Carded at Target

[crz4mm2]

I went to Walmart today to have some keys made. While getting them made, I noticed a sign that stated if the cashier thought you looked "under 40" they would ask for your ID. If you could not provide one, you would not be sold alcohol.

So there "is" a policy at our local walmart.

ps, "I" have not been carded there

 

[Maridw]

In the past month, my DH & I have been to Applebee's and we are both sooooo not 21. Actually had our 22 yo DD with us and we were both carded. When we were there Friday, we overheard the people at the table next to us and they would not serve one person an alcoholic drink because she did not have an id. She was obviously older than DH & I but they still would not serve her.

When I have bought some medications at CVS & Walmart, I have had to show id to purchase them, these are the OTC medications they keep at the pharmacy or behind the counter.

I have no problem showing my id for anything. If it is going to keep someone underage drinking or someone for purchasing medication too frequently (could be used for Meth), then by all means, card me.

Someone at CVS was denied purchasing an OTC medication that was behind the counter because she had already purchased a certain amount within two weeks (I think that was the time period).

The only thing Applebee's did not do was card my DD. But she is 22 so it would not have made a difference.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Let's see--when I was a cashier...we were told (and it was true!)...

Selling to under age customers could result in my arrest and the store being heftily fined and the store losing their license to sell alcohol.

So if something is coded for 18 or 21---it is in the stores interest as well as their customers interest to card all customers.

Age guessing is subjective--a 30 year old may look 15, a 15 year old might look 30 (well maybe not that old).

As inconvenient it is for a standard "card everybody" policy--it keeps things safe and legal and prevents mistakes from happening and from people going to jail the one time they subjectively guessed wrong that someone looked over a certain age when they were truly a minor.

Also--stings are set up for such cases and the "but he/she 'looked' 25"--is not a valid defense.

When I worked in college--we were given more liberty to card everyone in a group if it was suspected that someone was buying for others. We can't control what they did off property--but we did have some liability by allowing the purchase with all present.



My funniest alcohol story had nothing to do with alcohol or a minor--I had someone yell at me one time b/c our register had mixers coded as an alcohol purchase and they got po'd b/c we couldn't let them use food stamps to purchase it. Now true--it is non-alcoholic, but seriously??? There was a power outage in the store and we were running on generator until sunset and I just couldn't believe the stink they made. (area was out of power that day due to horrendous early spring wind storm.)

 

[Free4Life11]

OP -- that would annoy me too. CVS scanned my ID to purchase some cold medicine, not sure what kind it was. Guess they think we're all meth addicts.

I will say I am 24 and rarely get carded when purchasing alcohol at restaurants, but always get carded at stores.

 

[SaraJayne]

I was carded the other day at Target when buying liquid Tylenol for my DD. It wasn't behind the counter at the pharmacy, it was off the shelf. And I've bought it with absolutely no problems for years...that was the first time I had been carded for it.

I laughed at the cashier and said "you're kidding,right? It's Tylenol." Nope, she had to see my ID. Okay, I handed it over (thinking she was just checking the birthdate) and she scanned it.

Guess what? I won't be going back to that Target again. I'll buy it at my local Mom and Pop place where I won't get hassled about it.

 

[jenrose66]

I've had problems with getting ID checking at Target, too. My mom & I had a "girls day out" this past winter and went shopping and had dinner. Afterward, she wanted to go get some groceries before she dropped me off at my place. No big deal. She got all her groceries, which included a bottle of wine, and went to the checkout. The girl was ringing up all her stuff, and carded my mom when she got to the wine. I laughed (my mom is 45), and then the girl turned and asked me for my ID. I'm 22, so it's not a big deal, but I had left my bag in my mom's car. I told her they weren't my groceries, and I wasn't paying, so I didn't have to show her my ID.. I worked at a gas station for 5 years, and did tobacco & alcohol training every year at our police station - I know the ID laws. She argued with me about it and said that because I was with my mom, that I had to be 21 for my mom to buy the wine. So I asked her.. if I was a 5 year old kid with my mom buying groceries, would my mom not be able to buy wine? She sat there with a dumbfounded look on her face for about a full minute, then AGAIN told my mom she wouldn't sell her the wine. Eventually we had to get a store manager to come over to settle it, but sheesh.. you'd think that if you're going to be allowed to sell tobacco or alcohol, you'd know the laws about how to do it.

I'll never forget, I was at the grocery store with my dad when I was little. It was before a football game and he bought like a 12 pack of beer or something. So they ask my white haired dad for his ID and then the cashier (a teenage kid) meekly goes, does she have ID? while pointing at me

My dad looked at the guy and said "Seriously, this is my 13 year old daughter". The cashier said it was ok completely embarassed and sold him the beer.

 

[npmommie]

So were you driving all over the place without a drivers license?

see my quotes below where I said more than once where my id was

I did not give the cashier a hard time, not at all, in fact i laughed about it because it was so absurd to me, and i had my license, it was in the car.

why would I obviously have a wallet on me?? why assume i had my purse with me. my capris have pockets, i thru money in my pocket and went in the store. my id was in the car precisely because i didn't bring my purse/wallet, i always make sure my license is in the car. i don't always carry my wallet. in fact i rarely do. sorry for being odd.
i am not a purse carrier by nature.
call me odd if you must

yes really that is what it sounds like to me.
and the target thing yep its a little too big brotherish for me.



I am beyond reckless..........good grief, flair for the dramatic eh?

my previous posts said, I did have my license, in my car, where I needed it. I don't shop with credit cards or debit cards,cash only.

Oh please! You should research your assertions before posting them.

Through inhaling smoke, the average smoker takes in 1 to 2 mg nicotine per cigarette. Nicorette gum comes in two varieties: 2 mg nicotine per, and 4 mg nicotine per.

ok I stand corrected, the acs website says there is actually more nicotine in each cigarette, not to mention the other toxins additives and tar.

In the past month, my DH & I have been to Applebee's and we are both sooooo not 21. Actually had our 22 yo DD with us and we were both carded. When we were there Friday, we overheard the people at the table next to us and they would not serve one person an alcoholic drink because she did not have an id. She was obviously older than DH & I but they still would not serve her.

When I have bought some medications at CVS & Walmart, I have had to show id to purchase them, these are the OTC medications they keep at the pharmacy or behind the counter.

I have no problem showing my id for anything. If it is going to keep someone underage drinking or someone for purchasing medication too frequently (could be used for Meth), then by all means, card me.

Someone at CVS was denied purchasing an OTC medication that was behind the counter because she had already purchased a certain amount within two weeks (I think that was the time period).

The only thing Applebee's did not do was card my DD. But she is 22 so it would not have made a difference.

so she didn't have an alcoholic beverage?

I was carded the other day at Target when buying liquid Tylenol for my DD. It wasn't behind the counter at the pharmacy, it was off the shelf. And I've bought it with absolutely no problems for years...that was the first time I had been carded for it.

I laughed at the cashier and said "you're kidding,right? It's Tylenol." Nope, she had to see my ID. Okay, I handed it over (thinking she was just checking the birthdate) and she scanned it.

Guess what? I won't be going back to that Target again. I'll buy it at my local Mom and Pop place where I won't get hassled about it.

seriously??? again another example of a nanny state, we have to baby sit people to be sure they do not purchase too much tylenol and destroy their liver.
unbelievable!!!


boy my little post sure took on a life of its own! hehe

 

[TinkerBell22]

It's a state law here in Oklahoma that everyone in the group must show Id when purchasing alcohol or tobacco. Of course children are excluded but once they hit around 16-18 it's usually the managers call. It is not worth the cashiers job or the personal fine they would receive along with the store being fined for not following the law. Most of the time it's a group of friends that there is an issue with everyone not being 21 & more then likely its being purchased to share, not a family doing their normal shopping. To be fair to everyone most stores require an Id no matter what so that there's no guessing of ages, breaking the rules for friends, etc. Please don't get upset at someone for doing their job & following the law. Who's going to support them when they get fired for not inconveniencing you with taking a minute to show your Id?

 

[npmommie]

Here you go nanny state at its finest

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...d-for-proof-of-age-to-buy-Asda-teaspoons.html

 

[allison443]

I went to WalMart this summer to buy spray paint because we were making our tent sign for our Relay for Life Team. They would not sell it to me without ID. I had it in the car, so I went and got it. I am 31 but have never bought alcohol without having to show ID. I am prepared for that but didn't realize it was such a hassle to buy spray paint. Apparently you have to be 18, which is a bit silly. What if I had to get some paint for a school project, like the home coming float and my parents were busy?

I think the spray paint/age 18 restriction is a local thing. I know my town passed it a few years back-it's meant to deter graffiti. I recently went to self-checkout at Lowes or Home Depot (don't remember which) with some spray paint. The register required the attendant to enter a code to okay the purchase. Now I am quite obviously over 18 and they didn't ask for my license or anything-just entered some code and that was it. I don't remember that restriction in other stores in other towns.

 

[JennaTX]

I was carded the other day at Target when buying liquid Tylenol for my DD. It wasn't behind the counter at the pharmacy, it was off the shelf. And I've bought it with absolutely no problems for years...that was the first time I had been carded for it.

I laughed at the cashier and said "you're kidding,right? It's Tylenol." Nope, she had to see my ID. Okay, I handed it over (thinking she was just checking the birthdate) and she scanned it.

Guess what? I won't be going back to that Target again. I'll buy it at my local Mom and Pop place where I won't get hassled about it.

What? That is crazy, how old did you have to be to buy the Tylenol?

 

[JennaTX]

I work at Target and though I'm no longer a cashier I still have to know the state laws for carding in case i have to jump on the register for some reason. When you are carded at Target the cashier MUST scan your ID barcode or slide the magnetic strip(VA has both but I've never seen the magnetic strip work yet. This is true for everything from buying wine to paying by check. If the register prompts the cashier they have to follow it.

For the PP who left over $300 in merchandise for the lighter, I'm sorry you felt that way,but you spent probably what? 10-15 minutes arguing about a small principle when handing it over would have taken 10-20 seconds. Congratulations, you proved your point.

In my world some things are just not worth arguing about. This is 1 of them. As far as leaving the house without ID. This really should NEVER EVER be done. I used to be terrible about this, but you really don't know when you'll need it for a true emergency.

In Texas the Target stores do not sell liquor, beer, wine, or cigarettes. So why would I need to take my ID in the store? I always make sure to take my ID in with me when I am buying something that the law says I need to be ID'ed for.

Yes I did spend 10 minutes arguing with them, no problem, I had the time.

Thank goodness it wasn't a few years ago when I would have had two toddlers with me and had to leave the line, take the kids out of the cart, go back out to the parking lot to get my ID and then come back. Which would have taken more than 10 minutes.

There is no law here about how old you need to be to buy a lighter. I have no idea if I proved a point, that wasn't what I was trying to do. But as a consumer, I can choose where to shop or not.

I am not usually someone who argues (since I worked retail for many years) but when I am being told something that is not true, I will take the time to talk to the management, so hopefully the store can correct the issue and other consumers won't be bothered with the wrong policy.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I went into Target to pick up Nicorette gum for hubby, they would not sell it to me because I did not have my drivers license on me. I said well i can tell you my birthdate, not good enough , they wanted my license to enter the info in.
are you kidding me???? i am a 40 something buying nicorette for petes sake, its not like there was any question as to whether i was old enough. and no darn way are you entering my information into your system for me to purchase nicorette gum!!!!!!!

i have bought nicorette at walmart, cvs, rite aid, never had a problem, at walmart they just hit yes when the question comes up " is customer over 18 yo"
so I left the things I intended to purchase and walked out. it annoyed me so much.

so later i stopped off at walmart to pick up the nicorette, and bought it hassle free.
i think Target has lost their mind. what is next fingerprints for purchases.

Some places require employees to card everyone ... my dad is 70 years old and there is a gas station on the corner that cards him everytime he buys a pack of cigarettes. He goes there quite often, a couple of the employees even know him by name and they still card him. Company policy. One of the clerks told him she has to card her mom when she comes in.

 

[Disney Ron]

I have not read this whole thread...it must be their policy. I got carded recently at Target as well when I purchased canned air. I took it as a compliment since I recently reached the big "40". I appreciated someone doing the their job as they are suppose to.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[sbell111]

Here you go nanny state at its finest

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...d-for-proof-of-age-to-buy-Asda-teaspoons.html

From that article:

Peter McCarthy, the Asda Halifax store manager, said he was unaware of the spoon ID rule.

He said: "The customer will have been asked for age identification by the assistant when prompted by the till. I'm not aware of an age restriction for spoons.

"It's most likely a mix-up with the bar codes."

Clearly, that wasn't an example of a 'nanny state'. It was a data entry error.

Oops.

In Texas the Target stores do not sell liquor, beer, wine, or cigarettes. So why would I need to take my ID in the store? I always make sure to take my ID in with me when I am buying something that the law says I need to be ID'ed for.

Apparently, you would need it to buy some medications, smoking paraphernalia, canned air, spray paint, and likely some other items.

Now you know.

Yes I did spend 10 minutes arguing with them, no problem, I had the time.

I wonder how much tome the person standing in line behind you had. (I smell a rant thread.)

Thank goodness it wasn't a few years ago when I would have had two toddlers with me and had to leave the line, take the kids out of the cart, go back out to the parking lot to get my ID and then come back. Which would have taken more than 10 minutes.

There is no law here about how old you need to be to buy a lighter. ...

It is likely an overly conservative read of Section 161.081 of Texas Code that is resulting in retailers requiring ID for the purchase of lighters. Some states include lighters in this requirement, others don't, but if you are not familiar with both this law and Texas Tax Code, you might choose to err on the side of not getting a fat fine.

 

[SaraJayne]

What? That is crazy, how old did you have to be to buy the Tylenol?

I have no idea...I would guess 18? Which I'm well past.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

In Texas the Target stores do not sell liquor, beer, wine, or cigarettes. So why would I need to take my ID in the store? I always make sure to take my ID in with me when I am buying something that the law says I need to be ID'ed for.

just a note that there are few regular Targets left it seems. Most are now SuperTargets or Target Greatland and they DO sell beer wine. Though no grocery store can sell liquor, you must go to an actual liqour store for that.

Also, it still must have been that specific Target's policy on lighters, because I have bought those long candle lighters at several Targets in the state and never once been asked for an ID.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

At Target here, my almost 50yr old DH had to show his license to buy beer. Actually they had to slide the license like a debit card into their register before he could buy it. She also had to call a manager over I guess because she wasn't old enough to sell it. What a hassle! (we don't normally go there for beer, but happened to be there and thought we'd save a trip to the store)

The same exact thing happened to me at Target! I felt so bad because it took forever to get a manager to come over and there was a big line behind us. All that for a bottle of wine lol!

 

[Vixen]

OP -- that would annoy me too. CVS scanned my ID to purchase some cold medicine, not sure what kind it was. Guess they think we're all meth addicts.

I will say I am 24 and rarely get carded when purchasing alcohol at restaurants, but always get carded at stores.

that happens to me when im back home i never i mean never get carded to buy alcohol but when i but a simple box of tynenol flu i always get carded

 

[npmommie]

From that article:Clearly, that wasn't an example of a 'nanny state'. It was a data entry error.

LOL, I did read that part, but I thought it was funny the beginning where the clerk told the customer someone was killed with teaspoons so they had to card