United Supermarkets — Local services in Odessa

On 11/10/2017, My 84 year-old mother and I recently visited this Albertsons to shop for grocery items. I live in Virginia and frequently shop at this Albertsons while visiting my mom in Odessa.  After we had completed most of our shopping, I asked my mom to stand in line while I quickly went back to find a few items that I forgot to add to our cart.  Upon returning to the checkout line, a young cashier (in her early twenties) asked if my mom and I were together.  I replied yes. The young cashier then asked for my identification as proof-of-age to purchase beer we had in our cart. I politely handed the young cashier my ID along with my bank check card. The cashier verified my age then asked for my mother's ID. At that moment, I became incredulous and asked the cashier why she needed to see my mom's ID.  I was clearly paying for the beer and grocery items, and while my mom and I take great pride in our diet and exercise regimes, neither one of us look a day under 60!!

The cashier informed me that during the purchase of alcohol, it was the store's policy to check IDs of everyone in the group.  I then asked to speak to a Manager (Renee) because clearly in my thinking, this store's policy did not pass the good ol' Texas "common sense rule!!" Clearly the manager would add clarity to the situation and offer a reasonable explanation as to why both my mom and I were required to show our IDs.  Wrong!! The manager (Renee) simply stated that her cashier had the right to ask for IDs and that she supported her cashier.  Fair enough...my mom and I departed the store empty handed.

I later researched the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) website and discovered --"Texas law does not require that a person over 21 provide any identification to purchase alcohol. But since store clerks, waitresses, and bartenders can be held criminally liable for selling to minors, Some retailers will insist that everyone in a group show proof that they are 21 or over when anyone in the group is attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages. This is an attempt to prevent adults from illegally providing alcohol to minors."

Clearly in my situation, this was not an attempt to purchase alcohol for a minor.  During a follow-up call to the store manager, Renee admitted that the store's policy was not as the young cashier had stated but that she stood by her cashier.  The store's policy was to check IDs of purchasers who look under the age of 40!!

Sadly, I hope behind the scenes, the manager will use this as a teachable moment for a young cashier whose well-intended use of TABC rules were misguided and taken to an absolute extreme.

Sent from Yahoo...

With longer lines and progressively later food arrival at every eatery along 8th street at lunch time, combined with not having the option of a 2 to 3 hour lunch break waiting on your food, the deli here is fast enough to actually have time to eat, and enjoy it.

Stopwatch times have sometimes been under 6 minutes from engine stop on parking space until engine start, unless you are also getting other groceries.

With continued fast food inflation outpacing real purchasing power, the deli is also one of the few ways to get fed quickly and still stay within budget.

Also, one can grab fresh produce for a healthier more balanced diet, compared to most fast food, and the geography saves a lot of gas, mileage, and time.

Staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Usually everything is well stocked.

Parking is adequate, and access via 7th Street avoids the high density...

I have been going here for years because it is the closest to my home. Many of the long term employees know me by name. I like this store even though the prices are getting high. Inflation is not a good thing. I have always been treated with respect and kindness form most of the management, Clerks, baggers, and stockers. The only problems I have ever had was from the deli. The manager there is overly proud of the dried out food there and very brash. She will leave food in the hot case all day from the morning shift and expect full price for it at dinner rush. I have seen food in the hot case that is more than expired. Not a good way to do things. She will blame the counter employees for it but then they can get in trouble for throwing it away...