Nosy Walmart Cashiers

On Feb 16th we are going to Walmart to buy ID-requiring items.

wtfmart.moonfruit.com

Maybe of you are missing the point...
a.) you are providing excuses for the employee, making them dumber.
If they can't determine 21 vs. 50, how can they determine $1 vs. $10?
Not a problem I would like with my cashiers
b.) there are many stories of ID theft AND stalking,
c.) there are many stories of fake ATM's that are used to skim account
numbers and PINs,. Scanning devices are VERY simple to use -
http://www.card-scanner.com/
d.) never give your ID out...

yea get real, a cashier is supposed to be psychic and know your age
automatically? Oh im sorry,right, you wouldn't care,it won't affect
you, YOU wouldn't be the one thrown in jail for illegal alcohol sales,
the poor cashier would!!!! Don;t expect to go somewhere and think
everyone assumes your age,and be prepared to be carded anywhere you
go!

One of our local chain grocery stores asks for ID from EVERYONE,
regarless of age. A 95 yr old must show ID to buy liquor. No ID, no
sale. It's just their policy.

it's their policy. it's not that they are being nosy, trust me, you
aren't that fascinating. they just don't want to get fired, which is
what can happen if they don't ask you for that info. i'm 51 and
anytime people express surprise that i'm younger or even ask for proof
of age, i walk around happy for hours.

About the scanning-
Here in Mighican, on the back of our driver's licenses and state ID
cards, there is a barcode and a magnetic strip. Along with this, it
says "Information contained in barcode is limited to DOB, License
Number and Expiration Date".

The OP did not elaborate on how WalMart actually "scanned" his
license, but other commentors took it to mean they literally scanned
it, like with a scanner, and stored a digital image of it.

Possibly, they "scanned" it by swiping a similar magnetic strip or
scanning a barcode that is used in Texas. This would record the
license number so if needed they could track the purchaser, and their
system could interpret the imbedded DOB to compare it against the
legal age. By doing so, it eliminates the possibility of someone using
a fake ID, because if it were fake, the scanning of the strip/ barcode
would not go through. A great way for the corp. to cover their butts!
I know convenience stores in my area have a little magnetic reader
next to the registers that has the date programmed and can read MI
license strips and the embedded DOB. When it is swiped, and the age is
valid, a green light comes on. Eliminates any possibility of a fake ID
or operator error.

Possibly the system only reads and checks the DOB and doesn't even
record anything. Who knows. But still, with this economy, WalMart does
not need any fines/penalties/lawsuits etc., or the bad publicity. And
if WalMart is doing it, it must be legal. The cashier didn't think
this policy up themselves- they are simply doing what they are told.

Let us know if you hear back!

I'm curious - what type of "personal information" are they collecting
and what are they using it for? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I'm
just honestly unsure. Have you had incidents in the past with
marketing info being sent to you, or calls to your house?

I've had my license scanned entering bars, at liquor stores, etc, all
so they could verify the date of birth and validity of the license,
and to have a record that they checked it. I've never been contacted
or had my "personal information" used in any way that I'm aware of.

I wish more people could be like my 58-yo mom, who simply takes it as
a compliment that someone thinks she might be under 40-yo, smiles, and
presents her drivers license. Heck, at 25-yo, I do the same when
carded buying anything age-restricted - and I really enjoy the look on
the clerks face when they realize how old I actually am. ^_^

My honest thought is that the cashier either has recently been burned,
was new and recently trained, or was just a terrible judge of age. In
any case, she was just trying to follow store policy, which is in
concordance with the local laws, based on all the posts below, so she
could keep her job and not make a costly mistake.

Some licenses have alcohol restrictions, For people that have had
DUI's or DWI's in the past. I don't really see how your complaint is
valid, you should take it as a compliment that they thought you were
young looking.

So, the cashier is supposed to know that you have a son in his 30's?
If this is the policy of Wal-Mart, it's the policy.

I bet the cashier had a little secret camera that she planned on using
to secretely photograph your DL, then she could look up your address
and stalk you.

Yes, this cashier had nothing better to do with her day than wait for
a problem customer come through her line so she could give them grief
over their id policy.

Get Over Yourself!

You might be well over the age of 21, but you act like you just turned
4. Maybe you confused the cashier.

Just give her the license and take it as a compliment. She's not
saving your personal information for her own use and clearly you saw
the POS prompt her to ask for it, so just let it go.

Good Grief!

I think this explains what happened here. I posted below a link to
the Texas ABC, and to me it *allows* an establishment both to require
ID, and *allows* it to keep a record of checking an id (which I infer
to include scanning).

Thus, while the establishment is *not required* to do these things,
they may. I think that is what this boils down to in Texas. So, when
the OP says "follow the law," I think this store is doing just that.
If the OP doesn't like it, they certainly can go elsewhere. At the
other place, they may choose not to do these *optional* steps that the
law provides.

I was at Target today and I picked up a couple bottles of wine for my
friend Joe's Christmas basket.

He rings it up and then asks me, what's your birthday? Being almost
37, I rattled off my actual birth date, but this surely isn't the best
method of determining age. As long as you can subtract 21 from 2008,
you can give a valid birth date.

I am a Walmart cashier......so I know Walmart does not have the
technology to "scan" your driver license....we merely check the date
to ensure you are of age....if you're under 40 we enter the birthdate.
Over 40 we hand you back your ID. There is also age restrictions on
other items....cold meds...diet pills...dvds....ammo/guns...certain
paints containing inhalants....tobacco & smoking paraphelnia...

The ONLY time we copy the driver license is when someone is applying
for a job OR they've been caught redhanded shoplifting.

Also...if you decide not to shop at Walmart...we won't miss you..

1st of all i hate walmart. they are not good for america. you may
think you are getting things cheaper but in fact we pay insurance and
welfare for most of their workers. that being said,
buying alcohol is a priviledge not a right. every employee selling
alcohol or any other item that says"check i.d." has the right to check
your i.d. it does not matter how old you look. i work at a store (no,
not walmart) its a beer for you and a job for me. get over it.
when they start prosecuting the people with the fack id instead of the
cashier maybe stores will lighten up a little. until then have the
i.d. ready what's the big deal??? we get written up and loose our job
over your 6 pack. not a good deal for me. i'm checking your i.d.

That cashier was doing her job and if she did'nt, should would have
been fired. It's Wal-mart policy and its the law.

If the cashiers are unsure, they're going to ask for ID. Deal with
it!

What are they supposed to do, risk getting slapped with a hefty fine
for selling alcohol to an underage person, because they did not want
to check for an ID first?

first u are dealing with wal-mart. not the brightest geniuses in the
good ole USA, note the sarcasm... if you look at 40, dingy can ask,
just cause their dingy. lol dont shop there and report their arses to
the state....

Wow yea, They must want to get your address and stalk you!

Note the sarcasm.

This is the LAW. They are following the law, so what are you ranting
about?

You should be happy they want to check, it means you look younger.

And they say people get wiser with age...

I'm 34 and I dont mind when I'm carded so the cashier can check my
DOB, But did you say they scan the ID?? I think I would refuse that
also

Glad to hear that you went next door instead. Please keep going there
for your wine/liquor choices.

You're just so gosh darn interesting that the cashiers wanna know
everything there is to know about you!

I forgot to mention that in Tennessee (Al Gore's Homestate) that
everyone is required to present an id no matter how old you are,
whether you are old and gray or in a walker.

This only applies to Beer purchases, in retail stores, not in bars or
restaurants.

Good Day

Cashiers can be fined (which they have to pay for, not the employer),
and/or taken to jail for selling to a minor. They are just doing
their job, cut them some slack.


Good Day

Why are you complaining? I would have taken it as a compliment if I
was well over 40 and the cashier thought I was under it. She was just
doing her job. How is that personal information? You need to calm
down.

The laws of the State of Texas do not require a person who appears to
be over the age of 21 for alcohol, or 27 for tobacco, provide an ID
before purchase.

Walmart's posted policy is "a government ID is required for persons
appearing to under the age of 40".

The issue of the original complaint is the laws of the State of Texas,
and the policies of Walmart. The laws of other states, Canada or other
stores is not germain to the issue.

When there is a valid, legal reason to produce a government ID, I have
no problem. In fact, to enter two of my favorite stores requires the
showing of a federal ID card.

However, when it is clear a customer is well past the age Walmart
requires, and past visits to the same store have show it depends who
is on the register, then the policy is not being evenly applied.

And as to scanning my license, with the amount of personal information
held in the strip, unless it is a government officer on offical
business, it will not happen. Can you say possible identity theft?

And I am past the point in my life when I need to have my vanity
stroked by producing an Id to prove I am old enough to but a drink or
a smoke.

I was asked for ID when purchasing allergy medicine, you have to be
21, I am 50...it made my day!

If your 18 oe 80, they ask in some stores.

State Law
Texas state law does not require that a person over 21 provide any
identification to purchase alcohol in Texas. There is nothing in the
law that declares specific forms of ID as "valid" for an alcohol
purchase.

However, the law does provide a statutory defense to the charge of
selling an alcoholic beverage to a minor when the seller has asked for
and examined an apparently valid DPS issued Texas DL or ID card which
contains a physical description consistent with the presenter's
appearance and shows the presenter to be 21 years of age of older.

For that reason, since store clerks, wait staff, and bartenders can be
held criminally liable for selling alcohol to a minor, they often
require a Texas Driver's License or Texas Identification Card issued
by the Department of Public Safety, to prove that the person really is
21.

A store, bar or restaurant might or might not sell alcohol to a person
with an out-of-state driver's license, military ID, or passport.
What's acceptable in any establishment is a matter of that
establishment's private business policies.

If the patron is obviously over 21, the establishment may not require
any ID at all.

its a shame that we have to card up to 40 now, some places card
regardless of age. whoever did not card you on previous occasions was
not taking their job seriosly. we have inspectors in frequently
checking to make sure we card. I EVEN CARD MY OWN MOTHER! who is 42.
she appears under 40, it is my duty to card her. If i fail to card and
i sell to a minor, ican be FIRED or FINED or JAILED! i dont blame the
cashier who carded you, she was DOING HER JOB leaver alone

"It should be noted this is the only store in the Austin area where I
have ever been asked that question when purchasing adult products. In
fact, on Sunday I was not asked to provide my ID when buying beer. "

What annoys me the most is when someone is doing their job, takes
their job seriously, following the policy and rules and a customer
throws out the "Well so and so did it for me before" card.

Whoever that was, was not doing their job, not taking it seriously and
not following rules and policy!

Basically, someone didn't bother you for ID, which is what you want,
and you are going to throw them to the wolves.

In turn, policies will become even stricter.

In this day and age of discrimination, as much as I HATE to admit it
(and believe me, I am NO fan of WallyWorld), the company runs the risk
of being accused of racial, gender, sexual, age discrimination if they
don't card every person, every time. Also, as a bartender, I will tell
you, selling alcohol to anybody runs a serious risk of ruining your
life. If you sell to the wrong person, you can get slapped with fines,
jail time, inability to work in certain towns/establishments etc, if
convicted. It's a very sobering (no pun inteneded) thought. I take
that aspect of my job VERY seriously.

If I am even in the slightest doubt, I card. If they pitch a fit, I
explain it to them. Continuance gets them the manager and the door.
End of story. No appeals, no explanations, no alcohol. Find another
place to drink. WalMart, I'm sure, has no interest in losing thier
liquor/beer/wine liscense because one person pitched a hissy fit.

Show your liscense, quit being obstinate and defensive and realize
that a mess up on the part of a cashier can have long lasting
repercussions for more than just that one hapless employee.

I don't understand why people make such a big stink over showing ID
when purchasing alcohol or smokes. You(collective you) won't take a
minute to whip out an ID but you'll spend over 15 minutes ranting to
the cashier about it. The thing is, they don't make the rules. They
just follow them and in a lot of cases, their jobs depend on checking
ID. Considering how hard times are, I can see why they aren't willing
to risk their jobs because you want to be difficult.

"Among the items to be purchased was a bottle of wine. When the
cashier, scanned the item, the usual "is customer under 40?" message
popped up."

Since you know that this is a "usual" message, why were you surprised
that the cashier carded you? Just because another cashier decided to
hit the "yes" key or type in the generic birthdate, doesn't mean that
this particular cashier will. Maybe she's new. Maybe she got burned
by someone with no ID or fake ID. Maybe she did not ID someone who
was indeed under 21, and she's on notice not to do it again.

One grocery chain in WI cards EVERYBODY. Little old ladies on oxygen
in scooters. But it's store policy, so when I get in line, I grab my
license. I hand it to the cashier along with my coupons and loyalty
card. We have other stores in our city, though, leave it up to the
cashier.

The cutoff age for carding is significantly above the cutoff age for
buying so that there is absolutely no chance that someone under the
age of 21 will not be carded.

The store does this because they really really really do not want to
fail to card someone they should card. The store's apparent-age
cutoff is going to be higher than the state's apparent-age cutoff so
that there is absolutely no chance that someone who is supposed to be
carded under state law will not be carded.

That way when the state sends someone in who is almost old enough that
they don't have to be carded, but who looks older, the cashiers don't
get caught breaking the laws.

It's got nothing to do with how old you are or how nosy the cashiers
are or any of that. It's got to do with how the state enforces the
drinking age, how the stores make rules to ensure that they don't get
caught serving someone without ID when they're supposed to check ID,
and the way that chains sometimes find it easier to apply company
policies across the board and not just in those states where they are
required to.

I seriously doubt that you are going to get what you want here. It's
just more trouble for WalMart to do it your way; and most of us
accept that we're going to be carded until we die, because as a
society we spend the first 21 years of a person's life convincing them
that if they wait until they're legal before they start drinking
they're going to be losers and everything after that convincing them
that underage drinking is about the worst thing that could ever happen
and it is our duty to do our part to stamp it out. On the other hand,
I hardly want to discourage people from taking their business
somewhere other than WalMart, so I wish you success and I hope you
have a great Thanksgiving.

Why would you be so angry that someone thought you were younger than
you were? That's a compliment once you're over 19/21, you know.

The new laws require that everyone provide ID when buying adult
products. I know it's such a hassle to take the ID out of your wallet
and show the cashier, but it's the law. When I was a cashier, I had to
ask people who clearly were old enough to show their ID's and some
protested, but it was the store policy. If I didn't ask, I'd get in
trouble. Sorry if the cashier was trying to keep her job and had to
bother you in order to do so..

"Follow the law, and stop demanding personal data not required by
law."

Done. Next!

"Personal data"? Would it have been "personal data" if your son had
been asked for ID while trying to buy an adult publication underage?
Or, for that matter, if he'd been trying to purchase alcohol underage?
Is it "personal data" when a movie theater requests my student ID in
order to charge me the discounted student price?

This is just plain silly. Please find better things to care about.
(By the way, the cashiers are not "nosy," and in my opinion, it was
not polite to call them that. They have no control over the policy,
and in the WalMarts I have observed, they are required to prove that
they have carded each customer by typing something from the license
into their register. I do not dragonishly guard information about me
that could easily be found on the web, so I do not know exactly which
piece of information they use. The fact remains that the request is
NOT THEIR FAULT.)

Um, in Texas it isn't required to verify age, if there is a doubt, in
order to buy alcohol? Interesting.

I'll never get why people get so upset about being ID'ed. Does it
seem silly sometimes if you are 40 years old plus? Sure, but in this
day and age they are just being safe at their job. Unless you are
paying in cash, all the time, Walmart already knows more than you want
them to know about you.

The cashier did absolutely nothing wrong here. She was just following
Walmart's policies regarding alcohol sales. The fact that other
cashiers at this same store didn't card you in the past is irrelevant.
Why? Because each cashier risks losing their job if they sell to
minors. And as jobs continue to be lost in this bad economy, I don't
blame the cashier for carding everyone, no matter what they look like.
It's certainly better to have an annoyed customer than to be
unemployed.

ID and birth certificate to prove you're related and not just his
sugah mama) everywhere you go, you will occasionally need to show
proof of your age. Is that really anything to get so worked up over?

I guess I don't understand why this is such a big deal to you. It's
not like the cashier is copying down your personal information and
stalking you later.

The law doesn't allow people under the age of 21 to buy alcohol;
therefore, in order to avoid potential legal penalties, the store
needs to enforce policies that ensure this doesn't happen.

I suppose you could make the argument that the cashier should use
their best judgment in deciding if someone looks old enough or not,
but that can lead down a slippery slope. I know people who look much
younger than their actual age, and I know those who look much older.
By requiring everyone to provide ID, the store enforces the policy
fairly across the board.

But, since it IS such a problem for you, now you know where not to go
to buy your liquor.

I just don't get what the big deal is. Even if your son was with you,
and you told the cashier "This is my 30-something son". Asking a
customer to provide ID to purchase something with age requirements
isn't being nosy.

I have graying hair, and am clearly over 21, but have been refused
service a couple of times when I didn't have my id.

At a sports bar near my house, they card everyone, regardless of
appearance. My 64 year old mother was carded for wine when we had
dinner there one night. She didn't mind, in fact, she giggled and
showed them! The law is the law and it requires a cashier or waitress
to be sure someone is of age. If a business determines they do this
by checking ID of each and every purchaser of alcohol, that's
complying with the law.

How does following the law = nosy? Anyway, I think you should be
flattered. I'm fast approaching 40 and being carded in a restuarant a
few months ago made my day!

Many people well over the age of 21 enjoy being carded, however I can
see how this would be 'inconvenient'. But if you think about it, you
are most likely opening your wallet anyway to get your cash/card, so
it's right there.

And about the private data...many systems will not allow the
transaction to continue without confirmation of a DL or ID. Wal-Mart
is such a large store, and has so many employees, they just cant risk
letting the cashier use their own age judgment, no matter how obvious
one's age is. I say they did their job. Are you reluctant to use
debit/credit cards too? You know, cuz of the private data on there?
Seriously, the vast majority of employees don't really care.

NOW, here's a problem: Last year when I was 21, I bought wine at an
HEB AND WAS NOT carded. And most people think I look 18-20. I was
actually a bit alarmed; I regret not bringing it to anyone's
attention.

As for them following the law, they are...and then some. They are
following their own set policies and if you do not agree with that,
you can buy things elsewhere. For that CB radio, was it expensive, and
did you pay with a card? They might have gotten a DL just to verify
you were the card holder. Sorry, they are not being nosy; they are
doing their job.

The supermarkets near me have a sign that if they feel you look under
36 they need to card you for beer.

A few years ago I went to a Bob Dylan concert at a college
campus....while we were waiting to get in they told us if we wanted to
buy beer inside they would give us a bracelet to speed things up and
we had to be carded. One woman said "in this crowd" - most of us were
over 50. Being carded made my day.

If you don't like the policy of being carded when you buy alcohol,
just go elsewhere.

If you want to buy booze, comply with the store's policies. At the
liquor store I frequent, the cashier can get fired for not carding
EVERYBODY. THe purchase won't even go through unless she swipes the
driver's license.

If you don't like it, you have already learned you can go elsewhere.