Scanning IDs

I've generally stopped going to clubs that scan ids. I'm actually sitting on three free passes to Golden Banana/Tens and thinking of just throwing them away because of this. This is of course made easier by the fact that in every case of a club that scans ids near me, there is a better club (in other aspects) near it that doesn't.

I was reading reviews of central PA clubs and I think it was the one in Wilkes-Barre that actually has your picture come up when you swipe a CC (yes, I know don't use a CC, but the privacy invasion is scary). Here's the review: tuscl.net

This may be a situation where the world is moving against us, but the best we can do is refuse to patronize these clubs and let them know why.

I don’t ever consent to allow my ID to be scanned, I have refused several times at clubs where they pull this and each time they backed off their policy and allowed me entry without scanning my ID. I think if you stand your ground they will back down and allow you entry.

They want to scan IDs because the information on your license has sale value.

I think a lot depends on the bouncer at the door.

If I know the bouncer and look familiar, I'm not asked for my license. At RI Dolls a new bouncer asked for my license, he held it up to read it and returned it. I asked about scanning and he said the license was scanned when he held it up to read it, but they now use a camera.

I don't know if he was telling the truth, but it's sneaky to scan a license without asking permission and it might even be illegal.

I'm with @twentyfive and @blahblahblah. It's completely a privacy violation, especially because this is a cash business. No need to scan IDs

Most clubs scan IDs for one of three reasons, 1) to satisfy Alcohol Control Board requirements so that if someone who isn’t supposed to drink has used a fake ID they have proof the club checked, and some states have requirements that every sale of alcohol include an ID check, or that the person who buys alcohol has an ID in their possession, 2) to protect the club against misuse/ fraud with credit cards, and 3) to have information on customers who may cause problems, like harassing dancers, fighting, or 2AMers.

Yeah, now that you mention it, I suppose those little "flashlight" looking things are scanners. I think this may be one of those things where management is losing business with their policies, and they are too dense to figure it out. Not everyone who is uncomfortable is going to bitch, but they may never return.

Do we definitively know that RI Dolls is scanning IDs? This is impactful to my clubbing preferences.

^They scan some people, but not regulars. Also, it seems hit or miss. Haven't seen anyone scanned in a while.

Not that clubs have to follow the law, but: idscan.net

several years ago at one of the clubs in nyc i regularly would have my card scanned. i haven't been a victim of any fraudulent wrongdoings as a result, for which i am very thankful.

i do remember on one night the girl at the front takes my card and scans it. she then tells me, "i see you haven't been here in a while." oh yeah since when? she replies with the date of my very last visit. made me wonder afterwards whatever notes were there of me on that screen. you know - who i've seen. which girls are my faves. how i like to get off. the real important stuff. oh yeah and my age and height too.

I rarely allow my ID to be scanned. I've stood my ground and had clubs cave, I've stood my ground and had them cave sometimes and refuse entry sometimes. I've also been the one to cave sometimes. I pretty much only cave when I'm with a group and moving to another club would be a hassle, or otherwise similar situations. Otherwise, if I know a club scans ID's I just don't go there. As much as I'd like to say the clubs are losing business from it, I don't think they are. The clubs that do it seem to be doing fine.

As far as the why, I don't know strip clubs specifically. But restaurants and bars in generally mostly do it because its part of a larger bar management package. They track inventory, ordering, and customers. It doesn't say Dolfan came in and bought 6 beers and 8 cocktails, then bought 10 dances and a 30 minute room. But, it tracks my name birthday, zip+4 code, etc. Then it tracks how often I come. They usually link customers by name/zip to online data brokers for additional insights too. The idea is they can pull reports to see when "regulars" come, when tourists come, when old/young people come, etc, etc. The more advanced ones correlate to ad campaigns and such.

But the big benefit of those packages is inventory management, which can be significant. Comparing sales to purchases is the draw. Some integrate payroll and scheduling too. The whole "tracking problem customers" is usually only marketed for the standalone scanners, which I think aren't nearly as popular as the full management packages.

I've don't think I've encountered a normal bar or restaurant that scans IDs. The only place I can think of off the top of my head is an entertainment venue like (possibly) Jillians or similar.

Scan my ID? HELL no. Not unless you're the DMV. I won't even "show" my ID at a strip club. If you can't tell I'm over 21 then you're a retard.

I asked about scanning and he said the license was scanned when he held it up to read it

Complete douche move, shows zero respect for the customer without their consent. If it's not illegal it should be.

I've been refused entry at a certain club on occasion, then on other occasions, I've refused to provide ID and still was allowed in. It depends on who is working the door, and I could have gotten the door person overriden had I escalated the issue, but I don't wish to make a scene, so I just go elsewhere when ID is insisted upon.

That club is BYOB.

I've never had a club try to scan me and if they did I would walk away.

The conspiracy theorist in me says thats a good way to blackmail someone. Just dont run for office or hold a position of power and you'll be fine.

I’m not saying we should have more of it but real quick devils advocate: If it helps keep the rif raf problem customers out maybe there could be a good side to it. These assholes who shoot up these clubs are ruining the game for everybody.

Our stylin’ rick suits tell the bouncers and door girls everything they need to know.

If they want an ID this rick points to his face and says “how many suit-wearin’ lions frequent your establishment?…tell me wildebeest…how frickin’ many?” Then they let me in. ROAR!!!

Fantacies in Balt has been doing this for many years..