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QUINCY -- Finding out who's carding and who's not starts with a lot of preparation by Quincy police.

"Preparation is locating an under-aged person who's willing to do the buying. And then getting an officer and a supervisor, and getting forms ready. And getting money to purchase the alcohol," said Sgt. Sam Tedrow of QPD.

The agent we followed went inside several establishments to buy alcohol.  She often came out empty-handed, except at a couple of convenience stores.

 "At our last stop, we had our undercover agent go into the convenient store without being carded. She was allowed to buy alcohol without being asked if she was of age or if she had identification," said  William Calkins of QPD.

The clerk's excuse: she wasn't paying attention when she sold the six-pack of beer.   A Quincy police officer arrested her for unlawful sale of alcohol to a minor. She'll likely have to go to court and pay a fine. The business she works for also could face legal trouble.   If it were the first offense, it would involve a reprimand, a minor fine ranging from $350-$450. If it's a second offense, it can include a fine a little bit larger. If it's a continual offense, the city can suspend a liquor license for a certain amount of time.  This undercover check showed only 89 percent compliance.

And it's safe to say this problem isn't going away anytime soon. It's too easy for teenagers to get their hands on alcohol these days. That's why it's important for cashiers to ask everyone for an ID, no matter how old the person may look.