A intoxicated lady came into the store and I refused to sell her the pack of beer she was trying to buy. The problem is that my manager told me to sell it to her anyway so I felt pressured and let her buy the beer. Now I feel guilty because that went against every thing that I was trained to do. My manager told me that the liability is on her and not me. Does anyone else have any idea about Kroger policy on selling to drunks. I have a hard time believing that I won't be liable if she goes out and kills someone.
you have the right to refuse sell to anyone who is visibly intoxicated. If your manager wants to sell beer to a drunkard then let her do it, herself. step away. NEVER do anything you're uncomfortable with.
This also applies to smokes too. If you ask to see ID and they don't have it but someone says "i know them they are cool" don't go on their word. Let your co-worker scan and sell it to them on their numbers. Don't put yourself on the line for someone else when it comes to cigs and beer. Be safe. If it falls back it's going to fall back on the person who sold it. Don't let that person be you.
-- Edited by BagBoy on Sunday 18th of September 2011 02:07:07 AM
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Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
yea - if you want to push the envelope a little - go talk to the store manager briefly about the situation and how uncomforable you are over the matter. add that you are possibly wanting to document the situation and you are drafting a letter. say that you wish it to be adding into YOUR file for future needs.
stuff like that always gets them. it shows your wholesomeness and that you are not screwing around.
Stick to your ground! good luck.
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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
Thanks for the advice. Now I know that I have to stand my ground and refuse to sell it next time. I really felt pressured because she owns the store so I didn't want to say no I'm not selling it.
no she doesn't - we all own the store! DO NOT allow people to play MIND GAMES with you. Next time a drunk customer come up with a case of beer, call her over or tell the customer to go over there (you pointing to this manager)
-- Edited by thedude on Sunday 18th of September 2011 03:04:22 PM
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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
Sorry but liability is on the manager and Kroger. If that drunk goes out and gets hrut or something, all it takes is a sue happy lawyer and Kroger will get screwed.
You have the right (not responsibility) to refuse sale to anyone that you feel uncomfortable with. If the manager pressures you in a future situation, step back from the register and say, "I'll let you do it, because I really don't feel comfortable with this." It doesn't really matter who's numbers it was on, it doesn't reflect on you if you didn't make the sale. I think you are ok for this time too. It also helps you that you initially refused the sale before the manager stepped in.
Just a little background on me, I work in a Liquor Dept at an Ohio Kroger store. I only really deal with the hard liquor, but some people do purchase beer and other types of alochol stuffs. I don't know what state you are from but here are some of the layman's Ohio Revised Codes (ORC) regarding intoxicated sales:
ORC Section 4301.22 (B): It is illegal to sell intoxicating beverages to anyone who is intoxicated. It is a 3rd Degree misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500 and/or 60 days in jail.
It is very rare for there to be any sort of police/liquor control raids for intoxicated buying (if you have a liquor control in your state). They are mostly concerned with Underage sales. The way they get you is a cop might be in the parking lot and see someone with a case struggling getting to their car. The language is a bit fuzzy about what consitutes as "intoxicated". The signs that we have to go by are: red eyes, stumbling, slurred speech, acting "funny." You do have some wiggle room here, but it would depend on the DA in your distric should something were to happen.
The biggie that you need to worry about is if you do sell to a person who is drunk and they cause an accident you can and will be held liable. (ORC Section 4399.18)This is something bartenders also run into when they need to "cut you off". Most states have this on the book, the wording varies, but the concept is the same. Someone in my district did an improper alohcol sale and they were heavily fined, were fired and the union did nothing because it was a very big deal and illegal. Get your own lawyer if this happens. Hopefully, your union will help you, the one I'm in won't.
Ohio Liquor Control has a fun little booklet "Responsible Alochol Sales Through Employee Awerness", the beverage compaines send safe liquor sales books all the time so if there is no liquor control in your state chances are high you have a similar book at the Front End/Customer Serivce.
If that happens again, just do what others suggested and step away so the manager can make the sale since it's not worth it. Then you should contact your union rep since in no way, shape or form should anyone be pushing you to sell to drunks.
-- Edited by Boozy1 on Wednesday 21st of September 2011 06:30:23 PM
In GA, the cashier making the sale is personally liable and can face $1,000 fine and one year in jail for selling to an intoxicated person, underage or if either were to get into an accident.
The only drunk I've noticed in my line was buying top ramen and had a driver with him.
I could smell alcohol on his breath, he was boisterous and carrying on. He was a happy drunk but I was glad to see him leave.
Don't ever sell alcohol to someone already intoxicated.
I get customers annoyed with the policy we have of making everyone take their IDs out to be handled. It's usually older customers, particularly women in a particular style of wallet with a window that has poor visibility and cut too snuggly for the ID to be removed easily.
I made a middle-aged woman laugh because I unconsciously flipped her id over to check the back as always. I wish more could take that attitude instead of feel put upon.
