Mum embarrassed by ALDI alcohol policy
A mum has sparked a fierce debate on social media after she shared her “embarrassing” experience at her local ALDI.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, the woman said she never expected to rile up so many people after she shared her experience of being almost refused service when she tried to buy a bottle of wine in front of her kids.
Taking to the ALDI Fan Facebook page, the mum said she was with her teenagers doing a quick shop when the manager came over as she tried to purchase a bottle of red.
“While waiting in line I grabbed a bottle of alcohol to purchase, [and] the cashier said she needed to check with her manager if she could sell the alcohol as I had two children in uniform,” the post read.
“She called the manager and was told that it was at the cashier discretion if she could sell it to me!’
The mum told Yahoo that despite being allowed to buy the wine, she was mortified by the incident which took place in front of everyone in the store.
“My kids were embarrassed, I was embarrassed,” she says. “I had people looking at me like I’m a sh** mother.”
She says she doesn’t blame the cashier, but if ALDI has a policy in place then they should advertise it.
In a statement, the retailer said their employees have the right to refuse service if they have concerns the person buying the items is a “risk”.
“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,” a spokesperson says. “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 to decline the sale should they have any doubts or concerns.”
They also pointed to the hefty fines as a reason they take the rules so seriously.
“There are severe consequences for breaching laws and policies set in place by the Australian government involving the sale of alcohol,” they say. As such ALDI faces heavy penalties should we sell alcohol to any customer who supplies to a person under the age of 18.”
The post, which now has over 10,000 comments, have defended the cashier, saying she was just doing her job.
“Anyone complaining needs to realise these people need to abide by RSA laws,” one woman wrote on the post.
RSA laws in NSW do not restrict the sale of alcohol to an adult who has children with them, but the law does mandate that any person selling alcohol can refuse service if they think the buyer is buying the alcohol on behalf of a minor.
But some believe the assumption she was providing alcohol to her children was farfetched.
“I find this hilarious!” one wrote. “If you were buying for kids you wouldn’t bring them in with you, people are so stupid!!”
“I get they’re doing their job but I defo understand the frustration of the original poster,” another wrote.
It seems others have run into the same at other venues.
“I was with my mum and they said they couldn’t sell it because I was with her,” one minor wrote.
“Yup had this happen to me a few times,” another agreed.
Others pointed out that workers get fined $11,000 for selling alcohol to a minor, so it shouldn’t be taken too personally.
“She gets fined by authorities personally so don’t be offended,” one advised. “I get it. No Aldi job is worth a fine.”