impala1
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:8,366
Points:2,222,575
Joined:Feb 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 13, 2003 8:07:41 AM
I used to haul gasoline late at night and saw drive offs with out
paying.What I am getting to is if there was pay before you fill
there wouldn't be drive offs. Thank you
|
deirules
Sophomore Author
Grand Rapids
Posts:221
Points:45,085
Joined:Oct 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 13, 2003 4:52:38 AM
I have seen few jobs here start at $10.00 hour even at grocery stores, but the bottom line is the great jobs only pay like $27,000 year plus bonuses, then you take into account the cost of living for just one bedroom condo that is easily $700.00 month, then the post office I will fill you in on, there is no door delivery here, it is all post office boxes and you pay like $26 year for that where in michigan you get that for free, then the cost of plates, insurance, drivers licence change all adds up fast.
I hope I am able to write some of this off at end of the year, cause this has got to be the most expensive place to live besides aspen, san francisco, vail but the prices here are close if not the same as vail.
gas since I moved here in july has never fallen under $1.65 gallon regular unleaded.
there is only free bus service, no free lunch anywhere everyone that I have seen or talked to works anywhere from 90-120 hours a week, or saves every nickle and dime and rides the bus everywhere which is fine and saves on traffic congestion, just wish all the busses ran every 30 minutes instead of some every hour cause in the winter it will be cold at all bus stops there are no doors on bus shelters.
I would only move back here when either a) I have three jobs lined up.
B) ECENOMY PICKS UP 700% WHERE IT IS NOW
C) COST OF LIVING DROPS BY 40%
D) CAN LAW GOES INTO EFFECT BY DECEMBER 2003 SAME AS MICHIGAN
E) TAX ON GROCERIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN STATE GETS DROPPED BY DECEMBER 2003 TO UNDER 4%
F) JOBS PER PERSON= THREE OR FOUR PER PERSON
G) CAN LAW GOES INTO EFFECT SOON AND GOES FROM O FOR TO .20 CAN.
H) MINIMUM WAGE GOES UP FROM HALF PENNY TO $20.00 HOUR IN SKI RESORTS TO HELP COVER THE COST OF LIVING IN OVERRATED MARKET FOR $775 MONTH.
I) ALL THE ILLEGAL ALIENS GET VISA CHECKS AND JOBS GET RECREATED, OR ALL THE ALIENS LEAVE BY DECEMBER LEAVING A FEW 1000 JOBS OPEN THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
J) ALL PEOPLE WITHIN 30 MILES GET THEIR NAMES PUT INTO HAT FOR JOBS COMING UP IN THE NEXT 5-7 YEARS, AS IF THIS ECONOMY ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, THEN COME TO FIND OUT ALL EMPLOYERS WANT RESUME, COVER LETTER, THREE LETTERS OF REFERENCES, THEN THEY NEVER CALL YOU BACK FOR AN INTERVIEW OR THEY ALL WAIT UNTIL AFTER JANUARY 15 2004 TO CONDUCT THE"SO CALLED INTERVIEWS OR "FREE AGENCY" "DRAFT" OF POTENTIAL APPLICANTS THAT MAY SOMETIME WIN A JOB IN 2007?????????
K) MAKE ALL PEOPLE JOIN A "FREE AGENCY" STARTING JANUARY 2004
M) GET ALL PEOPLE TO GO BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM TO CREATE 2000 MORE JOBS????
|
deirules
Sophomore Author
Grand Rapids
Posts:221
Points:45,085
Joined:Oct 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 13, 2003 4:34:00 AM
Yes, I have yet to see this in colorado, but the cost of living is at least 80% higher than in michigan, you can't find cans along road and collect your .10 here it is .20 pound, tax is on everything so there is never a free lunch in colorado, i don't understand why food is taxed at 7.65% on the dollar.
to give you an example 1 bedroom ski resort would be around $700 month no you compare that with one bedroom in michigan for $350.
then you add the 7.65% groceries, where in michigan groceries are not taxed at all.
I don't understand how the cost of living differs so much?????
this has got to be most expensive living conditions, no work anywhere within 300 miles, no free lunches, no homeless shelters, no 24 hour grocery stores within 35 miles.
I can't wait to look for bottle returns in michigan, I will go out everyday until the year 2004 ends if I have to just to survive as there are no free lunches here in colorado economy sucks here and everyone that is employed works at least 90 hours week, 365 days year.
|
Jimbo
Champion Author
Ventura
Posts:11,017
Points:837,080
Joined:Aug 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 13, 2003 1:53:55 AM
99.99% are pay first in California.
|
scrounger
Champion Author
Vancouver
Posts:9,778
Points:3,043,430
Joined:Mar 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 13, 2003 1:32:01 AM
I wiil prepay .......... once only ........ and then only if I don't have enough gas to get to another station! I will Never go back to the one that demands prepayment!
|
GinaR74
Veteran Author
Cincinnati
Posts:344
Points:58,580
Joined:Jun 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 13, 2003 12:58:00 AM
No, not offended at all. I pre pay 99% of the time anyway.
|
tkingrey
Champion Author
Portland
Posts:11,751
Points:1,225,965
Joined:Jul 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:33:27 PM
No - Not offended at all.
|
echocat
Champion Author
Massachusetts
Posts:112,990
Points:3,663,565
Joined:Apr 2002
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:20:41 PM
No, I'm not offended at all. It is the norm here in most parts of Massachusetts, especially in and around Boston. I almost always pay-at-the-pump using my bankcard---I can control how much I put into my tank. The is one place in Marlborough, MA that allows motorists to pump first, then pay and other than that, the only other places I encountered the pump first, pay later was in ruual Maine and New Hampshire.
|
bankfixer
Champion Author
San Antonio
Posts:17,620
Points:3,458,450
Joined:Jan 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 10:57:57 PM
I think offended is the wrong word to use. I am very put out when I have to prepay and I will not trade at that station again. So in retrospect I will only prepay once at any given station.
|
steve85257
Champion Author
Arizona
Posts:14,151
Points:3,494,395
Joined:Feb 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 10:47:27 PM
I'm not at all offended. If someone drives off without paying, we're all going to wind up paying for it with higher prices.
|
MeenGreen
Champion Author
Louisville
Posts:3,713
Points:838,220
Joined:Feb 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 10:34:02 PM
I'm certainly not offended -- prepay seems natural enough. I prefer the ease of pay-at-the-pump, and generally avoid stations that don't offer it. I'm not so much lazy, I just enjoy not getting into another line.
|
CME51
Rookie Author
Grand Rapids
Posts:58
Points:19,710
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 10:23:50 PM
I personnaly am very offend because I take pride in my honesty and integrity. However, I also understand that the human race is far from perfect. If it were, listening and watching the news would be far less dismal.
|
bble
All-Star Author
Calgary
Posts:636
Points:285,725
Joined:Sep 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 10:08:36 PM
Not offended. This will keep gas prices down if theft is prevented and this is an excellent way of preventing drive aways.
|
NateHoy
Champion Author
Maine
Posts:1,246
Points:806,450
Joined:Sep 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 10:03:51 PM
Generally, most stations use pay-at-the-pump.
Unfortunately, this rarely applies to Diesel, the fuel my TDI takes, so I have to prepay at any station that requires it. It's pretty rare, but I have run into it a few times. I don't think it's a big deal. I go in, hand the guy a $20, fill up, and go back in to collect my change (or tell him I am putting it on a credit card and get the $20 back when I go in to pay).
Sure, it's an extra walk. I walk three miles a day for exercise. I'm not about to start whining about walking an extra 100 yards or so (Diesel pumps tend to be on the outskirts of stations, so 100 yards is frequently an accurate figure) to fill up my tank. Most of us could use the exercise anyway, and the gasoline pumps are close enough to make it a 100 foot walk, tops. Those who don't want to walk a few extra feet can go to a pay at the pump or a full service.
Prepay virtually eliminates "drive-aways", which keeps prices a little lower. If no one can steal fuel, then no one else has to overpay to cover that theft.
Does it indicate a lack of trust in the customer? Sure. Why? Because a few bad apples have spoiled the bunch, as usual. The owner of the station has no way of knowing whether you're one of the 99% of decent, paying customers, or the 1% of scumbags who will drive off and steal fuel.
|
OutbackAnni
Rookie Author
Arizona
Posts:6
Points:12,225
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 9:53:00 PM
I'm not offended as I understand because of "driveaways" but I sure hate the inconvenience. I will usually go to a station where I can pay at the pump instead.
|
Tails
Rookie Author
Ontario
Posts:65
Points:24,800
Joined:Oct 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 9:49:41 PM
I am extremely offended. One station near where I work is 24 hour and tried to do that at night. Its inconvienent, and if your filling your tank, who knows how much you put in? I personally wont go to any station that makes me prepay.
|
railman0306
Champion Author
Saskatchewan
Posts:1,499
Points:330,695
Joined:Jun 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 9:37:45 PM
Yes I would be.... but have never encountered the problem
|
stever
Rookie Author
Maryland
Posts:11
Points:85,680
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 9:37:40 PM
I am not offended. I understand the reasoning. They dont want to get robbed. It is just a function of the times we live in.
|
pygar
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:6,639
Points:1,143,100
Joined:Apr 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 9:17:33 PM
I'm not offended. It's more of a bother.
|
UT Ray
Champion Author
Salt Lake City
Posts:8,566
Points:1,850,890
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 9:09:36 PM
I am really not offended, because I realize that the station is only trying to protect their profits from people that drive off without paying, and they have no way of knowing that I will not do the same. However, If I can't use my credit card at the pump, I often will go to another near by station. The reason is convenience, not because I was offended.
|
Bismilla
Champion Author
Richmond
Posts:4,160
Points:830,175
Joined:Oct 2002
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 8:47:16 PM
Very offended
|
rho
Champion Author
Sacramento
Posts:31,945
Points:3,496,845
Joined:May 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 8:24:35 PM
In California, we have been pre-paying for years or use credit cards. Not offended at all. But like the convenience listed below.
Arco, gives you the option of using 1, 5, 10 or 20 dollar bills at a quick pay near the pumps if they are working. Save a trip inside when quick pay is available.
Flying J gives out cards to regular customers to ID your self if you want to pay cash or use your own credit card after and Flying J will also take off .01 for each gal of gas. If you choose to pay cash with the Flying J membership card, you pay after the fill up and save a trip inside. At times, Flying J also has someone in a booth outside near the pumps to take the prepay & give change.
Costco only takes their membership card and/or their Credit card, no cash allowed.
|
ntnstarkman
Champion Author
Atlanta
Posts:6,628
Points:1,534,275
Joined:Apr 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 7:31:26 PM
I have no problem if a gas station wants the gas prepaid for.
|
taxcutter
Champion Author
Tucson
Posts:18,258
Points:3,305,695
Joined:Sep 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 7:02:25 PM
You pre-Pay before you consume your food that you buy for home, or any other supply ...so what is the big deal. I have the option where I buy gas to pre-pay for 250+ and get a much better rate. eg my current contact is at $1.39 and is locked at that price until I use the gas up.
|
JonnaV
Champion Author
Oregon
Posts:2,335
Points:400,000
Joined:Mar 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 6:42:27 PM
I am not offended because there is a reason.
Now I would like to see all stations install card readers so I can just slip my card in, fill up, then leave without having to "bother" the station attendant.
Of course in Oregon I don't have the option of pumping my own gas.
|
magic1
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:19,898
Points:4,123,060
Joined:May 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 6:17:41 PM
Never had to, and would not if they required it.
|
onedavie
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:15,342
Points:3,489,570
Joined:Nov 2002
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 6:10:38 PM
Would not buy gas at this type of station
|
FMJC153
All-Star Author
Portland
Posts:511
Points:10,880
Joined:Oct 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 6:01:05 PM
I'm not. I work at a Fred Meyer gas station in Oregon. These damn pumps have NO pre-sets on the pump. So if I get someone that wants $10, I have to stand there the whole time so it doesn't over pump. The only way I can get the pumps to stop automatically at $10 is to ask for the money and go inside and prepay the pump on the computer. I hate it whenever our station gets busy we get all these people wanting $5, $2.50, $3, $20, or even $0.79 and have to stand there when we could be helping the other customers also in order to get them done as quickly as possible. But no, whenever they dangle the friggen money out the window like they're gonna give it to me, they yank it back when I go to grab it. I can understand the aprehention, but we're a corprately owned store chain that has strict customer service policies. If we pulled that crap we'd be fired in a heart beat. Only time we can't really pre-pay is for credit cards (unless they want $5 and a pack of smokes or oil or some crap like that).
|
hbud75
Rookie Author
San Diego
Posts:53
Points:267,235
Joined:Apr 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 5:23:46 PM
Offended? Hardly. If it were a personal thing, and they looked me over before asking me to prepay, I'd be offended, but since it's a rule for EVERYONE, it doesn't bother me. I completely understand the company's need to protect its assets. It's an annoyance though. I tend to underestimate and not fill up the tank, or I'll overpay and have to wait in line again to get change. Of course, this can usually be avoided with the use of a credit card or a speed pass.
|
032946
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:19,855
Points:4,043,070
Joined:Oct 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 4:46:13 PM
I never know how much gas my car will take. I Hate standing in line twice, once to prepay and twice to get back my change!
|
Helping Out
Champion Author
Fresno
Posts:15,551
Points:2,730,345
Joined:Sep 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 3:03:56 PM
I'm offended by the thieving jerks who caused the stations to be leary of customers in the first place. Granted that the majority of us don't drive off -- it just takes a couple of bad apples to sour the barrel.
|
Gordon
Champion Author
Toronto
Posts:13,875
Points:665,730
Joined:Mar 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 2:44:40 PM
I am mildly put off (wouldn't really say offended) about pre-pay. I can see that stations are trying to protect themselves from drive-offs. But two things should be done to stop this: TV cameras to record licence plates, and other patrons should do what they can to get the licence plate of someone that drives off without paying.
But I generally avoid stations that require a cash payment before fillup, even though they're still rare in Toronto. If we accept this inconvenience, what will we the next intrusion? Supermarkets asking for a $100 cash deposit when entering a store to prevent shoplifting?
Catch the criminals, and prosecute them.
|
Fordguy5
All-Star Author
Regina
Posts:649
Points:323,625
Joined:Mar 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 2:37:52 PM
I always like to put every possible liter of fuel in my vehicle so i never know how much my fuel is going to cost. It does bother me greatly if it is before say 11pm. Late at night I understand the reasoning. I have never been to a station where you have to pre-pay for fuel in the daytime.
|
idigau22
Champion Author
Washington
Posts:23,404
Points:3,201,010
Joined:Apr 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 2:25:11 PM
Has anyone read the "Recent News" today? "DRIVE-OFFS SPARK TOUGHER LAWS"!
The stations are only trying to protect their interest by having pre-pay.
|
Niagas
Champion Author
Ontario
Posts:8,455
Points:2,111,760
Joined:Apr 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 1:55:03 PM
Yes, I am offended by stations where you have to prepay, and I won't patronize them. I think the problem here is that in Canada, we're not used to them, maybe only in the big cities late at night. However I notice that a lot of stations in the U.S. have this disgusting habit even during daylight hours, so I simply go to the next station.
|
KillYourTV
Champion Author
Colorado Springs
Posts:8,204
Points:1,740,770
Joined:Apr 2002
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 1:40:51 PM
Pre-pay has been the norm for as long as I've been driving.
|
Mahone
Champion Author
Calgary
Posts:1,051
Points:1,353,690
Joined:Oct 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 1:33:18 PM
Once many years ago while in Pheonex this happened and I was surprised. But after thinking about it it made sence.
Here in Calgary I do not know of any stations that request money or a credit card in advance. Mind you I am not out at 3 o'clock in the morning getting gas so maybe they do but I am not knowledgable.
|
idigau22
Champion Author
Washington
Posts:23,404
Points:3,201,010
Joined:Apr 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 1:15:53 PM
Because of a few bad people, the good guy's have to pay. Trust is all but gone in the world today.
|
RETTWA
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:14,800
Points:2,902,180
Joined:Oct 2002
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 1:05:07 PM
Softwhat offended.
|
jeanstreet
Rookie Author
Toronto
Posts:12
Points:49,645
Joined:May 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 12:38:55 PM
Other than in Buffalo, I dont know any gas stations that make you pay in advance, but if I should find one, I wouldn't buy gas there. watch my dust.
|
doughboy_bd
Veteran Author
Lansing
Posts:303
Points:67,925
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 12:37:18 PM
I used to work for Racetrac petroleum in the SW Florida region and I know how costly drive-offs can be.
|
whiterafter
Champion Author
Edmonton
Posts:6,087
Points:1,089,390
Joined:Mar 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 12:22:48 PM
No, Not offended as I have a friend with a station and he has started doing the same thing from 7pm to 6am. It is not a customer friendly practice for cash paying customers but the problem of non paying fillups was happening 2-3 times a week and was increasing even with cameras. Card readers are great and just a sign of the times.
|
oby
Champion Author
Toronto
Posts:9,975
Points:1,433,045
Joined:Apr 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 12:00:39 PM
No.
|
highroute
Champion Author
Oakland
Posts:13,013
Points:2,781,460
Joined:Jul 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 12:00:18 PM
As AgMatrix wrote about Southern California, paying (or swiping your credit card through the card reader at the pump) before you pump is universal, or nearly so, in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been for a long time. The poll question is actually not even a question here: there is no other way to do it, except possibly at an odd station here and there that I've never run across.
|
Ag_Matrix
All-Star Author
Los Angeles
Posts:979
Points:220,620
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:51:52 AM
No, I am not offended. In Southern California, there are few (if any) gas stations that allow you to pump before you pay. With the advent of card readers on the pumps, the norm is to pay before you pump.
|
raptor
Sophomore Author
Pennsylvania
Posts:219
Points:59,970
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:50:14 AM
yes somewhat offened..I understand there are people out there driving off with out paying but I hate haveing to go back for change. So I will end up useing the card.
|
tamrica17
All-Star Author
Missouri
Posts:655
Points:121,510
Joined:Aug 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:46:28 AM
doesn't bother me.
|
rodking3
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:25,735
Points:4,202,325
Joined:May 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:38:59 AM
I said Not Offended. I have worked in retail a few different times and can sympathize with the small business owner. But, I don't want to stand in line twice if it's busy or bad weather. Then, it's either pay at the pump or I go elsewhere.
|
Hack-Man
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:8,895
Points:2,591,045
Joined:Jun 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:27:40 AM
I don't think I've ever been to a place that required pre-paying. I thin kI saw a station or two back in the 1980s that had a sign that "after 10:00pm, you are required to pre-pay" but I was never there that late.
Technically, I guess I pre-pay just about all the time, since I use the "pay at the pump" feature whenever possible.
|
polpal
Veteran Author
Spokane
Posts:438
Points:2,965,540
Joined:May 2003
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:08:54 AM
Not only gas stations but just about everything gets more restricted because of people doing stupid things like stealing.
Those that buy gas only should get one of those credit cards that pays you back (up to 5%), you pay at the pump and don't even have to go inside once. I use Conoco - it gives me 3% back on purcheses at Conoco stations and 1% back everywhere else and the saving is automaticaly applied next month when buying gas at Conoco's.
http://www.conoco.com/brands/index.html
|
99NDP71
Rookie Author
Twin Cities
Posts:1
Points:1,560
Joined:Jul 2001
|
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2003 11:00:09 AM
Am I offended that Stations feel they must protect their merchandise? Not at all.
Am I offended when I must "pre pay" and there is no obvious sign to that fact? YES! What's worse, is if the station does not have a "Pay at the Pump" option, AND no sign.
Just so you station principals know, if you do not offer "Pay at the Pump", our family will NOT be purchasing fuel from you. I purchase Gasoline at a service station, and my groceries at the Grocery Store, we have no need or desire to buy candy or pop with our fuel, nor do we want to buy fuel at a grocery store. Granted, in many smaller towns, the local store is also a gas station, but not in the larger cities where we live.
|