Jeffet,
Dude, you are brave giving the girlfriend the news when a gun was nearby.
As far as your Wal-Mart experience, that's sounds about right. Not a lot of employees know much about sale policies, let alone firearms. No background check with a CCW? Not here. They run a check every time you buy a firearm. I don't think FBI credentials would help.
Take solace in the fact that my 1100 purchase took almost three hours. First, I had to get it out of layaway to eyeball it one more time before I paid. (I'd had it on 90-day layaway on the off chance the price would go down even further. It didn't.) Getting the shotgun from layaway to sporting goods seemed to take an act of Congress. Then, once I'd checked out the gun, it had to go BACK to layaway until the background check came through so I could claim the gun. No idea why. The check took almost two hours because the "system was so full." Odd that almost every other firearm I've purchased took all of 5-10 minutes for the background check. My wife and I went to eat and then came back. Once I got the 1100, I was escorted out like you. That seems to be store policy everywhere.
Still, it was worth the hassle at that price. Congratulations on the new purchase!
Shoot it often and well. It should last you a lifetime. About the only thing that takes down an 1100 is a faulty or worn O-ring, and this problem crops up only once in a blue moon. Some people report years and years of use without replacing it. Still, you can pick up a spare or two at most gun shops for $3-$4 apiece. Put them with your chokes, and you're set for anything.
Otherwise, I like the 1100 just fine.