In Germany, one pays gas after s/he pumps gas. What prevents one from driving off without payment?

Question

Gas price in Germany is almost 6 US dollar per gallons. But most drivers would pay for gas after pumping I assume. Is ethic or law preventing driver driving off without a payment.

Answer 1

It's true, that it is the case that you pay after you pumped the gas, but you can't drive off, because everything is recorded by video-cameras at the gasstation!

Answer 2

Common decency, and CCTV cameras

We do the same in the UK

Answer 3

I know that in the States if you pump and do not pay, you will be prosecuted with theft. Usually the gas stations here all have cameras. Not all gas stations allow you to pump before you pay. A lot of gas stations in California require you to pay before you pump.

Answer 4

honesty

Answer 5

Personal integrety???

Answer 6

Most people are just decent to pay, since they usually pump their gas at areas that are close to them.

Let's say you ran off, and got caught.. well you may never be able to go back to the same place and have a bad reputation your neighborhood or something. That's how I see it.

There's always cameras around and it's so easy to track you with your licence plate #.

It's too big of a risk, for something so small, there could be big consequences

Answer 7

that's how it is here too, einstein. but you also have the option of paying at the pump.

Answer 8

In Canada you pay after you pumped and the camera picks up your license plate number.  The police come after you in no time.  (It happened to an absent-minded person I know).  

Many parts of the States are like Canada.  The only place where I had to pay first was in Chicago.  I guess it depends on how high crime is in the neighbourhood.

Answer 9

Well, the cameras should prevent that. They are put directly onto the numberplate and if you drive off without paying, ploice will easily track you and fine you a great sum of money.

And, of course, Germans are usually too honest to do such a thing... :P

Answer 10

I believe that it is the ethical thing to do.

If the fear of being caught is the hindrance to not paying then one is dishonest.

The camera systems are paid for buy the people who pay for there gas. Buy not paying you are only raising the price of gas. Because the gas stations must now buy more security systems, and might eventually lead to paying before you pump, which personal I would hate to do.

In Germany as the price of gas has increased so has the volume of people just drive off. On average 6 out of 10 people who drive off without paying are eventually caught and charged. The German police choose to simply show up at your house rather than to try and chase you down. Also their is no such thing as police brutality, and you can spend up to 6 months in jail before they even have to charge you.

So paying is often the better policy.

Answer 11

They do. I'm getting gas by our military gas station there is many soldiers they don't pay and run a way too.

The price right now reg. $2,97/super $3,17.

Answer 12

same reason we all don't walk around holding up liquor stores.

honesty

laziness

scared to steal

or the local cops may just beat the c**p out of you.

Answer 13

I'm hoping the answer is ethic.

In Canada and the US one pays for gas after pumping. Only a thief would drive off without paying.

Answer 14

I assume there are cameras recording everything that goes on at the pumping station. This way, if they drive off, the camera gets the theif's license number. Police can get ya for theft. Makes sense to me.

Answer 15

They do the same in Australia and many other places - I guess Americans cant be trusted with OIL.

Answer 16

that how it is in Canada . some people do drive off without paying most of the time there is a camera there and so long as the clerk presses a button to stop the tape from recording over the robbery the police have no trouble finding the person as the have him her in the pics and the car and the plate. so its stupid to drive off.

Answer 17

now a days all gas stations have cameras at the pumps. where i live u have to pay before u pump which can be a pain in the ***, cuz i dont know what it takes to fill up my car, or if its to much, then u gotta go back in and wait in line to get your money back. thankfully i got my new check card, so i aint gotta worry about that. gast yesterday went up 20cents in 10mins. it was up to $2.89 now its down to $2.75 this is getting insane i miss the $1.87 days we had a few months back!

Answer 18

usually they hav cameras at the gas station to get ur license plat number. u can be arrested for theft by not paying for gas.

Answer 19

both, and the idea of spending time in jail causes some people to have second thoughts about it!

Answer 20

it's against the law to steal

Answer 21

Im sure it's fear of getting in trouble with the law.  If you thought you wouldnt get in trouble, I'm sure a lot of people would drive off without paying.

Answer 22

For most people, I'd say that just common courtesy is keeping them from driving away.  Of course, there's those people that would drive away except that there's cameras snapping shots of their license plates...not to mention the people who actually do drive away.

Answer 23

Most self serves in Canada are pump, then pay, and most pumps have cameras. I think it applies in Germany too.