Alcohol Sales Banned in Self-Checkout Lines

Written by Kari Hulac

You might have been unpleasantly surprised in recent weeks to discover that you can no longer buy alcohol or cold medicines in a self-checkout grocery store line.

While the law went into effect last year, stores got around it by having a clerk step up to check and scan in your identification. Apparently that's still not good enough for the powers that be: A state appeals court ruled last month that alcohol and other regulated products can only be sold in a face-to-face transaction from start to finish.

So after you endure the wrath of annoyed customers queuing up behind you (while you wait, perhaps slightly embarrassed, for the clerk to grab your bottle of Tanqueray to ring it up separately) be reminded of the other end of this.

The law also covers ANY restricted purchase, which during cold and flu season means a whole host of seemingly harmless looking over-the-counter medicines, such as those that contain dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant.

So back you go, with your wine and cold drugs, to the regular old-fashioned check-out stands, which there are, of course, fewer of because the stores want you to do it yourself. Happy waiting!

--

Do you think banning alcohol sales from self-checkout stations is a good idea or has this court ruling gone too far? Post your thoughts in the comment area below.