Aldi shoppers have been shaking their heads in dismay after discovering the supermarket’s bizarre checkout rule.
Customers have expressed their frustration after it came to light that Aldi will refuse shoppers from buying wine and other alcohol if accompanied by a minor.
Aldi’s official policy is that the retailer does not “allow alcohol to be sold to persons accompanied by a minor, or to persons under the age of 18.” Taking the checkout rule even further, a shopper can be denied the sale of alcohol even if a minor has touched or handled the bottle they want to buy. Sounds a bit over-the-top to me!
Taking Things Too Far?
This little known checkout rule was the hot topic of conversation when a shopper posted a message on the Aldi Australia facebook page asking:
“Parents shopping with children are not allowed to purchase alcohol?”
The official response from Aldi was that the rule was in place to comply with the Responsible Service of Alcohol Act, which prevents the sale of alcohol to a person under 18. However, I’m still a bit confused about how Aldi has taken the rule to mean that parents can’t buy wine with their kids in tow. It all seems a bit far-fetched and…well, ridiculous.
Aldi Checkout Rule Is Ridiculous!
Clearly, many shoppers agree, with disgruntled comments flying fast and furious at the retailer.
“That’s ridiculous! I can walk into any bottleshop with kids in tow and they serve me without any issue.”
“Honestly parents with kids are the ones who need to drink! What a ridiculous rule!”
What About Single Parents?
Many parents said that the rule was discriminating against single parents.
“What happens if you are a single parent so you have to take your kids with you? This is a ridiculous rule that discriminates against parents. You can buy alcohol with kids there and have no intention of giving them any!”
“What??! That’s crazy! How are single parents ever meant to be able to buy alcohol then?? Or parents where one adult works away or long hours? They’re limited to buying only when the other adult is around?? Sounds like discrimination to me!”
“So where do we exactly leave the kids if they are with us and we need to buy alcohol. Some rules just don’t make sense.”
She Just Touched It!
One customer said the crazy Aldi checkout rule prevented her from buying a bottle of wine after her 18-month old daughter simply touched it.
“I was holding her on my hip and she leant over and touched the alcohol on the conveyer while I was loading other groceries on.”
This was enough for the checkout person to deny the mum the right to make her purchase, which very clearly was not intended for her toddler.
Stores’ Right To Refuse The Sale
Aldi has previously said in a statement that “the sale of alcohol can be refused if a minor has handled alcohol that could be potentially purchased by an adult for the minor’s consumption. This also extends to a minor accompanying an adult purchasing alcohol, even if the minor has not physically touched an alcoholic product.”
“It is the store’s responsibility to refuse any customer who presents a risk and ultimately it is at the discretion of the person serving alcohol to decline the sale should they have any doubts or concerns.
“There are severe consequences for breaching laws and policies set in place by the Australian government involving the sale of alcohol.
“As such, ALDI faces heavy penalties should we sell alcohol to any customer who supplied to a person under the age of 18.”
Were you aware of this Aldi checkout rule? Do you agree with it? Tell us in the comments below.
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