Phil (not the one who works here) brought a game/controller bundle to the register at his local Target store. The cashier asked for his driver’s license to complete the sale, because the game was age-restricted. After a manager intervened, Phil got to buy his game with only a typed-in birthdate, but here’s the thing: the game was rated “Teen,” and Target’s own policies state that they don’t require birthdates for games with that rating. And besides: Phil is in his late thirties.

He writes:

I went in to Target this past Monday, in [redacted] to purchase a Playstation 3 videogame/controller package. At the register, I was asked by the cashier for my my license.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I need to swipe it through the register’. The cashier replied.

I immediately refused to give him my ID. He explained that he needed to swipe it, or he couldn’t complete the sale. He said the game has a “T for Teen” rating, and that it was store policy.

I again declined to give him my ID, and asked why I, a 38 year old man with a receding hairline and graying temples, had to prove my age for a game that is deemed to be acceptable for ages 13 and up. If he had merely wanted to see my ID for age verification, I would gladly have shown him. But he wanted to store my information in Target’s computer system, thus making my information available to anyone (including hackers) who wished to access it.

The cashier said that without a valid license swipe, he couldn’t finish the sale. I suggested that we use HIS license to complete the sale. He got a really confused look on his face, and turned to find a manager.

Thankfully, a manager came right over and informed him that he could just enter a date of birth manually, and she would “put in her numbers” to complete the sale. I thanked her, and after leaving the register, I spoke to another manager, who informed me that it is company policy. I asked the manager if they require a license for purchasing movies, and he informed me that they do not.

“So any child could walk out of here with a bunch of R-rated movies, provided they have the funds?” I asked.

“Yup” he replied.

But here is what really makes me upset. On Target’s own website is their policy on video game sales. It only states that they must verify age on “M (mature)” rated games. The game I was buying is rated “T”, which is a much lower rating then “M”.

Target’s customer service phone line was about as helpful as you would imagine. I ended my call by telling them that they make Best Buy look good.

At least there’s someone who does?

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