Originally Posted by
mitch
Coming from the other side of the counter, and keeping in mind that I wasn't there but have seen this happen firsthand hundreds of times.
I ran a Bottleshop for 2 years. I still work for the same shop as a second job to my apprenticeship ($20 a hour! :D ) I have refused TONS of people and I consider myself very good at it, telling people they cant have something is not easy. I have heard every excuse and seen every situation. Parents get so angry when the 17yo daughter walks down and picks some raspberry vodka cruisers out of the fridge while they are looking at the reds. They then both wander up to the counter and don't understand when I tell them I'm refusing them service. It was obviously the 35yo dads drinks he was just to lazy to get them :mad:
The person who served you did nothing wrong but maybe should have explained themselves better. As far as I'm concerned there is no grey area, If I have ANY suspicion AT ALL that alcohol is being provided to a minor I will refuse service. It is simply not worth the risk to sell it as there are very large fines for you / me / my boss. Around $3000, $6000 and $18000 respectively. These fines do get given out as well, they are not just a threat. There is no common reason a person over 18 shouldn't have ID on them, if your in a shop you have your wallet... and thats where you would keep your license or 18+ card. Complaining will also get you nowhere unless the person was actually rude to you. Thier employer should back them up 100%.
Also these rules are nothing new.... they have been in place for years. If people have gotten away with things like this before it was only the shop assistants incompetence towards RSA that allowed it.