Shop Assistant refused to sell me tampons

I went into the shop to buy tampons today and the girl at the till (only looked a year or so older than me) looked at me like I was some sort of prev and said 'I can't actually sell you these, store policy sorry.'

I was like wtf.

It was embarrassing enough to go to the tampon section and pick them up let alone go to the till and be refused sale in front of a queue of people. So as I already tipped the embarrassment scale I decided to argue this ridiculous motive. It was much better to walk out of the store with my tail between my legs.

So I said 'is there any particular reason I can't buy these'

She said, 'well these are a female cosmetic product and we only sell such items to females'

'They could be for a sick friend for all you know'

'And this 'sick friend' has no female friends that could have helped her then?'

It went back and fourth like this for a minute or so until I finally gave up. It was none of her business what I needed them for so wasn't going to tell the cheeky bitch. I just went across the road and got them there, should have went back and waved those tampons in her face.

I would have taken it much further at the time, however that once happened when my Irish bank note was refused in an English store (turns out they actually are allowed to refuse them) so I didn't want to make a scene and end up being wrong again.

Are they allowed to refuse to sell me what ever they want?

I went into the shop to buy tampons today and the girl at the till (only looked a year or so older than me) looked at me like I was some sort of prev and said 'I can't actually sell you these, store policy sorry.'

I was like wtf.

It was embarrassing enough to go to the tampon section and pick them up let alone go to the till and be refused sale in front of a queue of people. So as I already tipped the embarrassment scale I decided to argue this ridiculous motive. It was much better to walk out of the store with my tail between my legs.

So I said 'is there any particular reason I can't buy these'

She said, 'well these are a female cosmetic product and we only sell such items to females'

'They could be for a sick friend for all you know'

'And this 'sick friend' has no female friends that could have helped her then?'

It went back and fourth like this for a minute or so until I finally gave up. It was none of her business what I needed them for so wasn't going to tell the cheeky bitch. I just went across the road and got them there, should have went back and waved those tampons in her face.

I would have taken it much further at the time, however that once happened when my Irish bank note was refused in an English store (turns out they actually are allowed to refuse them) so I didn't want to make a scene and end up being wrong again.

Are they allowed to refuse to sell me what ever they want?

I'm sorry but WTF are you on about!?

Imagine I am a shop keeper. A gay man and his muslim friend come in, pick something up and approach the till. I tell them I'm not selling it to them becomes one of them is gay and the other one is a muslim and if they don't like it they can lump it.

From what your saying that's all legal. Lol.

They state it themselves

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nireland/consumer_ni/consumer_protection_for_the_consumer_e/consumer_contracts_e/consumer_contracts_whats_meant_by_offer_acceptance_and_consideration.htm

Okay, so if it's not on discriminatory ground, then on what grounds can they refuse to sell the product?

You're quite right. They're a weapon when placed in the hands of anybody, regardless of whether they have ovaries or not.

They can. They don't have to give a reason. Ultimately, the customer asks if they can buy the item for a price, they seller can decline that sale.

It's called invitation to treat. Google it.

It's the same reason stores don't HAVE to sell you goods which have inadvertently been advertised at a lower price than the store is currently selling them for. Some do out of courtesy but they don't have to.

How can it not be proved they were discriminating? The cashier openly stated "we only sell these to women", hence sexual discrimination. According to the law, it is illegal. He asked if it was legal.

Sounds weird but they can actually refuse your offer. It's true! Lol obviously they can't discriminate but they can say no.

So we should be allowed to let shops dictate what we can buy.

People need to open their minds and think about the possibilities not just oh a man asked to buy tampons whutta period fetish freak.

Of course they can refuse to sell you something, that isn't in doubt. They can't refuse to sell you something on the grounds that they're unlawfully discriminating, unless of course they don't admit it then the onus is on you to prove that.

In this context, the information you've given is utterly useless.

You're confusing people by saying "they can, but its not lawful"

That's like saying "yes, you can kill your neighbour, but its not lawful"

So we should be allowed to let shops dictate what we can buy.

Forcing women to go the shops to tampons or sanitary towels because she's a woman and she has to buy them for her own needs.

I think OP you should find out why the refused you... Saying your man isnt an excuse.

its like saying women can't buy a car because she's a woman.

People need to open their minds and think about the possibilities not just oh a man asked to buy tampons whutta period fetish freak.

Lethal weapons. Silent, but deadly.

Hi, my partner who is a male, on many occasions has taken a trip up to the shops and picked me up a pack of tampons (and sometimes a well appreciated box of malteasers).