Showing ID to purchase pipe smoking accessories

[seilerjp]

Let's just say that I am 65 years old. I live in a state (Pennsylvania) where it is common to check the ID of someone under 21 to purchase liquor and beer, and under 18 to purchase tobacco products. It has been many years since I was carded for the former. I was running out of my favorite pipe cleaners (Dills) and my local tobacco shops had them on back order. They also were backordered on the normal BJ Longs. I stopped at the local CVS store and they had 2 packs of Dill's pipe cleaners. I went to the clerk to purchase them and she asked for ID. Not only did she ask for ID, but entered into their computer my drivers license information. To say the least, I was astonished.
Since last Wednesday, I have purchased enough pipe cleaners to last a long time from my local tobacconist where I was not 'carded' and have never been so. What is going on? If it is just CVS, then they have lost a customer for good. My tobacconist informed me that technically you should be carded for any tobacco purchase regardless of your age. Is this a glimpse of things to come? How is it where you live?

 

[ravkesef]

The anti-smoking nazis strike again! We have it posted locally that you must show ID if you want to buy any smoking-related products, but you'd think that someone who is 65 years old is not going to be mistaken for some underage twerp. Besides, you could say you wanted the pipe cleaners for a high school art project. :rofl:

 

[cmdrmcbragg]

That's someone taking their job too seriously. You can't smoke with pipe cleaners, therefore there should be no ID check. You check IDs for pipes, tobacco and papers. Some gas stations card for lighters ... but cleaners? You can buy those at Michael's.
I doubt it was for nefarious reasons. That doesn't even make any sense.

 

[snag]

I also live in Pa and was carded at CVS this week. I am 50 years old. When the clerk asked me for I.D. I refused. She asked for my birth date and entered that into the register and handed over the goods.

 

[sablebrush52]

People stopped carding me when I hit 15. You all should be thrilled that you have baby faces. Really! 65 and they have to card you.
The clerks aren't being impertinent. They're just doing what they've been told to do. Save your wrath for management.

 

[natenice1]

Sable you're 100% correct, I buy cigarettes and lighter fluid from the Rite Aid right around the corner, in there at least twice per week. Sometimes the girl I know gets a break and we smoke outside, she told me company policy and the night and day managers check the cameras, believe me they are embarrassed to ask but they have to. I'm in NY!

 

[jitterbugdude]

You guys are missing the point. She was entering the information into her computer to look for possible AARP discounts or other Government subsidies that may be available.. :wink:

 

[seilerjp]

I should add that the Dill Pipe Cleaners cost me 2X the cost at any other tobacco shop. So much for CVS. But my lesson has been learned, don't run out of pipe cleaners.

 

[dochudson]

I have to show ID at the Rx to buy Advil Cold and Sinus.. the wife has to show ID to buy nail polish remover. Both thanks to the guys cooking Meth in the back of their vans. I had to show ID at Home Depot to buy spray paint. Thanks to the punks painting the underpasses. Don't bang on the clerks they are just following direction.

 

[winton]

The last time I bought Super Glue at Walmart, I was carded. Don't blame the cashier. The scanning program flags the item as on the list. It will not continue until the clerk presses that she checked your id.
Also Lane tobacco was carding everyone at the Chicago Pipe Show that wanted a free sample. Yes, hand over your drivers license and they scan it to verify it is valid. Better to amuse a lot of retired guys, than to let one 20 year old slip through.
Winton

 

[murf]

Dochudson, the nail polish remover and spray paint might be because kids are now "huffing" stuff like this and getting high. Too much time on their hands, I guess.

 

[ssjones]

I was carded buying wooden matches at our local Food Lion last year.

 

[mso489]

What makes me think that a nine-year-old at a chain craft store could buy pipe cleaners to make

pipe cleaner animals without being carded? Or at a garden store to hold tomato plants on the sticks.

But at the drug store, pipe cleaners become tobacco related and he/she gets carded.

 

[andrew]

Yeah I find this ridiculous, as they have to ID to buy stuff like rolling papers etc.... It's going to far, I can appreciate having to id for actual tobacco purchases, but considering stuff like nail polish, whipping cream cans, compressed air kids can readily buy and sniff and die from, there just isn't alot of common sense here on this rule. Spray paint you also need id for where I live because those damn kids use it to spraypaint graffiti with.