...

disgraceful that they are judging them on one sale using the same 15 year old girl. may I ask we can see a picture of this "15 year old" because I bet she look about 20.
I know for a fact these companies inforce these laws of underage sale because I still get asked for ID on 15 rated game and i'm 22!!! just let it go its was an unfair test and it should be dropped

@2
One sale is 1 sale too many right now. The media are just dying to sink their teeth in to games as the next big evil. Either way though it's tough for retailers because there are some members of staff out there who just don't give a toss.

Slap a fine on the assistant and send them to prison.

That's exactly the statement I assumed they'd put out as I posted in the other topic.

They should make it punishable by fine for the customer too... that would help. You can't put all the onus on the shopkeeper when there are 15 year old kids who look 18+... try visiting most nighclubs on a saturday night to see evidence of that.

Problem is in these cases, if the retailer refuses, the kid will go home and ask their parents to buy it for them,( that's if they don't just turn round to them in the shop and do it)... so either way the kid is getting the game they shouldn't have.

It's one thing when the shop assistants don't give a toss, but the real problem is the parents who don't give one either. Maybe when their kid comes home with a fine for trying to buy the game, they might take more notice of what their kid is buying.

Right now the retail sector of our industry is more sensitive and careful than other sellers of age restricted goods, due largely to the amount of scrutiny by media, politicians and consumer watchdogs. But this is beginning to amount to persecution and it has to stop. Can you say "backlash"?

@LeeC: would love to see that but they can't do it as it infringes upon your right to make choices for your own child. Would obviously make things better but punishes ppl who are responsible as well as those who are tards.

@Mark: Yeah this industry is by far the most dilligent in protecting minors from offensive material, not infallable but they do try. I know GAME especially is very strict about it and will come down very harsh on their entire staff throughout the company to make an example of the "soon to be fired" employee who did it.

I remember my days at EB! They paid bad but wanted you to bend over backwards. I would say they did have alot of warnings. Even if you had a hint the mum would give it to the son we would not sell! They would then bring in other members of the family to try with the kid pointing out the game he wanted LOL

One is not so bad i bet they tried all over the place. Lets make it hard lets make it 21 that will do it!

I still think we should blame the tv papers LOL

Lets not moan at mummy and daddy cos the kids only live with them for 16 years min!

Bring back National Service i say!!!

Great Idea for a game
CALL OF DUTY - National Service
;o)

I too would like to see a picture of said "15" year old.
I have managed a GAME store and VSC compliance is a major part of the training, it is something that we were looking for all the time. Numerous times I turned people away that I was certain were over 18 but you just didn't want to take the risk (much to the persons disgust).
It really annoyed me when an adult would ask me "is GTA an acceptable game for my 13 year old" and I would say "No, If I had a 13 year old I wouldn't let them play it" and then go on to describe certain parts of the gameplay but they would buy it anyway. Kids are going to get hold of any 18 rated game that they want, whether it is their parents buying it for them or they get it from the Internet.
I would like Which? magazine to try this test on play.com, hmv.com, zavvi.com, amazon.co.uk and yes even the GAME website and see what results they get then.............. I know where I would put my money.

@10: very good point. I wonder if that 9 million pounds the government are about to waste on e-safety might be put to better use on making internet shopping more secure and less easy for a kid to buy from.

Last time i tried it the only obstacle i could see was whether or not they could remember their postcode :(

I don't understand the problem with online sales, don't you have to be 18 to have a credit/debit card? I know you can get solo if your 16 but everything else, as far as I'm aware is 18, so there is no need for extra precautions.

As for serving underage kids, I'm really surprised that a sales assistant would risk serving an underage child because of the fine. I ran a Gamestation store before getting a more socialable job and I know I've turned away 18+ year olds but there is no way I would risk the fine for £16,500 a year.

I feel sorry for the manager of the store and the sales assistant because I think it's pretty likely they'll both be without jobs soon.

On a lighter note one customer tried to prove he was over 18 by showing me his 2 year old child!!

i like CaptMalarkey have worked for the "giant purple & green monster" and turned away many customers for +18 games because of lack of ID regardless of looks. amuseingly tho i had one brilliant customer who looked about 12 who tryed to buy GTA and i refused i then got what i class as the smartest reply ever "just give me microsoft points then" i checked with my manager and other staff and as its a "u" rated product then its down the the user to block adult content on the xbox there is no restriction

my main point is that kids will find a way in the end i mean when i was young i remember tapeing my dads copy of "how to be a complete b*rd" where theres a will theres a way the responcabilty lies with the parents it seems that most have no idea what there kids are doing at the best of time

scuse the bad typeing as an enraged dislexic minimum wage idiot i cant help it ;)

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