Patent ID: 8292168

Claim:
A method of selling merchandise at a fuel-dispensing station comprising: a) to each client, i) providing a first identification tag affixed to a vehicle; ii) providing a second identification tag; and iii) providing said client with a portable third identification tag and maintaining a record associating said third identification tag with said first identification tag, said second identification tag and a payment mechanism; b) when a person desires to purchase fuel for a vehicle, iv) determining the identity of a first identification tag affixed to said vehicle and a second identification tag presented by said person; v) by examining said record, ascertaining if said affixed first identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated; and vi) if said affixed first identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated, issuing in the fuel-dispensing station an authorization for the purchase of said fuel by said person and debiting the price of said fuel from said payment mechanism; and c) when a person desires to purchase non-fuel merchandise, vii) determining the identity of a third identification tag and a second identification tag presented by said person; viii) by examining said record, ascertaining if said presented third identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated; and ix) if said presented third identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated, authorizing said purchase of said merchandise by said person and debiting said payment mechanism.