There's a good deal of difference between unthinking application of corporate policy and compliance with the law. In principle the laws prohibiting the sale of knives alcohol etc to youngsters are sound, the fact that it has been left up to the retailers to determine how to enforce it is what has led to this situation.
I have no qualms about ID'ing someone buying a knife online. I cannot see them, and in many cases I don't know them from Adam, and it would be me, not them, who was breaking the law if they turned out to be a minor.
Having said that, I do believe that eBay have leapt far too high to the crack of watchdog's whip. They are deleting listings for all mannor of unrelated articles and punishing all of their customers, both buyers and sellers, for the indescretions of a few pillocks.
Perhaps the new government ID cards can help bring some sense to the situation?
