First city in the state to REQUIRE prepayment

Glowrdr

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/139926023.html

Anyone else have this in other states? I didn't realize that it was as big of an issue as it is. I wonder how we compare to other cities? I guess I can't really base anything from a crime standpoint, since a gas and go probably happens outside of the purps immediate area (I would assume)

For anyone that doesn't feel like reading the article, basically just says that Coon Rapids, MN is the first city in the state to mandate prepayment at the pump unless the person is known to the employees (I have a feeling the employees will get to know people real quickly..lol)

I can see where this would be beneficial from an owners perspective to prevent drive-offs. I never really thought about the bigger picture though. Loss of sales from people not going in the store, loss of gas sales by people prepaying $40 instead of the normal "$53.87" that their tank will actually hold, and the fact that it may just inconveniance some people enough to drive the extra 5 miles in either direction just to fill up elsewhere.

heiney9

Lots of cities and states have this.

H9

SDA1C

Unfortunately it is the rest of us that pick up the bill. When these dirtbags drive off without paying for their gas the price goes up at the pump to cover the loss. Then the honest folks get stuck with the bill...again. How about no pre pay but a RPG to your car if you drive off without paying? One or two of those would solve the problem ..No?

maximillian

I can understand gas station owners doing this, and I don't have a problem with it since I pay with a CC anyway. But why does the government have to mandate it?

Fongolio

British Columbia has had this for several years now. It came after an incident where a gas station attendant tried to stop some scumbags that didn't pay. He got run over and then dragged under the car for several blocks by the perps. It's a pain in the a$$ but you get used to it.

WilliamM2

heiney9 wrote: »

Lots of cities and states have this.

H9

There are states that have a law requiring prepayment? There are stations in my state that do that (mostly bigger inner cities), but there is no law, it's the station owners choice.

decal

I guess the city council in Coon Rapids don't think their private business owners are smart enough to run their own business.

mudwrx

Here in New England it's been that way for as long as I can remember, just about everywhere. If your paying cash you go in and pay first. Credit card is at the pump.

rromeo923

Cant remember not having to do so. Here in Mary Land

Face

mudwrx wrote: »

Here in New England it's been that way for as long as I can remember, just about everywhere.

Same here for NY and NJ. In fact, in NJ and some towns on Long Island, you can't even pump your own gas.

sucks2beme

Pretty common in North Texas.

heiney9

WilliamM2 wrote: »

There are states that have a law requiring prepayment? There are stations in my state that do that (mostly bigger inner cities), but there is no law, it's the station owners choice.

No mandate by the government. When I first read the post, I missed that part of the question.

mhardy6647

Interesting. Historically, there were only two industries in which the customer paid for goods/services before delivery - fast foods and prostitution.

Now, I guess, there are three.

drselect

How are they going to enforce this?

Drenis

They do this here but usually for overnights.

FTGV

None such stations I know of near me.The first time I encountered one was a decade ago across the Ont/NY border in beautiful downtown Buffalo.I got out to fill up and wondered why the pump did'nt work til I clued into the person secured in a little locked cubical...in the middle of the day.:eek:

Jstas

Face wrote: »

Same here for NY and NJ. In fact, in NJ and some towns on Long Island, you can't even pump your own gas.

NJ doesn't require pre-payment if you are paying cash. That's only on the Interstate rest areas which are governed by federal laws, not NJ laws. If you go to a 24 hour station with a convenience store attached, they usually require pre-payment in cash after a certain time at night so the attendants don't get robbed.

I pay cash all the time for gas and the fuel hits my tank before anymore money changes hands.

And NJ doesn't allow you to pump your own gas 'cause it's easier to control costs, collect taxes and minimize loss if there is an accountable attendant at the pump instead of Joe Blow and his Hyundai.

steveinaz

In Oregon you cannot pump your own gas, it has to be done by an attendant--by law. First time I went there, it felt like a throw-back to the 60's having a gas attendant pump my gas.

Drenis

steveinaz wrote: »

In Oregon you cannot pump your own gas, it has to be done by an attendant--by law. First time I went there, it felt like a throw-back to the 60's having a gas attendant pump my gas.

Are you serious?

If so, I couldn't live there ever. Pet peeve or annoyance... I'm the only person who fills up my car so I ensure no one scrapes, scratches or leaks fuel onto my paint like the kids who work at these gas stations who don't care.

Full service stations are a joke now a days.

inspiredsports

Most stations here have required prepayment for years, but as a policy implemented by the business, not a law implemented by a government.

I prefer that the businesses be able to decide for themselves wihout yet another law on the books telling them what they may and may not do.

BlueFox

Gas, and lotto tickets, are the only things I buy anymore with cash, and I like prepaying for gas. I give the attendant $20 (good old days it was $10), and pump until it stops. No more paying attention to be sure it stops where I have enough money to pay for it.

tonyb

Pre-paying has been required in my state for years now, nothing new. Thanks to those jerks driving off without paying, so yeah, I can see it happening in more states.

F1nut

Drenis wrote: »

Full service stations are a joke now a days.

Use to be a time when all gas stations were full service, it was great. They would fill the tank, clean the windows, check the fluids, inspect the belts and even check/fill the air in your tires. Today, you're lucky if the guy behind the bulletproof glass can even speak English. I've gotta hand it to the station owners, they duped almost an entire nation.

cstmar01

I avoid the whole thing and just bike to work. It might take some time in winter but I've created the plow bike for those conditions.

steveinaz

Drenis wrote: »

Are you serious?

If so, I couldn't live there ever. Pet peeve or annoyance... I'm the only person who fills up my car so I ensure no one scrapes, scratches or leaks fuel onto my paint like the kids who work at these gas stations who don't care.

Full service stations are a joke now a days.

Kid you not. I remember stopping for gas, and Bev was like "honey, stay in the car...., gas has to be pumped by the attendants in Oregon." I thought she was messing with me. It's really strange after 30yrs of "self-serv" gas. GREAT in cold weather however. LOL

Drenis

F1nut wrote: »

Use to be a time when all gas stations were full service, it was great. They would fill the tank, clean the windows, check the fluids, inspect the belts and even check/fill the air in your tires. Today, you're lucky if the guy behind the bulletproof glass can even speak English. I've gotta hand it to the station owners, they duped almost an entire nation.

Nail. Head. Hammer.

I'd be amazed if 75% of the people working at these stations knew properly how to check/perform this service.

steveinaz

F1nut wrote: »

Use to be a time when all gas stations were full service, it was great. They would fill the tank, clean the windows, check the fluids, inspect the belts and even check/fill the air in your tires. Today, you're lucky if the guy behind the bulletproof glass can even speak English. I've gotta hand it to the station owners, they duped almost an entire nation.

Jesse, remember they actually had bays and worked on cars too. Ah the old days. The station I worked at as a teen was full service, we were one of the last ones in St. Louis.

halo71

Prepay at the pump?? Hell that has been the norm in my neck of the woods every since I can remember.

scottyboy76

:cheesygrin:

Fongolio wrote: »

British Columbia has had this for several years now. It came after an incident where a gas station attendant tried to stop some scumbags that didn't pay. He got run over and then dragged under the car for several blocks by the perps. It's a pain in the a$$ but you get used to it.

Get used to which? prepaying or the dragging?:cheesygrin:

ryanjoachim

Oregon is the last state (I believe) where pumping your own gas is illegal, so...not really an issue here. You always have to pay at the pump or inside before you can drive off.

Jstas

ryanjoachim wrote: »

Oregon is the last state (I believe) where pumping your own gas is illegal, so...not really an issue here. You always have to pay at the pump or inside before you can drive off.

It's not allowed in NJ either. Was posted multiple times on the 1st page of this thread.