And if you can show that your standard business practice is to get everyone’s ID, so much the better. Documented consistency can be worth its weight in gold.
Here is the reason you should be concerned about this kind of data collection:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4LtYMNl4yw
As a point of clarification regarding the “do they keep the info” questions, the answer is yes - at least in regard to credit card transactions. It’s mandated by PCI-DSS. And any security policy. The data is held for 3-ish years. It’s also tracked by the credit card brand. So VISA knows what you drink.
Here’s the deal. I used to work for VA ABC down in VA Beach.
The only information taken from the id is the ID#, Expiration Date, and DOB. That information is brought up on the screen for the cashier to review, and when the transaction is completed it is printed onto the receipt (onl y 4 or 4 digits of the ID#) Of course credit card information is stored, but not the specific products, and paper copies for the store are no longer printed, then the DOB, DL#, EXP Date, are all expunged, they were no where to be found in the systems/receipts.
They are supposed to be entering those same parts of information manually, which takes longer and can be error prone. Thus the scanning. When th regulatory agents “sting” places for compliance of employees or to arrest kids with fakes, invalids, or improperly checked ID’s in the parking lot. Which they DO do sometimes. This way the officer can tell if the ID was even attempted to be checked, and actually which cashier had supposedly done it. You wanna guess which one of the could be leaving in handcuffs?
THe more important point is that you have no choice in the matter if you intend to leave with a controlled substance. Don’t show the license, no booze, have a nice day. In a private store, in the case OP’s wife purchased her wine in a grocery store, realize that in Virginia it is common place now that if you look young enough to be carded, you have to show a valid photo ID AND a second form that has at least the same name on it. That isn’t state law, but its store policy. Again. Don’t like it? Leave. You may have a right to control your information but you don’t have the right to patronize the establishment. In a VA ABC store, if you are purposefully asked for your ID, you either show it and it is legit over 21 and not expired, or you do not get the booze.
Penalties for grocery clerks that fail to do this and are caught range from termination to fines at the very least. At the ABC employee, it can be jail time.
To be clear, I don’t mean to seem rude, but I can assure you the only information taken is used to ensure only valid ID’s are getting alcohol to the best attempts. Afterwards, its gone. Is it more likely information is being taken so it can be sold later, or that it’s simply to curb underage alcohol abuse and the livelihood of sales associates.
..I wished to God it was about protecting children from tobacco. Sadly, its not. Its never what they say its for. There is always a greedy fat-cat cigar smoking scrooge in the background, or some anal control freak bureaucrat. Who in turn works for the fat-cat cigar smoking scrooge; either compelling the retailer or giving them an incentive to co-operate. I know retailers dont want to piss off their customers. And they know who is well over age, b/c they ID’d me twice. And said they will again. So its not about my age. Its invasive. Its deceptive and i dont like it. Why is it we keep giving up freedoms&privacy while young people are killing&dying to supposedly protect them? Doesnt anyone notice these contradictions? We’re getting less freedom, privacy,pay,opportunity,security, but we sure see prices surge. First we get duped, then we are dopey, &the ones that view this as innocuous, safety measures, are doped.
Come on, ID theft, underage purchaces, should not include making a 53 year old show his ID everytime he buys cigarettes… I know, I’m a paranoid nut who needs to take his meds…&get w/the new ways of society. OK.
But I’m telling you all now…straight dope! There are no bogey men across the waters, they are right here in our own neighborhoods. Some wear masks and use a gun. Some a suit&use speeches. Others a uniform&use a badge. We defeated Germany, but facism won. We broke the Soviets, &now we are witnessing the dawn of a facist-communist empire emerging. A global communist-facist economic empire based on a 2 class system. Rich&Po… no more class in da middle. There is no more class period in the world today.
Gotta go take my meds…
peace/paz/salam/shalom
So how does carding 90 year olds keep alcohol out of the hands of kids? I fail to see it.
I can see an “under 30” policy just to be on the safe side, but some old man with gray hair and a walker? Plain waste of time to ask for ID.
minor hijack:
Thats because barcode scanners are seen by the computer as a type of keyboard/input device. A barcode is a series of letters/numbers in a machine readable font.
The problem is people suck at guessing ages and the state alcohol regulating agencies have zero tolerance policy regarding underage sales. Big fines and possible loss of license.
It’s easier for the retailer to require ID for everyone and not take the risk.
Moderator Note
Mindful2012, political rants like this are completely inappropriate for GQ, particularly to revive an old thread. No warning issued, but don’t do this again.
Since this thread is old and has been revived for no reason, I’m going to close it. Anyone who has further questions about the issue can open a new thread.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator