Odd store policy

[Harry P.]

Ok, so I was at the local "Tar-zhay" right down the street this afternoon... picked up a few odds 'n' ends, one of which happened to be a bottle of Chardonnay.

And  guess what happened at the checkout? The cashier actually "carded" me! I guess I was, uh... flattered? But seriously... I turned 21 several decades ago and in no way could I pass for under 21. The gray hairs alone would give me away!

I know she did it because she's "supposed" to... but really, isn't that a bit silly?

[oldnslow]

She just wanted your number Harry!

[SfanGoch]

Too friggin' stupid to use common sense. Only cockroaches and cashiers will survive a nuclear war. I've had the same happen in a number of places lately. I never got carded when my friends I hung out in bars or bought fifths of Wild Turkey at the liquor store when I was 14 (42 years ago). Now, the zombies behind the counter at Duane Reade ask for I.D. when I buy a pack of smokes.

[wayne swayze]

Reminds me of "American Graffiti".....a comb, some gum and a bottle of old Harper.......

[Danno]

Reminds me of the hobby craft store that insists a teenage employee must carry my spray paint purchases from the paint cabinet to the cash register because I can't be trusted . . . it's an anti-graffiti measure, they say.  Really?

[Harry P.]

Speaking of which...

the local Hobby Lobby has a paint aisle where the spray paints are behind a locked glass display case and you have to have an employee open the case so you can buy the paint.

But in the model aisle, the spray paints are right there out in the open.

[Petetrucker07]

I still get carded for spray paint out here. Guess mid 30s with salt and pepper hair looks 15 to some. Nevermind the fact a few times they saw me get out of a Peterbilt!

[plastic trucker]

I was carded a few months back for buying non alcoholic beer at the local supermarket by the woman clerk who was just as old as me. And I just turned 63 two weeks ago.

[Danno]

Speaking of which...

the local Hobby Lobby has a paint aisle where the spray paints are behind a locked glass display case and you have to have an employee open the case so you can buy the paint.

But in the model aisle, the spray paints are right there out in the open.

That's because the ones in the model aisle are model paints, not graffiti paints!  I figgered you'd a knowed dat.  

[Dave Van]

Many retailers have gone to a ID all policy to avoid losing their liquor license.  The chain my son works for requires the last two digits of birthday or alcohol will not ring up. Ultimate CYA for the company. 

[Rob Hall]

Went out to dinner w/ my sister tonight, she ordered a pinot grigio, and the waitress thought it was a beer and then mentioned the types of beer they had.  And we both got carded...

[slusher]

My brother almost bald and with grey hair and 60 got carded at Buffalo Wild Wings...

[Petetrucker07]

Businesses are way scared of any legal issues arising from age restrictions.

[Dave Van]

Businesses are way scared of any legal issues arising from age restrictions.

BINGO!!!

[mikemodeler]

I think the cashier was checking you out (literally and figuratively) and wanted to know where you live so she can start stalking you! LOL

 

As others have stated, the policy of carding EVERYONE is probably in place so their employees don't let underage drinking happen.

[Steven Zimmerman]

Our local Green Apple gas / convenience store cards everyone for cigarette purchases - company policy, no exceptions; and they scan your I.D. card every time - no ID, no cigarettes.............

[aurfalien]

Our local Green Apple gas / convenience store cards everyone for cigarette purchases - company policy, no exceptions; and they scan your I.D. card every time - no ID, no cigarettes.............

I once asked a checker why scan my ID?  The reply was so that the register can determine if you are of age or not.  I suppose math is passé?

[Dave Van]

I once asked a checker why scan my ID?  The reply was so that the register can determine if you are of age or not.  I suppose math is passé?

CYA for the company........PROOF they carded in case someone in power challenges the store.....not as much a math issue. 

In WV a license issued to anyone under 21 years old is a different color so no math involved.

[Agent G]

A persons legal age is quite important here in Nevada. Per state law you must be 21 to gamble. Large fines are assessed against casino's for violations. Even at that, with all the safeguards, dealers, floormen and pit bosses look at licenses and allow minors to gamble. As stated by Dave math is actually not required as most states have different colors, or the license is oriented differently (vertical)  for persons under 21. 

Math, it's too hard.

G

[Harry Joy]

Too friggin' stupid to use common sense. Only cockroaches and cashiers will survive a nuclear war. I've had the same happen in a number of places lately. I never got carded when my friends I hung out in bars or bought fifths of Wild Turkey at the liquor store when I was 14 (42 years ago). Now, the zombies behind the counter at Duane Reade ask for I.D. when I buy a pack of smokes.

In some municipalities, it is the law that an ID must be shown to buy beer, liquor or wine, no matter if you look 21 or 210. It's that way in Memphis. The division of the company I work for has over 100 stores regionally, of which about 25 or so are in Memphis. However, our policy bows to the strictest law, and we teach all our cashiers to card all people, whether they are in Memphis or not. It is just prudent to stay on the safe side of the law when you are a retailer. In addition to that, in many places a cashier who sells to minors gets carted off in cuffs, jailed, fined, and on top of that, fired. When the law passed around here saying that even seniors needed to show ID, the cops did stings sending in grannies. And the cashiers get cuffed, jailed, fined and fired.

 

So sure, insult that cashier's intelligence.

Edited January 29, 2016 by Harry Joy

[Harry Joy]

To add to what I already wrote - even if you look plenty old enough to buy alcohol, a register requires that the cashier type in a birthday anyway. At the company I work for, if a cashier keeps typing in the same date over and over, the cashier is flagged by software at headquarters. Our local laws only require that a customer look 27 to buy cigarettes, and IDs are not required for anyone who looks older than that, so cashiers often type in something like "1/1/1991" over and over. Which inevitably triggers a loss prevention investigation. So maybe this cashier in Chicago only wanted to see a real date to type in.

Edited January 29, 2016 by Harry Joy

[SfanGoch]

 In some municipalities, it is the law that an ID must be shown to buy beer, liquor or wine, no matter if you look 21 or 210.

So sure, insult that cashier's intelligence.

Edited 4 hours ago by Harry Joy

One of those municipalities isn't NYC; common sense by the seller is permitted. If in doubt, card'em. That doesn't mean stopping every swingin' Richard walking into the joint.

One would need to possess a modicum of intelligence to feel insulted in the first place. The regs in NYC are pretty straightforward and do permit the vendor/seller/cashier to use common sense. Number 3 is the pertinent one:

How To Comply With The Law

1. Don't sell tobacco products or herbal cigarettes unless you possess a valid Certificate of Registration to sell cigarettes or tobacco from the State Department of Taxation and Finance.
2. Keep all tobacco products and herbal cigarettes behind a counter in an area accessible only to employees or in a locked container.
3. Sell tobacco and herbal cigarettes only to people who are 18 years old or older. If you are not sure of the person's age and he or she appears to be under 25 years old, you must request and review proof of age. This can be a valid driver's license or non-driver's ID issued by a state or other accepted government agency, a valid passport, or an ID issued by the armed forces of the United States, that indicates that the person is 18 or older. ID cards issued by colleges are no longer acceptable. 

 Notice where it reads "appears to be under 25 years old". That's pretty clear, isn't it? It's not difficult to determine if someone with graying hair and wrinkles is older than 18, never mind 25, by looking at that person. So...yeah, "too friggin' stupid to use common sense" is apropos. 

[1930fordpickup]

Many companies have a policy to ID everyone as to not offend anyone, and chance a lawsuit. If you think it is wrong, buy the place and change the policy. 

The ID being a different direction or a different color background for under age  has nothing to do with math or common sense. It makes it harder for people to change their ID so they could drink or gamble.

 

[Joe Handley]

Not like someone younger can't buy a fake ID, or as one of the otuer students at my HS did, used his legal aged brother's ID, with big bro's permission of course.

[1930fordpickup]

Not like someone younger can't buy a fake ID, or as one of the otuer students at my HS did, used his legal aged brother's ID, with big bro's permission of course.

Back in the day it was easy to change an id. with the newer style it makes it harder to do it yourself.  

My oldest sister used to let another sister use her ID to get into a bar back in the early 80's. living on the border here many people back and forth. Oldest sister just kept the MI ID when she moved to Ohio. The other sister would use it to go to the bar with her. they would just not walk in together. Funny thing one has Red hair and one has Black hair. Worked every time, but the Bars like it when young girls are present. Makes the bar a large pile of Money.