I think the reason people are denying this is a crime is because it's happening on their machine, not a remote server. And the remote server is presumable accep

I think the reason people are denying this is a crime is because it's happening on their machine, not a remote server. And the remote server is presumable accepting the request. Using your store analogy it would be like bringing a television to the cashier and telling them you will pay $10 and they accept.