Nothing like this happens at Costco...they have walking around attendants at all times who assist customers too...

I just felt creeped out....needed to get gas to hold me over until I drove down to Costco....I drive my car for my home IV infusion job...so, I travel a lot, have a Hybrid...

I’ve given money to the “need gas” people. I never see the car, but it’s easier to give two bucks than try to figure out if he’s lying or not. I’m sure 9 out of ten times they are lying. But I feel good for the tenth getting legit help.

I don’t think there are right or wrong answers here. You did what you thought was right and that’s what matters.

...sometimes I just sense it's a hustle, apologize and walk away, and sometimes I empty my wallet for them.

that my heart is always set against ....

and an ordinary panhandle on the street. Is somebody that is running a GoFundMe substantively different that someone that is begging spare change on the sidewalk? In what way? And - unless someone is being threatening, abusive, or otherwise hampering or impeding other citizens or businesses .... I'm wondering if it's any of my business .. ?

(oh - and by the way - a private sale doesn't involve 'tags' - you just have a given period of time to attend to registration, etc.)

It has been my experience in the past here...

they were made for each other

I would have to do a Google search for a clergy...not my go to call list...

You did the appropriate thing.

They can make sure the car is properly registered, and make sure he has both insurance and a driver's license. Might even search the car for illegal weapons or drugs and check for any open warrants while they are at it.

Thank you for the direction...

First, you are wasting resources and second, people get killed having to deal with them.

If he's not driving, they can't ID the person or legally search his car. Things can get out of hand quickly over a few bucks.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone who shakes down other people for gas money isn't too concerned about driving illegally.

How does the OP know the gas station didn't call them?

FYI, a friend was killed by an unlicensed uninsured driver doing a burnout in a parking lot and losing control of her truck. Probably drunk too, but fled the scene and turned herself in the next day. As I recall, she only got 4 years probation for it.

Whenever I do call them I explain the situation in great detail so there are no misunderstandings. I've seen the police shoot people I myself wouldn't have shot.

Where I live the police probably wouldn't show up for a call like this anyways. They'd probably tell me to file a report on their web site and they'd be a little surly and annoyed about me calling them too. More paperwork.

I actually prefer living in places where the police have better things to do then harassing mostly harmless gasoline station panhandlers or groping teenage WalMart shoplifters.

Many of whom are fearful or feel sorry for them and give them money they themselves could use for a better purpose.

There is no lack of job openings these days; scammers need to get a job like most normal honest people do.

And it truly was, for straight white affluent people.

I quit high school at sixteen and fled, eventually repudiating whatever automatic status I might have been granted by that orderly community in the later 'seventies.

I wouldn't move back to a place like that for a million dollars cash and a six figure income. And I haven't.

This world is a very messy place. If you are affluent you can pay people to isolate you from the mess. Or you can dive right in and use whatever talent you got to make it a better.

Went into station...a Meijers station..informed the the Manager...

Curious as to why you see it that way...

I disagree with that extent of your rationale, sound like a republican; when one feels creeped out by scammers.

You assumed "he lied saying he just bought the car".
You could have just said no.

Observed him getting cash from another then approached another person and got cash...no gas.

I've had the same thing happen to me repeatedly by different people & I report them.

But for your own safety, please don't let the other person see you report them, whether to the business or the police. Just a personal precaution I take.

observed a bit then went into store...not looking in his direction....bought a Pure Leaf tea...shopped...no clue...

In Dayton, west end this was North end near airport.... but in the West Dayton area...multiple gas station shootings off Gettysburg Ave / James H McGee Ave area this year...so yea...we get nervous...it's on our minds now...

It's not for me to judge

I have seen people light up with gratitude for a few bucks

The only time I won't is if they are smoking...

I remember once outside a Walgreens a guy on foot asked me for money for gas. Said he left his car down the road and had to take someone to a doctor's appointment or something similar to that. Even though I felt he was lying, I handed him some money because my son was with me and I wanted him to learn to help others. We got in the car and watched him run across the parking lot and then across the street to the strip mall on that side. Said to my son, "Oh, maybe he's going to hike to the gas station down the street just beyond the little strip mall." Instead I watched as he went inside the little grocery on the corner in the strip mall, then come out with what appeared to be liquor in a paper bag and down some right in the parking lot! After that I'm more careful who I give money to. I'm just grateful that he walked off on foot, and DIDN'T get in a car and hurt someone!