New MBP Announcement: MinorDecliner and avoiding unlawful, underage sales
For the last few months, NJGCA has met with a number of potential Member Benefit Partners (MBPs) to extend our program into new and necessary areas.
One new MBP, MinorDecliner, has joined the Association and will be offering products and services aimed at age verification and loss prevention.
At a time when government officials are cracking down on the sale of cigarettes, alcohol, and tobacco-related products to minors, MinorDecliner offers a unique, fast ID scan solution for entrepreneurs to utilize and avoid an unlawful sale to underage patrons.
The system is quick, easy, and can read license barcodes from all fifty states; warning business owners of an expired license or pending sale to a minor. The system takes the guess work out of checking IDs, reduces the chance for “human error” in ringing up a customer, and speeds up the check-out process to increase front-end efficiencies. What’s more, the device and system records/saves information on each scan. This can be used later if a fine is issued or legal action arises (thereby providing a record to illustrate that you were doing your diligence in checking/identifying a fake ID).
We all acknowledge that not all employees are equally as attentive or astute. And this is especially true as members are continually having difficulty identifying and hiring reliable employees. Even if an employee is properly trained to ask for ID and spot fakes from genuine government issued identification, they may become distracted with taking on multiple tasks simultaneously or helping too many customers at once. That’s life, and it can happen to any one of us.
However, when obtaining a “fool-proof” product and service that takes all doubt out of the transaction, you are reducing the possibility of running afoul of the law while also creating “evidence” to use in your own defense.
Members should recall that any shop that sells to a minor patron (or an “undercover” patron who presents as a minor and is working for a government agency) may face hefty fines and penalties. Any such allegation would likely involve retaining legal counsel, spending time away from your establishment, and consuming thousands of dollars in funds and resources. Knowing this only highlights how investing in a reliable ID scan system makes good business — and financial — sense.
Do you have a system in place to prevent the sale of such items to minors?
Do you want to add a layer of protection to avoid an unlawful or unintentional sale to a minor?
If so, please email Nick at nick@njgca.org to learn more and be put in touch with our newest MBP.
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