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Why We Are Here => Hardware & Technology => Topic started by: Chunkford on January 31, 2014, 11:46:52 AM

Title: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Chunkford on January 31, 2014, 11:46:52 AM
Due to recent developments a new law is going to be passed in the UK that restricts the products I'm selling to over 18's only.

This is a new area for me and I'm looking into solutions.

While I'm doing this, has anyone here been in this situation and can share their experiences?

One solution is using this http://www.gbgplc.com/products/id3global/
Looks smart, seems to do the job but I can't help feeling it's going to cripple conversion rates.
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Brad on January 31, 2014, 01:14:30 PM
Wouldn't someone just having a credit card signify they are 18 or older?
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Rooftop on January 31, 2014, 01:44:07 PM
credit card, yes. Debit cards at 16 though.  Most payment providers don't allow you to specify one over the other.

Chunkford: The alcohol industry seems to get away with just making them state that they are over 18.  Precedent enough? 
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: JasonD on January 31, 2014, 02:15:59 PM
I've been involved with age verification stuff in the gaming space (over 18 as per your issue)

I'll ping you.

PS I've just seen your PM to me - I'll answer both at the same time
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Chunkford on January 31, 2014, 03:39:44 PM
Cheers Jason

RE: Credit Card

Yea, that would be the ideal choice but it's a touchy subject for me ATM
I contacted every acquiring bank in the UK and not one will give me an online merchant account, due to the industry I'm in and the need for continuous authority. It's the repeat payments that is the problem.
A couple have said they will re consider it but they need transactional history, hence why I'm starting with paypal as this is my only option I have :(

Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Chunkford on January 31, 2014, 03:43:48 PM
Quote from: Rooftop on January 31, 2014, 01:44:07 PM
The alcohol industry seems to get away with just making them state that they are over 18.  Precedent enough? 

I don't think they do, unless they're winging it and hoping they don't get caught.
The ones I've looked at either just use credti cards, or use a system like id3global (if you look at their Privacy/T&C's) or they use a courier company to check on delivery - (Adult Signature Required) - http://www.ups.com/content/gb/en/shipping/time/service/value_added/delivery.html
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Mackin USA on January 31, 2014, 04:22:41 PM
When I  managed "Big Daddy Smokes" years ago, we used UPS age verification service that cost $6.00 at the time for verification on the 1ST purchase that was delivered.  :-X
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Chunkford on January 31, 2014, 04:43:21 PM
Yea, thankfully it only needs to be on the 1st purchase, and TBH that sorta works in my favour as I was worried about boxes going missing in the post.
At least if I did that then I would have some reassurance that whoever signs up isn't going to take me for a ride.
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Chunkford on January 31, 2014, 04:49:01 PM
ummmm, just found out to use id3global it will cost me £4750.00+VAT for a setup fee and integration, with each check costing between 80p and £1.40p dependant on how deep they need to go with the search.

Gotta love taking advantage of a situation.
Title: Re: Age verification when selling online
Post by: Rooftop on January 31, 2014, 11:11:53 PM
Crikey, not cheap.  Electoral roll search via 192 maybe? It wouldn't work for everyone, but if they have an API it could maybe reduce the number of expensive lookups.