So, remember the other day when I shared my cheapest (non-diy) chalk paint purchase and furniture redo?

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This baby sold in record time. And why wouldn’t it? So cute and for $169 who could resist?

I was so jacked up about my new cheap chalk paint I decided to head back to Wal-Mart to purchase some more. And I ran into a little trouble.

Picture it, non-conformity (that’s me) meets Wal-Mart robot employee. I’m certain there’s a video of me and the Wal-Mart manager “discussing” my issue going viral on Facebook.

I’m sure you’re wondering what could possibly make me go all crazy. It’s a minor issue in the grand scheme of poverty, racial tension, and umteen billion proxy wars in the middle east and yet I felt it necessary to voice my objection.

Here’s the story:

I went to the self check out to purchase two bottles of non-toxic Classic Home Chalk Paint from Plaid, Inc. when the too smart register asks for my ID. More specifically, the Wal-Mart computer wanted my birthdate. Even more specifically, Wal-Mart wanted me to be at least 18 years old to purchase said non-toxic chalk paint.

Can you believe I straight out refused to provide my birthdate to the computer?! The nerve of myself!

Many incredibly knowledgable by-standers informed me that “I HAD to give them my birthdate” you know “cause it’s the LAW!” In fact, they were so helpful one dude offered his birthdate.

Hmm.

I wasn’t budging. I couldn’t help it. I asked why non-toxic paint would require a valid ID? What was this law everyone apparently already knew about? And more importantly why didn’t Wal-Mart employees and managers know about this law?

I know I was being really tough when I asked to see their policy or even better the law that requires someone to be at least 18 years old to buy chalk paint.

I got a lot of blank stares and a lot of long periods of silence.

I could see it. The cog in their brain wondering why this crazy lady refused to give her birthdate. Was she a fugitive? Was she suffering from amnesia and didn’t know her birthdate?

Why in the world would someone, anyone not do what they were told.

I have an answer.

I’m prepared to push back when things don’t make sense.

I’m prepared to ask a question, any question to get the actual truth. Yes, even if it’s about a mysterious paint law.

No one could give me a state code reference, a print out, a policy. Can I get a store policy? 3 managers later and I was still waiting.

I bought my paint. I still didn’t give them my birthdate and I went home.

I couldn’t stop wondering. I was curious about a law that would govern my ability to buy and use non-toxic paint.

Maybe Plaid, Inc. and their chalk paint cronies were trying to pull some kind of scam on all of us DIYers. Maybe their non-toxic label was a farse. I emailed Plaid, Inc. about my concerns.

Here’s what they said,

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Ok, it appears that Plaid is sticking with the non-toxic paint theory. Since I was already favoring this theory I moved on to Wal-Mart.

I reached out via Facebook and just got your standard company line. I filled out an online form about a week ago and I haven’t heard anything. Plaid on the other hand responded the same day.

And so my search continues. I’ve reached out to Wal-Mart via 1-800-Walmart to find some answers. *UPDATE* They were pleasant and said they can’t find any store policy and referred me back to the store manager. Round and round we go, when will it stop, no one knows.

I’ll let you know what they say. In the meantime I did a Google search and had a Georgia paralegal (she also ran for Congress last election) research what codes might apply. Still can’t find anything. I am familiar with some sort of restriction on spray paint (but I couldn’t find the actual law on that either). I’m told it has something to do with huffing or graffiti. So interesting.

Anyone else been carded? What did you do?

I did manage to get more painting done.

Check out these two beauties. They are for sale now in my booth!

 

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5 Responses

  1. Jaclyn Burke Barcroft

    Ok that is so weird! Good for you for questioning that non-sense. Please let us know if you EVER get an answer!

    Reply
  2. anastasia w

    That does seem questionable for Wal-mart to card you for buying that paint. Reminds me of what I thought was strange on a recent trip to (would you believe) Wal-mart…. I bought a bottle of pure acetone and also was required to provide ID. Never having had to do that before, I questioned the self check-out cashier why this was necessary. Her response? They’ve been doing this for quite awhile. But I told her, no, they most certainly did not before as I’ve bought pure acetone previously at several Wal-marts with no problem. Store clerk just shrugs it off with no further explanation and says that I must provide ID in order to purchase.
    I just thought that was so odd that what should be a simple purchase becomes a regulation and on par with alcohol.
    I would love to hear any further updates if you find out anything else about why Wal-mart does this.

    Love what you did with the furniture makeovers. Beautiful!

    Reply
  3. centrd

    I applaud your questioning a policy that comes with no logical explanation. Blindly accepting everything we’re told to do is the first step to living with tyranny, and that’s not what our country’s about. Bad on Walmart for enforcing a policy they can’t explain or don’t train their employees to answer.

    Reply
  4. Wendy

    I think it has something to do with tracking your purchase and buying habits/trends. Much like when you look an item up on the Internet and suddenly ever page you are on now has that item or similar listed in the ads. All about tracking us. I don’t like it, too me it’s a privacy issue.

    Reply
  5. Debbie

    Obviously the management at Walmart are Iidiots and don’t know how there own system works…Every department has categories and sub categories. Many paints DO need an ID.
    Whoever keyed in the ID requirement probably at corporate level did the whole category of paint. Which should have been done by sub categories. This can be fixed at store level and any member of management should know that. Instead they are all trying to find a policy on chalk paint they will never find!! what a bunch of idiots!!

    Reply

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