Trance-Elbows World: Common Sense Doesn’t Exist at Morrisons

Thursday, 20 September 2007

Common Sense Doesn’t Exist at Morrisons

A 72 year old man was attempting to purchase two bottles of wine in the West Kirby branch of Morrisons, when he was asked if he was over 21 years of age by the checkout staff. He refused to answer the question on the grounds that it was a really stupid question.

The manager was called in an attempt to resolve the situation. He was of no help either, stating it is company policy to ask everyone who wishes to buy alcohol if they are over 21. The customer expected the manager to realise that he was just a little older, without actually having to answer the question. This was not the case and the manager told him to if he did not answer, he would not be served. The 72 year old customer still refused and left the store taking a complaint form with him.

A Morrisons spokesman said: "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."

Lack of common sense is clearly endemic throughout the company.