Would It Bother You To Be Carded ??

[Jolie Rouge]

Posted 2/6/2005 1:59 PM

Supermarket chain carding all for alcohol, cigarette buys

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Betty Ann Fischer has been old enough to buy liquor for more than 50 years. So she was a little surprised when a grocery store clerk asked to see her identification before selling her a bottle of wine. "The first time it was a sweet young man, and I laughed because I thought he was trying to pay me a sweet compliment. But then he said, 'No I'm serious,'" the petite 71-year-old said. "I thought he was just joshing with me."

The ID checks at all Roundy's-owned Pick 'N Save and Copps food stores in Wisconsin are part of the company's new policy requiring cashiers to check the age of everyone buying cigarettes or alcohol — whether they look 21 or 91. Roundy's owns 77 stores in Wisconsin, nearly all of which are Pick 'N Save or Copps.

The policy has generated complaints from customers, newspaper columnists and even city officials. Nicky Clauer, 45, said she expects the Milwaukee Pick 'n Save where she shops will lose business. She told a cashier so after she was carded while buying a bottle of vodka. "I could see doing it for people who look under 21, under 30. But for heaven's sake, when you're 45 and you look it, it's kind of a pain," she said.

The company's old policy was similar to those of other stores that request identification from anyone who appears under age 30. Roundy's spokeswoman Lynn Guyer provided a news release on the policy but did not return repeated calls from The Associated Press for more comment. The Milwaukee-based company has said no one who is clearly old enough will be denied a liquor purchase — a manager can override the transaction.

Roundy's also owns 32 stores in Minnesota and supplies to stores in 10 other states but has so far adopted the policy only in Wisconsin. The nation's other large grocery chains said they were not likely to adopt such stringent standards, although some have cracked down on ID checks for cigarettes after receiving large fines.

Wal-Mart, the country's largest grocer, cards anyone buying tobacco or alcohol who looks under age 27, spokeswoman Sharon Weber said. She said the age limit was adopted after the chain consulted with attorneys general in several states.

Walgreens drugstores rescinded a short-lived policy of asking all tobacco buyers for ID in 2002 after elderly customers complained, spokeswoman Carol Hively said. The company now checks the IDs of people who look under 40. "It just seemed like a commonsense thing. If someone comes in who's 80 years old, it's just ridiculous, they've been buying cigarettes for years at Walgreens," she said.

In December, Safeway Inc. settled a lawsuit with the state of California over allegations it sold cigarettes to minors. A Safeway spokesman did not return calls from the AP about its policy on carding people buying alcohol. Roundy's said it started its "We Card Because We Care" program to prevent underage drinking and tobacco use and help local law enforcement. It also frees cashiers from having to make judgment calls.

A cashier at a south-side Milwaukee Pick 'N Save said the policy upset customers, and some threatened to shop elsewhere. "Why do I have to card an 80-year-old person just because they're a smoker? There's something wrong with that," said the cashier, who did not want her name used because she feared she could be punished.

Some customers said they don't mine a gentle reminder of their age. "I didn't know I looked that young," laughed Michael Rushing, who was carded buying a bottle of wine the day after his 50th birthday. "It didn't bother me but it sort of surprised me."

Paul Esslinger, an Oshkosh city councilor, complained to a Pick 'N Save manager there after a cashier asked him for ID and told him it was because of a state law, "and just in general that I thought it was a ridiculous policy. ... I would be insulted as an employee, that I had to check someone who's 70 years old buying a six-pack of beer. I would want to tell management, 'Don't you think I know that a 70-year-old person can purchase alcohol?'" Esslinger said.

That's how Rita Kaczorek felt when a clerk asked her for ID for the first time in years. "The first time it happened, I truly was flattered. I thought, 'Wow, this is great.' After that it became a nuisance," said Kaczorek, 74. "When you get this old, come on! It's just silly."

The National Association of Beverage Retailers, which represents 20,000 bar and liquor store owners in 34 states, does not know of another major chain with a similar companywide policy, spokesman John Bodnovich said. He said most retailers require ID from people who look under 30 or 40, but carding everyone protects the store and the cashier from liability.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...M_Exclude=Juno


Is it really *that* big a deal ?? Would you stop shopping somewhere because they card you everytime ??

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[bribella]

im 28 and get carded all the time. not a big deal to me.

[nanajoanie]

I'd love to be carded. Haven't been carded in over 35 years.

[cleaningla]

It wouldn't bother me at places I go once a week or something like that.

If they were to start doing it at the convenience store across the street, that I've been going to for 20 years and they know me by name, it would be a little rediculous, but I wouldn't stop going there.

[catdance]

yeah it bugs me, I am 40, I get the law is in place..<no issue>, for me it is bothersome, and I stood behind a very OLD man the other day and he was at least, the very..70..and he didn't have ID and he wasn't drunk, far from the like and buying seriously EXPENSIVE booze and wine and got refused..no ID..come on..that was really a load of "YIKES" and he had a really expensive Mercedes..and dresses to the NINES, I did say "I can buy it for you, have my ID" that got me put out as well..IMAGINE..that guy turned out to be part OWNER of the Minnesota TImberwolves..and the amount at cost was over $390.00, all good stuff, no cheap stuff..and was refused..so agree with the idea, of "accountability and responsibility" in this case, I say.."NO"..and that guy will never go back to that Liquor Store again..I did get a free for a WOLVES game and courtside, and we DID laugh at the hassle and I was bussing, so I got tickets and a free ride, by a very nice GENTLEMAN..I get the point but when you are so OBVIOUSLY OLD, not that I wanna be..you get the point..would take his kind of money..however..
FLAMES, not needed..

[nanajoanie]

I'm sure you were safe with that stranger in his fancy car. You had a sack of "goodies" from the doctors office

[buttrfli]

I love to be carded What I hate is seeing the signs that say they will card you if you look younger than 30... I never get carded at those places LOL

[Jolie Rouge]

I got carded the other night, buying Hubby some beer. LOL I was excited -- "Whoohooo, somebody thinks I am a kid again !" Cashier thought I was being sarcastic, the people in line thought it was funny.

I understand the rules can be annoying, but the law is the law. If they store gets caught selling to underage the fines & penalties are pretty stiff ( store and cashier are accountable )

[rlynn411]

Normally just annoys me. If for no other reason that I have to dig out the ID. And 9 times out of 10 it will be when I have left purse in car and just grabbed my cash.

Factor in I'm 38, and trust me I haven't aged so well that I look under 21.

[onfire4god57]

I would have to say that I would be flattered to be asked for ID, it's been along time since I've been asked. However it would get old real quick.

I just can't imagine even asking anyone in their 70's for ID that's just plain stupid and insulting to the person.

I remember back years ago when I was working in a convience store and one of our other stores had gotten busted selling to a minor, so all of the chain had to be more careful. I actually carded a guy that was like 43 or 44. He really didn't look to be that old, but it was as embarassing for me as it was him.

I think they need to rethink the way they think!

[sparklez]

I wouldn't mind, for just the simple fact that i know if my lil sister who is 16 or when my kids become old enough that they want to try to go buy it.. The wouldn't be able too

I do see people get quite annoyed when they are carded though.