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Almost all of the gas station tire inflation stations around here are labeled that they take money and almost all of them here, if you go inside and ask they will turn it on for you. Many of the Chevron stations here offer free air. Just hit the button on the side of the unit and it starts up.
Some of the stations have an air unit that claims the money goes to a charity that may be listed on the unit.
Sorry[, OP]. I missed the point in your note where you told us you bought a full tank of gas and then were irritated to have to pay for air.
I don't know why other areas charge for air, but I know why they do it here. It is not their customers using the air compressor. It is pickup loads of kids and truck tire inner tubes, blocking the driveways, causing a ruckus, filling up 4-5 of the inner tubes to go floating and then not buying anything. The inner tube and raft inflaters then go to a cheaper station to buy their gas, but where they don't offer an air compressor.
Compressors are not cheap and they don't last forever. The rubber compression hose is really not cheap, and not only do they not last forever, the customers can damage them. It's not free to the station owner to offer that service and many of the people who come in to use air never buy anything, so the cost of the air can't be wrapped up into the prices they pay.
Last edited by PJSaturn; 08-25-2016 at 12:13 PM..
Reason: You may not edit another member's post.
The compressor costs money & the electricity to run the compressor costs money. Prices in the world go up as time goes on. This is better known as "inflation". Thus, due to the cost of the equipment, electricity and "inflation, the price will be higher than it once was.
Most stations around my area charge $1.50 or $1.75. I, too, found that shocking. The Stewart's Shops in the Greater Albany, NY area ALL have free air.
Having been born and raised in South Florida, I'm NOT going to make any reference about New Yorkers being filled with hot air... none... 'that's not how we do it where I'm from'... comes to mind... but like I said, not going to do it... wouldn't be prudent... yeah, I AM on a roll today...
I remember when the station attendant checked and filled tires every time I filled up.
I must be old
That was my job when I was 15- start the pump running for the gas, run around and check tire pressure, oil level, battery levels, and clean the windshield and rear window. Get that done and finish the gas, take the money and make change, and if any of the checks showed something needed, take care of that too (if the customer wanted).
In between gas customers I would repair/mount/balance tires, change oil and filters, change/clean spark plugs, replace points/condenser, minor tune-up and carb adjustments, and if I had none of that to do I would be assisting the regular mechanics while they taught me how to do more stuff. (Oil changes included dropping the pan, cleaning it and re-installing it with a new gasket.)
That's when a 'service station' really *was* a SERVICE station.
In California they have to provide water/air for free.
Bill AB 531
Quote:
Existing law requires every service station in this state to provide, during operating hours, water, compressed air, and a gauge for measuring air pressure, to the public for use in servicing any passenger or commercial vehicle, as defined. Existing law provides that the failure of an owner or manager of a service station to have adequate water and air facilities for use by the public for 5 consecutive working days constitutes a rebuttable presumption that the owner or manager has intentionally violated these provisions. An intentional violation of these provisions is an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $50 per day. This bill would require that these air and water services be made available at no cost to customers who purchase motor vehicle fuel, as defined. The bill would require service stations to place and maintain a specified sign regarding these services. The bill would create a specified enforcement system by which consumers may report complaints via a toll-free customer complaint telephone number to the Division of Measurement Standards. The bill would provide that upon inspection, or upon notice of a complaint, employees of the division would be empowered to investigate complaints and issue citations, punishable by a fine of $250 per valid complaint, unless the citation is challenged in court. The issuance of a citation would be precluded if the air and water equipment is in good working order upon initial inspection, or if the air and water equipment is repaired to the satisfaction of the inspecting entity within 10 working days of that initial inspection. The bill would also exempt from the issuance of a citation air and water equipment that is the target of repeated vandalism, as specified.
By that reasoning I should be charged additional for using the paper towels by the pumps they offer at no additonal charge; the toilet paper in the bathroom; the use of the squeege and water; even the airconditioning inside the station should I pay in instead of outside; hand disinfectant for handling the pumps, etc. And a credit for pumping my own gas and paying outside via CC so as not to cause additional labor charge in having an attendant outside.
Actually, using a credit card means the station has to eat 3% to 6% in transaction fees. Just saying.
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