Weird alcohol laws in So Cal..

[Syringer]

So I'm 20, and was with a couple guys who were 22 and 23 and walked into Rite-Aid out in Westwood. I had to get some non alcoholic things for my own need, while they took care of that business.

When we were about to pay then, the cashier asked one of my roommates (the purchaser) for ID, and also my other roommates and MY ID as well..which of course I didn't have.

Apparently then, whenever you walk into the store with someone who's purchasing alcohol, it's required that they all be 21 and prove it.

Can someone come up with a logical explanation as to why this is?

 

[gistech1978]

Originally posted by: Syringer
So I'm 20, and was with a couple guys who were 22 and 23 and walked into Rite-Aid out in Westwood. I had to get some non alcoholic things for my own need, while they took care of that business.

When we were about to pay then, the cashier asked one of my roommates (the purchaser) for ID, and also my other roommates and MY ID as well..which of course I didn't have.

Apparently then, whenever you walk into the store with someone who's purchasing alcohol, it's required that they all be 21 and prove it.

Can someone come up with a logical explanation as to why this is?

i think its the store's policy
thats what walmart did in the city where i went to college.

 

[Heisenberg]

The Russ's Market here does that too. My friend was buying beer and I was with him and had to show ID. I wasn't buying anything at all (just standing there), but still had to show it. It's gotta be a store policy.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

This exists, but really isn't common or isn't enforced. CA has IMO the loosest alcohol laws compared to most states. I think it's just because there are like 20k students w/ a couple blocks of that RiteAid. Funny though, the Ralphs almost never cards me.

 

[Syringer]

Can anyone explain the logic behind that? I mean as soon as anyone finds out they will easily just keep their friend out of the store next time..

 

[MAME]

I've heard of it but never happened to me (all two times in was around someone buying alcohol). no biggie, just walk in alone and buy it

 

[Dissipate]

Just another retarded law the government imposes which is really easy to circumvent.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Syringer
So I'm 20, and was with a couple guys who were 22 and 23 and walked into Rite-Aid out in Westwood. I had to get some non alcoholic things for my own need, while they took care of that business.

When we were about to pay then, the cashier asked one of my roommates (the purchaser) for ID, and also my other roommates and MY ID as well..which of course I didn't have.

Apparently then, whenever you walk into the store with someone who's purchasing alcohol, it's required that they all be 21 and prove it.

Can someone come up with a logical explanation as to why this is?

That used to happen to me back when I was 18 or so at the liquor store, but after IDing us both they never refused sale. I don't know if they didn't look at the ID, or just didn't care. Maybe we were keeping them in business.

 

[yukichigai]

I had that happen once, but at the time I had a rather good fake ID at hand. My best friend was rather good at faking IDs; he and I had figured out how to pass 11 of the 12 things they check IDs for. Reminds me of the uptight b%$#@ at the movie counter who tried to stop me from taking my 12-year-old brother to see The Matrix when I was 18. I was 18, I was escorting him, it fit the rules just fine. I asked for the manager and she backed off though.

Yeah, stupid policy. It'll only stop a potential buyer once.

 

[Jzero]

Don't think that's a law in NJ, but I've had it happen. It's pretty pointless. Next time they'll just leave the minor in the car when they buy him booze. It happened once to my exgf. It was me, her, and her father. We were getting some booze for the New Years party. All of us over 21, but my ex didn't bring her wallet since she didn't need to.

Cashier carded all 3 of us and wouldn't sell to her father b/c she couldn't prove she was 21.

Wow, they really saved the day on that one

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: GoodRevrnd
This exists, but really isn't common or isn't enforced. CA has IMO the loosest alcohol laws compared to most states. I think it's just because there are like 20k students w/ a couple blocks of that RiteAid. Funny though, the Ralphs almost never cards me.

Unless it's changed in the past 10 years (possible), when I worked at SavOn the LAW stated that the person paying had to be over 21. But if it looks like the purchaser is going to give/share with a minor, refuse the sale.

It's prolly just policy to make sure everyone's 21 so that there's no risk of them passing it on to the minor.

 

[Dedpuhl]

I worked in a grocery store for 8 years. The only people ID'ed were the ones contributing money. If someone tossed in only a buck, then that person was ID'ed as well.

 

[Bryophyte]

I have never had any problems buying alcohol when I had my children with me, either in California or in Oregon. Wonder how old the kids have to be before the laws/rules kick in?

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Up here in Alaska, they once asked for the ID of the person that was out in the car (we were riding with a friend who waited while we went inside to buy beer).

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Forgot to mention, it's also against the law to give alcoholic beverages to moose in Fairbanks, Alaska.

 

[AUMM]

i live in so cal too, i remem;ber once when a friend and I were buyin some alcohol (he was 21, i was 20) and when we went up to the cashier she said she had seen me take some bottles off the shelf to buy and thats not allowed, but she let my friend buy them anyways...

 

[CaseTragedy]

never heard of that law, but a cashier once told me that she has to check the ID of anyone that pays. so if your underage friend tries to help with the $0.43 change--hes gonna get carded.

 

[fumbduck]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteve
Forgot to mention, it's also against the law to give alcoholic beverages to moose in Fairbanks, Alaska.

It's a good thing they have this law in place, don't want any drunk moose flyin around.

 

[Syringer]

What if you're a father with a toddler, shopping and decide to purchase beer or something?

 

[Ronstang]

I have seen this happen here in Texas and I see no problem with it since the store is merely covering it's ass. You don't have to face the penalties and fines they do so think a little about the clerk's/store's position.

The craziest thing I ever had happen to me was when many years ago when I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle in Atlanta. They were having a party and my Aunt asked me to go to the liqour store and pick up her order. No problem, I was 23 so I went on down to the store. They asked for my ID and when I presented my Texas Driver's License showing my age to be 23 they looked at me and said they could not accept it because it was out of state. I laughed and my Aunt had to call in and verify my age since she knew the owner of the store. I was quite shocked considering there are federal laws that make State's accept other State's legal documents etc. but I guess this store owner was simply covering his ass.

 

[psydancerqt]

same law applies in michigan. not sure about all stores, but i know meijer enforces it.

 

[thrashev]

Originally posted by: Syringer
What if you're a father with a toddler, shopping and decide to purchase beer or something?

that's different

checking everyone's id is just a (dumb) way of keeping people from buying alcohol for minors, meaning they would only check ids if say they looked between the age of 21-15, your example is ridiculous

 

[Electric Amish]

I don't know what the law is, but it is there to prevent the distribution of alcohol to a minor. If the store did not enforce the policy they could *possibly* be held liable for selling/providing alcohol to a minor.

I have no problem with it. The law is that if you are under 21 you can't drink. Until the law changes I'm all for the policy.

 

[Hammer]

it was the same here. nearly any liquor store near a college campus will do it.

 

[dullard]

I don't think it is a law, but it is very common practice. If the person buys the alcohol and then gives it immediately to the minor - the store will likely still be responsible for a fine costing $1000+ per offense. Most stores I've bought alcohol at have that policy. In fact I've attempted to buy alcohol at one place that saw my wife in the car and refused to sell to me since she looked young (she was 23, but looks 18). I asked their policy and they said they refuse to sell alcohol if anyone young refuses to come in and show their ID.