The U.S. banking system is the dinosaur. The standard credit card comes with a chip that must be inserted into the reader, and a magnetic strip for readers than aren't equipped to use the chip.
No pin. Credit card companies recently decided a signature is not required, but most merchants still require a signature.
Cindy Hamilton
I disagree. Installation and maintenance of the equipment for filling tires costs money.
Of course, the gas station could offer free air as a marketing ploy.
Cindy Hamilton
Angelica... wrote: " I disagree. Installation and maintenance of the equipment for filling tires costs money.
Of course, the gas station could offer free air as a marketing ploy.
Cindy Hamilton "
Then explain why air for tires at stations was free going back to almost the second world war. What changed during the last 15 years?
More than 15 years, I think. I can't recall when air was free.
My guess would be that margins at gas stations have gotten very slim. They make most of their money on the crap they sell in the convenience store. It's a way to make a little money from people who don't buy the Big Gulp.
Cindy Hamilton
How about all the increased costs on gas retailers today, compared to a few decades ago? What's the cost of replacing aging tanks with modern EPA compliant ones today? Have a leak in one that spilled some gas in 1965, what happened then compared to what happens today? Back then, you dug out the tank, replaced it. Today it's a big environmental cleanup, $100K+. Then we have the push for higher minimum wages, pushing employers to offer health benefits, all the local regulations, hoops, lawyers and permits that are required to run a business. I can understand why they are looking for new sources of revenue. Or maybe it's that so many gas stations have been taken over by Pakistani and other immigrants?
Use all the free air you want. If you want your free air compressed to
35 psi you may have to pay for it. If you want it compressed to 3000 psi in your SCUBA tank bend over further.
How many gas stations do you have with service bays and mechanics on duty that would need compressed air? The only service you're going to get at most of ours is video poker.
Dan Espen:
I used that m-app you linked to. I think the difference is that I live in CT - where everyone is assumed born rich! I'm glad to see it's more likely a CT/New England/ other affluent area matter than nationwide abandonment of free air.
They don't make as much per customer as they used to. Gasoline is a very low markup item these days. Back when air and servicing your car with a fill up was free, they also sold all sorts of mechanical work, tires etc. Now gas stations are actually mini marts and if you pay at the pump they don't even get the chance to sell you a hot dog or a drink.
I bet you will find these are usually installed and serviced by a 3d party. The mechanic at the old time gas station could usually keep them running but the 3d world cashier at the mini mart can barely run the cash register.
There are 4 within 25 miles of me. One is a towing company, one by the airport (maybe subsidized by the rental car companies) and 2 Wawa Mini Marts
The cashier at my mini mart appears to be a standard hillbilly.
Cindy Hamilton
In about 2005, I had an American Express card that worked that way. For some reason, they removed that feature.
Would you still say if should be free, if you lived on the moon?
That's the reason the last full service station in this town went out of business.
[snip]Sam E wrote: "Would you still say if should be free, if you lived on the moon? "
Well I don't - I deal in reality so don't muddy the issue.
Doesn’t work like that with the water that does fall from the sky at times and sometimes even manages to flow into our property at times for some of us.
Most of us still have to pay for it to be delivered in pipes to our houses to pay even more to have a well that we can get it from.
True, weird that the country that invented the credit card manages to have the crudest card system around even now.
Most do in fact do contactless now.
Ours still do have magnetic strips, but the terminals now tell you to insert the card so it can read the chip if you try swiping it. The swipe slot is just there for when you dinosaurs show up with chipless cards as tourists.
Yeah, weirdly primitive.
Couldn't find free air nearby?
Oddly enough, I live in a very rich area.
Wow, mine is within a mile or so.
On the gas pumping, I think NJ is the only hold out. When I drive out of state, I'm happy to pump my own gas. It seems more convenient than waiting for someone.
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