> At work today, I was confronted by a customer who wanted to test out a pen owned by the store on a notebook owned by the store. I informed him that he couldn't write on the notebook, as it wasn't his.

I know this isn't really the point of your post, but a simple solution to this particular situation (which no doubt has the potential to repeat itself with other customers) is to put up a notepad designated for testing next to the pens. Many book and paper stores around here does that, and that greatly reduces "graffiti" on undesireable areas, such as the shelf fronts and price tags.

Trav"usually tests pens before buying"holt