I've been saying 'no, thanks' and walking right by them for some time now. Never had a problem. If they decide to start one, I'll have a few choice words.

Please add to the list mandatory "Paying Inside" when buying gas. (I was not as nice as you and cleaned up this story to post here.)

So I am trying to gas up at a nearby BP station but the pump won't work. Finally a guy's voice comes over the speaker to tell me something. I can't understand a damn thing - it's a poor speaker system and he had a heavy Indian accent. I try again; he calls again. Finally I go inside and he tells me I have to Pay First! Well, I fairly well blew a gasket!

"If that's the case, why don't you post a fricken sign so I'd know that little factoid in advance and wouldn't fricken stand there wasting my time?????... And... I won't do business with anybody that won't trust me to walk 100 feet and pay your sorry fricken butt!!"

Needless to say I drove down the road to another gasolinaria. Remember when local kids earned a few bucks to pump your gas?

I've been on a boycott of Sam's Club for a year and a half over this very issue. I walked past the receipt checker one day and he chased me into the parking lot, grabbing my arm to stop me. I told him that if he thought I had stolent something, to call the police. If not, he had better unhand me or I'd be calling them.

Consider me a fellow disobedient.

Jeffersonian

I did not agree to sign the little form at CVS last week when I picked up two boxed prescriptions (flonase and advair). Man, they almost called security on me! The form says, "I do not wish to talk to the pharmacist at this time." The pharmacist is not my doctor. I have no need to talk to them, in any case and don't need to sign this putrid little form. The lady tried to say that it was just claiming that I picked up my prescriptions -- but I told her that was not what the form said, and paying for it declared that I picked it up. I almost had to run out of there!

I posted this on the site you referenced as well. Anyone know if what they're asking is legal in CVS?

http://moosefeathers.typepad.com/askmom/2006/02/mature_civil_di.html#comment-14250264

Why not hit 'em where they live? "Sure, I'd be glad to show you my receipt--for 10 dollars cash."

I guess I don't see what the problem is... and here's why:

People steal stuff. It takes effort to stop them.

A simple receipt check at the door is a VERY cheap way to stop many of the easiest forms of theft.

I like the prices to stay down. That means that I want A) no theft (as theft raises prices for those who pay), and B) a little effort as possible spent preventing theft (as more effort = higher prices to pay for the effort).

I don't take it as an accusation against me personally - it's an accusation against society, one that is highly accurate.