I don't know if I got a fake ID or not today...

[bean]

Well, today I had someone in my line.. she seemed a bit "off", to put it lightly.

To be honest, she seemed kind of drunk, and was buying alcohol as well. However, I didn't smell alcohol on her at all, wasn't slurring at all, and just seemed to be really clumsy after dealing with her. She'd apparently gotten the attention of store management too, because she'd been acting.. well.. loud, all over the store.

She looked young, store management called me when she was in my line and told me to make damn sure I card her (I card pretty much anyone that looks like they're under 40).

I card her, and manage to get the attention of our off duty security guy (he's a full time cop for the local PD, 20-something years experience, etc). Her ID looks pretty damn good, definitely looks and feels like the real thing. I mention she has a birthday coming up, and she says "YEAH I'M GOING TO BE 22 I MEAN 23!".

Yes, red flags are popping up all over the goddamn place. However... while she's definitely a bit... "off".. she isn't obviously drunk, isn't on any drugs that I can easily identify (and I've done just about everything you can imagine and a lot of drugs you've never heard of too), and just seems... talkative.

I finally complete the sale, and our officer stops her on the way out and just chats her up a bit. He asked me about her ID later, I told him the birthday, etc, and that it looked and felt real even though I had alarms going off in my head. He told me that he thought she was sober as well, but thought she was a bit younger than what her ID claimed.

I'm REALLY hoping I didn't just get nailed by TABC. I really, really wanted to deny the alcohol sale, since I had so many alarm bells screaming at me, but she didn't seem very "intoxicated" to me. Ditzy as hell yes, possibly using a fake ID yes, but not visibly intoxicated. Her eyes were clear, they weren't drifting, she was able to focus just fine, etc. If anything, she may have smoked some weed and used some Visene.

Slightly related, during my lunch I was drinking a root beer while walking around the store (out of uniform, in a tie-dye shirt and jeans, no apron on, no hat on, etc). Someone complained to the store manager that a cashier was walking around the store drinking beer. That was kinda funny.

[Hobbs]

FYI, my bro is certified by TABC and says the rule is to err on the side of caution. If you have a suspicion, you're to deny sale and if they complain, have them contact your manager. The manager can then approve/deny sale based on your judgment.

Know that you'll probably only get in trouble if TABC decides to investigate.

[Broomjockey]

You mention she was clumsy and loud, and that made you think she was drunk?

No, that's not drunk, that's nerves. She was 99.5% likely using a fake ID. Yeah, she was probably 19 or 20. Probably paid a pretty penny for that ID too.

[casey13]

I thought they identified themselves quickly? There was one girl busted but she still worked there because everyone saw what the guy looked like.

[Plaidman]

If your ever unsure of a ID, DO'NT TAKE IT. Tell them no. Call a manager and have them do it.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

You mean she didn't use the fake ID so she could vote?

[BlaqueKatt]

You mention she was clumsy and loud, and that made you think she was drunk?

No, that's not drunk, that's nerves.

or me on cold or allergy meds-Psst* I also don't usually remember how old I am when asked

[bean]

Yeah, after thinking about everything, I'm 99% sure it was a fake ID. That, or a TABC sting, but like casey said, I'm pretty sure they identify themselves before they leave. Plus I even involved a police officer in the transaction.

I'm technically certified by TABC, but my "certification" was a few hours of sitting through flash pages on a web site, just about everybody else in the store were trained by, you know, actual people. I zoned out for most of the pages and when the quizzes came up, I just clicked what seemed to make sense (and scored 100% on everything).

[infinitemonkies]

I once had someone complain to my manager that I was smoking in the store, while on duty and in uniform. I had a pen in my mouth.

[LillFilly]

My sister takes a whole slew of different medications that, at certain times, can make her groggy, uncoordinated, and slur her speech. She does seem drunk, but you know she's not. She's also naturally ditzy. So the family gets offended when someone makes the offhand remark "oh, she was probably drunk!" No, if you had as many medical problems as she does, try taking 30 or so meds and see if YOU do any better!

ID girl sounds ditzy and young in my opinion.

[Hobbs]

My sister takes a whole slew of different medications that, at certain times, can make her groggy, uncoordinated, and slur her speech. She does seem drunk, but you know she's not. She's also naturally ditzy. So the family gets offended when someone makes the offhand remark "oh, she was probably drunk!" No, if you had as many medical problems as she does, try taking 30 or so meds and see if YOU do any better!

ID girl sounds ditzy and young in my opinion.

Still, those are suspect actions, and coupled with buying alcohol, I wouldn't begrudge a cashier from denying her sale. It's always better to offend one person than to get fired/fined for allowing a sale, imho.

[Seshat]

I card her, and manage to get the attention of our off duty security guy (he's a full time cop for the local PD, 20-something years experience, etc).

If it was a sting, that'll be what saved you.

[workerbee222]

Years ago, a young woman in our dorm had some slight motor skill problems. None of us ever asked, to my knowledge, but we suspected some very slight form of cerebral palsy. Anyway, if you didn't know that she was like this all the time, one could very easily mistake her for being drunk.