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[–] 37 points 2 months ago (3 children)

This was about the lowest I ever paid for gas, around that time. Soon thereafter, the signs had to be changed to include a third digit.

There also used to be a guy at the pumps you paid, they came to your pump and read the amount you owed, then you handed them cash, and they reset the pump with a key. Unless you lived in a state that only allowed full service, which was probably better if only to keep more people employed. Taking a credit card involved the swipe machine and a paper receipt. It was a better world, but we wouldn't know it till many years later.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 months ago (3 children)

    The idea that somebody would come out and fuel you up for you it's just so weird to me. Like, it's not that hard, was there a real theft problem it's hard to believe when the price was so low.

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  • [–] 24 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    I think there used to be more spills unless you were used to doing it. Also women used to be really treated with kid gloves, same for the upper middle class folks

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  • [–] 8 points 2 months ago

    It was nice to have someone pump your gas, check the oil, and air the tires.

    This kind of service at a gas station was gone before my time, but there was a service station near me that tried bringing it back, so for several years you got the 1950s era treatment for a few cents per gallon more. It was pretty nice. I think everybody likes posh service when you can get it.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 months ago*

    Afaik it's still the law in Oregon. I could be out of date (old) but their state law forbids you from filling your own tank, you have to let the attendant do it.

    edit; and yeah it's always been weird to me too. Like you can trust someone to drive a car but not fill it with gas? Bizarre priorities.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago

    I watched a whole documentary about the full service requirement in NJ and the lobbies for and against it today.

    As a kid, my dad would drive across state lines to get gas there bc even while employing people, it was cheaper than NY. Still a good deal even after tipping the guy.

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