The local Woolworth doesn't permit the sale of plastic knives to persons under 18. Self service checkouts send an alert that will prompt a member of the customer service staff to come and verify whether or not you are eligible to purchase a bag of plastic butter knives.

They afraid you might have an unauthorized picnic without a permit?

Those Woolworths self service checkouts have a lot of bugs in their system.

Surprising that the staff hovering over them don't report these issues and try to get them fixed.

If you really, really, really, need them bad, here is what you do, get you some plastic spoons/forks and plastic knives. Scan the spoons/forks once and toss the knives into the bag then scan the spoons/forks again. They won't even notice.

If you really, really, really, need them bad, here is what you do, get you some plastic spoons/forks and plastic knives. Scan the spoons/forks once and toss the knives into the bag then scan the spoons/forks again. They won't even notice.

The law in some States refers to metal blades being sold to youngsters. I would doubt if any State also had a restriction on plastic blades. The item has "knife" in the description, so this falsely triggers a check on age.

Spoons and forks might have a different weight, and that is what the baggage area measures to try and make sure all items are scanned. It might be able to tell it is the wrong item based on weight.

It isnt a bug or an error in the system.

Here in Tennessee, they recently outlawed Butterfly Knives

http://www.varietyartsdirectory.com/images/pics/balisong3.jpg

But no matter, if you want one, and you do not look like a snitch, you can still get one at any flea market for $10.

Here is the place to go for any type of blade that is available today:

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/30/58/cb/entrance-to-smoky-mountain.jpg

Butterfly knives were outlawed in Victoria after they became a favorite among streetfighters for their ease of use. However if you know what your doing you can make your own.

It isnt a bug or an error in the system.

The sale of plastic knives is prohibited to minors in any Australian State?