# Hot Spot gas station complaint **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 8, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147 "2013-04-08T13:01:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/41 "2013-04-09T16:59:07Z")
There are places in the USA that let you get gas in your tank BEFORE you pay??? Here you hand over the cash first and then they pump in that exact amount. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/42 "2013-04-09T17:10:56Z")
I just can’t believe y’all aren’t reading the Hot Spot Twitter Feed like I told you to. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/43 "2013-04-09T17:24:16Z")
I’m glad I read this thread so that if I ever need to pay cash for gas, I know to pay first. I’ve been paying with my credit card ever since they put the readers in. I’d have been completely lost with the prepay thing. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/44 "2013-04-09T17:30:19Z")
> [@snow pea](#): > > why didn’t your son just um, pay her??? > > Are you both retarded? > [@BigT](#): > > i’d ask you the same question. My God, better call Xzibit. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/45 "2013-04-09T17:34:30Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > “a real hassle”? Really? Compared to pay-at-the-pump, it’s positively medieval. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/46 "2013-04-09T17:37:44Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > There are places in the USA that let you get gas in your tank BEFORE you pay??? It _used_ to be extremely common, in my experience. It’s been years since I’ve done anything except pay at the pump with a credit card, but back when I used to pay cash, it was the norm, although occasionally I’d see signs that said something like “Pre-pay after 10 pm.” But that was back when gas was a lot cheaper and card readers at the pump were a lot less ubiquitous. I have no idea how common it is now. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/47 "2013-04-09T17:44:45Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Read the [Hot Spot Twitter Feed](https://twitter.com/HotSpotAvl), and all will be forgiven. I am. It’s spectacular. I cannot more strongly recommend it. Some of my faves: Dec 24th: \>\>tons great gift ideas for last minute shoppers at hot spor. robutussin DM, band Aid, neosporin, different kinds of soda, 9v batt. (for toy)\<\< \>\>bout to expire fried pies (apple, fruit, purple), just take 1 as you leave. in box by door\<\< \>\>have yall seen that guy with the littel head?\<\< \>\>we now carry all suppiles for “butt” chugging fad\<\< \>\>guy and girl outside singing an playing guiatrs. spraid them w hose\<\< \>\>some1 just asked to trade an intendo wii for their fill up of gas. we said yes!\<\< \>\>need cord for intendo wii\<\< ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/48 "2013-04-09T17:47:58Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > \>\>bout to expire fried pies (apple, fruit, purple), just take 1 as you leave. in box by door\<\< [Homer Simpson]Purple is a fruit![/Homer Simpson] ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/49 "2013-04-09T18:33:03Z")
1st world problems. Gotta love em ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/50 "2013-04-09T18:37:03Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’d ask you the same question. Guy sees something he doesn’t like. Guy refuses to subsidize activity he doesn’t like. You somehow think that’s the wrong way to handle things. No wonder you guys constantly have things in life that you have to pit. The idea of actually doing something about something that upsets you is beyond your comprehension. > > Heck, I’m pretty sure that’s why my cheese thread went south. I was upset that I couldn’t do anything about being wronged. Because I normally do stand up for myself when that happens, but couldn’t in that specific instance. That pissed me off enough that I needed to blow off steam in the Pit. You guys have apparently internalized this broken ethic where it’s a good thing to just sit back and take it. Now I finally understand why you called me a baby, when you guys are the ones who act like babies because you are too afraid to act. Apparently I’m supposed to have been wronged all the time without having at least tried to do something about it. > > It’s just a fundamentally different way of looking at the world. If I see a part of the world that is broken, I do what I can to fix it. I make it as hard as I can on the person enforcing the rules until I am forced to do otherwise. You guys just sit around and complain. I wonder which strategy works better. > > And see if you guys can figure out for once why I have no problem making this thread about me… You are an idiot and an asshole, and you read poorly. He didn’t refuse to subsidize the thing he didn’t like. He bought the gas. And then he did exactly what you accuse the rest of us of doing: he started a pit thread after having knuckled under to the broken world. Your cheese thread went south because it was moronic and you are the most universally and actively disliked poster on the board currently. Anything you post is an invitation to a pile-on, but you threw in some serious red meat with that OP. But this post really iced it for me. You have declared yourself to be that particular type of evil person who is not only willing but actually thinks it is virtuous to make a peon pay for anything you don’t like. Do you think ruining a cashier’s day is going to change a company’s policies? No, even you aren’t that stupid. You have peon experience, you know all you are doing is inflicting pain on an innocent person for your own pleasure. Asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/51 "2013-04-09T18:38:46Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > I am. It’s spectacular. Glad you’re enjoying it! I can’t quite figure out whether it’s performance art or the newest form of the epistolary novel, but either way it’s totally wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/52 "2013-04-09T18:54:09Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Glad you’re enjoying it! I can’t quite figure out whether it’s performance art or the newest form of the epistolary novel, but either way it’s totally wonderful. I think it’s real. It is funny, real or not. [QUOTE=Hot Spot] people ask us what is that smell? we dont know ether. thanks for all on your feedback! we mopped. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/53 "2013-04-09T18:56:14Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > I think it’s real. It is funny, real or not. It cannot possibly real. Can it? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/54 "2013-04-09T19:05:29Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > I am. It’s spectacular. I cannot more strongly recommend it. > > Some of my faves: > > Dec 24th: \>\>tons great gift ideas for last minute shoppers at hot spor. robutussin DM, band Aid, neosporin, different kinds of soda, 9v batt. (for toy)\<\< > > \>\>bout to expire fried pies (apple, fruit, purple), just take 1 as you leave. in box by door\<\< > > \>\>have yall seen that guy with the littel head?\<\< > > \>\>we now carry all suppiles for “butt” chugging fad\<\< > > \>\>guy and girl outside singing an playing guiatrs. spraid them w hose\<\< > > \>\>some1 just asked to trade an intendo wii for their fill up of gas. we said yes!\<\< > \>\>need cord for intendo wii\<\< \>\>keith found something real funny in the microwave ask to see when u come in and fill up\<\< \>\>lord they done stabed some one in here (shes fine)\<\< \>\>TJ found a way to make dvds go on to the security tv\<\< \>\>slow day so we r trying all the different energy pills\<\< ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/55 "2013-04-09T19:07:46Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It cannot possibly real. Can it? The OP is probably too pissed off at us to come back and render an opinion. I actually believe it might be real. I like the name of the business across the street from it on Asheland Avenue: Tire Kingdom. Kingdom! ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/56 "2013-04-09T19:41:05Z")
> [@](#): > > **Hot Spot Twitter Feed** > > stray cats jumped out of t-can bag outside and it scared me so bad i nearly shit my pants Nice to see Brian and the boys are still touring. 😃 That feed is hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/57 "2013-04-09T22:14:19Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > …I sympathize with the fact that it’s mildly annoying to pay with cash if you plan to fill up, but I don’t know of any gas stations in this area that let you pump without paying first anymore. [QUOTE=Ms Pumkin] Is it possible that the computer system they use just doesn’t allow the pump to be turned on without cash being tendered first? [/QUOTE] I worked at what was the last gas station in town to switch over to pre-pay. Once we finally switched the POS system was changed to take away our ability to turn the pump one without entering a sale in the register. It was impossible for us to “just turn the pump on”. In the OP’s case I would’ve taken the cash from his son, entired the whole amount as a sale, and given the son change if he pumped less gas. What was really frustrating is when customers just handed me their debit or credit card and expected me to turn the pump on and let them pay afterward. Nope, couldn’t do that. I’d have to enter a set dollar amount, then if they pumped less gas refund the difference to the card. Yeah alot of people got pissed off, especially old people (& one really obnoxious clergyman), but there was nothing we could do no matter how loudly they whined, complained, or threatened. On the bright side we didn’t have a single drive-off after the swtich. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/58 "2013-04-10T13:24:10Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > \*\*\* My friend _does_ give them that option, but it’s a zero-tolerance thing. If someone stiffs you, it comes out of your pay. You _are_ putting your own money on the line. Unsurprisingly, very few are willing to do that for someone they don’t already know personally. Seeing you three times a week isn’t good enough, when all you have to do to steal $20 from them, is take your business across the street. And someone’s _already_ done that to them. And the absolute _most_ they can do if you show up again and refuse to pay what you stiffed them for the last time, is they can deny you service, after a big shouting match which will put off other customers who are there at the time, and piss off the boss, besides. Unsurprisingly, low wage employees are _not_ willing to go through that, just to save the guy who shows up 3 times a week, who’s contact info they don’t know. You’re not worth a $100 risk for _that_, let alone the _alleged_ extra $5 that’s supposed to show up in the boss’s bottom line, but never does. Is it legal to dock workers’ pay for theft by others against the company? > [@alphaboi867](#): > > What was really frustrating is when customers just handed me their debit or credit card and expected me to turn the pump on and let them pay afterward. Nope, couldn’t do that. I’d have to enter a set dollar amount, then if they pumped less gas refund the difference to the card. Yeah alot of people got pissed off, especially old people (& one really obnoxious clergyman), but there was nothing we could do no matter how loudly they whined, complained, or threatened. On the bright side we didn’t have a single drive-off after the swtich. I had never even attempted to pay inside until a few months ago when I stopped at a station with broken readers on their pumps. I was surprised you couldn’t do this and almost started a thread asking how the hell you are supposed to fill up your tank when pre paying. Would have helped if they’d explained that I should just overestimate and they would refund the difference to my card (does that require a second trip inside? ) Instead, I took my business to a different gas station that had their shit together (i.e. A working reader at the pump). Someone mentioned the hold that is placed on your account when you use a debit card. This (and card skimmers) is why it’s much safer to use a cc over a dc. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/59 "2013-04-10T14:22:03Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Is it legal to dock workers’ pay for theft by others against the company? They were able to steal gas because the employee didn’t follow procedures designed to prevent that. If they don’t activate the pump until they have cash in hand this can’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147/60 "2013-04-10T15:02:08Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > They were able to steal gas because the employee didn’t follow procedures designed to prevent that. If they don’t activate the pump until they have cash in hand this can’t happen. Is it legal to dock an employee’s pay for business losses that result from that employee not following procedures? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-spot-gas-station-complaint/655147.md?page=4)