Wegmans 100% proofing policy

[Hillbeans]

Here in NJ it appears that liquor is now allowed to be sold in the regular Wegmans supermarket. They also instituted a 100% proofing policy, so if you're 21 or 100 years old you need to show your ID to purchase liquor. I of course did not bring my purse into the store when trying to get a bottle of wine, and i'm late 30's and look very much over 21.

Is this standard policy? I guess i'll need to bring my purse with me into the store from now on if I want to purchase a bottle of wine. I can't remember the last time I was proofed.

 

[jrmasm]

Wegman's here does this. I'm not in NJ. I think it's a chain wide policy.

 

[glitterkittyy]

I know a lot of stores these days have to put in the info from your id into the system to ring up the sale. Info like the type of id, state and DOB.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Wegmans has proofed everyone since 2004 here in NY. That includes everyone in the party checking out (not little kids obviously). The company feels that since the majority of cashiers are younger it is hard for them to determine the age of a customer, so it is better to proof everyone. So if my daughter who is 16 is with a group of older kids getting beer, they should be denied.

 

[robinb]

It's a standard policy here in WI for a couple of stores. The Target and the Copps Foods always checks my ID and I am a lot older than you . Not a big thing unless the Target wants to swipe my DL ... that's where I draw the line. Look but don't touch!

 

[AnnaS]

It's probably the same everywhere - a minor cannot ring up any liquor so patience while he/she gets someone who can.

 

[Cindy B]

No fair-- the Wegmans around here do NOT have liquor licenses. I'd love that... so Wegmans-- et those licenses in Burlington and Camden county!!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We do not have Wegman's and we do not have stores that have a 100% proofing policy that I am aware of.

I do believe it is a smart move for any establishment that sells cigs or alcohol as it significantly reduces the likelihood that they will sell in error and be subject fo fines.

Also--liquor laws vary from state to state. Here, the grocery stores don't really sell liquor, but they'll have an attached liquor store if they opt to sell it. Minors can ring up beer and wine--but I'm not sure if you have to be 18 or 21 to sell liquor as I never worked in a store that had that.

But I did sell beer and wine lots.

My sister worked some stores in MO and in MO each individual has to carry a liquor license to sell. So if the cashier didn't have one, they'd have to call for someone who did so that the sale can be completed. The age of the cashier was not a factor.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's definitely standard policy. They card me (I'm 45) and they even card my parents.

 

[sbell111]

Lots of places check everyone's ID. I support the policy.

 

[janey99]

Which Wegmans in NJ are you talking about? The one in Bridgewater appears to be the same store, but is actually two connected stores that have a closable and lockable door between them. There is a separate license for the liquor side.

I'm proofed every time I get liquor in NJ, no matter what the store, and I'm 40!

Jane

 

[Hillbeans]

Which Wegmans in NJ are you talking about? The one in Bridgewater appears to be the same store, but is actually two connected stores that have a closable and lockable door between them. There is a separate license for the liquor side.

I'm proofed every time I get liquor in NJ, no matter what the store, and I'm 40!

Jane

Yes, it's the one in Bridgewater NJ. Over the past few weeks they moved boxes of wine and beer from the liquor store out into the regular store. It is sold by the Wok/salad bar but I see displays all over the regular store now. I guess i'm ok with the policy, it's just something new to get used to.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I got "carded" for buying an R rated DVD at Target the other day. The clerk had to scan my driver's license.

I need to get a new wallet so I can get my license out more easily if this is the wave of the future. They do the "scanning" thing at CVS whenever you buy cold medicine. I guess scanning your license for booze is the next step, but I have to tell you--it's getting to be more and more "big brother" in this country, and I'm not sure I like it.

 

[SC Minnie]

Lots of places check everyone's ID. I support the policy.

I do too. It also makes me feel good I know deep down they don't think I'm under 21 but I can keep that fantasy in my head every time I get carded.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I'm pretty sure it's Wegmans company policy and I support it completely. I'm not good at judging age, and when I worked for a drug store I used to card everyone.

 

[tzolkin]

Wegmans has proofed everyone since 2004 here in NY. That includes everyone in the party checking out (not little kids obviously). The company feels that since the majority of cashiers are younger it is hard for them to determine the age of a customer, so it is better to proof everyone. So if my daughter who is 16 is with a group of older kids getting beer, they should be denied.

I understand the concept of this policy but often in practice it's just ridiculous. Yes, it's great that older friends won't be able to buy beer with your DD there, but what about when you can't go to the grocery store with your own child. My oldest is only 11, but I'm already dreading the hassle.

My brother's SIL (14) stays with them in the summers. She goes grocery shopping with them and then she and SIL have to sneak out of the store while brother checks out because otherwise he can't purchase any alcohol.

Sometimes even separating wouldn't work. I was out with a friend when we were in college and we happened to say hello to some other young people on our way into the store. They left, we shopped for groceries, and when we went to check out the cashier wouldn't allow us to purchase a 6 pack of beer. She was demanding to see our "friends" IDs as well. This happened to us at the gas station as well, but we didn't even talk to those other people, we just happened to walk in at the same time as them. Never spoke to them and the clerk saw them get into their own vehicle and leave. I could understand being cautious if we were trying to buy cases of alcohol, but we weren't.

 

[koolaidmoms]

I agree with the policy up to a point. I was behind a couple in line that were CLEARLY in their late 70s or 80s. The cashier asked the man for ID. The poor man was so confused. She told him she needed to see his driver's license to verify his birthdate. The man took forever to get his wallet out and then couldn't find his dr. license. He finally handed the cashier his SS card.

She told him she couldn't accept that so he handed her his wallet to try and find it. The poor man could not understand why she needed his license even after he told her how old he was. She explained it was store policy but the 5 other people in line with me all agreed that there should be some discretion. What did they gain by proofing this man? Assure that he was not a 17 year old made up as a 70-80 something year old? Did it assure that he was not going to walk out of the store and hand it to a 17 year old? They had his birthdate.

Please. It was just a waste of time.

 

[quentina]

Here in NJ it appears that liquor is now allowed to be sold in the regular Wegmans supermarket. They also instituted a 100% proofing policy, so if you're 21 or 100 years old you need to show your ID to purchase liquor. I of course did not bring my purse into the store when trying to get a bottle of wine, and i'm late 30's and look very much over 21.

Is this standard policy? I guess i'll need to bring my purse with me into the store from now on if I want to purchase a bottle of wine. I can't remember the last time I was proofed.

It's just easier for the retailer....now fear of failed stings and excess fines. I wish everyone did it for cigs and booze..........I deal with failed tobacco stings on a daily basis.

 

[Callie]

I hate how some stores card everyone in the group. When I go to stay with my sister for a while, we go grocery shopping since the store is a long drive, and we each like our own food. One time she tried buying some Rum, and they wouldn't sell it to her since I was there. Are we suppose to waste time and money just so she can have rum? She was the one paying for it.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I understand the concept of this policy but often in practice it's just ridiculous. Yes, it's great that older friends won't be able to buy beer with your DD there, but what about when you can't go to the grocery store with your own child. My oldest is only 11, but I'm already dreading the hassle.

My brother's SIL (14) stays with them in the summers. She goes grocery shopping with them and then she and SIL have to sneak out of the store while brother checks out because otherwise he can't purchase any alcohol.

Sometimes even separating wouldn't work. I was out with a friend when we were in college and we happened to say hello to some other young people on our way into the store. They left, we shopped for groceries, and when we went to check out the cashier wouldn't allow us to purchase a 6 pack of beer. She was demanding to see our "friends" IDs as well. This happened to us at the gas station as well, but we didn't even talk to those other people, we just happened to walk in at the same time as them. Never spoke to them and the clerk saw them get into their own vehicle and leave. I could understand being cautious if we were trying to buy cases of alcohol, but we weren't.

Maybe I didn't explain properly. I would not have probelm purchasing if my kids were with me, but if a group of kids, example 21, 21, and 18 went to buy the beer. They would all be carded and would be denied the beer. If the two 21's left the 18yo outside it would not be a problem. Last week a younger couple (married) were both proofed to get their beer in front of me.