Music stores often find it necessary to check the driver’s licenses of their customers for various reasons. One of the main purposes is age – verification, especially when selling items such as certain music CDs with explicit content or when handling transactions related to music – related equipment rentals or purchases that may have age – restrictions. Here is how the process generally unfolds.
Initial Request
When a customer makes a purchase or engages in a particular transaction that requires age – verification, the store employee will politely ask the customer to provide their driver’s license. This request is usually accompanied by a brief explanation of why the license is needed, for example, “We need to check your ID for age – verification purposes as this item is only available to customers of a certain age.” This clear communication helps to put the customer at ease and ensures they understand the reason for the request.
Visual Inspection
Once the customer hands over the driver’s license, the store employee will start with a visual inspection. They will first check the expiration date. A valid driver’s license should not be expired. If it is, the store may choose not to accept it for age – verification purposes. Next, the employee will look at the photo on the license. The photo should match the person standing in front of them. Discrepancies in appearance, such as a significant difference in hair color or facial features, may prompt further investigation.
The employee will also check the personal details on the license. This includes the full name, date of birth, and address. The date of birth is crucial for determining the customer’s age. The store employee will calculate the customer’s age based on the current date and the date of birth on the license to ensure that the customer meets the required age for the transaction. For example, if the music store has a policy that only sells certain vinyl records to customers 18 years or older, they will use the date of birth on the license to verify this.
Cross – Referencing (if applicable)
In some cases, music stores may have a system in place to cross – reference the driver’s license information. This could be for security reasons or to prevent fraud. For instance, if a customer has made a large purchase and there are concerns about identity theft, the store may check the driver’s license number against a database. However, this is usually done with the customer’s consent. If the store uses a third – party service for cross – referencing, they will ensure that the customer’s privacy is protected and that the service complies with relevant data protection laws.
Returning the License
After the inspection and any necessary cross – referencing, the store employee will return the driver’s license to the customer. They will do this in a timely manner and with care, ensuring that the license is not damaged in the process. The employee may also thank the customer for their cooperation, which helps to maintain a positive customer – store relationship.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Problem: Expired License
Sometimes, customers may present an expired driver’s license. This can be a source of inconvenience for both the customer and the store. The store has a responsibility to uphold its policies regarding age – verification and may not be able to accept an expired license.
Solution: The store employee should politely inform the customer that the license is expired and that they will need to provide a valid form of identification. If the customer does not have another form of ID on – hand, the employee can suggest alternative options such as a passport or a state – issued ID card. If the customer is unable to provide a valid ID immediately, the store may choose to put the transaction on hold until the customer can return with proper identification.
- Problem: Discrepant Photo
If the photo on the driver’s license does not closely match the customer’s appearance, it can raise suspicion. This could be due to natural changes in appearance over time, such as weight loss or gain, a new hairstyle, or the use of glasses or contact lenses in real – life but not in the photo.
Solution: The store employee should handle this situation delicately. They can ask the customer if they have had any recent changes in appearance. The customer may be able to provide additional information or another form of identification that has a more recent photo. If the customer can provide a reasonable explanation and additional supporting ID, the store may choose to accept the driver’s license for age – verification. However, if there are still doubts, the store may decline the transaction until the identity can be more firmly established. - Problem: Incomplete Information on License
There may be cases where the driver’s license has some missing or unclear information. For example, the date of birth may be smudged or the name may be partially obscured.
Solution: The store employee should inform the customer about the issue with the license. They can ask the customer if they have another form of identification that has clear and complete information. If the customer does not have another ID, the employee can suggest that the customer contact the relevant licensing authority to get the license corrected. In the meantime, the store may need to hold off on the transaction until the license can be properly verified. - Problem: Refusal to Provide License
Some customers may be hesitant or outright refuse to provide their driver’s license. This could be due to privacy concerns or simply a misunderstanding of the store’s policy.
Solution: The store employee should take the time to explain the store’s policy and the reasons for the age – verification requirement. They can assure the customer that the license will only be used for the purpose of age – verification and that their personal information will be kept confidential. If the customer still refuses, the store may have to decline the transaction, especially if the item or service being purchased has age – restrictions. - Problem: Suspicion of Fraud
If the store employee has reason to suspect that the driver’s license is fraudulent, such as inconsistent formatting, strange – looking holograms, or other signs of forgery, it is a serious matter.
Solution: The employee should not confront the customer in an accusatory manner. Instead, they should calmly ask the customer if they can provide additional forms of identification. The store may also choose to contact local law enforcement if the suspicion of fraud is strong. The employee should document the details of the situation, including the appearance of the license and the customer’s reactions, for future reference.
Fake ID Pricing
unit price: $109
| Order Quantity | Price Per Card |
|---|---|
| 2-3 | $89 |
| 4-9 | $69 |
| 10+ | $66 |
