Is Online Age Verification a Good Thing for the Industry?

**Shel** · 12-27-2005, 11:31 AM

Just wanted to know everyone’s thoughts on cigar Internet sales and the new Online Age Verificaton.

Thanks,
Shel

**ggiese** · 12-27-2005, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Shel

Just wanted to know what everyone’s thoughts on cigar Internet sales is and the new Online Age Verificaton.

Thanks,
Shel

You got something to hide???

Why should it be any different online vs. when you check out at the local gas station?

**basil** · 12-27-2005, 11:40 AM

My thoughts? I'm thinking it's just a way to comply with the law.

**nhcigarfan** · 12-27-2005, 11:41 AM

I agree, in fact I feel there should be a heightened level of scrutiny for online sales of tobacco and alcohol. I am not convinced enough is done to ensure minors are not purchasing tobacco and alcohol online.

**Kayakinboy** · 12-27-2005, 11:55 AM

I think this was the weirdest first post I've ever seen.

Also I order everything from porn to beer online and I've never been ID'ed or asked anything about age online. When I was in high school, if I knew it was easier just to order bourbon online vs. buying it through older guys, I woulda ordered online.

**CoventryCat86** · 12-27-2005, 01:13 PM

Sometimes, that system doesn't give the right information.

**SuperChuck** · 12-27-2005, 01:54 PM

Age verification is always a good thing. It legitimizes industries.

When I was working in the game biz, there was a lot of buzz about the ESRB ratings on video games. Quite simply, many games are NOT intended for little kids. However, no one pays attention. Some stores are FINALLY starting to check IDs! That helps the industry focus more on creating entertainment for different ages and less time dealing with nutjobs that don't understand that Grand Theft Auto is NOT a good game for your 10 year old!

By verifying age, you're ensuring that your product is getting into the correct hands.

**Bluenote** · 12-27-2005, 02:34 PM

If it helps to keep the cigar nazis from regulating online sales...I'm all for it.

Shel - On Club Stogie you posted you were looking for answers because of your company, is that not the same here?

Originally Posted by Shel

Is Online Age Verification a Good Thing for the Industry?
Hi everyone, you might have seen this post in other forums as well because I trying to get everyone’s thoughts on Internet sales of cigar and the new Online Age Verificaton. ECSI the company I work for has asked me to see if any one is going to use the new ID system.

Thanks,
Shel
East Commerce Solutions, Inc.
22 Morris Lane
East Providence, RI 02914
www.eastcommercesolutions.com
1-800-527-5395 x216
sferris@eastcommercesolutions.com

Sponsor: http://www.aretheylegal.org/

**Shel** · 12-27-2005, 03:19 PM

You’re right Sir. I have inquired about advertising as well as opening up discussions about the topic of Age Verification on the Internet and thank you for you input.

**CoventryCat86** · 12-27-2005, 03:24 PM

I STILL say it's a SHITTY system, very prone to errors. Who will FIX the errors once they are proven to be there?

I'll bet it will be harder than trying to fix a credit report and 99 times out of 100 THEY are wrong and inaccurate.

How does it supposedly "verify" ages? What a fucking joke!

**CoventryCat86** · 12-27-2005, 03:33 PM

Okay, so you scare some idiot like TBSCigars into thinking they aboslutely NEED your product or they can get in trouble with some governmental agency.

I would like to know if the governmental agencies who are coming down on say, tobacco or liquor retailers give two shits if they used this BS systen you're selling.

As I have pointed out, I cannot see how in the hell this "product" you're selling can confirm with any degree of confidence that the purchaser is indeed of age.

If I were some law enforcement officer or ATF agent who was busting some enterprise for selling to underaged person and the enterprise said "Well, I used 'VerifyME' to verify the buyer's age." I laugh right in his face as I hauled his ass to jail!!

**SuperChuck** · 12-27-2005, 03:37 PM

As far as tobacco sales go, what would be the advantage of a system like this over a credit card? Credit cards are deemed legal proof of age 18+, which I believe is the tobacco age throughout the US..

**nhcigarfan** · 12-27-2005, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

As far as tobacco sales go, what would be the advantage of a system like this over a credit card? Credit cards are deemed legal proof of age 18+, which I believe is the tobacco age throughout the US..

Superchuck is correct but I have a question.

I have never looked into this but what about the debit MC/visa? I think you can get those under 18 because there is no contractual debtor/creditor relationship. When those are processed as credit transactions do they verify the age of the account holder? I would doubt it but I don't know exactly.

**cigar no baka** · 12-27-2005, 03:52 PM

I think it's a pointless excercise. It's not going to work; it will not convince the nanny-stater fascists of anything. The next step in controlling our lives will likely be the banning of all tobacco sales online. Either state by state or at the federal level.

**nhcigarfan** · 12-27-2005, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by cigar no baka

I think it's a pointless excercise. It's not going to work; it will not convince the nanny-stater fascists of anything. The next step in controlling our lives will likely be the banning of all tobacco sales online. Either state by state or at the federal level.

what no c-bid. NOOOOOoooooooooo

**Shel** · 12-27-2005, 04:02 PM

I'd like to know what system you're using; the system I know is imbedded in a Shopping Cart and works automatically. And provides a confirmation number for each transaction and has a 1 million dollar liability bond. Are you using anything like that?

Shel

**SuperChuck** · 12-27-2005, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by nhcigarfan

Superchuck is correct but I have a question.

I have never looked into this but what about the debit MC/visa? I think you can get those under 18 because there is no contractual debtor/creditor relationship. When those are processed as credit transactions do they verify the age of the account holder? I would doubt it but I don't know exactly.

I don't know if you can get them under the age of 18. It would seem that signing a credit card slip would be a binding contract, regardless.

But I also think I had a checking account at 17 and a check is a binding contract...

**SuperChuck** · 12-27-2005, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Shel

I'd like to know what system you're using; the system I know is imbedded in a Shopping Cart and works automatically. And provides a confirmation number for each transaction and has a 1 million dollar liability bond. Are you using anything like that?

Shel

Elves or gerbils?

**Shel** · 12-27-2005, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

I don't know if you can get them under the age of 18. It would seem that signing a credit card slip would be a binding contract, regardless.

But I also think I had a checking account at 17 and a check is a binding contract...

According to my CC processor and two other vendors that where trying to get a merchant account they were told they can’t get online CC processing with out an AV system in place and if that’s so what will the next move be by the CC companies?

CC companies have the lobbyists and lots of power.

**croatan** · 12-27-2005, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

I don't know if you can get them under the age of 18. It would seem that signing a credit card slip would be a binding contract, regardless.

But I also think I had a checking account at 17 and a check is a binding contract...

Typically, minors can contract; however, most of those contracts (unless they're for necessities) are voidable by the minor. That's why most places won't issue credit cards to them. Until Shel gives us some specifics on how exactly this thing works, I don't see how it can work any better than assuming that credit/debit card = 18 years old.