sauce · 06-05-2013 06:52PM

garv123 wrote: »

Could have made a fuss and asked for manager if you wanted to Im sure you would have gotten it..
They also don't accept drivers licences..Passport and age card only.

Who carries their passport everywhere considering the value of it, and who over the age of 20-21 applies for an age card.

I know the drivers licence can be easily faked, hopefully the new credit card style one will be widely accepted once more people have one.

errlloyd · 06-05-2013 06:54PM

ResearchWill wrote: »

Legally the only ID that can protect a publican from prosecution is Garda ID. So a publican is correct to refuse unless such ID is produced.

I don't dispute the law at all.

I only dispute the inconsistency with how it is applied.

Grayson · 06-05-2013 06:58PM

I got asked for ID two years ago. I wouldn't mind but I'm bald. When I let it grow I have grey fuzz there. And I'm in my mid-thirties.

(Actually to be honest I was a little bit flattered)

06-05-2013 07:00PM

belcampprisoner wrote: »

they shut down one dunnes for a week for selling underage alcohol,

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/dunnes-sold-alcohol-to-underage-girl-in-sting-operation-29074954.html

It's a pain in the ass getting asked for Id but shops simply cannot afford to take the risk. Also the person on the till can be prosecuted. She was probably fired immediately as well. There was only a €1500 fine but that is minuscule compared to a few days lost sales.
We get people whingeing all the time when a group comes in and one of them doesn't have id, as a result none of them get served. Cue tantrums etc. Most shops would rather lose your business than risk getting prosecuted and closed.

Hank Scorpio · 06-05-2013 07:01PM

They've been at this for ages, I remember 8 years ago or so the only form of ID they'd accept was a national age card, not even a passport

jaffacakesyum · 06-05-2013 07:01PM

Jesus Christ...if you're buying alcohol, bring ID, it's pretty simple. They even have a handy thing called an Age Card now which you can keep in your wallet.

I very rarely get asked for ID either and have been caught out once or twice but wouldn't get annoyed about it because it's my own fault for not having ID on me at the time.

El Guapo! · 06-05-2013 07:04PM

The most annoying thing about it was this particular checkout lady has sold me alcohol on at least 20 different occasions and there was no bother those times.
As I said, it didn't bother me too much as I just spent my money elsewhere but it was just a pain in the hole having to make another stop on the way home.

El Guapo! · 06-05-2013 07:13PM

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

Jesus Christ...if you're buying alcohol, bring ID, it's pretty simple. They even have a handy thing called an Age Card now which you can keep in your wallet.

And up until what age should someone be expected to carry around I.D? 30? 40? 76?!
And why should I, who's 26, be expected to apply for and pay for an age card?

It's common sense. If someone looks 17, then ask them for I.D.
Don't make up some random age like 25 just because your idiot inbred staff can't tell if someone is clearly over the age of 18.
Ill gladly give my money to another place that uses a bit of common sense instead.

orestes · 06-05-2013 07:13PM

I got hit for ID buying beer a couple of years ago on Halloween while dressed up and wearing facepaint.

"What age are you? You have to be 18 to buy alcohol."

"I'm 26."

"Do you have ID? I can't really tell how old you are with all that stuff on."

"Sure, but if you can't even tell what age I look how do you plan on being able to tell if it's even my ID?"

"What?"

"Never mind. Here ya go"

*Looks at ID. Looks at me. Looks at ID. Looks at me.*

"Erm.........."

"You didn't think this through the whole way, did you?"

NuckingFacker · 06-05-2013 07:15PM

There's an element of "computer says No" to this as well. Depending on the humour of the bint person on the checkout you may or may not get asked for ID. If they're feeling snotty, ID it is. If they just got the ride and dinner was nice, away you go. Same goes for Barmen/women etc.

Corruptedmorals · 06-05-2013 07:17PM

They do go overboard but for good reason- the fine isn't really the issue, it's the huge loss of money when the shop shuts for a few days and the hassle of reapplying for a license. They put the age well over the legal age as a safety net, because people often do look younger than they are. And finally, the store enforces the policy quite simply- you sell alcohol underage as a cashier, and you're fired. Immediately. It's in the contract. You think badgering a sales assistant is going to make her risk her job? That is why they don't back down. Oh, and they'll probably have to retrain all of their staff on the alcohol policies.

shruikan2553 · 06-05-2013 07:19PM

I'm 20 and only get asked for ID for nightclubs, lidl and tesco. Tesco wont take drivers licence or student ID so never buy from them. Went around 3 shops trying to gather stuff for a party and not one asked me for ID. I have a beard so maybe that helps.

Tesco alcohol policy

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