Like it or not, summer is here. The days are getting warmer and warmer. As schools let out for vacation, customers will start buying more items for backyard barbecues and parties. Checkout lines will become longer. Customers will be buying burgers, hot dogs, ribs, anything else they can grill, and most especially: beer and other alcohol. This means that you need to be especially careful when checking identification.
Years of experience help minimize errors while rapidly shuffling through hundreds of customers a day, but, inevitably, someone in line can get angry at having to wait as long as seven or eight minutes.
A busy checker can sometimes become intimidated or flustered in the midst of chaos. It happens.
A busy checker might unintentionally let someone who doesn’t appear to be over age 35 buy alcohol without checking identification to verify age.
Don’t let yourself get into that situation because it could cost you your job. State regulators are aggressive in their efforts to crack down on the sale of alcohol to minors. Huge fines can be levied against the company and the individual checker as well.
Beware “STINGS”
A common set-up might be something like this: A young-looking undercover sting agent casually walks through the checkout line with a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine. The agent’s only true intention is to see whether the checker requests formal identification prior to selling the merchandise. The instant the transaction is made, the case is essentially over. Either you carded the agent or not. Case closed.
The process allows little room for challenge. Virtually all transactions are recorded on tape by your store’s security system. Furthermore, there is no ambiguity in the law requiring card-checks and state statutes that mandate swift punishment.
Major employers have established strict policies requiring checkers to request identification for anyone who even looks younger than 35. It’s a practical policy and good advice.
Some of you may have even seen the television commercial encouraging checkers to be vigilant in checking IDs exposing a possible benefit. A rather elegant-looking, long-haired woman in her 30s flashes a smile when the young, blushing, male clerk asks for her ID.
Think about how many impatient and frustrated shoppers will be complimented by the prospect that they look younger than 35. More than a few gratified customers are likely to smile and thank you for your kind words.
Go ahead, make someone’s day... and perhaps save your job in the process. |
