THE STING (AGE RESTRICTED SALES)
D EPISODE 74: THE STING (AGE RESTRICTED SALES)
A kid walks in. He looks 25. He puts a six-pack on the counter. You are busy. There is a line. You glance at him, you hit the 'Over 21' button, and you bag the beer. Two seconds later, the guy behind him pulls out a badge. Game over. You just sold to a minor in a police sting. You aren't just fired. You are going to court. You are paying a fine. And you now have a criminal record. The register is not a slot machine. You don't guess. Tonight, we learn how to stop the Sting before it stings you.
Welcome back to C-Store Legends. I’m Mike Hernandez. Today we are talking about The Sting. In the Dive phase, you think carding people is 'annoying.' Wrong. Carding people is Job Security. Police Stings are not entrapment. They are an IQ test. And if you fail, you don't get a retake. Here is the reality:
1. The Fines are on YOU: In many states, the clerk pays the fine, not just the owner. That’s $1,000 out of your pocket.
2. The Math Trap: Do not do the math in your head.
o Bad Clerk: Looks at ID. Sees '2004'. Tries to subtract 21. Gets confused. Sells it.
o Pro Clerk: Looks at the Red Box on the ID that says 'UNDER 21 UNTIL [DATE]'.
3. The Peer Pressure: The customer will get mad. "Come on, man, I'm here every day."
o Your response? "I know. And I want to be here tomorrow to serve you. I need the ID."
We use the A-L-E-R-T system.
• A: Ask for ID immediately.
• L: Look at the photo. Look at the person. Do they match? (Check the eyes and nose).
• E: Examine the date. Is it expired? An expired ID is a piece of plastic, not a legal document.
• R: Return the ID only after you verify.
• T: Thank them. "Thanks for waiting, I appreciate it."
"I want to tell you why I created Dive specifically for you—the person working the counter. In 2003, I was interviewing for a big job as a Food Service Territory Manager. I was sitting across from the Senior V.P., and he asked me a question. He said: 'How will you make sure all the kitchen ladies in the stores are trained properly?' I didn't hesitate. I said: 'I will train them personally during my visits. Everyone deserves to get the same message.' He looked at me and said: 'That is the wrong answer.' He told me I was supposed to only train the managers. I didn't get that job. But I knew I was right. Most companies ignore the people doing the actual work. They only talk to the bosses. I built this podcast because I believe you deserve the same training, the same respect, and the same opportunity to grow as the CEO. So when I tell you to check that ID, it's not because I want you to follow rules. It's because I want you to protect your career."
Alright, let’s clear the line. Your job is to be the Gatekeeper.
Here is your Solo Quest for this week. "The 100% Challenge." For your next shift, card everyone. I don't care if they are 21 or 81. "Can I see your ID, please?" Get comfortable saying it. If you card Grandma, you won't hesitate to card the 17-year-old with a mustache. Make it muscle memory.
I have a "Refusal Script Card"—it gives you 3 ways to say "No" to a customer without starting a fight. Text the word CARD to 9 5 6-8 9 7-9 1 9 2. That’s CARD to 9 5 6-8 9 7-9 1 9 2. Get the script. Save your job.
And if you want to know what happens to the Store Manager when a sting fails (spoiler: they lose their bonus), listen to Episode 84 of Thrive. I’m Mike Hernandez. Trust but verify. I’ll see you on the floor. C-Store Legends is a Sink or Swim Production.
