Tesco has come under fire for a "shocking" rule regarding Clubcards, with a retail expert calling on the supermarket to change its terms amid the cost of living crisis.
One shopper in Manchester was left furious when her 16-year-old daughter was told that she could not use a Clubcard, which entitles holders to lower prices in store as well as points, vouchers and other rewards, to pay for a Meal Deal at her local Tesco. The teen instead had to fork out full price for her lunch, which cost her an extra 50p compared to the Clubcard price.
Taking to a local Facebook page, the frustrated mum wrote: "I think it's absolutely disgusting that a 16 year old can not use a Clubcard at Tesco. She went in to buy her sandwich for dinner, and you need a Clubcard for the Meal Deal and they wouldn't allow her to use it, so she had to pay full price."
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"It's a Clubcard for Christ sake, not alcohol," she added. "The world's gone crazy."
However, the terms and conditions for the Clubcard on the Tesco website do indeed state that all members of the scheme must be aged 18 years or over. They also specify that Clubcards in any form are not transferable, and can only be used by the member who is named and registered for the card.
Nick Drewe, retail expert at online discount store Wethrift, said of the situation: "It will no doubt be shocking to learn that a 16-year-old simply trying to save some money on her lunch can be refused the use of a Tesco Clubcard, particularly during the current cost of living crisis, where shoppers are doing everything they can to cut down on their spending and outgoings."
The expert added: "Additionally, it states nowhere on this page that those under the age of 18 aren't allowed to use their parents' or guardians' Clubcards for their own personal use. So, whilst technically the Tesco employee who refused service to the youngster was acting accordingly, it will understandably seem somewhat ridiculous not to allow a child - who can legally be employed by Tesco as a member of staff from the age of 16 - to benefit from the thousands of Clubcard deals and discounts that UK adults can.
"Realistically, the vast majority of Tesco customers - no matter their age - will be able to pass through the check-outs and self-scanners and make use of Clubcard deals on a daily basis without any issues or age questioning. However, the fact that those who are statistically among the most likely to be struggling in the financial climate, risk being refused the chance to save money on essential grocery items by Tesco, is something that we believe should be looked into."
The rule isn't the only thing that has left shoppers disgruntled over their Clubcards recently, customers soon set to get less money for their points when redeeming them with one of the supermarket's Rewards Partners. Currently, the value of Clubcard points triples when spend on a Reward Partner - but from June 14, the points will instead only be worth double.
Drivers are also set to collect fewer Clubcard points when they fill up at a Tesco pump from June 14, in another change that has been called "rubbish" by some annoyed shoppers. Motorists will only collect one Clubcard point for every two litres of fuel they buy, instead of the current one point for every £2 worth of fuel.
Tesco has been approached for comment.
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