I always did think that operating a gas pump was getting to be more and more like operating a computer. The OP is the most extreme example I’ve seen. Of course, pay at the pump is relatively new around here, I guess they’ll get the more complicated pumps eventually.
I believe it is illegal in the US to add a surcharge to credit purchases. HOWEVER, many gas stations, including the one at which I work, give a per-gallon discount for paying with cash. A subtle distinction, at best, but it’s legal.
Joe
Swipecard, push big button for grade, pump gas, drive off.
Haven’t seen any other kind around here.
When I use my debit card with the pumps at Costco, it goes like this:
(On-screen instructions are to “insert card”, and when the card is inserted the instruction changes to "remove card quickly)
- Insert card, remove quickly
Please re-insert card
- Insert card, remove quickly
Please re-insert card
- Insert card, remove quickly
Please re-insert card
- Insert card, remove quickly
See Attendant
- Attendant resets the pump, takes my card, inserts it and removes it quickly, and it goes through.
This happens every single time. I think from now on I’m just going to pull up, summon the attendant, hand him my card, and say, “Here, you do it.”
After having my debit card declined at the Costco pumps a couple times, I finally found out (from a teller at my bank) that Costco’s pumps automatically pre-authorize for $100. Once I learned that, I knew to only attempt to buy gas at Costco on payday or shortly thereafter.
At Safeway, I’m forced to run the card as a credit transaction, because for some reason my bank’s debit cards just don’t work as debit cards at Safeway’s pumps. There, I get to enter my ZIP code for “verification”, though around here that’s pretty useless. This is a small town with only one ZIP code (though neighboring town’s of course have different ZIPs), so probably 95% of the customers are entering the same ZIP. Somebody using a stolen card would be pretty safe entering the local ZIP.
I have the citibank mastercard that’s affiliated with Petro-Canada, and it doesn’t even require swiping, since it can work as a proximity card too. I just hold it up to the pump until it beeps, select the grade and pump. I have the option to take a receipt after. So simple.
Most I have seen are just the “insert card, select grade, pump, leave” type as well, with a yes/no receipt question or car wash question sometimes added. I haven’t paid for gas other than with a card at the pump in YEARS.
- Pull up to pump, roll down window, pass card through it.
- Wait
- Card and receipt come back through window, car is magically filled with gas, card is magically emptied of money.
- Drive off.
(No self-serve gas in Oregon)