Consumer Rights

On our way home from Louisiana, we stopped at a gas station in Kentwood, where I bought some drinks for Mr. S. and myself. The total came to $4.07, and I handed the cashier my credit card. I almost never have cash in my wallet unless I'm getting ready to pay a babysitter. I find it's easier to track our spending when it's all on credit cards and can be categorized online (don't worry--we don't carry balances; we pay everything in full at the end of the month).

Anyway, the cashier said, "Sorry, there's a minimum $5 purchase," and before I could stop myself, my Consumerist brain kicked on and I replied, "Actually, that's a violation of your merchant agreement with Visa. You are not allowed to set a minimum purchase requirement."

The cashier looked at a manager standing nearby, who told me that "every store is different," and since I had already opened my mouth, I just repeated myself.

They looked at each other in confusion and the cashier slowly took the credit card.

This was really nothing compared to the time I refused to let a Walmart employee check my receipt on the way out of the store--I told him it was a violation of my fourth amendment rights. Stores are not allowed to check your receipts or purchases (which are your property after your pay for them) unless you sign an agreement with them (as BJs, Costco, Sam's Club, and those types of store ask you to do) or they suspect you of shoplifting. Since the employee told me he did not suspect me of shoplifting, I kept asking for a manager and finally walked out of the store. He called after me but did not follow me out.

Do you do stuff like this? Did you know that stores aren't allowed to do it? Do you think it's too embarrassing? Do you think it's important say anything at all about these things?