Is there really a law in NYS for this?

[redhat]

My father was in Walmart last week buying some groceries, oil, odds and ends and had my 15 year old brother with him. He is 59. Besides the items, he had two 30 packs of beer in the cart. He put one on the register belt and said to the cashier "there's two beers here". The cashier replied "Yeah, we're checking on that". He was a little confused and asked "Checking on what?".

The cashier called their supervisor or whoever over who then told my father he couldn't purchase the beer because he had a minor with him. I guess they also asked for my brother's ID (doesn't have any, he's 15!). He didn't buy anything and left his other items there. The next day he called the store and spoke with the manager asking about this (has never had this happen before). The manager in one breath told my dad "well, you should've been fine". Then the manager replied with "well it's a law and that's why we couldn't sell to you". He asked where this is a law and apparently the manager kept talking in circles. I know that obviously you can't sell to a minor, but I don't know, I thought this was ridiculous.

I can understand someone who is 21 with an apparently 18ish person with them being told "No" without any proof, but an obvious 59 year old father with his 15 year old son?

 

[JHZR2]

Wow, yeah that's a bit much. Wouldn't put it past anyone to implement such a thing, and I could kind of see it if it's a college town or something, but it's just too far.

Thing is... Is it a real law?

 

[johnachak]

I've lived in NY my whole life and I never heard of that one. I've had my kids with me many times when I bought beer too. Sounds like someone got burnt once and the store manager is trying to whitewash it.

 

[dparm]

Has happened to us in Illinois for as long as I can remember, but some cashiers seem to ignore it or don't bother checking.

Of course, it doesn't prevent the person from making the underage companion just wait in the car...

 

[Rolla07]

So ridiculous. What are they gona police next...even if its a 25 year old with an 18 yo and they refuse the 25 year old because they are with someone under age..doesnt always mean its being bought for them. You can exit store and come back alone..what difference does it make...here legal drinking age is 18.

Once I was at an New Hampshire liquor store and I was 23 years old, they refused to sell me alcohol because I didnt have a drivers license..i was able to enter your country with a medicare id card but apparently I could not buy liquor if i didnt have their required drivers license..(i didnt have a license at the time). I was beyond upset, and wish I could go back in time to refuse to leave without the booze.

You should complain to Walmart corporate. Its their job to sell you stuff not question what you are buying. Tiredof this kind of policing.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Favorite one for me, bought beer on leave in Florida in June, went to show my military ID, and get "sorry sir, we cant sell you beer this isn't a valid state ID"

Boy did I flip...

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Favorite one for me, bought beer on leave in Florida in June, went to show my military ID, and get "sorry sir, we cant sell you beer this isn't a valid state ID"

Boy did I flip...



Cant take passports in Ohio...

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Favorite one for me, bought beer on leave in Florida in June, went to show my military ID, and get "sorry sir, we cant sell you beer this isn't a valid state ID"

Boy did I flip...



Cant take passports in Ohio...



I've worked for racetrac petroleum in the past, before the military.
No, we couldn't take passports.
Plastic was fine, state, military, canada, etc
Drivers license/gov ID reference book at every register. Anheuser-Busch makes a book, quick reference, of all state and government issued ids, all the way back to who knows when, and the Canadian versions as well.
When in doubt, go to the book.

 

[bdcardinal]

They do it at the grocery store up the street from me all the time. If you have heard of Isla Vista, well this grocery store is the closest one in Goleta and has a HUGE alcohol section. Students from the University of Casual Sex and Beer go there a lot and tons of underage kids either try to buy, or get legal people like me it buy it for them. They will card everyone in the group, unless it was something like me with my Grandpa when he would buy Bacardi Silver and Vodka, and the checker went to the same bar as my Grandpa.

 

[bvance554]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Favorite one for me, bought beer on leave in Florida in June, went to show my military ID, and get "sorry sir, we cant sell you beer this isn't a valid state ID"

Boy did I flip...



Cant take passports in Ohio...



I've worked for racetrac petroleum in the past, before the military.
No, we couldn't take passports.
Plastic was fine, state, military, canada, etc
Drivers license/gov ID reference book at every register. Anheuser-Busch makes a book, quick reference, of all state and government issued ids, all the way back to who knows when, and the Canadian versions as well.
When in doubt, go to the book.


When i was in the Coast Guard and living in CA i had an easier time buying beer with my military ID than I did my WV drivers license. One time i showed my drivers license and the girl pulled the book out. I said hold on, i'll get my other (military ID). When i returned i coud see she had the page turned to Virginia. She asked 'are all of the licenses in Virginia the same?' I said that is West Virginia. She says 'same thing.' No honey, its not. She turned the page and said 'i guess you can see who didn't finish high school.'

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Originally Posted By: bvance554
Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Favorite one for me, bought beer on leave in Florida in June, went to show my military ID, and get "sorry sir, we cant sell you beer this isn't a valid state ID"

Boy did I flip...



Cant take passports in Ohio...



I've worked for racetrac petroleum in the past, before the military.
No, we couldn't take passports.
Plastic was fine, state, military, canada, etc
Drivers license/gov ID reference book at every register. Anheuser-Busch makes a book, quick reference, of all state and government issued ids, all the way back to who knows when, and the Canadian versions as well.
When in doubt, go to the book.


When i was in the Coast Guard and living in CA i had an easier time buying beer with my military ID than I did my WV drivers license. One time i showed my drivers license and the girl pulled the book out. I said hold on, i'll get my other (military ID). When i returned i coud see she had the page turned to Virginia. She asked 'are all of the licenses in Virginia the same?' I said that is West Virginia. She says 'same thing.' No honey, its not. She turned the page and said 'i guess you can see who didn't finish high school.'



The thing will save your behind, Florida you're supposed to care anyone that appears under 30, policy at racetrac is if they appear 40 or younger.

Awkward moments when you card a lady that looks under 40, and she's 54

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Once I was at an New Hampshire liquor store and I was 23 years old, they refused to sell me alcohol because I didnt have a drivers license..i was able to enter your country with a medicare id card but apparently I could not buy liquor if i didnt have their required drivers license..(i didnt have a license at the time). I was beyond upset, and wish I could go back in time to refuse to leave without the booze.

It's no better here if you would have gone to another province. Before SK had photo driver's licences, I couldn't drink in Alberta when I was 18. I had to go and get an Alberta bar card, and then I was fine. My older buddy could drink in Alberta bars, but not get his Alberta bar card. He had photo ID (passport), but no birth certificate to obtain his bar card. Go figure.

 

[eljefino]

Seems like a training tool to tell cashiers that something is "the law" when it's really company policy. Maybe makes them more compliant.

When I was in college, I understood policy to be that anyone in the store with a group had to be 21 to buy beer. Got turned away when myself and a buddy in the store were legal, but others in the parking lot were not.

So... whatever, we went to a big supermarket that didn't snoop regarding other people outside.

It can't (shouldn't?) be a law though, from a practical standpoint, as parents with infants in their party can buy booze.

As for "Law", ask for chapter and section numbers so you can look it up yourself. If it is law, they'll usually have a prepared placard quoting it. If they can't put it in writing...

 

[xxch4osxx]

I wish we could buy alcohol in grocery stores and other places here like you guys can. I have seen many people bring their kids with them at the LCBO or Beer store and never have a problem getting alcohol.

 

[demarpaint]

Wow I lived in NY my whole life too and never heard of that.

 

[SEMI_287]

Happened to me years ago when the wife was 20. China Mart asked for her ID. She wouldn't sell me beer. Same last name on our licenses rings on our fingers. Cashier and store manager got an ear full. She said I was like Red Foreman from That 70s Show. Needless to say they didnt sell us anything that day and we really havent been back.

 

[R80RS]

Glad I live in Wisconsin.

 

[CharBaby]

Walmart is doing some things to protect themselves from liabilities. I have never heard of this either but, lately, I haven't tried to buy beer/liquor with a minor in tow

Strange this happened to me at Walmart...

I buy my tires online and have W*M install them.

2 years later, I wanted my free balance/rotation performed...NO PROBLEM!

They called my cell while I was shopping in their store and told me that they couldn't balance my tires due to the tires having sidewall cracks in them...Liabilities!

 

[edwardh1]

when under 25 but in the military, I tried to rent a car from avis (25 year old requirement) in the 60s), they saw an avis member card for my former company in my wallet, they said no problem. I was still under 25

 

[edwardh1]

when under 25 but in the military, I tried to rent a car from avis (25 year old requirement) in the 60s), they saw an avis member card for my former company in my wallet, they said no problem. I was still under 25