When I perform Chevron/Texaco Customer First shops, I always use a Chevron Cash/Gift card for the two purchases. I do this for four reasons:
1. It doesn't tie up money in my bank account.
2. I shop some very rural and shady places. It doesn't give these characters access to any of my bank account information.
3. For the inside purchase, it automatically generates a receipt so it doesn't draw attention to asking for a receipt for $1. Before I started using cash cards, I constantly forgot to ask for a receipt. Nothing draws attention like having to go back inside to ask for the clerk to print out a receipt.
4. And finally, for every $50 in cash cards I buy at Vons/Safeway, I get 10 cents a gallon off a tank if gas up to $1 a gallon. Every little bit helps.
Twice in the past week I have had a Chevron clerk charge me a 50 cent "ATM fee" for using a Chevron cash card to make my purchase in the store. The last one told me they do that with any purchase under $5.
I have several problems with this but I won't go into them yet. Just wondering about your thoughts and if you have had a similar experience.