The Many Advantages of Using Handheld ID Scanner at Nightclubs and Pubs

Does the thought of accidentally selling alcohol to underage customers wielding fake IDs keep you up at night?

If you are the owner or manager of a pub, nightclub, liquor store, or other similar establishments, then it probably does.

In recent years, technological advancements have led to a huge proliferation in the availability and use of fake IDs and driver’s licenses. It is now easier than ever for teenagers to get their hands on a fake ID, which would allow them to purchase alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other age-restricted products.

Despite being cheap and easy-to-avail, these fake IDs are quite well made and can be difficult to distinguish from real ones under the naked eye.

This can cause a host of problems for establishments like pubs, bars, nightclubs, and vape shops, which sell age-restricted products and services. A business could potentially lose its license, or get saddled with a huge fine, for selling alcohol or tobacco to a minor, even accidentally.

It is for these reasons that more and more pubs and nightclubs are opting to use handheld ID scanners for age verification within their premises. These scanners are quick, accurate, portable, and easy-to-use. They are also quite affordable and can greatly enhance the efficiency of the staff members.

Benefits of Handheld ID Scanners

There are several reasons why you should consider investing in a high-quality handheld ID scanner at your place of business. Some of these have been listed below:

1. Accuracy:

The reason so many businesses are opting for handheld ID scanners for age verification is that these devices are incredibly accurate. Manual age verification is time-consuming and prone to human error, especially during the busiest hours. Even the best and most experienced employees can make a mistake when stressed and overwhelmed by the demands of impatient customers.

With a handheld ID scanner, no such mistakes are possible. An ID card or driver’s license just needs to be swiped through the scanner, and all the relevant information will appear immediately on the screen. If the ID card is fake, the handheld scanner can determine that in a matter of seconds. This will also free up the staff members to attend to the needs of customers, instead of spending all their time manually checking ID cards.

2. Portability:

Handheld ID scanners are light, compact, and completely portable. Hence, if your pub or nightclub has multiple entrances, or if your liquor store has more than one point-of-sale, then the same ID scanner can be used for them all. This is particularly useful if one of the devices suddenly breaks down or needs repair. In that case, the spare ID scanner can be used to guard multiple entrances.

Portable ID scanners also help improve the efficiency and productivity of the business. They do not involve an elaborate installation process and can be taken out for repair or replacement at a moment’s notice. The durable batteries of high-quality ID scanners ensure that the device only needs to be charged after working hours are over for the day.

3. Compliance:

Compliance reporting and due diligence proof are two of the main benefits offered by handheld ID scanners. As the owner or manager of a pub, nightclub, bar, etc. you always want to have tangible proof that you verified the age of a customer before selling them an age-restricted product like alcohol.

This proof can be easily obtained if you always swipe the ID cards of potential customers through your handheld scanner. ID scanners can store the relevant data obtained from each driver’s license or ID card so that you can provide proof of compliance and due diligence in case of any legal issues. ID scanners also often come with free compliance reporting software, to make life easier for the users.

4. Affordability:

Handheld ID scanners are quite affordable and durable. So once you’ve purchased a few scanners for your business, you can use them for years to come, without having to worry about repairs, replacements, and other upkeep costs. These scanners are designed to be simple and easy-to-use, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time and money training your employees on how to operate them.

When you consider how much time is spent on manual age verification, and how much money a potential error in the verification process could cost, it is easy to see the benefits of handheld scanners. They help you cut down on employee training costs and prevent you from having to spend thousands of dollars on lawsuit settlements, all while costing a few hundred dollars at the most.

In Conclusion

For the reasons mentioned above, handheld ID scanners can play a crucial role in the smooth functioning and long-term success of a pub or nightclub. If you’re ready to incorporate handheld scanners in your place of business, however, you should be careful to only purchase a high-quality product designed and manufactured by a reputed company.