Why can't you pump your own gas in Oregon? (broker, to buy)

[ccjarider]

Originally Posted by karlsch

When I Google NVA job I get National Veterinary Associates jobs.

What do you mean by NVA job?

Sorry for confusion - non value add

[warrpath4x4]

the individual gas stations don't make that much of a profit on fuel sales, out of what your paying at the pump the stations make about $0.04 a gallon. their profit comes in when you go into the convenience store and buy sodas, chips, and junk you don't need.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

............. You can either pay the pump jockey or Dick Cheney, your choice. Cheney costs more.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by warrpath4x4

the individual gas stations don't make that much of a profit on fuel sales, out of what your paying at the pump the stations make about $0.04 a gallon. their profit comes in when you go into the convenience store and buy sodas, chips, and junk you don't need.

I have heard that, but I call BS on it. If it was true, how do you explain the gas stations that have no convenience store attached? They would be losing money big time. Are the companies running those as a public service? I don’t think so. Businesses don’t stay in business unless they are making money. If a gas station is in a good location, it will make good money for the owners. A lot more then just 4¢ a gallon, not counting the convenience store.

[redguard57]

Originally Posted by Bluesmama

I'm all for keeping it as it is. I like providing the jobs (and no, most of them are NOT "toothless joes"). In California, pumping their own certainly doesn't save them a damn cent - their gas prices are still even higher than here.

Right. Our gas is 20 cents cheaper than Washington and 50 cents cheaper than California.

If the attendants made our gas higher then either of them, I'd be more concerned.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Just another reason to be irritated by the incomers. Oregonians like the gas station situation and aren't impressed by all the people coming in from elsewhere insisting that they got to pump their own gas in wherever-it-is-they-are-from and that is a much better system back there and Oregon should be changed to suit them and to be more like where they came from.

All I have to say to that is if you can't tolerate being waited on in the gas stations, stay out of Oregon. It's not like the lack of your business is going to make anyone shed tears of regret.

[IowaRose]

Actually, I thought it was kind of nice to not have to pump my own gas and not have my hands smelling like gas. Not something that would bother me enough to want to change it. I was just wondering why it was that way in Oregon.

[PNW-type-gal]

Look at it this way - it is a remnant of the stupid blue laws that used to be all over the country. But because it is a more benign law - mildly irritating some times to useful at others - than other blue laws, it hasn't been repealed. On the scale of blue laws across the country, this is one of the least annoying.

New Jersey, the other state with the same rule, also has a county or two that prohibits sales of alcohol, cars, appliances and clothing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by Bluesmama

I'm all for keeping it as it is. I like providing the jobs (and no, most of them are NOT "toothless joes"). In California, pumping their own certainly doesn't save them a damn cent - their gas prices are still even higher than here.

But a full service gas price has always been more from what I have seen. Never even the same, that is a fact.

I do not see a logical explanation to how a gas station with people pumping gas for you instead of you doing it yourself could ever allow cheaper gas prices? Makes no sense!

If OR somehow managed to prevent this from not causing higher gas prices then that is great but if the people or the state is not funding it, then that means the gas stations are which would force them to leverage this extra cost by passing it back on to customer. Am I right or am I right?

I do understand this creates jobs but could there be something else (and better) these people do and let the customers pump their own gas? Or, at least, offer both and let people choose?

If they are fast and courteous that is great but I wouldn't want anyone else pumping gas when I am on my motorcycle. I have to be very careful not to spill any onto the painted surfaces, would an attended be that careful too?

The only thing that I am against is the fact that people have no choice in the matter. You simply have to freedom of choice.
No good.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

The only thing that I am against is the fact that people have no choice in the matter. You simply have to freedom of choice.
No good

.

We DO have freedom of choice.

This issue comes up on a ballot every once in a great while and Oregonians get to vote yay or nay.
So far the public vote has been to keep it like it is.

I don't know the economics behind it, but Oregon gas is cheaper than Washington and California.
Maybe it's the city, county and state taxes behind it that most people don't take into consideration.

I know that once you get out of Portland and Multnomah county, gas prices can even be lower.

There are exceptions such as classic cars, boats, motorcycles and diesel BTW.

I honestly don't understand the issues some people have with this.
In the big picture, whether or not you can pump your own gas is nothing.
I believe it has more to do with peoples personalities (the need to control everything around them) than anything else.

I hear all these anecdotal horror stories, but in truth, nothing like them has ever happened to me (or really anybody else I know) in many decades of living in Oregon.

I will admit I have had to wait a bit a few times, but that has been when filling up during peak hours, or filling up at large low cost station like Costco or Freddies or something.

It's not that hard to find another station if you are upset with the level of service you are getting at another.