Filling up!

This discussion relates to one of the things that irks me the most! Here in Canada, they are mostly self serve but there are a few full service stations. I absolutely hate the fact that they are all going self serve!..I realize its to save money, dont have to pay a gas attendant, but what about the elderly or handicapped? There are a lot of people quite capable of driving but find it very difficult to pump gas because of some disability. Also the personal service that used to come with giving the windshield a quick wash. Sometimes these little things can mean a lot to some people who might find it difficult to do. I think all gas stations should have both types of service.

I remember those days Humbug. We had a garage in our village where my Dad would "fill up" for less than a fiver! You'd have your windscreen washed, tyres inflated and a conversation about this, that and the other. I was at primary school with the proprietor's son. He had red hair but I can't remember his name! The garage is still there. It has a corner shop, but it's all serve yourself. I can think of one garage not too far from here that will serve you. But petrol there is about 5p higher a litre than anywhere else, and that influences peoples decisions. If you use the car occasionally the maybe you might go there. But if you fill up weekly; it's off to the cheapest, not the most friendly, I am afraid.

Forgive me first of all for digressing on your subject, but it is I feel pertinent to the personal touch service, at our local library the staff have been replaced by machines, now instead of getting the personal touch of one of those lovely ladies to talk to or smile at you, Wolfie likes a nice smile when I take my books in or out, we are now greeted or not so greeted by a machine which you scan your books in and out with, it's horrid! I like the personal touch, so going back to your question, I much prefer the personal touch, too much is taken over in this day by machines. Where will it end, being a scifi fan I can't help wondering if it'll be a world like Terminator! When machines take over! Apologies for digressing my friend, but I am sure you understand, sadly all our petrol stations well the ones I frequent an go past in Kent are all self-serve!

Yes, they have changed here in the states as well. At least I know they did where I live here in California. As you mentioned people had the option to either get full service (an attendant) to pump the gas, or self service where you do it yourself. Right around the time I was a teenager it started to die down and only certain gas stations had full service, like Shell. Now there isn't any such thing as a full service gas station, at least that I know of. I know I haven't seen any such thing in my neck of the woods. I don't mind self service gas stations, but some days I wish there were still full service gas stations, even if it was a little more expensive...

they are all self service here. i hate that. u use to could get them to check your oil & tires are whatever. you don't get any service like that anymore. too bad!

manned cuz ive almost never seen a self service gas pump happy lottin and have a nice day

Here in the Philippines most gas stations are manned. If ever there are self service gas stations they're probably not even 2% of the total. But, I'd like to be able to try that too.

i live in brooklyn,ny so no it not noone there to put the gas inside your tank unless its a person trying to get some money but i wouldnt prefer it because the gas is raising up again so thats a extra dollar or so everytime you go full up your tank

Hi humbug we both live in the UK and I don't drive but there are no manned gas stations that I know of now yet it was a bit more personal and friendly when the stations were manned...hugs littleowl

most over here are self service, but there are a few tucked away that we've been to that they put the petrol in for you. Yes it is nice to have the personnel touch

though i really envy those countries who are so progressive. but these personal touch and manned service that we get to enjoy in not so high tech country. and yes still have those manned service. and i don't see any change in the future cause the progress in our country is quite slow. and i will hate to see those machine take over those manned service. cause me too like to have some personal touch and see some people coming up to me to help me out or serve me when i want a fill up for my automobiles.

hello humbug there are still some gas stations around here in Middle Tennessee that have full service that like. i think some bp gas stations have full service and i cannot think of that other gas station right now that only offers full service. i appreciate the full service gas stations like that especially when it is cold or raining outside for the day, where that i can just pull up to the pump and tell the attendant how much gas that i would like. but most of the gas stations around here where that i live are the self service kind thou. and my Aunt and Uncle live in Oregon, and where that they live, they have all full service gas stations only. isn't that nice? so i do not know if Oregon is the only State that is like that or not that has the full service gas stations like that they have there. take care and have a beautiful afternoon.

I don't see hardly any gas stations anymore where someone pumps your gas for you. I know where I live and the towns around me there are no gas stations where they pump your gas. I think it would be really nice to have that service again. Exspecially in the winter Then we wouldn't have to freeze while filling up our tanks!

Self-service or manned? Here in Manila, majority of the gas stations, if not all, does have service crew or what we locally call them as the "gasoline boys". They accomplish everything to meet the demands of their customers. From filling up your car, cleaning your windshield, giving you the change off your payment and even putting air in your tires. I know many of you would prefer this kind of service where all of your needs are being literally done for you. But in my case, I would rather go for the self service system. I know this may sound a little odd but the reason why I prefer the former is because I have noticed a number of flaws in having these so-called gasoline boys. First, you have to have a small bill in your wallet or some coins to serve as a tip for their service. And secondly, when there's a lot of motorists having their cars filled up all at the same time, the crew are all busy doing their stuff with the rest of the customers and all you can do is wait patiently for your turn to be served. Unlike when there's no crew, you can immediately do your thing without waiting for someone to attend to you. And the last thing I've noticed in manned gas stations is the level of descrimination in terms of social status. I have observed that the service crew always attends first to those people having sports car or a luxury sedan, or those with the big and bulky SUV's which definitely requires a lot of gas. They can be so ridiculous at times but you just have to put up with them for your car to be filled fairly!

All the service stations I've been to in MANY years are all self-service. That means you pump your own gas, wash your own windshield and never have to meet the attendant if you pay by gas card, or don't get a receipt. When they first went to this here in the US, I was reluctant to even pump my gas. I made sure my husband got the car filled with gas. But, after doing it once, I've never minded it since. In fact, I like the ability to drive up, fill up, and drive off!

well, i think that changed in all the world, because in my country changed too. I think that 10 years ago, there were at any gas station thouse man that would fill up your car and you would pay him. I was nice. Now, sometimes i get dirty from the gas station. It`s not quite nice, but we can`t do anything to make them come back. Even if they put paper in gas station, to use it when you are dirty, it`s not so nice, because the gas smell will still remain. I really miss thouse guys.