Different worlds, I guess. I'm not aware of any "pay first" stations around here. Our population is relatively low (for example, my town is about 3500 people) so the stations away from the highways and tourist areas get a high percentage of repeat business and recognize their customers. If there's a "drive off", they figure old Enoch forgot to pay and they nail him next time he stops by.
Today (Tuesday) is "rubbish day" for about half the town. A private outfit (a guy with a truck and a cell phone) picks up the rubbish today. Every rubbish bag or barrel has an envelope with $2 per bag in it that sits by the road for an hour or two. If there's ever been a problem with people stealing the $ then I'm unaware of it.
We buy bread from a place in the oldest house in town. The ovens are about 150 years old, wood fired. You go in, get your bread off the shelf, make your change out of a can, and put any large bills in a mailbox with a slot on top.
This time of year, the farm stands are mostly self-service. Weigh your stuff, make your change, etc.
But - it's all changing. The southern part of the state has had major growth over the past 10 or 15 years and this sort of trust-your-neighbor culture is fading. I imagine it's just a matter of time before we have "pay first" gas stations.
I lived out west for a few years and had to pay first in most cases, and people even told me to lock the car door when I went in to pay. Talk about culture shock.!
Of course, living here means fewer jobs, lower salaries, giving up lots of conveniences etc etc but what the heck, at least we get to pump first.