Monochromatic Cuteness.

So I was working the cash register today.  A customer comes up to me with a roll of paper used for laminate flooring.  He says "I've got a bit of a problem."  I'm thinking Uh oh.  What now?  He says to me "I've forgotten my wallet.  Can you look up my account?  I think I have one here."  At least I believe that's what he said.  He had a very thick accent and I had a hard time understanding him.  So I ask, "Do you have your i.d.?"  He says, "I have a business card."  I say, "I have to see a picture i.d., like a driver's license or state i.d. card."  He states that he left it in his wallet.  Ok, fine.  "I'm sorry sir, I can't look up your account without an i.d.."  And he asks, "Well, can I take the paper and pay you tomorrow?"  HUH?!?  Um, no.  "Sorry sir, I can't do that."  He offers to leave his business card as collateral.  Uh, no.  So I offer to get a manager over to talk to him.  Call one of the head cashiers.  He comes over.  The situation is explained to him.  His answer?  Uh, no.  "Sorry, sir.  We can't do that."  The guy isn't too happy with this answer.  Not aggressive, but clearly not happy.  So I call an A.S.M..  Who very clearly tells him three times, "I'm sorry sir, but I can't let the merchandise leave the store until it's paid for."  The guy finally leaves.  No major blowup or anything, so it didn't go too bad.  But here's my question:  Who let the guy get away with this in the first place?  Because he obviously thought it was no big deal to just ask to take merchandise and pay for it at a later date because he "forgot his wallet".  And another thing, do I really look stupid enough to fall for that type of scam?
The person standing in line behind him jokingly asked "I left my wallet at home, can I just take this stuff and pay you later?"  His wallet was in his hand.  We had a good laugh.
Sorry, I know this makes me sound really bitchy, but I'm not willing to risk my job over a $15 roll of paper for someone I don't even know.  If it had been a loaf of bread, I probably would have paid for it myself.  But paper?  If he'd needed it that bad he would have remembered his wallet.  But who knows, maybe someone at our competitor fell for his scam.