I wanted to apply a work, but the answer was:
You don't qualify for this shop, because your age is not between 18 and 45 years.

Is it a normal policy?

What company are you applying to. Most companies take you from 18 to 99. If you're under 18 years., you can't shop Give us more information.

The indication was that this was a particular shop, not an overall company policy. Yes, it is not terribly frequent, but there are shops where the client is wanting the observations of folks in the particular demographic that is their intended audience.

So even though a grandmother might go into a store that sold a particular item for children, their target audience would be more likely to be those in the 20-40 age range purchasing for their own children.

A visit to evaluate a retirement home would be more likely to be done by someone of an age to be considering it for themselves or to place an elderly parent. And of course there are stores that I will self select not to request because I would stand out there like a sore thumb.

Tobacco and alcohol compliance shops have upper age limits to make certain that the customer is required to provide proof of age. Some types of bank or time share shops may need to have proof of a high credit score, just as some shops require proof of low credit score. During tax season there are shops where you need to be getting back at least a $1000 tax refund (and if it isn't that big, you don't get paid or reimbursed for having the tax return done). Some shops can only be done by males, while some can only be done by females. The potential list of exclusions/inclusions can go on and on. And then of course there are the requirements that you haven't shopped the location within a certain amount of time, or that your average shop score is at least a certain number, or that you go alone or that you go with someone.

There are age requirements...anyone over 49 cannot do a certain retail store with Beyond Hello...these shops are normally (in real life) shopped by woman well over 49, as the fashion is more atune to that age bracket and a little older for say a 30yr. old. I was locked out of Urban Outfitters because they put a lower age bracket in place when they changed companies...so, yes, they do have age bracket's for reasons of their own.

I notice with shops, there is not only an age limit but a size limit as well. The client wants a certain type and size individual, so the mystery shop company must comply.

I think the funniest was a number of years ago when an MSP was desperate for someone to shop a store that carries only super petite sizes that might fit Barbie. I am no super petite and they were desperate enough to ask that I go make a purchase as a gift. I pointed out there were not even likely to be accessories to try that would get me in the dressing room and they were happy enough if I would just, "Try to look in one of the dressing rooms when a door is open to see if the floor looks clean and the place isn't loaded with abandoned selections." I must say it was an odd shop to do as I doubt anyone in there weighed 90 pounds dripping wet and twice that is about an 'ideal' weight for my height and bone structure.

There is a common European jean shop that specilizes in about a size 2. I'm always getting these emails, size 2, I think not. Most of these shops ask you to be up to a size 12...that's normal, but European clothes fit smaller, however, here in L.A., many are size 0 thru 4...not in my world. Guess that's why we have shoppers in all ages and sizes.

Irene: I saw that 0-2 jean shop as well. I can't imagine anyone healthy being a size two. There is another shop offered 0-12.

A jewelry store, urban wear, a steak restaurant having nothing to do with compliance, and designer handbag, are all shops frequently emailed to me. I get the emails even though I don't qualify, and the MSPs have my birthdate. I wish they would use their filters so as not to waste my time.