Apple Retail Store Purchases: "Show me a valid picture ID, first"

[pimentoLoaf]

The manager at the new Mayfair Mall store in Wauwatosa requires it, though other employees are ignoring the rule.

Has anyone else met up with sort of hassle elsewhere? Has anyone been told a driver's licence isn't sufficient an identification?

Is this company policy?

[Bear]

When did you get asked for ID? Was it a large purchasw?

I haven't been asked for an ID at an Apple store yet. But my store purchases have all been under $100. I've been to 3 Apple stores.

[iGav]

ID to buy a Mac?? I know where I'd tell that moron to shove his Mac the cheeky........ :eek: :eek: :eek:

[alex_ant]

Maybe you were really drunk at the time and you thought you were in an Apple Store? :)

[chibianh]

I think they only ask for an ID if you purchase over a certain amount and using a credit card. Or at least that's what happened to me. Two powerbooks to different times with a credit card and both times they asked for ID. Buying software and other little things, they didn't ask for ID. Maybe it is store policy.

[peterjhill]

I was at a Nautica store, and they asked for an idea to go with my credit card also. I don't think that it is a big deal. They are trying to protect themselves against fraud, and I think that it is a fair thing to do.

[iwantanewmac]

That whole id idea is ********.
I was in the US last year and had a couple of drinks somewhere and I wanted to pay with my CC. They needed to see some id (like I carry that every day with me). but ok... I showed them my drivers license....You should have seen the look on their faces...It was like...what is this..
They didnt believe it was a drivers licence, they never saw 1 from an other country...I couldnt care less.I drank all the drinks allready :)
At the apple store it wasnt a problem..they didnt even ask.
Great!
(why the hell am I telling this? :) I really dont know
ow yeah. apple store service was great.

[LethalWolfe]

Never heard of this, but I guess it makes sense if you are making huge purchases.

I worked in retail for almost 6 years and most people always grumbled when I asked for ID, but whenever someone lost a card and found fraudulant charges on their account, guess what the first thing outta there mouth was... "Why didn't you check thier ID to make sure the card wasn't stolen?!" :rolleyes: The #1 worst thing about retail is the idiot ********* customers you have to deal with... but that's a rant for another day. ;)




Lethal

[AmbitiousLemon]

where do you people live where you are not used to stores asking to see an id when you use a credit card? that is how credit cards are supposed to work. its not just the apple store it is every store doing proper buisiness everywhere in the united states. they want to see that the name on the id matches the name on the card. that is how credit cards are used.

[flanders]

i've been asked at the apple store too and not just above a certain amount either, I was asked before buying a spindle of cdr's (about $29 worth). I really don't mind, I even have "please check id" on the signature block of my credit card. You'd be surprised how many store employees don't even ask then.

[Gelfin]

What's wrong with asking for ID? Don't people steal credit cards where you live? Personally, when somebody bothers to check the signature on my credit card and ask me for photo ID for a credit card purchase, I'm more inclined to thank them for doing their jobs in an attentive and professional manner, especially if I'm buying something expensive. So few people in retail bother. It adds, what, ten seconds to the transaction?

[sparkleytone]

Originally posted by AmbitiousLemon
where do you people live where you are not used to stores asking to see an id when you use a credit card? that is how credit cards are supposed to work. its not just the apple store it is every store doing proper buisiness everywhere in the united states. they want to see that the name on the id matches the name on the card. that is how credit cards are used.

exactly. sounds like people have been living in nickatnite tvland or something. like "cheers" as a city. where everybody knows your name. thats how credit cards work, they check your id. in these days of the internet, i would be angry if i WASN'T asked for ID and have no problem offering another form, because identity theft rings are a real problem.

[szark]

Originally posted by sparkleytone
exactly. sounds like people have been living in nickatnite tvland or something. like "cheers" as a city.

Actually, I have lived around two major cities (Chicago and Phoenix) and have generally observed that cashiers at most large chain stores almost never check ID for credit card purchases -- some of them don't even check the signature! Smaller independent stores generally check the signature and ask for ID.

I know the way credit cards are supposed to work, but the system is only as good as the people who are supposed to enforce it.

[fox290]

I've been asked for I.D. while buying 1 DVD from Best Buy and I didn't have my license, checked the car wasn't there, drove home wasn't there, came back to my car and found it! Went back to best buy but to a different cashier same movie and she asked my for my I.D. again! My card was signed and everything. I wasn't mad or anything cuz they were doing there job.

Just like we enforce it at the movie theater I work at. Everytime a card isn't signed or it's says "C.I.D", "Please ask for I.D." Even though it's an eight dollar purchase we show them the back of their card and say "It says here I need to see your I.D." they almost always "say thank you for asking", your the only ones who ask to see my I.D.

Yes we tried to avoid the "it says on my bank account satement that movie tickets were purchased and I've never been to your movie theater" and then it's the whole you need to call our corporate office because we can't do nothing about it here. "What kinda of business is this!!!!!"

Yes, checking I.D. is good!!!!!

[macsurfer]

Originally posted by iwantanewmac
That whole id idea is ********.
I was in the US last year and had a couple of drinks somewhere and I wanted to pay with my CC. They needed to see some id (like I carry that every day with me). but ok... I showed them my drivers license....You should have seen the look on their faces...It was like...what is this..
They didnt believe it was a drivers licence, they never saw 1 from an other country...I couldnt care less.I drank all the drinks allready :)
At the apple store it wasnt a problem..they didnt even ask.
Great!
(why the hell am I telling this? :) I really dont know
ow yeah. apple store service was great.

You should ALWAYS carry your ID with you.

[Sun Baked]

Originally posted by macsurfer
You should ALWAYS carry your ID with you.

No need, the cops will be happy to take you down to the station to confirm your ID.

[TheAnswer]

...they are trying to check that you aren't a resident of in one of the "banned" countries that they aren't allowed to sell computers to.

I know...you're all saying, "geez I haven't seen Osama bin Laden down at the local Apple Store..."

...cut me some slack, it's only like my 5th post or something!

[Kinsella217]

Many stores... many smarter stores require their cashiers to require ID. It protects the stores AND customers against stolen card useage and fraudulant card useage. Sometimes customers may not like that, but you can't protect some people from themselves. Why do people get angry at cashiers or waitstaff or other hourly employees when they're trying to do their jobs correctly and properly? These people make little to no money and just want to have a decent day and perform their job well. Cut them some slack.

[AmbitiousLemon]

Originally posted by Kinsella217
Many stores... many smarter stores require their cashiers to require ID. It protects the stores AND customers against stolen card useage and fraudulant card useage. Sometimes customers may not like that, but you can't protect some people from themselves. Why do people get angry at cashiers or waitstaff or other hourly employees when they're trying to do their jobs correctly and properly? These people make little to no money and just want to have a decent day and perform their job well. Cut them some slack.

well said.

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by Kinsella217
Many stores... many smarter stores require their cashiers to require ID. It protects the stores AND customers against stolen card useage and fraudulant card useage. Sometimes customers may not like that, but you can't protect some people from themselves. Why do people get angry at cashiers or waitstaff or other hourly employees when they're trying to do their jobs correctly and properly? These people make little to no money and just want to have a decent day and perform their job well. Cut them some slack.


If there was ever a perfect first post this is it! :)


Lethal

[pimentoLoaf]

Only thing is my regular ID was done back in '83 and I don't look like the pencil-necked dork in the photo -- and my signature has changed a bit since then, too.

I tend to use my driver's license as a consequence.

[rainman::|:|]

Originally posted by Sun Baked


No need, the cops will be happy to take you down to the station to confirm your ID.

This is very true. i carry my license when driving, just because it's kinda "illegal" not to... tho when i forget, usually the cops will just look it up. what pisses me off is that we're now supposed to carry ID *everywhere*... i don't carry it *just* to spite my partner, i say i have the right to not carry it...

only thing that pisses me off about getting ID'd for credit card purchases... Okay, the drivers license stations have you sign an electronic pad, the credit card gives you a 1/2 inch high place to sign, and they're supposed to match your receipt signature exactly?! hello! i hate getting hassled because it looks different...

:)
pnw

[evildead]

Im with AmbitiousLemon, what part of the word do you live in where they dont ask for ID? Hell, in my city, they will ask you for ID at StarBux for a cappachino!

Can you leave your front door unlocked in your town too?

I see that pimentoLoaf (guy who started this thread) if from the Midwest... that might explain some things. Maybe credit card fraud is not as big of a problem there. My brother got his card stolen once and the guy went some place in the midwest and rented a car... then never returned it! We only found out that the card was stolen (just the number... not the physical card) when the cops called from that state looking for my brother and wanted to know why he hadn't returned the retal car.

-evildead

[iwantanewmac]

Originally posted by macsurfer


You should ALWAYS carry your ID with you.

maybe in your country.
Where there are more fake 1$ bills than real ones........

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by Sun Baked


No need, the cops will be happy to take you down to the station to confirm your ID.

Or the coroner?

[Jeffx342]

I'm only 16, and I have 3,200 for a powerbook in cash*
they dont need to see my ID right? (because its a large Purchase)

[bombensington]

Originally posted by Jeffx342
I'm only 16, and I have 3,200 for a powerbook in cash*
they dont need to see my ID right? (because its a large Purchase)

i bought my iMac in cash. no id needed.

later bought an iPod and a dv camcorder in cash. no id needed.

it's not illegal by any means to pay for items in cash, it just kind of seems suspicious. but there would be no reason for them to id you for it.

[davidc2182]

the ATM asking for ID, or the automatic gas pump asking for ID? I work for the sharper image and they didn't tell me not to ask for ID when someone is paying with a credit card, and so some lady comes in and asks to purchase a CD, she's been out jogging, and i ask her for ID and all she has is her credit card, and my manager came over here and yelled at me for asking this woman for ID and then he explained to me that you never ask people for ID if their credit card is signed, only if its not signed, and being a smart ass i asked him does that go for checks also? so i dunno but i've never been asked for ID if my card has been signed, only when not signed, and when they don't ask i usually say how come you arent checking my ID, and they are like oops.

[BongHits]

Originally posted by Sun Baked


No need, the cops will be happy to take you down to the station to confirm your ID.
i can confirm this.

btw i needed id for edu discount on ipod. woodfield mall store.

[BongHits]

Originally posted by bombensington


i bought my iMac in cash. no id needed.

later bought an iPod and a dv camcorder in cash. no id needed.

it's not illegal by any means to pay for items in cash, it just kind of seems suspicious. but there would be no reason for them to id you for it.
how can buying in cash be suspicious? does having lots of cash mean your in an illegal business? i bought a powermac + ipod in CASH MONEY BABY! imagine how suspicious $4000 in twenties, 50's and 100's must be then

[3rdpath]

maybe i'm crazy but i write on the back of all my credit cards :


"PLEASE ASK FOR ID"

and only about 50% of the merchants ask for my ID...

and yes, i thank them for checking.

the 10 extra seconds it takes is nothing compared to the time you'll spend on the phone to amex/mc/visa, merchants, equifax, etc after someone swipes your card and goes on a shopping spree.

and also watch the clerk to make sure they only swipe the card thru one machine...they've busted quite a few people in L.A. who had their own personal card readers that they were using on the job.

[Sun Baked]

Actually $10,000+ cash transactions do require a IRS form to be filled out. (May be less now - haven't looked in a couple years)

It's not against the law to do large transactions, as long as the business fills out the proper paperwork when taking the money.

Failure to fill out the paperwork, can lead to a very intense visit by the IRS and/or DEA, if you turn them in.

---

Form 8300. You must file Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business, if you receive more than $10,000 in cash in one transaction, or two or more related business transactions. Cash includes U.S. and foreign coin and currency. It also includes certain monetary instruments such as cashier's and traveler's checks and money orders. Cash does not include a check drawn on an individual's personal account (personal check). For more information, see Publication 1544 (http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/display/0,,i1%3D50%26genericId%3D10813,00.html), Reporting Cash Payments of Over $10,000 (Received in a Trade or Business).

So you can say for large cash transactions, ID is needed.

[MacBandit]

Age checks at the Genius Bar? Did you take the compliment as in how young you look or are you some hoodlum punk that just stole someones purse down the street and ran into an Apple store and upon arriving at the counter you were rumaging through a purse to find a credit card. :D

[iTom]

I wonder why anyone wouldn't carry an ID.And simply to show a partner who's boss?Hmmm. I'm quite taken aback when I'm not asked for more ID with a credit card which is quite often.I don't sign my card myself so they should HAVE to check for ID but surprisingly this doesn't happen much.
About two months ago my wife got a call from Am Ex Security cause her card number was trying to be used in Atlanta for a large purchase of 3,500.oo at Best Buy.Well who would take a number off a piece of paper?And who would do this on a card from 500 miles away?Well someone did cause after further checking this account had been run up to the tune of 5,000 in two days on a simple number that was probably pilfered by a a clerk or sales person.We live in Memphis and the card number had been used in Birmingham and Atlanta.
So in retrospect you're probably right.Who needs ID's? I don't mind paying higher interest rates for Millions in theft. ID's?Ha.....Who Needs Um.

[adavidw]

Originally posted by iTom
I wonder why anyone wouldn't carry an ID.And simply to show a partner who's boss?Hmmm. I'm quite taken aback when I'm not asked for more ID with a credit card which is quite often.I don't sign my card myself so they should HAVE to check for ID but surprisingly this doesn't happen much.

Why don't you sign your card?

-Aaron

[iTom]

Aaron....if you don't sign your card that should throw up automatic flags to a clerk who should ask for more than one piece of identification. Many consider it good practice.

[adavidw]

If you don't sign your card, though, if it ever gets lost or stolen, all someone has to do is sign your name in their handwriting on the back, thereby making their fraudulent use even easier. Doesn't sound like good practice to me.

-Aaron

[bombensington]

Originally posted by BongHits

how can buying in cash be suspicious? does having lots of cash mean your in an illegal business? i bought a powermac + ipod in CASH MONEY BABY! imagine how suspicious $4000 in twenties, 50's and 100's must be then

maybe it's because i'm originally from a small-ish town in iowa, so when people are pulling out 2000 in cash, it seems a little odd in this day of credit cards...and usually people want to make large purchases with credit cards, for that added protection.

i paid for my imac with student loans, and so i had to cash the check. i was the first customer of the day at the bank, and she didn't have enough hundreds or fifties, so i had to pay for it with mostly twenties...that seemed a little wierd.

[bombensington]

Originally posted by iTom
Aaron....if you don't sign your card that should throw up automatic flags to a clerk who should ask for more than one piece of identification. Many consider it good practice.

i used to not sign my cards for this reason...but one day i went to make a purchase and they flat-out would not take the card because it wasn't signed. i had more than one form of id and everything, they said no dice.

it sucked.

so now i sign my cards.

[adavidw]

Card merchants are required by their banks (who are in turn required by Visa and MasterCard) to not accept unsigned cards. It seems that it took a long time before you finally found a merchant that was aware of their requirements.

-Aaron

[dobbin]

This thread is interesting!

I have had credit cards for almost ten years and have never once been asked to show ID or even heard of that happening. I live in the UK but have also travelled a lot in Europe and once to the US (Phoenix and Kansas City).

I think its a great idea but its definitely not standard practice in the UK.

I think that approximately half the times I use my cards the cashier never even checks the signature and often they will give me the card back before I have even signed the paper.

It makes me really cross and for this reason I treat my cards as if they were £1000 cash or something. I won't ever let them out of my sight or a secure pocket.

In France they have PIN numbers at the checkouts instead of signature checks, I think that is a good idea, and I understand it is being introduced here soon.

Cheers all, have a nice weekend!!

Dobbin

[zorglub]

In France we just type a four digits PIN and our cards have a little chip for verif and connection with the bank ( transaction + than 100 euros or $). So we don't need to present ID,
z;)

[medea]

Um, people are ALWAYS supposed to ask for ID when you use a credit card, its for your own protection, otherwise I could steal your card and use it wherever I wanted to with no hassles. You should be glad he asked for ID.

[pimentoLoaf]

I so rarely have had to show an ID that I found it a bit odd ...

A license is fine, btw, I've now discovered; it's just that those who fly often have the regular ID's handy.