# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/21 "2010-08-05T05:13:50Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > 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? How old are you? For that matter, how old are your knees? And your hand joints? I assume that you’re at least 35 (you might have seen a full service station when you were a child), but not old enough to be bothered by arthritis or other mobility problems. I have no difficulty in swiping a card and filling the tank. However, I do have problems getting in and out of a car, and opening and closing the gas cap, because my joints are all crippled up from arthritis. There are days when it’s nearly impossible for me to put on my glasses, not because they’re too heavy to lift, but because my hands can’t close enough to grab them. Usually this is worst in when I first wake up, and then my hands get better after an hour or so. In cold or damp weather, my arthritis is much worse. I hate the hot Texas summers, but I know that I’d never survive anything harsher than our mild winters. My husband doesn’t have arthritis, but he has no cartilage in one of his knees, it’s bare bone grinding against bare bone. Disabilities aren’t always visible. My doctor is amazed that I’ve stayed as active and mobile as I am. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/22 "2010-08-05T05:23:45Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > 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. Not to mention if they screw on your gas cap incorrectly and your check engine light trips, you are the person that gets to take it to the shop to find out it was a brain dead attendant that caused the problem. (Yes that has happened, in Oregon to be exact) ---
**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, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/23 "2010-08-05T06:00:00Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 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. I’ve heard about those, but never seen one. I’ve always wondered how are they monitered? 😕 When I worked at a gas station customers would do things like overflow their tanks, spill gas, walk away while filling their tank, or try to fill an illegal container (like a soda bottle or bucket) regular basis. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/24 "2010-08-05T06:18:24Z")
Ahhhh, one of the nice things about my country is that there ONLY are full-serve stations; squeegy, oil-level check are also common. The concept of self-serve would sound like you driving the taxi while the cabby sleeps. I kinda like, when I travel to the U.S., to pump my own gas: it’s like a crazy local custom. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/25 "2010-08-05T07:14:14Z")
And you’re in… Peru? ---
**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, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/26 "2010-08-05T07:45:28Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Ahhhh, one of the nice things about my country is that there ONLY are full-serve stations; squeegy, oil-level check are also common. The concept of self-serve would sound like you driving the taxi while the cabby sleeps. > I kinda like, when I travel to the U.S., to pump my own gas: it’s like a crazy local custom. Yeah, and doesn’t it make you feel _independent_? Maybe even _free_? Because that’s definitely the smell of freedom you are smelling when you get that mild buzz pumping your own gas. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/27 "2010-08-05T08:18:01Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > New Jersey (and Oregon?) have the right idea - you guys are lucky. Um, no. I’ve been here (Oregon) more than five years now, and it still irritates the hell out of me that I can’t pump my own gas. As others have mentioned, getting gas is not a quick in-and-out deal as it is in other states. I easily spend more than twice as much time at the gas station as I did when I lived in California, all because I have to wait for an attendant. Not only do I have to wait for them to get to me when I arrive, but also once my tank is full. I swear, the damn attendants always hang out near my truck, then wander off about 30 seconds before the pump trips - then I sit there for a couple more minutes waiting for him to mosey on back. Argh! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/28 "2010-08-05T13:11:10Z")
What is the basis for the Oregon law mandating full serve stations? Some kind of safety issue? I did not know that. That would piss me off. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/29 "2010-08-05T13:18:12Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > 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. You can buy gas online now??? Seriously, though, do you have a cite for this claim? I find it very hard to believe that they would sell gasoline at a loss. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/30 "2010-08-05T13:34:29Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > What is the basis for the Oregon law mandating full serve stations? Some kind of safety issue? > > I did not know that. That would piss me off. How old are you? Back in the late 60s everywhere was always full serve. By law. When gas prices spiked during the first oil mess in the 70s, there was a huge debate about permitting ordinary citizens to pump their own gas to save money. The safety hazards were huge they said. Eventually 48 states repealed their laws requiring professional gas-pumpers. Consumers saved a few cents a gallon & a lot of near minimum wage jobs disappeared. 2 states haven’t caught up yet. ---
**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, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/31 "2010-08-05T14:29:00Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > [@alphaboi867](#): > > > > 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. > > You can buy gas online now??? > > Seriously, though, do you have a cite for this claim? I find it very hard to believe that they would sell gasoline at a loss. It’s not a _loss_ but it’s not a moneymaker. My gas station made about 2 cents a gallon profit on gas. It’s _profit_, yeah, but it doesn’t even fully cover the expenses of paying employees. The actual money is either in convenience store stuff or in having a garage/repair shop there. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/32 "2010-08-05T14:41:12Z")
It’s amusing to me that having somebody pump your gas is now considered “full service”. Attendents used to clean your windows and check your oil and tires back in the day, but I suppose that takes too much time in today’s world. The only advantage to me in having someone to pump my gas is that I don’t have to get out of the car in inclement weather. The advantage to the attendent is that he can pay his bills. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/33 "2010-08-05T14:50:36Z")
We took a cross-country drive last summer which forced me out of my Jersey-bred ways and made me pump my own gas. Damn, that was nice. Sure, on a rainy or cold day, I still sit in the car – but on nice days I’ve become a complete scofflaw. If an attendant isn’t there in two seconds, I’m pumping my own gas with wild abandon. When they finally show up, a quick “no thanks, I’ve got it” has done the trick every time. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/34 "2010-08-05T14:53:20Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 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. Just curious if this was in Madison or somewhere else? ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/35 "2010-08-05T14:54:26Z")
I’m in Maine and there are at least two on my 20 minute drive into work. They’re usually about 10-15 cents higher. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/36 "2010-08-05T14:59:40Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > > > What is the basis for the Oregon law mandating full serve stations? Some kind of safety issue? > > > > I did not know that. That would piss me off. > > How old are you? Back in the late 60s everywhere was always full serve. By law. When gas prices spiked during the first oil mess in the 70s, there was a huge debate about permitting ordinary citizens to pump their own gas to save money. The safety hazards were huge they said. > > Eventually 48 states repealed their laws requiring professional gas-pumpers. Consumers saved a few cents a gallon & a lot of near minimum wage jobs disappeared. > > 2 states haven’t caught up yet. I’m about to be 41 tomorrow, and I remember very few gas stations that were only full serve before I started driving in 1986, and shortly thereafter it was always an option, and now I never see it hardly at all. I didn’t know that full serve was the only option back in the 1960’s and parts of the 1970’s. I’ve always put my own gas in my cars, and prefer it. I prefer to check and change my own oil, clean my own windows, etc as well. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/37 "2010-08-05T15:13:50Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > … I didn’t know that full serve was the only option back in the 1960’s and parts of the 1970’s. I’ve always put my own gas in my cars, and prefer it. I prefer to check and change my own oil, clean my own windows, etc as well. Word. I prefer to do things my own damn self _and_ I’m impatient and wouldn’t want to wait around. Also, wasn’t around for the 60s or the 70s. But y’all kids can still go ahead and get offa my lawn. (That whole “crippling arthritis” that \*\*Lynn \*\*says is keeping her from doing it herself sounds like a real bitch. And now my knee hurts from thinking about bare bones grinding against bare bones.) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/38 "2010-08-05T15:16:16Z")
I worry about the loss of Full Service stations too. It’s a huge safety issue. Full Service stations had guys that could fix flats , replace belts and do other minor repairs. It scares the crap out of me on trips. What are you supposed to do if a nail gets in a tire. Or your car overheats and you need water added. Or a belt breaks. We’ve lost a major source for emergency repairs. Break down now and you are S.O.L. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/39 "2010-08-05T15:35:29Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Ahhhh, one of the nice things about my country is that there ONLY are full-serve stations; squeegy, oil-level check are also common. The concept of self-serve would sound like you driving the taxi while the cabby sleeps. > I kinda like, when I travel to the U.S., to pump my own gas: it’s like a crazy local custom. I don’t know where you’re from, but in Saskatchewan (Canada) there’s a healthy mix of both full- and self-serve. And yes, they will check your oil for you, and if it isn’t busy, wash your windows. And no, it doesn’t cost any more. I was on a trip with my mom and some of my friends, and I found out then that my mom didn’t know how to pump her own gas. One of my friends had to do it. :smack: It doesn’t matter much to me, unless I get stuck with a malfunctioning pay-at-the-pump machine or they make me prepay. Dudes, I want to fill up my tank, I don’t think $20 increments is going to want to make me use your machine if $20 is not enough and $40 is too much. I’m using a credit card, not cash. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201/40 "2010-08-05T15:44:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I worry about the loss of Full Service stations too. > > It’s a huge safety issue. Full Service stations had guys that could fix flats , replace belts and do other minor repairs. > > It scares the crap out of me on trips. What are you supposed to do if a nail gets in a tire. Or your car overheats and you need water added. Or a belt breaks. We’ve lost a major source for emergency repairs. Break down now and you are S.O.L. You make a good point. I was traveling cross country back in '78 when I lost a U Joint on my rear drive shaft. This was late at night. Pulled into a station. The mechanics where gone, but the pump jockey let me use the lift so I could fix it myself. Pulled the rear drive shaft, popped the truck in 4x4 and made the rest of the trip in front wheel drive. Times have changed. That’s for sure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-enough-full-serve-gas-stations/549201.md?page=3)