Could you be more obvious?

[CarcinogenCrunchies]

One of the most awkward things about the fuel station is having to card a lot of people for cigs and beer. Sometimes because I get a young-looking person and find out they were born in the 70s, or because they're regulars I haven't yet met in my short time working out there. But sometimes it causes the following sort of confrontation:

SC: I need a pack of [cigarettes we don't sell a lot of].
Me: Sure, can I see your ID?
SC: I don't have it on me. I was born [DOB].
Me: I'm sorry, I can't sell them to you.
SC: Seriously? Aw, man.

SC leaves and gets into a car parked in front. He converses with his companions for a moment, then a girl gets out and comes into the store.

SCF: Hey, can I get a pack of [same rarely requested cigs]? (shows me her ID)
Me: Uhm, you're not sneaky. I can't sell these to you.
SCF: For real? He's older than me! He's like, 20.
Me: I'm sorry, since I know what you're going to do with them, I can't sell them to you.
SCF: So you want me to go somewhere else, then?
Me: That would have been the best idea.

Legally I would've been in the clear to sell them to her, and I'm not actively trying to save teens from the evils of tobacco, but it's the principle of it. Don't be so flippin' obvious when you're trying to circumvent the law.

[Anakah]

No you did the right thing. I think actually if you know what their intent is, you can say no.

[cinema guy]

Legally I would've been in the clear to sell them to her, and I'm not actively trying to save teens from the evils of tobacco, but it's the principle of it.

Your job being at stake is another good reason not to sell to anyone without ID, or you know is buying for someone else.

[D_Marx]

I love it when they put up a fight over cigs. They yell the most interesting things like, "Discrimination!" whenever they try to pull age prowess.

[bainsidhe]

At our store, we're required to card for anyone appearing under 40 years of age. That means if I suspect there's a chance you're under 40, I gotta card you.

Here's a couple things to think about. Had someone in her mid-twenties come up to buy cigs (legal age is 18). Coworker just entered the date of birth and sold them to her without checking ID. It was a sting and coworker got written up, even though the woman was of legal age.

Another situation (though I don't believe it has happened at my own store) is where a customer tips off police saying we sold cigs/alcohol to someone underage, like a son or daughter. Cops have the security tape pulled and it shows the employee processing the sale without ID. Problem is, the security cameras are overhead, which means it's darn near impossible to tell an 18 year-old from someone much older.

So yeah, I card almost everyone. *sigh*

[Soulstealer]

SCF: Hey, can I get a pack of [same rarely requested cigs]? (shows me her ID)
Me: Uhm, you're not sneaky. I can't sell these to you.
SCF: For real? He's older than me! He's like, 20.

Then neither of you are old enough. Denied and go away. (unless that's a typo)

[Kittish]

Legally I would've been in the clear to sell them to her, and I'm not actively trying to save teens from the evils of tobacco, but it's the principle of it. Don't be so flippin' obvious when you're trying to circumvent the law.

If you're in the United States, no you would not have been in the clear legally to sell to her, knowing that she was going to hand them over to him. It's called a second party sale (if I recall), and is illegal, at least in most states.

[CarcinogenCrunchies]

Then neither of you are old enough. Denied and go away. (unless that's a typo)

For alcohol, no. Tobacco purchasing age is 18, though.

If you're in the United States, no you would not have been in the clear legally to sell to her, knowing that she was going to hand them over to him. It's called a second party sale (if I recall), and is illegal, at least in most states.

I actually took a tobacco retailer compliance class recently, taught by the chief of police, and he said that even if you suspect someone is buying for someone else, there really isn't anything that can be done if I (and the store's cameras) don't see that person hand cash to the purchaser.

I'm talking about initially, of course. After she made it clear with her protests about his age, I knew it for a fact and the legality rapidly diminished.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

If you're in the United States, no you would not have been in the clear legally to sell to her, knowing that she was going to hand them over to him. It's called a second party sale (if I recall), and is illegal, at least in most states.

I know for a fact it's illegal to conduct second party sales of tobacco and alcohol here in NC.

If we even suspect that you're giving it to someone who is either 1) obviously underage or 2) possibly underage but has no ID, it's NO SALE. Period.

Most of the times I've had people throw a temper tantrum has been over alcohol. Even so, just simply put the product behind the counter and tell them to have a nice day/night.

And if they don't like it, tough titty said the kitty.

[Soulstealer]

For alcohol, no. Tobacco purchasing age is 18, though.

My mistake, for some reason I thought he was talking about alcohol.

[fireheart]

second party sales (known as secondary sales) are also illegal here in Australia, regardless of state. Even though I don't work the smoke counter, we're all trained in cigarette sale laws for some strange reason. The fun part though-most of the state uses Think 25 (for the unfamiliar, it's basically that we ID everyone who appears 25 and younger) and the sign on our liquor section says "think of it as a compliment"

[Kyree]

Honestly I card everybody when I cashier. I don't care if you're 18 or 80. If you don't have an ID, you don't get booze or smokes. What's even better is when they don't have ID, buy one or the other, then try to pay with a credit card.

[Food Lady]

I HAVE TO card people on age-restricted items. (We don't sell alcohol nor tobacco, but other stuff). The system will not let me go forward unless I scan an ID. I likes it.

[fireheart]

I HAVE TO card people on age-restricted items. (We don't sell alcohol nor tobacco, but other stuff). The system will not let me go forward unless I scan an ID. I likes it.

what else do you guys card for?

As far as work goes, we'll card for the following:

-food colouring and vanilla essence. (funnily enough, it also asks for orange essence, but none of the others)
-knives.
-cigarettes, alcohol.

We also do have to card for SIM cards and phones these days. (although funnily enough, I didn't get carded when I bought my new phone )

[EricKei]

Even though I don't work the smoke counter, we're all trained in cigarette sale laws for some strange reason.

I imagine that they do that just in case you end up on the smoke counter in an "emergency situation" someday

the sign on our liquor section says "think of it as a compliment"

I love it ^_^ That's how I think of being carded, anyway.