"...I usually skip those [prepay] places and prefer the normal pay places..."
Prepay is easy. What is the reason for your preference? Just select "fill" on the pump and put in as much (or as little) gasoline as you want. I do this all the time with my motorcycle...even though it will only accept about $10.00 if it is completely empty.
The proprietor should have thought of a better solution than shooting at people over an unpaid bill. If I was on the jury he wouldn't get convicted because I'm sure those kids have been dirtbag thieves for years...but he might not get so lucky with his jury.
~ Blue Jays ~
I don't use credit cards... So often to fill my car/truck up I end up standing in line twice. It is funny to watch the older generation try to figure out new fangled prepaid stuff. They horse around for 5 minutes trying to figure out what is wrong, all the while having the attendent holler at them thru the intercom that it is prepay only.
Also I imagine it costs the convenience stores money because a lot of purchases are made last second with the change given in stores after sales. I am guilty of this when I have a kid with me, 18 dollars of gas, get the kid a drink (and get a smile) with the change from the 20. I don't do this with pre-pay places. That seems to be the stores major argument when being forced to go to prepay only as a lot of towns have forced on c-stores.