ID? I don't need no stinking ID!

[Mara-chan]

This happened a while ago, but it's fitting for "return Season"

Anyway...

The Players:
me - Master of the Service Desk
MSC - Male Sucky CUstomer
FSC - Female SUcky Customer

A male customer comes up to do a return without a recept (this was back when we actually let people do that. ^_-). He was kind of an ass, but we started to do the return. Since he had no receipt we asked for an ID. He hands over an ID of a woman. I don't even bother to check the info on the card since HE is not SHE.

<me> I'm sorry, I need a valid ID. ((Take note of the second to last word))
<MSC> It is a valid ID. It's my wife's.
<me> No, you're doing the return, I need YOUR ID.
<MSC> I don't have it with me. She's at Toys R Us, so I'm doing the return.
<me> Sorry, I can't.
<MSC> They did it at your other store. Just put it in.
<me> I'm sorry, I can't return this without a valid ID. ((again that second to last word))
<MSC> Fine! *storms off*

A short while later he comes back with wife and kids in tow. He makes a little scene that he's gone through all the effort to bring his wife in. I check the ID vs the woman and notice it's expired. Not just expired WAY expired. This drivers licence expired SEVEN years ago! And on closer inspection it almost looks re-laminated.

<me> I'm sorry, this is not a valid ID.
<MSC> You said you needed her here, and she's here.
<me> I said you needed a VALID ID. This ID isn't valid, it's expired.
<FSC> It's not expired.
<me> Yes it is. It expired in 2001.
<FSC> Well, I must have left the old one in my purse.

The only thing I could think of at this point was "You haven't cleaned your purse out in SEVEN years? And at some point you got a new ID and didn't think of getting rid of the old one? SOmething was up.

<me> I'm sorry, I can't do the return without a valid ID.
<MSC> You WILL.
<me> Um, no. I need a valid ID.
<MSC> We GAVE you an ID.
<me> That one is expired, I need a CURRENT VALID ID.
<FSC> It IS good!
<me> It's expired. I can't use it.
<MSC> Just put it in the computer. They've done it at the other store.
<me> It has to be valid. I can't.
<MSC> You WILL.
<me> No, I'm not. Sorry. I can do it if you come back with a current valid ID.
<MSC> IT IS VALID!!!!

At this point, it's just around closing time. I had enough of this guy causing a scene and I wanted to close the store.

<me> I have to ask you to leave now.
<MSC> No! You're GONNA do the return! I am NOT leaving until you do it!
<me> Fine. I'll call the cops and have you removed.
<MSC> DO IT!
<me> OK! SECURITY TO THE FRONT!!!

This completely confused my coworkers, since A) we have no 'security' personel and B) no one's ever yelled anything like that before.

<me, to coworker> Call the cops, he's given me a fake ID and refuses to leave.

Ok, that was too much for my coworker, he stood there with his mouth open so I walked to the phone myself and started dialing. The MSC and wife stormed out (slamming into our automatic doors in the process), mumbling and giving me the old "You're gonna regret this" type treatment.

I never did see him come in again.


It made me think...
This guy and his wife are out and about DRIVING places (with kids in the car), yet NEITHER one has a valid drivers license or ID. And apparently in the last SEVEN years she's either never been asked for her ID or everyone else has taken the beaten up, re-laminated ID?

[Hobbs]

I get those all the time at work, unfortunately. They just can't get it through their head that it's not valid if it's expired.

And note: in Texas, when your ID is expired and you get a new one, or you get a new one for some other reason, the DPS cuts the top of the card to show it isn't valid. Very easy to spot.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

I'm thinking fake/stolen?

Incidentally, how do you slam an automatic door? That's a trick I'd like to learn!

[Plaidman]

It made me think...
This guy and his wife are out and about DRIVING places (with kids in the car), yet NEITHER one has a valid drivers license or ID. And apparently in the last SEVEN years she's either never been asked for her ID or everyone else has taken the beaten up, re-laminated ID?

Well thats far more common then you think. I've seen it thousands of times. At least one a day.

Since we all /know/ them, they have the right to buy beer or cigars for their pot without it.

Not with Plaidman. For he has no heart.

[I_Hate_SCs]

I get those all the time at work, unfortunately. They just can't get it through their head that it's not valid if it's expired.

And note: in Texas, when your ID is expired and you get a new one, or you get a new one for some other reason, the DPS cuts the top of the card to show it isn't valid. Very easy to spot.

The OP's state must be like mine (VA.) Here, you can easily order a duplicate ID or renew your ID online at the DMV's website. They then send you the new ID in the mail, and you can keep your old ID without any de-validating marks put onto it like the corner cut off in TX. I'm sure if the SC wife had her ID renewed/duplicated since it expired that she stupidly put the wrong one in her wallet! Either way, something sounds fishy about the couple. Even if I was returning something for my wife, if I had one, I'd present my own ID (and make her go in with me if her ID was required since she bought it). I'd not give the employee grief over something so stupid!

[Hobbs]

I'm thinking fake/stolen?

Incidentally, how do you slam an automatic door? That's a trick I'd like to learn!

If it's like my store, the automatic doors are also emergency doors, and meant to pop open when pressure is applied to them. I hate SC's who push on the doors and knock the doors off the track...

The OP's state must be like mine (VA.) Here, you can easily order a duplicate ID or renew your ID online at the DMV's website. They then send you the new ID in the mail, and you can keep your old ID without any de-validating marks put onto it like the corner cut off in TX. I'm sure if the SC wife had her ID renewed/duplicated since it expired that she stupidly put the wrong one in her wallet! Either way, something sounds fishy about the couple. Even if I was returning something for my wife, if I had one, I'd present my own ID (and make her go in with me if her ID was required since she bought it). I'd not give the employee grief over something so stupid!

Well, here you can do that too, but under certain conditions (after a period of set years, I think) you have to go in to the office. I think it's to get a new picture, mostly...

Coincidentally, I have that done on my ID because of a name-change. But i've yet to change my credit/debit card. so when i get carded, I have to show my new ID, and my old ID with my original name.

[Mara-chan]

Yeah, that's what I meant, sorry. The sliding emergency doors and slammed INTO them opening them.

And I'm in Florida, where you can get a spare ID mailed to you for $12. Great when you move (since you have to change your address) though.

Still, if they were 'honest' people, they're still breaking the law by driving without a valid drivers license present.

[malmalthekiller]

About Valid ID'S:

One time a customer came in with his hanging apart, and I said I couldn't accept it, and he wondered why.

And also, my sister works for a car rental company, and you'd be surprised how many people let their licenses expire, then expect the company to rent them a car!

[Mike Taylor]

A number of things come to mind with Mr. and Mrs. SC, one of which is that one or both could have had their drivers licenses revoked for some reason.

[Dreamstalker]

in Texas, when your ID is expired and you get a new one, or you get a new one for some other reason, the DPS cuts the top of the card to show it isn't valid. Very easy to spot.

NM punches holes though the magstripe; they've outsourced the card printing so you get a temporary card (on cardstock...damn thing doesn't fit in a wallet) and the new one comes in the mail in a few weeks (weeks?! WTF takes so long?)

[I_Hate_SCs]

About Valid ID'S:

One time a customer came in with his hanging apart, and I said I couldn't accept it, and he wondered why.

And also, my sister works for a car rental company, and you'd be surprised how many people let their licenses expire, then expect the company to rent them a car!

These SCs probably have the mindset that "an ID always is a positive, usable ID because it has my info on it." Well even if the thing expired yesterday, it is as invalid as if you presented someone else's ID. Try flying on an airplane with an ID that expired in 2001 and you'll find out how wrong you are!

[Eric the Grey]

About Valid ID'S:

One time a customer came in with his hanging apart, and I said I couldn't accept it, and he wondered why.

And also, my sister works for a car rental company, and you'd be surprised how many people let their licenses expire, then expect the company to rent them a car!

I actually only had people give me expired drivers licenses a couple of times when I worked for Avis. Most of the time, they had just expired, and the people didn't realize it. Only one person gave me trouble, and luckily my manager was there and he stood by it.

In Colorado, they take your old license and ID away when you get issued a new one. You're not allowed to have two copies.


Eric the Grey

[Hyndis]

A number of things come to mind with Mr. and Mrs. SC, one of which is that one or both could have had their drivers licenses revoked for some reason.

All (valid) drivers licenses are ID cards, but not all ID cards are drivers licenses.

You can get a government issued ID card for very little money. Almost no hassle on it, and it works for people too young to drive or for people who simply don't own a car.

[PepperElf]

I don't know about Florida, but I know in NY you can drive with an expired ID ... if you also have a Military ID. However, you're suppose to write the DMV and get a yellow card that states this law or something like that.

But i Doubt they were military.

[I_Hate_SCs]

In Colorado, they take your old license and ID away when you get issued a new one. You're not allowed to have two copies.

It is the same here in VA if you go to the DMV, they'll take your old one. If you get a duplicate or renew online, then you can keep the old one. They just politely ask online that you destroy the old one. That is how I can keep old licenses with older pictures on it, although I would never use them again like the SC did in this story!