# Not enough full serve gas stations **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 4, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201 "2010-08-04T23:39:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/1 "2010-08-04T23:39:50Z")
Why are there so few full-service gas stations around? I don’t mind paying an extra dollar or so, so I can relax in the car instead of getting out to pump. I’m sometimes even inclined to go a couple of miles out of my way to get to a full-service gas station that I know of. But they seem to be getting harder to find all the time. In my area, the big chains hardly ever offer full service (less than one in twenty stations are full serve). The little independent gas stations more often do, and they are often cheaper than the big chains to boot, but they’re rarely there when you need them. Most gas stations have a liquor store built in, but there’s nobody to help check the oil and wiper fluid if you don’t feel like doing it. New Jersey (and Oregon?) have the right idea - you guys are lucky. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/2 "2010-08-04T23:43:04Z")
Most attendants will do it if you ask. They probably won’t be happy about it, but they’ll do it. ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/3 "2010-08-04T23:53:49Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Most attendants will do it if you ask. They probably won’t be happy about it, but they’ll do it. Yeah but I’d have to get out of the car anyway and then bother the chair bound attendant behind the counter. The request would seem totally weird because only handicapped customers are offered service upon request at self-serve stations. I can do all that stuff myself when I want, but sometimes it’s been a long day and I’d rather pay extra to be waited on… ---
**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:** [August 5, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/4 "2010-08-05T00:13:51Z")
Here in San Fran, I’ve seen full service offered for as much as 75 cents more PER GALLON. You willing to pay that? Joe ---
**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:** [August 5, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/5 "2010-08-05T00:39:17Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > I can do all that stuff myself when I want, but sometimes it’s been a long day and I’d rather pay extra to be waited on… It seems most consumers don’t feel the same way. It pays to know where the full-service stations are in your area and map them out. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/6 "2010-08-05T01:17:19Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full-serve station here in Washington state; well not in the last 30 odd years anyway. I’m used to pumping my own gas, it doesn’t bother me. Besides, I pay more than enough a gallon for gas, I’m not willing to pay extra for full service. I have to consciously make myself sit in the car and wait for an attendant any time I’m in Oregon. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/7 "2010-08-05T01:20:31Z")
I worked at a garage/gas station in high school/college (99-01) and we had two full-serve pumps. They cost about 75 cents more per gallon, as **wheresgeorge04** said. I never understood why people would pay that just to stay in their car.\* If you had a handicapped placard, we’d pump your gas for you at a regular pump. No handicap placard? Do it your own damned self or go over to full serve (and yes, this was the owner’s stance). - Pro-tip: if you DO decide to stay in your car and get full serve when the weather is shitty, don’t _explain that_ to the attendant. Nothing makes you look more like a douchecanoe than to basically say, “boy, it sure is shitty weather outside! That’s why I’m making YOU go out in it instead of me.” ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/8 "2010-08-05T01:36:37Z")
75 cents extra per gallon for full service would be insane. I usually see about 10 cents difference if there is a choice. But some gas stations - basically at random - offer full service to everyone, without even jacking up the price (what a concept!) I’ve found that Sunoco stations seem to be the most likely of the big chains to offer full service. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/9 "2010-08-05T01:46:43Z")
Where the heck do you live that you can find “1 in 20” to be full service? I travel extensively through the mid-west, east and south and haven’t seen a single one in over 30 years… and even if I had I’d never pay a premium for the service. How hard is it to swipe your card, open the gas cap, insert the hose, wait for it to finish, return the hose and shut the gas cap? ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/10 "2010-08-05T01:56:59Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Where the heck do you live that you can find “1 in 20” to be full service? Massachusetts. > [@](#): > > How hard is it to swipe your card, open the gas cap, insert the hose, wait for it to finish, return the hose and shut the gas cap? Not hard at all, but sometimes it’s nicer to be waited on. I’d definitely “vote with my feet” if someone around the corner will do it for basically the same price. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/11 "2010-08-05T02:27:30Z")
I drove through Boston less than a year ago and never saw a full service station… but then again I probably wasn’t looking because I would have been shocked to see such a thing. Do you go inside and play a game of checkers on the pickle barrel and drink a grape Nehi while they fill you up? I didn’t have any trouble finding a Dunkin Doughnuts though (one on every corner). ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/12 "2010-08-05T02:59:38Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I drove through Boston less than a year ago and never saw a full service station… but then again I probably wasn’t looking because I would have been shocked to see such a thing. Do you go inside and play a game of checkers on the pickle barrel and drink a grape Nehi while they fill you up? No, the whole point is to stay in the car and listen to the radio jocks salivate over whoever the New England Patriots will crush next. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/13 "2010-08-05T03:02:44Z")
As others said, it’s about 20% more. It wasn’t as bad when gas was under $1 a gallon, but today it would be nonsensical to pay $10 for full serve. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/14 "2010-08-05T03:10:18Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I drove through Boston less than a year ago and never saw a full service station There are plenty of them here, more in the burbs than in the city. It’s more common for the small mom & pop operations and off brand gas stations. For example, along Mass Ave in Arlington there are 3-4 in a row. ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/15 "2010-08-05T03:22:33Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > There are plenty of them here, more in the burbs than in the city. It’s more common for the small mom & pop operations and off brand gas stations. For example, along Mass Ave in Arlington there are 3-4 in a row. That’s very true - there are lots of “Joe’s Garage” type gas stations in Mass. who provide full service and will gladly check oil, etc. while they’re at it. Certain stations even squeegee your windshield too. Those places usually have a body shop or something attached. These are occasionally “cash only” - no cards accepted. I’ve never seen those exorbitant fees for full service that people are talking about (20%, or 75 cents per gallon extra); that may be a regional thing. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/16 "2010-08-05T03:30:40Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > …New Jersey (and Oregon?) have the right idea - you guys are lucky. IME very few gas stations in New Jersey (never been to Oregon) are “full service” in the traditional sense of the term. All the attendant does is pump has into your tank; he doesn’t wash your windshield, check your oil, or tire pressure. If you want that you need to get and do it your self. Gasonline is a loss leader. Most modern gas stations are just convenience stores that happen to sell gas; they don’t make money off gas sales, that’s what alcohol & tobacco products & overprice junk food is for. They want people to have to come inside and be temped by merchandise. It’s too late to put the pay-at-pump genie back in the bottle, but they’re not going to spend even more money (remember labour is the biggest expense for any business) just so their customers will spend less money. [QUOTE=zweisamkeit] If you had a handicapped placard, we’d pump your gas for you at a regular pump. No handicap placard? Do it your own damned self or go over to full serve (and yes, this was the owner’s stance). [/QUOTE] I worked at a pure self-service station and it was store policy (as dictated by corporate) that if someone wanted there gas pumped and didn’t have a handicap plate/placard\* we were to direct them to the full-service station a couple blocks away. They averaged a dollar more than us and were a small mom-&-pop store (& had really weird hours vs us being 24/7). Now I did bend this for when say a senior citizen came inside and _asked nicely_ and I had some else on duty to cover the register. No dice for the able-bodied adults came marching into the store and loudly demanding someone come pump their gas cause they were “from Jersey and didn’t know how”. Ditto for the ones who \*didn’t even bother to come inside \*and just parked at the pumps & waited & waited & waited & then started honking their horns. \*Even if they did have the plates we had to decline service if only one person was on duty and there were other customers inside the store (or on 3rd shift). Yeah, I thought that was illegal too, but apparently our legal department approved for security reasons. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/17 "2010-08-05T04:06:11Z")
We have no full-serve stations. I actually prefer the self-serve. My daughter lives in OR and it’s state law or something that no customer is allowed to pump their own gas. You have to pull up, turn off your vehicle and wait for the attendant. If it’s cold (or hot) you’re sitting there freezing (or melting) and twiddling your thumbs while they dawdle around and take forever getting to your car. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/18 "2010-08-05T04:12:25Z")
I’ve **never** seen a station like that outside of the states that legislate it. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/19 "2010-08-05T04:15:22Z")
Weird. There are two full-serve stations here in town and they don’t cost more than the self-serve. I live in a small town (25,000) so that might be why. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/20 "2010-08-05T04:42:33Z")
I recently saw a station with no humans at all. The pumps could take cards or cash (I’ve never seen any other pumps that take cash and dispense change), and there was a large kiosk full of vending machines. I was kinds shocked, but I’ll bet I see a lot more of them in the future. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201.md?page=2)