IDed at Costco?

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

Another thread about carding individuals before serving them alcohol reminded me of my own experience of being "carded". I'm 26 years old almost. I look a little younger than that, maybe as young as 21 or 22. So, when I want to purchase alcohol, I always have my ID with me just in case. Sometimes I get carded, sometimes I don't. (The legal drinking age in Nova Scotia is 19 and they are supposed to ID anyone who looks under 25.) No problem whatsoever for me.

However . . .

On three different occasions, I have gone to Costco and went up to one of the sample booths to tasts some tea biscuits or chip dip or something only to have the Costco sample ladies ask where my parents are. Apparently, at Costco if you are under 16 they need to have your parents' permission before they give you a sample. This is kind of ridiculous and I do have to say that it bothers me, especially since I pay good money to have a membership there. Also, the way in which they respond when I say that I'm 25 is embarassing. Has something really terrible happened with children and food allergies that make these sample ladies so extra paranoid that they would question anyone under the age of 30?

 

[Hedy]

I think it's probably just a CYA policy-with food allergies and crazy parents, you can't be too careful.
But yeah-weird.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

wierd!

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

I think it's probably just a CYA policy-with food allergies and crazy parents, you can't be too careful.
But yeah-weird.

Oh, I think you can be too careful . . . like when you almost refuse to serve a tenth of a tea biscuit to a 25 year old because she's not with her parents.

 

[Renysmom]

It is a legal CYA issue on the vendors parts and Costco.

Enjoy getting carded.. it will eventually end I was carded up until I was about 35, now never

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

It is a legal CYA issue on the vendors parts and Costco.

I guess I'm missing the legality. What exactly are the rules?

 

[Nancy]

we don't ID people for samples but I know we don;t give them to kids without parents OK. Not sure what our cut off age for that is though.

Now for alcohol we do 100 % proofing that means we ask EVERYONE...it is a pain, but also makes the cashiers job easy since we no longer have to guess a persons age. Yep, we even ask 80 year old men for ID!

 

[Renysmom]

If they give a child food without the approval of the parent and the child gets sick (allergies, etc.) or burned (if the food is hot) they could be sued so that is the reason why most samplers require a parent to be there.

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

If they give a child food without the approval of the parent and the child gets sick (allergies, etc.) or burned (if the food is hot) they could be sued so that is the reason why most samplers require a parent to be there.

I understand that but at what age does that no longer apply.

 

[Acklander]

It's just one of those things that goes along with looking young for your age. I was carded well into my 30's. Funny things from my 20's: A couple of times after I was married, and in my own home, a salesperson or God's people would come by the door and when I answered asked if either of my parents were home. I honestly answered No. While at church a fellow parishoner, whom I was friendly with on a casual (non flirting) basis invited me to the prom. I got appenditis in the middle of the night when I was around 26. DH dropped me at ER door and then went to find a parking space. When I went into the hospital alone, I was told they needed to contact my parents before they could treat me. These instances never bothered me, actually I found them amusing. I always figured if this was the worst thing that could happen to me as far as appearances and misconceptions I was doing alright. I had a friend who was a little person. He said that many times when going into a restaurant, especially if they were busy or he was with a large group, they would automatically grab a children's menu on the way to the table. Usually once seated and ready to hand the menu and crayons to him they would notice their error. He got a kick out of watching their reaction as they tried to back-track.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It's called lawsuits.

I understand that but at what age does that no longer apply.

Once you are 18...you are considered a legal adult...so when you reach 18..that is when they no longer can make you have parental permission.

I've never seen anyone ID'd...but I don't shop at Costco and I have seen that everywhere there is sampling combined with an unaccompanied minor.

There is no "legal requirement" like drinking, but an adult giving a food item to a minor without proper consent would be held responsible if they had an allergic reaction or if they choked.

To the Costco employee--you probably looked questionably to be even 16 years old. It happens...some people just look that young. Just state your age and enjoy the sample.

 

[dreamcometrue]

huh? We go to Costco all the time and my kids go running around from one sample booth to the next and are never told they need their parents permission! I am not far behind them but they never ask me if it's ok for them to have the sample!

 

[keishashadow]

Or, the staffer just felt like yanking your chain .

At our local Sam's the staff is instructed to offer samples to paying customers, i.e. adults; evidently you do look young for your age. Hope & pray it lasts . Wish someone would card me now.

BTW, in PA we have to high-tail it to a state store to get liquor; including wine. For beer, we have to make yet another stop @ a distributor; or a six-pack take out from a bar. Although I have heard of an experiment they're trying in the Eastern part of state; drive-thru @ gas station/fast food place - bizarre.

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

Once you are 18...you are considered a legal adult...so when you reach 18..that is when they no longer can make you have parental permission.

...

To the Costco employee--you probably looked questionably to be even 16 years old. It happens...some people just look that young. Just state your age and enjoy the sample.

But, as I stated in the OP, I'm almost 26! So since I'm well over 18 and certainly look over 16, I do find it rude that they ask where my parents are and make such a huge deal when I explain to them politely that I am 25.