In the world of candy stores, there are various reasons why they may need to check a customer’s driver’s license. One of the most common reasons is when selling age – restricted items such as certain types of hard candies with high alcohol content or novelty items that may contain ingredients not suitable for minors. Here’s how the process typically works.
The Initial Request
When a customer approaches the counter with items that may be age – restricted, the cashier or store employee will politely ask the customer for their driver’s license. This request is usually made in a friendly and non – confrontational manner. For example, the employee might say, “Excuse me, for these particular items, we need to verify your age. Could I see your driver’s license, please?” This initial step sets the tone for a cooperative interaction between the store and the customer.
Visual Inspection
Once the customer hands over their driver’s license, the store employee will start with a visual inspection. They will check the basic elements on the license. This includes looking at the expiration date to ensure that the license is still valid. A valid license is crucial as it is an official document that confirms the identity and age of the individual. The employee will also verify the name on the license to make sure it matches the person standing in front of them. They will look at the photo on the license and compare it to the customer’s physical appearance. This is important to prevent identity fraud and ensure that the person presenting the license is indeed the license holder.
Age Verification
The most important aspect of checking a driver’s license in a candy store is to verify the customer’s age. The employee will locate the date of birth on the license and calculate the customer’s age. Depending on the age – restriction of the item being sold, they will determine if the customer meets the required age. For example, if a candy contains a small amount of alcohol and the legal age to purchase it is 18, the employee will make sure the customer is at least 18 years old. This calculation is usually done mentally or, in some cases, with the help of a calculator if the math is a bit more complex.
Checking for Alterations
Another important part of the process is to check for any signs of alterations on the driver’s license. Employees are trained to look for things like tampered – with dates of birth, photos that have been replaced, or any other suspicious changes. Alterations on a driver’s license are illegal and can indicate that the license is being used fraudulently. Some signs of alterations may include uneven edges around the photo, differences in the color or texture of the paper in certain areas, or misaligned text. If an employee suspects that a license has been altered, they will typically take additional steps to verify its authenticity.
Using Technology (Optional)
In some more advanced candy stores or in areas with stricter regulations, stores may use technology to assist with driver’s license verification. There are devices available that can scan the magnetic strip or the barcode on the driver’s license. These scanners can quickly pull up information about the license holder, including their age, address, and any restrictions on their license. This technology can provide an extra layer of security and accuracy in the verification process. However, not all candy stores have access to or use such technology, especially smaller, independently – owned stores.
Handling Discrepancies
If there is a discrepancy during the driver’s license check, such as an expired license, a photo that doesn’t match well, or an age that doesn’t meet the requirements, the store employee will handle the situation carefully. If the license is expired, they may ask the customer if they have another form of valid identification, such as a passport or a state – issued ID card. If the photo doesn’t match, they may ask the customer for an explanation and look for other identifying features on the customer’s face or body that match the description on the license. In the case of an age discrepancy, if the customer is clearly underage for the item being purchased, the store will not sell the age – restricted item to the customer. They will explain the reason for the refusal in a polite and professional manner.
Record – Keeping (Optional)
Some candy stores may choose to keep records of the driver’s license checks, especially if they sell a significant amount of age – restricted items. These records may include the date of the check, the name of the customer (from the license), and the items that were being purchased. This record – keeping can be useful for auditing purposes, to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations regarding the sale of age – restricted products. However, stores must also be careful to follow privacy laws when keeping such records and ensure that the customer’s personal information is protected.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Problem: Customer doesn’t have a driver’s license.
Solution: The store can accept other forms of valid identification such as a passport, a state – issued ID card, or a military ID. These documents also contain the necessary information for age and identity verification. For example, a passport has the holder’s date of birth, photo, and personal details, making it a reliable alternative to a driver’s license.
- Problem: License is difficult to read.
Solution: The employee can ask the customer to hold the license under better lighting or try to read it from a different angle. If the problem persists, they can ask the customer for another form of identification. In some cases, the store may have a magnifying glass available to help with reading any small or blurry text on the license.
- Problem: Customer is uncooperative.
Solution: The store employee should remain calm and polite. They can explain the reason for the driver’s license check, such as local laws regarding the sale of age – restricted items. If the customer continues to be uncooperative, the store may choose not to sell the age – restricted items to the customer. In extreme cases, if the customer becomes verbally or physically abusive, the store may call the authorities.
- Problem: Suspected fake license.
Solution: The employee should not confront the customer directly but instead call a manager or a more experienced staff member. The store may also choose to contact the local law enforcement authorities to help verify the authenticity of the license. In the meantime, they should keep the license in a safe place until the situation is resolved.
- Problem: Technology – based verification fails.
Solution: If the scanner or other technology used for license verification fails, the store should rely on the manual inspection methods described earlier. The employee should carefully check the license for all the necessary elements such as expiration date, age, and photo match, and use their training and experience to make a determination.
- Problem: Employee is unsure about age – calculation.
Solution: The store should provide training to its employees on how to accurately calculate a customer’s age based on the date of birth on the driver’s license. If an employee is still unsure during a check, they can ask a more experienced colleague for help or use a calculator to double – check the math.
- Problem: Multiple customers with similar – looking licenses.
Solution: The employee should pay extra attention to details such as unique facial features, additional identifying marks on the license (like height or hair color), and any distinguishing characteristics of the customers themselves. They may also ask each customer to provide some additional personal information that is on the license, such as their address, to confirm their identity.
Fake ID Pricing
unit price: $109
| Order Quantity | Price Per Card |
|---|---|
| 2-3 | $89 |
| 4-9 | $69 |
| 10+ | $66 |
