Pump your own gas or have it pumped for you? (1 Viewer)

[fantasycurse42]

Your example is the turnpike? It would be the exact same line and wait if it was self service...

How do you figure? All three of the causes of wait could be eliminated by allowing self serve and opening up the other lanes.

:crickets:

I've purchased gas on the NJ Turnpike maybe 7-10x in my life. I spent about 20 years living in the state, I drive to or pass through NJ at least 1x a month to visit family and another 1x a month to travel to Philly since I now live in NYC. Besides being more expensive by at least 20 cents per gallon, yes there can be a wait on the turnpike. I am fairly certain most NJ residents don't purchase their gas on the turnpike and this would most likely be a complaint of an out of state resident passing through. I don't think any of your scenarios are applicable to a regular driver in NJ as they pull up to the pump at a non turnpike gas station, instruct the attendant, hand over their card, get their gas pumped, receive their receipt, and then leave in what might be an extra 60 seconds compared to a self service customer (if they existed in NJ).

To respond to your questions individually:

1) I see most pumps in use from my limited turnpike gas experience. The wait has little to do with the full service and much more to do with the volume of cars IMO. It is the most densely populated state in the country and the roadways are always full and loaded with traffic, this causes more consumers needing gas than most other places in the country.

2-3) Yes, I'll concede an extra 20 seconds - 2 minutes (although I lean on the lower end there) of extra time. Typically in my experience I'd average an extra 60 seconds. For the convenience of staying in my warm or cool car depending on the season, I'll sacrifice.

 

[Insein]

It bothers me more that stations in jersey charge different prices for cash vs credit than it does having them fill my tank. I have not run into one gas station in NY that does that

Many did this during the gas crazy of 08 and 09 where the prices spiked so quickly. They did it in PA too to catch people unaware until they are already at the pump. Why they still do it? I guess it works on some level.

 

[AcerFC]

I just filled up. Took out the stopwatch just to see. Started it the second my tires hit the station blacktop.

Took 1:20 for the guy to come to my car. All 3 pumps were in use when I got there and I made 4. All 4 stayed in use.

At 3:43:61, he handed me my credit card and receipt.

So a grand total of 3 minutes, 44 seconds from time of pulling up to leaving.

 

[spOOfy]

I grew up in NJ, and my mom still lives there. I try to fill up before I enter the state of NJ. Always have to wait for the attendant to start pumping and remove the pump.

I do the opposite. NJ has the cheapest gas prices by far. Almost covers the bridge toll in difference.

 

[RUSF18]

I just filled up. Took out the stopwatch just to see. Started it the second my tires hit the station blacktop.

Took 1:20 for the guy to come to my car. All 3 pumps were in use when I got there and I made 4. All 4 stayed in use.

At 3:43:61, he handed me my credit card and receipt.

So a grand total of 3 minutes, 44 seconds from time of pulling up to leaving.

We also need the point in time where the pumping stopped.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I just filled up. Took out the stopwatch just to see. Started it the second my tires hit the station blacktop.

Took 1:20 for the guy to come to my car. All 3 pumps were in use when I got there and I made 4. All 4 stayed in use.

At 3:43:61, he handed me my credit card and receipt.

So a grand total of 3 minutes, 44 seconds from time of pulling up to leaving.

Aren't you a teacher? Disappointing.

3:43.61

 

[AcerFC]

I just filled up. Took out the stopwatch just to see. Started it the second my tires hit the station blacktop.

Took 1:20 for the guy to come to my car. All 3 pumps were in use when I got there and I made 4. All 4 stayed in use.

At 3:43:61, he handed me my credit card and receipt.

So a grand total of 3 minutes, 44 seconds from time of pulling up to leaving.

We also need the point in time where the pumping stopped.

Shoot, I took note of this and forgot to post it. 3:25. The receipt took a while to print out

I just filled up. Took out the stopwatch just to see. Started it the second my tires hit the station blacktop.

Took 1:20 for the guy to come to my car. All 3 pumps were in use when I got there and I made 4. All 4 stayed in use.

At 3:43:61, he handed me my credit card and receipt.

So a grand total of 3 minutes, 44 seconds from time of pulling up to leaving.

Aren't you a teacher? Disappointing.

3:43.61

I never said I knew anything.

 

[comfortably numb]

It bothers me more that stations in jersey charge different prices for cash vs credit than it does having them fill my tank. I have not run into one gas station in NY that does that

Many did this during the gas crazy of 08 and 09 where the prices spiked so quickly. They did it in PA too to catch people unaware until they are already at the pump. Why they still do it? I guess it works on some level.

majority of stations in NJ still do this but it is illegal to post your cash price without your credit price.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Getting the "I'm a tough guy, I'd rather pump my own gas" vibe from the gas pumping crowd.

Just for the record, pumping your own gas doesn't make you any more of a man...

you know who can't pump their own gas? young children (and everyone in NJ/OR).

 

[Ned Ryerson]

It bothers me more that stations in jersey charge different prices for cash vs credit than it does having them fill my tank. I have not run into one gas station in NY that does that

Really? I am in NY, and I would say about 85% of the places I use have different prices for cash vs. credit.

 

[RUSF18]

I just filled up. Took out the stopwatch just to see. Started it the second my tires hit the station blacktop.

Took 1:20 for the guy to come to my car. All 3 pumps were in use when I got there and I made 4. All 4 stayed in use.

At 3:43:61, he handed me my credit card and receipt.

So a grand total of 3 minutes, 44 seconds from time of pulling up to leaving.

We also need the point in time where the pumping stopped.

Shoot, I took note of this and forgot to post it. 3:25. The receipt took a while to print out

So just under 100 seconds was lost to full service. That's your baseline for deciding if it's worth it or not.

 

[Keith R]

With as many stations as there are around here, I doubt I would have to wait. I don't mind pumping my own 95% of the time but for those days of extreme heat/cold/wind (or listening to something really good on XM),I voted for the attendant.

 

[Liquid Tension]

I live in NJ and like having my gas pumped for me. Time is not an issue as I always have emails to check, music to listen to etc...I drive all over the country and I hate pumping my own gas and the wait isn't so bad, in fact many times very late you have to go inside to pay. Regardless, with bad weather and the smell of gas on my hands (washing my hands after each use) there is no way I want to pump my own gas and I am shocked people feel otherwise...

 

[fantasycurse42]

Pulled into the gas station on the Palisades Parkway right before the GWB bridge... 24 seconds after pulling in, I was asked for my order, 18 seconds after the pump stopped I had my card in hand and I was in my way, declined the free windshield cleansing treatment too.

 

[RUSF18]

Rough couple days for FC42.

Self service could be coming to Jersey.

 

[AcerFC]

Rough couple days for FC42.

Self service could be coming to Jersey.

As if my day could get any worse

 

[Sinn Fein]

She looks like she has no ####### idea what to do next....

 

[cstu]

Rough couple days for FC42.

Self service could be coming to Jersey.

Another gas station attendant told 1010 WINS’ Rebecca Granet that he’s worried about losing his job.

“I tell you, it’s no fair,” he said. “I want to stay at my job.”

Poor guy, I wonder where he'll find such rewarding work?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Turnpike and parkway are always price laggers - worst place to get gas when prices are going down. Best places to get gas when prices are going up. This is because they only can change their prices once per week.

Re: turnpike and swinging around - the pumps are one way - they have a hose that is long enough to go on either side (frequently I can eliminate waiting for other cars by going on the 'wrong' side and having them put the pump over the back. Letting people park at the pumps either way would be too chaotic (and too many $#$%*&amp($&'s would do this to jump any line in a busy period).

Why you all like your hands to smell like gasoline I do not know.

Why you imagine that self service areas are magically efficient when $#(*$&amp#'s are always leaving their car to go pay inside while they get some Cheetos I do not know.

100% convinced gas stations/companies will pass along zero of the alleged savings if they change this.

I get gas on the Turnpike fairly often - more often than not they offer to clean the windshield.

Surprised nobody has sued in these other states based on the ADA.

Anyway continue to enjoy shelling out more $ with your gas hands.



-QG

 

[NutterButter]

Rough couple days for FC42.

Self service could be coming to Jersey.

that would be excellent news

 

[belljr]

Protip.

on the turnpike most pumps have hoses that extend so it doesn't matter what side your tank is on.

 

[NutterButter]

Protip.

on the turnpike most pumps have hoses that extend so it doesn't matter what side your tank is on.

That's the way we do it at costco

 

[belljr]

Protip.

on the turnpike most pumps have hoses that extend so it doesn't matter what side your tank is on.

That's the way we do it at costco

werd