Why can't the States have full service gas stations like the rest of the world does?

Question

Their "old people" don't have to get out of their cars in the middle of the winter to fill up their cars. Other countries do not have more money to have this service. Why are the people of America not complaining about not having this service? Arn't you tired of getting out and doing it yourselves and getting your hands smelling like gas? You expect to drive through to get your "Starbucks" coffee but you don't expect that someone will fill up your tank with gas? What gives? Is there nothing that the public can do to change this without the price of the gas going up? Think of this the next time you have to fill up your tank and it is either freezing outside or so hot you could just melt. I personally think this is extremely stupid for all of us to put up with it.....we deserve better service at gas stations.

Answer 1

There are LOTS of filling stations that offer either full or self service. Full service costs a good bit more though.

Handicapped people can get served at MOST stations except those with only one employee.

Answer 2

Most large, chain stations, will assist someone that's physically handicapped at no additional cost. New Jersey, (if I remember correctly,) has laws preventing self service stations, and there are many places that still feature full service, (for a price per gallon that makes me cringe,) but gets my oil checked, tire pressure checked, and windshield cleaned.

My Jeep holds 19 gallons and gets approximately 15 miles per gallon. I have a range of about 240 miles, leaving three gallons for panic reserve. Considering that the gas station has to pay pump jockeys, an additional mark up of $0.40 per gallon, means I would have to pay an additional $6.40 per fill up. This means at my usual mileage of 25000/year, I would pay an additional $666(and a really long decimal,) a year for gasoline.

When we consider, (at a rate of 5 galons per minute,) I'll spend a minumum of 334 minutes at a gas station filling my tank whether I pump the gas or someone else does, I'm paying an additional two dollars per minute just to have someone else do the same work I can do.

For that kind of cash, I'm gonna opt to pump my own gas. Mechanics rags and GoJo are relatively cheap in comparison to the cost of paying someone to do it for me.

However, there are stations that do still feature full service. Seek them out if you you feel so inclined. The lack of demand for that level of service, given the cost, is dying out as we reach record fuel prices. But it still can be found if you look.

All else failing, move to New Jersey.

JT

Answer 3

Because it seems liek everything is going to self service and it sucks

Answer 4

Most major oil company stations have both self service pumps and full service pumps.  The price of fuel at the full service pumps is higher, however.

Answer 5

the gov't does not trust you to do it without hurting yourself

Answer 6

There are many full service gas stations here in VA, I refuse to go to them. The gas is always higher, and how do I know what they are doing or that they are even doing anything without getting out of the car anyway?

Answer 7

we could do it but do you want to pay even more for gas than you do now............they would have to hire people to do it and that isn't free

Answer 8

When the weather is bad I miss the gas stations in  New Jersey where it is illegal to pump your own gas. The prices for gas is cheaper in Jersey compared to the self-service stations here in NC. When the weather is nice I would rather pump gas myself.

Answer 9

The 'rest of the world' has even fewer full service stations than America has!  I have driven long distances in over forty countries, and these places are now quite rare.

Answer 10

They used to until about 35 years ago.

Answer 11

If there was a market for it, I'm sure it'd happen.

I personally do not want a full service gas station. I'd feel stupid having someone else pumping my gas, and I don't want to have to pay the extra cost of paying someone to pump my gas, or wash my windows. Gas station attendants don't work for free.

Answer 12

Take a bus. You must be a rich spoiled little brat.

Answer 13

Have you ever been to Oregon or New Jersey? Wait for service at a place where you can't legally pump your own gas. It's neither efficient nor particularly easy.

You want better service, then pay the extra 20 cents on the gallons to get it. I like my gas as cheap as I can get it.

Answer 14

Many places do have full service stations.  In Oregon, self-service is illegal.

In most states, if you have a disabled person parking placard, the gas station is required to fill up your tank for you.  

And you asked "Is there nothing that the public can do to change this without the price of the gas going up?"  There is no way you can add an extra service without the cost going up, it would violate the laws of economics.  Labor in the US is a lot more expensive than other countries.

Answer 15

Well your question tells us all that you are a young driver that does not know much about driving history. Their use to be full service station, drive-in moves, and drive-in restaurant with car hops some even on roller skate. Gas station = service station fill you gas tank or put as much gas as you wanted in your car, check your oil, and washed the windows, and the public still was not happy. All metric gallons are 5 qt as compared to our 4 qt. gallon. Also cost of labor has had a lot to do with it You keep hearing or reading about people in other countries work for penny a day or a couple of dollar a week. How many people do you think will pump gas for a couple of dollar a day? Not me for sure. I worked as a gas pump jockey as a kid for 3/4 dollar a hour but that was 55 years ago and before the crooks started killing gas stations attendant for a few dollars in the till. Plus you have heard about how expansive it is for businesses to have people on the pay rolls, that is why gas service station has become conveniences store with self-service gas pump. Need I go on?

Answer 16

there are a lot of full service stations in america..... maby you are just stopping at the wrong places

maby you live in the wrong part of america

and no it doesnt bother me to fill up my own car...