Things you're shocked people don't know

[Kestra]

You used to be able to pump the gas first, then go in and pay with cash, at least around here. Now you have to pre-pay if you want to use cash. People who have been using credit cards may not realize this and as a result, have the conversation you mentioned above.

 

[Trekker4747]

Overheard at the gas-station this afternoon.

The car pulls up, the woman passenger gets out, opens the gas tank and puts the nozzle in, presses the select button for the grade and tries to start pumping gas.

It doesn't work. She presses the button again, dicks around with the pump. Nothing.

The driver, presumably her husband, opens the window and yells back at her, "What's wrong?"

"It's not pumping."

"You have to go in and pay first."

"What?! That's stupid. Since when?!"

Do the gas pumps out there not have the "Pay Outside," "Pay Inside Cash" and "Pay Inside Credit" buttons that are ubiquitous nowadays?

Sigh. Yes. Yes they do. I honestly don't know what was wrong with this woman. All it looked like she did was press the "start" button by the fuel grade and completely ignored the credit-card reader where those payment buttons are.

You used to be able to pump the gas first, then go in and pay with cash, at least around here. Now you have to pre-pay if you want to use cash. People who have been using credit cards may not realize this and as a result, have the conversation you mentioned above.

I don't think gas stations around here have had the "pump and then pay" capability in years. There's also signs on the pumps that say something like "Pay inside before pumping."

 

[Count Zero]

So would I. In my country, you pay after you've filled the tank.

 

[Timby]

You used to be able to pump the gas first, then go in and pay with cash, at least around here. Now you have to pre-pay if you want to use cash.

Really? I've lived in Chicago, Green Bay and Dubuque (the last one for eight years, now), and I've never seen a requirement for pre-payment if using cash.

Man, I'm sheltered in Iowa.

 

[Trekker4747]

You used to be able to pump the gas first, then go in and pay with cash, at least around here. Now you have to pre-pay if you want to use cash.

Really? I've lived in Chicago, Green Bay and Dubuque (the last one for eight years, now), and I've never seen a requirement for pre-payment if using cash.

Man, I'm sheltered in Iowa.

Really?! Every gas-station I've ever been to since probably in 2002 or so (whenever gas prices really started creeping up) have done away with the "pump then pay" notion because of drive-offs.

 

[thestrangequark]

I wouldn't have a clue as to how to begin pumping gas, let alone when to pay for it.

 

[Capn Flukie]

Me either.

 

[Kestra]

You used to be able to pump the gas first, then go in and pay with cash, at least around here. Now you have to pre-pay if you want to use cash.

Really? I've lived in Chicago, Green Bay and Dubuque (the last one for eight years, now), and I've never seen a requirement for pre-payment if using cash.

Man, I'm sheltered in Iowa.

Really?! Every gas-station I've ever been to since probably in 2002 or so (whenever gas prices really started creeping up) have done away with the "pump then pay" notion because of drive-offs.

I'm shocked that neither of you knew how gas stations work in different locations. Shocked!

 

[Timby]

And I travel, frequently, for work. Shit, last week I was in Rockford, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

 

[scotpens]

I have had people tell me they never had heard of *insert A list celebrity* despite going to the movies and watch TV often. So not knowing Patrick Steward shouldn't be shocking.

I don't have a clue who Patrick STEWARD is either!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I've never seen a requirement for pre-payment if using cash.

Man, I'm sheltered in Iowa.

I see that all the time over here in NE.

Some stations, like QuikTrip, give you a free "Pump Now" card that they say is for cash customers (so they don't have to prepay), but I've never used it so I don't know what it's supposed to accomplish.

 

[jamestyler]

Really? Must be some weird programs. I think I've only ever seen one once, in a gay porn movie no less.

I would argue the weird - but my girlfriend has said the same thing and won't watch half of the trash I do for amusement Though Brits here may know of Eurotrash, which was... bizarre and amusing.

I wouldn't have a clue as to how to begin pumping gas, let alone when to pay for it.

Ditto. I don't drive, so I have no need to know. A friend asked me to pay for it while he was putting it in, I was completely lost and confused.

 

[ByrdMan]

Maybe a year or two ago when I was filling up my car, a lady drives up, looked at the pump with a confused look on her face for a while, and then asked me how to put gas in her car. That completely blew me away!

 

[bigdaddy]

I know how to pump gas. Stick credit card in machine, push buttons and smack the damn thing until the tank is full. Pull out.

It's just like sex!

 

[Spot's Meow]

You know I've been driving for 8 years now and I don't think I have ever paid for gas with cash in all that time. It has always been the debit card.

 

[Emher]

^I have sometimes, but mostly like a 15 bucks from the debit card at a time. I think I've payed for my own entire tank filled up about three times, and two of those where when I was in the US and had a rental.

 

[Trekker4747]

I haven't gone inside to pay for gas in ages. Always pay with the card at the pump.

 

[RoJoHen]

I haven't gone inside to pay for gas in ages. Always pay with the card at the pump.

I stopped paying with cash as soon as they started having mandatory Pre-Pay.

 

[data_lover]

i was at the bar last month and my friends didn't know what a rickroll was. was it that they hadn't been on the internet for the past 3 years? no. they just were not aware.

 

[T'Girl]

I wouldn't have a clue as to how to begin pumping gas, let alone when to pay for it.

Isn't that your chauffeur's job?