Gas price increase affecting your travel plans

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

Pre-pay definitely solves the issue. Some gas stations don't have it though.

I've definitely run into older gas stations that don't accept credit cards and pre-payment at the pump, but they are far and few between, at least in NC. However, those same stations require pre-payment inside before the pump turns on, so I'd have to agree drive-off's aren't as prevalent today as before. If anything, the thieves have found other creative ways to steal it, and in larger quantities.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by GPs37FLH

...If anything, the thieves have found other creative ways to steal it, and in larger quantities.

Some years back (maybe 5-10) I found that the gas stations near LAX would only accept debit cards or cash prepay. Turns out thieves would fill huge tanks hidden in their trucks and pay with bogus credit cards, meaning the station was out the cash. At least with debit cards the $$$ is guaranteed.

Don't know if things have changed out there.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by GPs37FLH

I've definitely run into older gas stations that don't accept credit cards and pre-payment at the pump, but they are far and few between, at least in NC. However, those same stations require pre-payment inside before the pump turns on, so I'd have to agree drive-off's aren't as prevalent today as before. If anything, the thieves have found other creative ways to steal it, and in larger quantities.

Haven't seen any such gas station out West, in at least 20 years.

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Oregon is a "No Self Service" state and the gas prices there are pretty much the same as here in WA State, at least based on my purchases as passing through this last January.

Funny thing, Oregon recently changed their law to allow for Self Service in smaller counties. Mainly to benefit the small towns and rural areas where it was impractical to have staff on site 24/7 and stations closed overnight.

Now the pumps can be left on with "pay at the pump" for those who need gas at midnight, etc. It was the consensus that a lot of Oregonians who never traveled to other states would need to be taught how to pump their own gas

Maybe Oregon stations price is similar to yours because they don’t have sales tax?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by aircommuter

Maybe Oregon stations price is similar to yours because they don’t have sales tax?

Sales tax isn't charged on gasoline in WA. There is a Gas Tax qnd for some reason the State hasn't deciced to "Double Dip" yet (taxing a tax).

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by GPs37FLH

Kris, please excuse my ignorance when I ask this. Why is it exactly that NJ has laws in place that all gas stations only provide full service? I've never been thru Jersey before, so I've never encountered this before. Is it to keep the costs of drive-off's or other means of stealing gas to a minimum, or non-existent?

If this is indeed the logic behind it, I think with today's sky high fuel costs, it'd likely be a deterrent to anyone thinking of stealing gas without getting caught. But, it seems more and more, thieves still find clever ways to steal it if they're determined enough. And, if Jesery did decide to change laws to self-service, there's no way in hell they'd lower the price per gallon. In fact, they'd more likely raise it and use the excuse of covering their increased risk and associated costs with drive-off's.

Jersey and Oregon (Oregon until recently) were the only full serve only states. I have no idea why. Been that way since well before I was born. When I left and went South in Marines, I got used to pumping my own and was a little irritated that I couldn't when I went back. Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize this is a GOOD thing, sitting in your car and having someone pump it for you, a TREAT. Especially during height of COVID, I didn't want to touch that manky gas nozzle everyone had a turn with, ugh!!!

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Sales tax isn't charged on gasoline in WA. There is a Gas Tax qnd for some reason the State hasn't deciced to "Double Dip" yet (taxing a tax).

Thats what I was wondering. Here of course they double and triple dip. If they didn’t they couldn’t to support 35% of the nation’s welfare recipients and blow away billions to Nigeria in unemployment fraud. There isn’t any sales tax on the casino pumps but the Indians pocket the difference.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Jersey and Oregon (Oregon until recently) were the only full serve only states. I have no idea why. Been that way since well before I was born. When I left and went South in Marines, I got used to pumping my own and was a little irritated that I couldn't when I went back. Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize this is a GOOD thing, sitting in your car and having someone pump it for you, a TREAT. Especially during height of COVID, I didn't want to touch that manky gas nozzle everyone had a turn with, ugh!!!

The original "selling point" in "no self service" was safety. The proponents were telling legislators that people would be spilling gasoline by the gallons and end up starting fires that would cremate them, destroy the stations, and harm the environment for eons.

Sanity prevailed in the other 48 states

[emm-dee]

What’s the “procedures” for tipping?

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

What’s the “procedures” for tipping?

Depends on the quality of the service.
I read years ago that Oregon wanted to keep the low paying jobs available too.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

What’s the “procedures” for tipping?

Hahahahaha, if you tipped a gas station attendant here, they'd probably call the cops thinking you were drunk.

[Jfkmk]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Jerks in our legislature are trying to eliminate the "no self serve" law again. The ONE thing left that's nice about living in NJ, having someone pump your gas, especially when it's bad weather, or you're all dressed up to go somewhere. They are claiming it will save driver's money. Dirty rotten liars. Price will be the same and the only ones benefiting will be gas station owners.

You sound like my wife who is absolutely opposed to self serve in NJ. I hate that I have to wait for an attendant to saunter out of his booth and grunt at me to find out what I want. Half the time in can pump the gas myself in less time than it takes for the attendant to find out what I want.

[Jfkmk]

Originally Posted by GPs37FLH

Kris, please excuse my ignorance when I ask this. Why is it exactly that NJ has laws in place that all gas stations only provide full service? I've never been thru Jersey before, so I've never encountered this before. Is it to keep the costs of drive-off's or other means of stealing gas to a minimum, or non-existent?

If this is indeed the logic behind it, I think with today's sky high fuel costs, it'd likely be a deterrent to anyone thinking of stealing gas without getting caught. But, it seems more and more, thieves still find clever ways to steal it if they're determined enough. And, if Jesery did decide to change laws to self-service, there's no way in hell they'd lower the price per gallon. In fact, they'd more likely raise it and use the excuse of covering their increased risk and associated costs with drive-off's.

In NJ it has nothing to do with safety.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/op...as/9365365002/

[NJKris]

It wasn't till I got older that I had the change of heart. Now I don't care about waiting an extra minute for an attendant. SERVE ME! LOL. And yes, your wife is right....Jersey girls don't pump their own gas!

[Jfkmk]

Originally Posted by NJKris

It wasn't till I got older that I had the change of heart. Now I don't care about waiting an extra minute for an attendant. SERVE ME! LOL. And yes, your wife is right....Jersey girls don't pump their own gas!

That’s what she tells me all the time!

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by Jfkmk

In NJ it has nothing to do with safety.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/op...as/9365365002/

Ahhhh!! I see that's an opinion piece being pushed by none other than another corrupt Dirty Jersey politician pushing his own agenda. That's the piece that got me all fired up in the first place! I wonder what gas station owners have him in their pocket! That's the way it works in Dirty Jersey.


Disclaimer: Not intended to be political. I'm convinced that ALL Jersey politicians are equally brain damaged.


2nd disclaimer: This is in no way intended to insult people with actual brain damage.

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Jersey and Oregon (Oregon until recently) were the only full serve only states. I have no idea why. Been that way since well before I was born. When I left and went South in Marines, I got used to pumping my own and was a little irritated that I couldn't when I went back. Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize this is a GOOD thing, sitting in your car and having someone pump it for you, a TREAT. Especially during height of COVID, I didn't want to touch that manky gas nozzle everyone had a turn with, ugh!!!

Instead you would rather put your credit card into the "manky" hand of the attendant, who has handled everyone else's credit card, and the manky gas nozzle?

I probably go to the wrong areas of NJ, but I have never had an attendant at a station there that didn't make me think for a second that I was about to get panhandled when he approached.

For many years before the recent changes, Oregon had an unofficial (and later official) carve-out in the "no self service" laws for motorcycles and boats. So many people raised so much hell about attendants damaging their toys, or not knowing where to put the fuel at all, that they decided that it was "safe" for those people to pump their own.

Several years ago I had an attendant *insist* that he was going to fill my motorcycle for me. He was apparently holding the trigger as he pressed the button and turned toward my bike - so he hosed me from the knees down with gasoline, and the bike from the tail light to the base of the handlebars. Completely drenched a one-week-old custom made leather Corbin saddle in gas, and didn't even apologize. I lost it when the store manager denied that the guy did it at all.

No thanks. I'll just fill up before I leave Washington, or in PA or NY on your side of the country.

[RedRoverComeOver]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Jerks in our legislature are trying to eliminate the "no self serve" law again. The ONE thing left that's nice about living in NJ, having someone pump your gas, especially when it's bad weather, or you're all dressed up to go somewhere. They are claiming it will save driver's money. Dirty rotten liars. Price will be the same and the only ones benefiting will be gas station owners.

We used to fill up in NJ on our way up to NYC and back down because it was cheaper than MD, DE or NYC. Even the NJTP was cheaper but would be lower when exiting and visiting family members there.

Things changed around 2 years ago or so and was now cheaper in DE or MD, but definitely not NYC so we'd bypass NJ stattions if we could make it. Of course this was pre-RV days and mileage was better.

Full service has always been more expensive elsewhere and had to be careful what lane you pulled into. I detest going inside to pay and if I can't pay at the pump, I move on. Nothing like having to go in and explaining I want to fill up but don't know how much it will be. I don't want to give X dollars and have to go back in and make another line. You confuse them when you try to do that with a credit card instead of cash.


As for getting covid from touching stuff, was never a concern because it couldn't happen. The unknown science apparently changed. Knew people keeping their delivery packages outside for days and then spraying Lysol on the box when the UV rays killed something. They also sprayed whatever was inside. Know people that sprayed themselves and shoes before getting back inside. No wonder I couldn't find a damn can for 1.5 years after the panic buying.

[dblr]

Talking about self-serve vs have it pumped, I can remember stations near me that had both self-serve and full-service pumps, full service used to be close to the building and of course the full serve was at a higher price then self, guess which pumps were always the busiest???

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Ahhhh!! I see that's an opinion piece being pushed by none other than another corrupt Dirty Jersey politician pushing his own agenda. That's the piece that got me all fired up in the first place! I wonder what gas station owners have him in their pocket! That's the way it works in Dirty Jersey.


Disclaimer: Not intended to be political. I'm convinced that ALL Jersey politicians are equally brain damaged.


2nd disclaimer: This is in no way intended to insult people with actual brain damage.

So this is where the fire started!.....after reading this, there's no way anyone can argue a change to self-service = cost savings to drivers, since gas station owners need less employees. They'll simply pocket the extra few cents per gallon they otherwise could give to motorists. Everyone knows convenience stores with gas stations don't make hardly anything on fuel sales, they make bank by getting motorists inside to buy food, smokes, beer, etc.

Hell, its probably bad enough they can't find people to man the registers in this extra tight labor market, let alone trying to find enough people to pump gas in all kinds of weather, good and bad. If they didn't have enough attendants pumping gas, it'd be too long a wait for me and I'd move on to another place to fill up.

Plus, I have to believe the quality of employees pumping gas is questionable. Likely many younger, school aged kids, or sketchy looking individuals resembling panhandlers who really don't want to be there and hate their jobs. I certainly wouldn't trust them to pump gas into the right nozzle in my diesel truck. I could only imagine the mess it would cause to my truck if, oops!, sorry, they put gas in my def tank by mistake. Plus, I'm anal about the care and maintenance of my truck and put diesel cetane additives in the fuel tank every other fill up. NO WAY I'm letting a gas pump attendant do it.