EB Games Canada ID check

[jman571]

Hey everyone, so long time front-page commenter, first time forum poster :)

A so called "incident" happened a couple weeks back at my local EB Games. I live in Toronto, Canada, and I went in and decided to finally purchase Orange Box, as I already own Episode 1, and wanted to play Portal. I've been going to this very same EB Games for my entire life almost, and in the past have had absolutely no issue buying M-rated games, even though I will only be turning 18 this July. However, I had no I.D. whatsoever on me, only cash, and shockingly, when I went to purchase the title, the clerk (I suspect it was the manager, he just had this "air" about him) told me I needed ID. One of my two friends, who were in the store with me, then proceeded to offer to buy the game for me, as he had ID on him.

Then even more shockingly, the guy said "no you can't do that" and compared it to being the same as an adult buying cigarettes for a minor. I was completely stunned, and almost bought Portal (rated T) by itself in my stupor. Luckily my friend convinced me otherwise, and I decided to come back at a more convenient time. The funniest moment came when we were leaving the store, because it was our high school prom that night, and we were talking about it, with the employees hearing us clearly.

So....has this happened to anyone in any of the Canadian EB Games? :eek:
I specify country, because the policy may be different for the Canadian stores than the American ones, though I'm not sure on that.

What really peeved me off on this is that I'm 6' 2" and look a few years older than I actually am. It's blatantly obvious I'm either 18 or no more than a year younger. It's not like he was selling the game to a clearly under-age person. He was merely penalizing me for having no ID. I'm practically a year older than the limit. I understand that the policy for selling cigarettes is that they must ask for ID if you look under 30 (or is it 25?) but for videogames....please!? :mad:

[georox]

Urgh. M-Rated games (Not sure how Canadas rating system works) are 17+ here, and I have NO idea how many times I have been carded on the stupidest stuff. I got an ID to buy games (later DVDs of adult content at conventions) and ugh I've had to use it too much at GameStop. Its real great when I walk in and they go "You have to be 18 to buy that title."

Honestly, its a good thing, seeing if more stores do it you'll see less people jumping on the "GAMES ARE THE DEVILS TOY!" bandwagon if kids don't have as easy access to "murder-simulators".

I really need to start using "murder-simulators" more often. Its fun. I can see why it got used so much before... hehe... "murder-simulators".

[tex13579]

I know when I used to work there we were told we had to check ID for a Mature rated game for anyone that looked under 25.

If they didn't have ID we couldn't sell to them, and if we were caught selling M rated games to minors, the employee that made the sale would be fired immediately and the manager of the store would get a first and final write up.

[beemoh]

Honestly, its a good thing, seeing if more stores do it you'll see less people jumping on the "GAMES ARE THE DEVILS TOY!" bandwagon if kids don't have as easy access to "murder-simulators".

Yes, because that's worked so well in the UK. We passed a law where this sort of thing must happen, and now nobody ever complains about videogame content.

[georox]

Yes, because that's worked so well in the UK. We passed a law where this sort of thing must happen, and now nobody ever complains about videogame content.

I only pay so much attention to foreign events for games, sorry. Honestly though, theres not enough room for people to bitch if you need an ID to buy things, then you can pin it on the fact *someone* had to buy it for them, and at that point whoever bought it is at fault.

[kurisu7885]

Yes, because that's worked so well in the UK. We passed a law where this sort of thing must happen, and now nobody ever complains about videogame content.

Except for one guy who won't let the issue drop.

[beemoh]

I only pay so much attention to foreign events for games, sorry. Honestly though, theres not enough room for people to bitch if you need an ID to buy things, then you can pin it on the fact *someone* had to buy it for them, and at that point whoever bought it is at fault.

Now, you see, that involves applying logic to the real world, and we all know that doesn't work. :D

[MUTANT SPUD]

Hey everyone, so long time front-page commenter, first time forum poster :)

A so called "incident" happened a couple weeks back at my local EB Games. I live in Toronto, Canada, and I went in and decided to finally purchase Orange Box, as I already own Episode 1, and wanted to play Portal. I've been going to this very same EB Games for my entire life almost, and in the past have had absolutely no issue buying M-rated games, even though I will only be turning 18 this July. However, I had no I.D. whatsoever on me, only cash, and shockingly, when I went to purchase the title, the clerk (I suspect it was the manager, he just had this "air" about him) told me I needed ID. One of my two friends, who were in the store with me, then proceeded to offer to buy the game for me, as he had ID on him.

Then even more shockingly, the guy said "no you can't do that" and compared it to being the same as an adult buying cigarettes for a minor. I was completely stunned, and almost bought Portal (rated T) by itself in my stupor. Luckily my friend convinced me otherwise, and I decided to come back at a more convenient time. The funniest moment came when we were leaving the store, because it was our high school prom that night, and we were talking about it, with the employees hearing us clearly.

So....has this happened to anyone in any of the Canadian EB Games? :eek:
I specify country, because the policy may be different for the Canadian stores than the American ones, though I'm not sure on that.

What really peeved me off on this is that I'm 6' 2" and look a few years older than I actually am. It's blatantly obvious I'm either 18 or no more than a year younger. It's not like he was selling the game to a clearly under-age person. He was merely penalizing me for having no ID. I'm practically a year older than the limit. I understand that the policy for selling cigarettes is that they must ask for ID if you look under 30 (or is it 25?) but for videogames....please!? :mad:I got asked for ID for everything until I WAS about 30, grow a moustache and shave your head that seemed to work for me..now people just assume I'm gay..can't have everything I suppose. I was amused to see the other day (in EB games in Melbourne, Aus) a father refuse to buy his son, who looked 16-17 a copy of COD4, I think the kid ended up with Project Gotham 4..but there was much eye rolling and a distinctly audible "Awww Daaaaad!".

[CraigB]

Hey Jman, thanks for relating this story.

Yeah, I'm not sure if you know, but in Canada the ESRB ratings pretty much have the force of law, so retailers are really cautious about that sort of thing.

(Which puts far too much power in the hands of an industry association from another country, but anyway...)

Considering we have a history of censorship and some rather nasty laws on the books that could see certainly content banned as "obscene"--constitutionally--this is definitely something to be worried about. It's not really on the front-burner in Canada right now (though draconian copyright law (http://www.faircopyrightforcanada.ca/) and assaults on net neutrality are), but these things have a way of flaring up when you least expect them; and gamers have to be prepared.

[cheater87]

Manhunt and Soldier of Fortune both got R18 ratings in Canada.