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GAME blasted by TV retail guru for age ratings policy 
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Legend

Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:30 pm
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TV retail guru Mary Portas has publicly attacked GAME after the specialist chain refused to sell her son 15-rated software - as he didn't have any valid ID.

Portas took to Twitter to explain that staff at GAME's Oxford Street store recommended the titles for her 17-year-old son, but then refused to serve him.

She wrote at yesterday morning: "STILL holding on after 8mins to spk to a human at GAME Ox st where they refused to sell my 17 yr son a 15 + game. Now they've cut me off."

She later added: "So now the mngr of GAME has hung up on me after another 10min phone wait. I believe Ian Shepherd is the CEO. Are you out there? Want to talk"

After explaining that her son provided proof of age in the form of "his 16+ Oyster card" Ian Shepard did get back to Porter.

He wrote on Twitter: "That's appalling. I'm very proud of our focus on age verification but also of our service. If that's gone wrong, we'll fix it"

He later added: "I'm very proud of our brilliant team in GAME [Oxford] St. and also committed to every customer being delighted. We will sort with [Mary] - I'm sure we will clear up any misunderstanding."

Although Oyster Card ID is not legally recognised as official proof of age, Portas remained adamant.

She said: "He doesn't have a [driving] licence! He is 17. How many kids go out with their passport. We are not talking drink, but a 15plus video!"

To back up her point, she qualified: "My son did have valid I.D. They would not accept it. End of."

A GAME rep told Portas that the chain would be in touch today to straighten out the matter.

[Update: Portas has Tweeted this morning: "Spoke to CEO of GAME. Impressive and bright. Agreed good customer service is worth fighting for and how tough the regulations they face are."]

And for those of you wondering, Portas' son returned to the store with his passport and was sold the games. Now we can all rest easy.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/28 ... gs-policy/

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Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:56 pm
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I don't blame the retailers; I blame the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the Byron Review for this sort of thing.

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Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:14 am
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Legend
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There are people who do not look their age so it is tough for retailers. If you have ever worked in a night club you will know what I mean. Boys will find it tougher to get into nightclubs but girls of 13 can get in, with the appropriate amount of slap on. Rather than having age ratings put content types warnings on instead.

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Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:13 am
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I'm with GAME on this one. They can still offer advice without proof of age, but they did right not so sell an age restricted game without ID.

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Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:22 am
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I've always said common sense ought to apply. Nicola once went to a pub with me (she was 20 at the time) and they wouldnt serve her. She has a purse full of bank/credit cards, a University photo ID (for a student nurse), an NUS card, etc but as she did not have a driving license or passport they said no. Now I understand they need to be careful but not everyone drives (Nicola didnt) and carries a passport on a night out. With all the other ID present in her purse I think common sense ought to have prevailed.

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Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:33 am
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Given the huge amount of ruckus over kids playing unsuitable games, I'm surprised she kicked fuss up a this. No doubt had they sold him the game, she would have complained about the lack of decent id screen!

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Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:11 pm
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cloaked_wolf wrote:
Given the huge amount of ruckus over kids playing unsuitable games, I'm surprised she kicked fuss up a this. No doubt had they sold him the game, she would have complained about the lack of decent id screen!

Agreed it is hypocritical. I do have a lot of sympathy for Game in this case. If parents are happy for their kids to play age restricted games then buy them the games themselves. Do not put the kids or the shops in this position.

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Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:27 pm
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