A retail expert is warning parents and people under the age of 18 to be wary of a rule with the Tesco Clubcard loyalty scheme. The loophole emerged after one mum took to Facebook to complain that her teenager was refused the use of a Clubcard to pay for her food at a Tesco store.
Posting on a local Facebook community page, the mum said how her 16-year-old daughter was made to pay full price for her meal deal after being told she wouldn’t be allowed to use her Tesco Clubcard, which would’ve reduced the cost by 50 pence.
Tesco Clubcard prices mean shoppers get instant discounts on a number of items - if they use their card at the till. But the rules state you need to be 18 to have a Clubcard account. Rule 3 reads: "All members of the scheme must be resident in the UK and aged 18 years or over," and rule 6 states that the card: "...can only be used by the member who is named and registered for the card."
The mum said: "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.
"It's a Clubcard for Christ sake not alcohol. The world's gone crazy."
Nick Drewe, retail expert at online discount store Wethrift said: “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.
“However, a quick look at the terms and conditions on the Clubcard section of the Tesco website does indeed confirm that in order to become a member of the scheme, one must be a resident of the UK, and aged 18 or over. Taking into account that someone may be living by themselves, or even have their own children at this age, this rule does seem fairly unusual.
“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.”
Tesco confirmed the rule that you must be 18 to have and use a Clubcard.
