Refused sale of calpol?

[Bex84]

I would say its very dangerous, as there are a lot of people who have children under 25 and should they really refuse to sell you something than can stop a child being seriously ill especially as a temperature can cause seizure, I'm 29 but back when I was 24 I got ID'ed for strepsils in Sainsbury's, for which you have to be 14, this was when I was a teacher lol. I think they need to have a certain amount of sense and she should have called a superior. I would be tempted to put in a letter to them showing concern that they would not sell to you, especially since there are people who don't have driving licence and passport. What are you meant to do if your a teenage mum who needs paracetamol/ calpol quickly for your child, are you meant to find someone over 25 to go to shop for you to buy something a baby can have from 3 months

Febrile seizures aren't normally harmful, but I agree parents should have access to the medicine their children need. Do you really have to be 25 or just appear over 25 for them not to ID you? For instance in the US, I think you have to appear over 40 (maybe?) for them to not ID you for alcohol, but you only have to be 21.

I'm surprised the daycare didn't just have you take your child home if there was really a fever… but honestly I haven't dealt with daycares so I have no idea what is normal!

Oh I know they are not that common or not necessarily harmful, when I worked in nurseries we had emergency calpol. It can be dangerous in certain instances, especially when their is underlying issues. I just think it is a silly policy (not blaming the worker) as not every parent will be over 25 and by not allowing parents to buy calpol or its generic equivalent will it not just fill up doctors surgeries more or hospitals, plus leave children not been able to have medicine to feel better. I didn't realise you had to be over 25 for paracetamol. I would have been in tears as a teenager with the bad periods I have if I hadn't been able to get some pain killers when started and parents were not there

 

[kit10grl]

You don't have to be over 25 to buy it. But if you look under 25 they ask you to prove you are the correct age. You can still buy alcohol at 18 with ID even if u look under 25. The age 25 was put in place to give a good margin for error for cashiers.

 

[x__amour]

It is extremely annoying but I understand why they ID for certain medicines. I live in a large drug state and it doesn't matter how old you look, if you buy certain medicines they require ID and record when, where and how much you buy.

Hope your LO is feeling better.

 

[babyjan]

Oh wow! I've never heard of this before, I always buy calpol with no problems!

So sorry you had such a terrible experience x

 

[sarahsexy57]

I used to work in a shop, challenge 25 is only for alcohol and cigarettes. If you were to buy paracetamol you are only allowed to buy 2 boxes at any one time. Stupid jobs worth!! I hate people like that!!

 

[Elliebellie]

I had this last night, I went in to Sainsburys and tried to buy paracetamol but got refused. I was on my way to night shift and I felt really unwell so I was pretty cross. I am 23 and do look younger but it just seems ridiculous.

I understand that they are just diing their job but I was really cross at the time. Hope your LO is feeling better.

 

[Loui1001]

I've never heard of there being an age limit for calpol, so strange. I've been ID'd lots in Tescos when buying a bottle of wine and at 33 I tend to take it as a compliment. I would be furious though if like you I was stopped from buying medicine when my child was unwell, especially since you offered a form of Id that clearly stated your age.

 

[Baby Bell]

I can see where the sales assistant came from, they get prompted on the till to a ask HOWEVER I think she should have used a level of common sense, if she was nervous about serving you because of the id rules she should have asked supervisor/managements opinion on the matter. I'd write to sainsburys and voice your concerns to them, it maybe that they need to review their policy to include an inkling of common sense x

 

[babycrazy1706]

That's ridiculous!!!!!! I'd be fuming!!!!!

 

[liz1985]

I didn't even know there was an age limit on calpol? Ive bought paracetamol under 16 before? What age are you supposed to be, 18? I would have been mad but I suppose she was doing her job? I think I would be asking the store to see their offical policy though as ive never heard of age limits on calpol?

 

[Kmx]

I emailed sainsburys stating that I was unhappy. The person emailed me back and explained their policy and how it was backed by the government and how it may appear over zealous but they were just trying to be responsible. Then at the end of the email it said I hope you can understand now why we did not serve you alcohol on this occasion. Even more annoying as it was clearly just a generic email.

 

[Zephram]

You get asked for ID for pamol?! That doesn't happen here, how weird!

 

[AngelofTroy]

I emailed sainsburys stating that I was unhappy. The person emailed me back and explained their policy and how it was backed by the government and how it may appear over zealous but they were just trying to be responsible. Then at the end of the email it said I hope you can understand now why we did not serve you alcohol on this occasion. Even more annoying as it was clearly just a generic email.

That's ridiculous! How impersonal. They could at least reply to your concern individually. I would email again!

 

[AnneD]

It sucks hun but they have to be careful or they risk their jobs. I'm also 23 and got refused Prit-Stik the other day, because apparently I don't pass as 16

I've got to ask - what is dangerous or potentilly illegal about Pritt-Stick? Is it a solvent?

 

[NoodleSnack]

I've never been asked for ID when buying medicine, but at closer to 30 I still get asked when I buy drinks etc. If it's their policy, I don't blame her, it's inconvenient to you but it's her job at stake.

 

[supertabby]

There is actually no legal age restriction on the sale of over the counter medication in the UK, although pharmacists are supposed to use common sense with regards to the age restriction on the actual drug (eg aspirin shouldn't be taken by children under 12 so therefore it's unwise to sell it to a child under 12). So in this situation calpol should not to be sold to anyone who looks under 2 months old and is trying to hand over cash for drugs!

Sounds like a training issue or an over zealous policy.

 

[supertabby]

It sucks hun but they have to be careful or they risk their jobs. I'm also 23 and got refused Prit-Stik the other day, because apparently I don't pass as 16

I've got to ask - what is dangerous or potentilly illegal about Pritt-Stick? Is it a solvent?

Indeed! Fairly sure pritt stick doesn't have an age restriction since it is not a solvent, sounds like a training issue. What next - sellotape?

 

[supertabby]

I emailed sainsburys stating that I was unhappy. The person emailed me back and explained their policy and how it was backed by the government and how it may appear over zealous but they were just trying to be responsible. Then at the end of the email it said I hope you can understand now why we did not serve you alcohol on this occasion. Even more annoying as it was clearly just a generic email.

That's terrible! I've had issues before with sainsburys customer service department, including being told over the phone once "it's your fault" - who says that to a customer? Our local store are great, I've actually been to the customer service desk a couple of times to specifically report that a member of staff has been especially helpful, but their head office customer service department is dire! I've worked in retail and telephone customer services before and have a brain, so I know it's not that I'm a mad old crazy lady being unreasonable.

 

[minties]

Wow, I have never been asked for ID when buying any medicine, and I've had some pretty potent stuff (gallstones), like tramadol which had me flying as high as a kite.

The only time I was ever questioned was for hayfever nose spray, they asked my name and phone number and if I had used it before, when I was 14.

I would kick up such a huge fuss if I was refused a basic medicine for my children.

 

[Bex84]

I would email them again, its awful that they sent a generic letter about alcohol. Gosh with the prit stik one, children use that at primary school and nursery so dangerous stuff lol