Mr. Tony Ralls

Tony Ralls.Image Ref: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/
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Tony Ralls wanted to purchase two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon wine.Morrisons Supermarket has a policy like other alcohol selling establishments, in which it makes mandatory for the store clerks to ask for an ID. So, when Tony Ralls was doing his usual shopping at Morrisons, in West Kirby, Wirral, UK, the check out staff demanded Tony Ralls prove his age in order to buy two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mr. Ralls is 72 years old and is a retired insurance firm regional manager.He is also a grandfather for three grandchildren.

Mr. Ralls was not happy about this check out staff request and refused to show his ID thought it was a stupid question and asked to see the manager instead.Since being a manager himself once, he thought he will get a better service from the store manager, but the manager responded the same way.The manager also asked for the proof of age and since Mr. Ralls refused it again, the manager put the bottles back in the shelf.

Mr. Ralls left the supermarket embarrassed and vowed to talk to the headquarters office and file a complaint.

Mr. Ralls said in the article: It is bureaucracy gone mad.If the check-out lady, who was about 40, had asked me with a twinkle in her eye perhaps I would not have been so tetchy.

"But she asked me the question with a perfectly straight face and I said I wouldn't dignify the question with an answer." If the manager had explained to him nicely, Mr. Ralls would have felt fine, but the manager compounded the problem by acting in a tough manner.He understands their need in asking for an ID to cut underage drinking but they should also see that he is well past 21.

The Morrisons Supermarket responded to Mr. Ralls' complaint and said in the article:

We take our responsibility with regard to selling alcohol very seriously and all our stores operate the Task 21 scheme, which addresses the difficulties our staff face in being able to determine if a customer is legally old enough to buy alcohol.To further limit any element of doubt staff at the West Kirby store are required to ask anyone buying alcohol to confirm that they are over 21." If this had been a small store of years past, it wouldn't have been a big issue.Most of the check out staff are long term employees; they would have recognized regular customers like Mr. Ralls instantly and try to offer the best service.

From the BBC News, a store check-out clerk demanded Tony Ralls prove he was old enough to buy his two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.Mr Ralls asked to see the manager who put the wine back on the shelf.The grandfather-of-three said he had refused to confirm he was over 21 as it was a "stupid question."Mr Ralls, a retired insurance firm regional manager, said he expected the store manager to resolve the situation but he was disappointed."I felt like saying 'What do I look like?Are you a fool?' "He picks up the wine and, in the manner of a child taking home his ball, says 'Well, we won't serve you'."The pensioner abandoned his shopping on the conveyor belt and left the store - but not before demanding a complaints form and phone number for the store's' headquarters.Mr Ralls said: "It is bureaucracy gone mad.If the check-out lady, who was about 40, had asked me with a twinkle in her eye perhaps I would not have been so tetchy."But she asked me the question with a perfectly straight face and I said I wouldn't dignify the question with an answer."And if the manager had explained that all the staff had to ask everyone because they had previously been fined, but said I was clearly over 21, it would have been fine - but he showed no sense of humor."Mr Ralls added that he felt embarrassed to return to the supermarket and wanted an apology for "the stupid and unnecessary confrontation."By the way, Ralls is 72 years old.

Feisty!

Check-out staff at Morrisons in West Kirby, Wirral, demanded Tony Ralls prove he was old enough to buy his two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mr Ralls asked to see the manager who put the wine back on the shelf.

The grandfather-of-three said he had refused to confirm he was over 21 as it was a "stupid question."

Mr Ralls, a retired insurance firm regional manager, said he expected the store manager to resolve the situation but he was disappointed.

"I felt like saying 'What do I look like?Are you a fool?'

It's bureaucracy gone mad

Tony Ralls

"He picks up the wine and, in the manner of a child taking home his ball, says 'Well, we won't serve you'."

The pensioner abandoned his shopping on the conveyor belt and left the store - but not before demanding a complaints form and phone number for Morrisons' headquarters.

Mr Ralls said: "It is bureaucracy gone mad.
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Mr Ralls added that he felt embarrassed to return to the supermarket and wanted an apology for "the stupid and unnecessary confrontation."

He added: "I applaud any efforts to stop kids being served and standing on street corners getting drunk.

When Tony Ralls, 72 (but looks years younger, IMHO) wanted to buy wine at his local supermarket, but was refused by the supermarket checkout staff when he refused to prove he was old enough!

The grandfather-of-three said he had refused to confirm he was over 21 as it was a "stupid question."

Mr Ralls, a retired insurance firm regional manager, said he expected the store manager to resolve the situation but he was disappointed."I felt like saying 'What do I look like?Are you a fool?'

"He picks up the wine and, in the manner of a child taking home his ball, says 'Well, we won't serve you'."

[…] Mr Ralls said: "It is bureaucracy gone mad.If the check-out lady, who was about 40, had asked me with a twinkle in her eye perhaps I would not have been so tetchy."But she asked me the question with a perfectly straight face and I said I wouldn't dignify the question with an answer.

Check-out staff at Morrisons in West Kirby, Wirral, demanded Tony Ralls prove he was old enough to buy his two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mr Ralls asked to see the manager who put the wine back on the shelf.

The grandfather-of-three said he had refused to confirm he was over 21 as it was a "stupid question."

Mr Ralls, a retired insurance firm regional manager, said he expected the store manager to resolve the situation but he was disappointed.

Check-out staff at Morrisons in West Kirby, Wirral, demanded Tony Ralls prove he was old enough to buy his two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mr Ralls asked to see the manager who put the wine back on the shelf.

The grandfather-of-three said he had refused to confirm he was over 21 as it was a "stupid question."

Mr Ralls, a retired insurance firm regional manager, said he expected the store manager to resolve the situation but he was disappointed.
...
Mr Ralls said: "It is bureaucracy gone mad.
...
Mr Ralls added that he felt embarrassed to return to the supermarket and wanted an apology for "the stupid and unnecessary confrontation."

He added: "I applaud any efforts to stop kids being served and standing on street corners getting drunk.

When Tony Ralls, 72 (but looks years younger, IMHO) wanted to buy wine at his local supermarket, but was refused by the supermarket checkout staff when he refused to prove he was old enough!

The grandfather-of-three said he had refused to confirm he was over 21 as it was a "stupid question."

Mr Ralls, a retired insurance firm regional manager, said he expected the store manager to resolve the situation but he was disappointed."I felt like saying 'What do I look like?Are you a fool?'

"He picks up the wine and, in the manner of a child taking home his ball, says 'Well, we won't serve you'."

[…] Mr Ralls said: "It is bureaucracy gone mad.If the check-out lady, who was about 40, had asked me with a twinkle in her eye perhaps I would not have been so tetchy."But she asked me the question with a perfectly straight face and I said I wouldn't dignify the question with an answer.
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I used to think similarly to Mr Ralls (I'm 26 but still get ID'd plenty of times) but after talking to a cashier about it I found out that, if they serve someone under the legal age, not only does the store get its knuckles rapped but the cashier themselves is fined and likely loses their job.