UPDATE: KIRO-7 has done a great job following up on this story
7-Eleven sent a new statement from its corporate office in Dallas. It reads:
“It’s clear that a misunderstanding occurred at a franchised 7-Eleven store. We understand that a customer presented a military ID as a form of identification when buying age-restricted products, and the Franchisee’s store associate could not clearly read the birth date. In this instance, the store associate, by law, was required to ask to see a second form of ID with a birthdate. After the customer’s age was verified, the transaction was completed. Serving members of the military, being named a top military-friendly company and employing military veterans are great honors for 7-Eleven.”
The owner of the Redmond West Lake Sammamish Parkway 7-Eleven sent this response on Thursday, calling the incident a misunderstanding:
“We sincerely apologize for a misunderstanding that occurred at one of our stores. A customer presented a military ID as a form of identification and the store associate could not clearly read the birth date. In this instance, the store associate, by law, asked to see a second form of ID. After the customers age was verified the transaction was complete.”
Collin Brown told KIRO-TV, the clerk never stated that she could not read the date of birth on Brown’s military ID card.
Representatives from 7-Eleven corporation told KIRO-TV they planned to personally contact Collin Brown.
Collin Brown, reservist in the Army, entered his local 7/11 in Redmond, WA to buy a Slurpee and his fiancé a pack of cigarettes.
When he got to the counter he was asked for proof of age. He pulled out his military ID which has his date of birth on the back, and handed it to the cashier.
[revad1]
Brown told KIRO-7 that this is how the conversation went:
“She said, ‘You’re in the military?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘I can’t serve you.’ Honestly, I was in shock. I asked, ‘Are you serious?’ She looked at me like she was offended.”
Brown then asked why there was a problem, produced a backup ID and asked for her manager’s information.
When friends and relatives posted his tale on Facebook, it had 12,000 shares in mere days.
7/11 corporate offices replied online saying Brown’s story is “distorted,” and while they support out military what actually happened was:
“A customer presented a military ID as a form of identification and the store associate could not clearly read the birth date. In this instance, the store associate, by law, asked to see a second form of ID.”
Brown claims this is not what occurred and is asking the chain to investigate.
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From KIRO-7
REDMOND, Wash. — A local soldier, whose story sparked a firestorm of nationwide anger on social media, says a Redmond convenience store clerk denied him service, after he showed his military ID.
Collin Brown –- who is a reservist in the Army – was purchasing cigarettes for his fiancé, and a Slurpee last Wednesday, at the 7-Eleven on West Lake Sammamish Parkway. Brown put his U.S. military ID on the counter, when the cashier asked for his proof of age. The ID clearly has his date of birth on the back and serves as legal ID.
“She said, ‘You’re in the military?’ I said, ‘Yes,’” Brown said. “She said, ‘I can’t serve you.'” Honestly, I was in shock. I asked, ‘Are you serious?’ “She looked at me like she was offended,” he said.
Brown says he asked the clerk why there was a problem as he pulled out his driver’s license to back up his military ID.
“I asked for her manager’s information and at that point I was able to make the purchase,” Brown said.
Does 7/11 owe this soldier an apology or is Brown’s story just not holding up? Sound off in the comments below!
