What are we supposed to walk around and look for people buying age-restricted stuff?

[Food Lady]

Some lady was buying that canned air for cleaning computers and such and in our system it's restricted. All we need to do is put in your birthdate, but we need to see the ID. The cashier suspended the transaction so she could go to her car to get it. Meanwhile, other customers needed to be helped. I assume the woman was irritated that she had to wait 30 seconds to be helped again after she came back. I didn't hear all her comments, but among them was something about it not being good customer service and we should let her know ahead of time she'll need the ID. How was the cashier supposed to know what she was buying before she got to the register? And how about just carrying her license with her in case something happens?

[Sheldonrs]

This a pet peeve of mine. Unless you are in your home or on your own property, you have your ID with you. If you leave it at home or in your car when you're out and about, you are an idiot.

[sirwired]

Maybe your store could put up a shelf sign (for SC's to ignore) about the restrictions?

In any case, it's a shame it's even necessary. Somebody's got to not exactly be at the top of the Genius list to begin with to be huffing air. "Normal" drugs, I can understand at least somebody trying. But huffing? What other "drug" is so obviously directly frying brain cells?

[jedimaster91]

I've never understood people's general reluctance to have their IDs on them either. Of course, I'm assuming they are carrying a wallet, which has their cash/cards/bus pass in it. You wouldn't leave that in your car if you don't want it growing legs and walking away, so why don't you just put your ID in there as well and farking carry it? The times I've accidentally left my purse at home means I have no ID, but also no way to pay for anything I might want to buy because it's all in my wallet.

[raudf]

Yeah, never got the whole, "I didn't want to carry my ID" thing going on. Stick it in your wallet or purse, along with your form of payment. Unless you're scared of everyone finding out how old you are.. and there's only two reasons for that. You're afraid they'll find out you're actually underage for the product you're trying to buy OR you're just afraid they'll find out how freaking old you are. In the latter, I suggest psych therapy, because no one gives a real damn about how old you are, as long as you're old enough for the product you're trying to buy.

[Catwoman2965]

I always bring my ID, even if i'm just carrying something small, with that and some $$. I guess I'm paranoid something will happen to me, and they won't know who i am or who to contact!

[Android Kaeli]

I've never understood people's general reluctance to have their IDs on them either. Of course, I'm assuming they are carrying a wallet, which has their cash/cards/bus pass in it. You wouldn't leave that in your car if you don't want it growing legs and walking away, so why don't you just put your ID in there as well and farking carry it? The times I've accidentally left my purse at home means I have no ID, but also no way to pay for anything I might want to buy because it's all in my wallet.

I also never understood people's reluctance to get their ID renewed either and pitch a fit when no one will accept it because, you know, it's not valid. I get that the DMV isn't the ideal place to be stuck at, know that all too well, but most ID's are good for up to ten years AND there's always advance notice.

One would think that wasting up to a few hours of your life every ten years or so would be less of a hassle then having to not buy something that requires valid ID.

[thehippie777]

Same thing here, it amazes me that people don't bring or drive for that matter with their IDs to a bank. Really? We have a running joke on out teller line. In Montana, our basic IDs are green. Our drivers licenses are not. Working in the drive through we tend to comment on the green drivers licenses people have, because that pretty much means they don't have a drivers license and they are driving. Don't get me wrong, some people have both, but the odds are that people drive with out a license is rather high.

[notalwaysright]

I would be so surprised if asked for ID for air! Then I would show my ID.

I don't generally carry a purse, but I always have my phone. So I have a wallet-stye phone case. It has my debit card, credit card, Green Mermaid card* and drivers license.

*I can pay with my phone, but I like my card. And the amount of time it (sometimes) takes to scan the screen makes me say no.

[An Haddock]

I can see showing ID for cigarettes or booze, but I've never heard of getting carded for canned air. (I pretty much look my age and haven't been carded for over a decade anyway)

Even though I keep my ID with me, I think that would actually piss me off enough I would just leave and go somewhere else. And there's enough places that sell canned air (my own store included) that I could find it easily enough someplace.


What's next? I have to show ID to buy a toaster because it could burn me? Or show ID when I buy a saw because I could use it to cut someone's head off? If a customer doesn't look like a kid then use some common sense.

[Food Lady]

If a customer doesn't look like a kid then use some common sense.

I'm going to assume you meant the retailer and not the cashier? Because even though I do realize the person in front of me is middle-aged, I am required to see the ID. If I just punch in a birthdate I can be written up. I'm on camera.

ETA: Catwoman, I do the same thing. Even on a walk something could happen because of my medical history or just bad people or well, really, that's life.

[wolfie]

I can see showing ID for cigarettes or booze, but I've never heard of getting carded for canned air.

"Canned air" isn't actually air - to have that much air in a can that size, it'd need to be pressurized to a ridiculous level, and the can would need to have walls a half inch thick. It's actually an organic solvent which can, at room temperature, be liquefied by pressure alone - and a reasonable pressure (i.e. one which can be safely handled by ordinary spray-can sheetmetal). People abuse it to get high (just like people will huff airplane glue, spray paint, propane, and a number of other organic solvents). That's why ID is required. People don't get high on toasters and saws.

[mhkohne]

Maybe your store could put up a shelf sign (for SC's to ignore) about the restrictions?

In any case, it's a shame it's even necessary. Somebody's got to not exactly be at the top of the Genius list to begin with to be huffing air. "Normal" drugs, I can understand at least somebody trying. But huffing? What other "drug" is so obviously directly frying brain cells?

Gasoline. When I was in AU on business a few years ago I saw lots of signs trying to warn people off of it. Some people will do anything for a high.

[April]

I was carded for white-out once. I thought it weird, but showed my ID.

The one that still pisses me off---

I was 17, I had just moved out of my home and moved in with my then boyfriend, now husband. I was at Big Lots (Then something else, but I can't remember what it was) and was buying a few things to turn the apartment from bachelor pad to shared place.

Of the things I was buying, there were several candles and some incense and a lighter. They carded me for the lighter and refused to sell it to me. Because I had to be 18 to buy a lighter. They claimed state law, but all these years later and several stints in retail, I've NEVER heard of this law. I think the lady just didn't want to sell a lighter to a minor.

I walked next door to the liquor store and bought a lighter. Was not carded. Have never been carded for a lighter since (even at that store)

[An Haddock]

I'm going to assume you meant the retailer and not the cashier? Because even though I do realize the person in front of me is middle-aged, I am required to see the ID. If I just punch in a birthdate I can be written up. I'm on camera.

ETA: Catwoman, I do the same thing. Even on a walk something could happen because of my medical history or just bad people or well, really, that's life.

I mean the retailer - and again, perfectly understandable to get carded for cigarettes or booze. For something like canned air I think a little common sense in carding should be used. Someone who looks under 30 - sure. Someone who looks to be in their 40's - not so much.

People abuse it to get high (just like people will huff airplane glue, spray paint, propane, and a number of other organic solvents). That's why ID is required. People don't get high on toasters and saws.

I am aware of this. Like I said, my shop sells it. We use it all the time to blast dust out of computers. But some common sense should be used if selling it to someone who is clearly an adult.