Those Damned Pumps!

Every time I go into a filling station these days, it seems like there’s a never-ending number of things that disgust you.  First, the space by the pumps that you drive up to are very disgustingly dirty, it seems as if these places have never been cleaned.  You would think that at some point they could steam clean the spots to at least make them reasonable instead of a place that just openly repulses you.

But the worst thing about these convenience stores are the pumps where you get your fuel.  Most of the pumps have been there since these gas stations opened, many of them have never been worked on and even fewer of them have ever been replaced.  Most of the writing on these pumps have long since been wiped away by constant use and the screens on all these pumps are virtually impossible to read especially in direct sunlight.

So, you swipe your credit card and you cannot read the next instruction that comes up on the screen especially in direct sunlight, you virtually have no idea what to do next.  The screens on these pumps are so abused, old and sun faded that they are virtually impossible to read, how am I supposed to know what to do next?  And of course, there are the little voice devices that irritate you about needing a Coke or chips.  If I wanted a soda or chips that is where I would be—ass-wipe.

Once your credit card is cleared, then you make the selection of the fuel grade that you would like to use, this generally requires pushing a button that will activate your fuel selection.  These buttons are so worn out, that you virtually must punch the machine like you are training for a prize fight.  It is obvious that these buttons are bad when you push them the whole face of the machine folds in.  What would normally be a five-minute operation becomes 15-minute frustration.

Look, I get the fact that it cost money to upgrade equipment and to keep the premises clean.  I totally understand Sara Title 3 which restricts runoff of any facility, but occasionally isn’t worth it to keep customers happy and feeling good about their choice of vendor?  Hell, you might even sell more chips and Coke to me if I didn’t feel like I must escape the place because of the filth or aggravation.

The leaky old pumps that seem to dominate the convenience store scene are enough to make you pray for electric cars.  I know there are some exceptions to this rule, so why can’t every other convenience store corporation follow the same “best practices” or maybe discount their fuel prices to offset the filth and frustration.  I’m just sayin!

Talk to Ya Later

The Grumpy Old Fart Customer @ 2019 All Rights Reserved