Why New Jersey and Oregon still don't let you pump your own gas

[Boyd]

"It's unlikely that the state will allow drivers to pump their own gas anytime soon, however. The president of the state's Senate opposes a bill that would end New Jersey's ban. The state's residents have little interest in self-service. A March poll found that 73% of them say they prefer having their gas pumped for them."

Why New Jersey and Oregon still don't let you pump your own gas

Every state has lifted its ban on self-service gas. Except for New Jersey and Oregon.

www.cnn.com

 

[stiltzkin]

I say keep the law the same, it's less of a genuine concern and more of a Jersey badge of honor at this point.

It will be increasingly irrelevant as we (slowly) shift toward EVs anyway.

 

[bobpbx]

That 101.5 radio station has their hosts continually push it, despite most of us not wanting it. I don't want it because sometimes I drive naked from the waist down.

 

[Teegate]

This was being pushed when I was working at a gas station in 1973. I don't see it happening in this state.

 

[this_is_nascar]

At least make it optional, for those that want it or don't mind.

 

[this_is_nascar]

I say keep the law the same, it's less of a genuine concern and more of a Jersey badge of honor at this point.

It will be increasingly irrelevant as we (slowly) shift toward EVs anyway.

Yeah, OK.

 

[stiltzkin]

Yeah, OK.

Maybe they'll pass a new law that requires an attendant to plug my car in for me by that point.

And then the new bumper stickers will say "Jersey girls don't plug in" or something like that

 

[bobpbx]

At least make it optional, for those that want it or don't mind.

If you make it optional, that will likely last about 3 months. The employees will be let go, and we'll all have to get out and pump ourselves. Authorities are not going to go after the gas stations that have too few employees to provide timely service.

 

[bobpbx]

Headlines always say: "New Jersey is one of two states where you can't pump your own gas".

The headline should read: "NJ citizens are lucky, they have their gas pumped into their car for them. And it keeps about 8,000 people employed".

 

[ninemileskid]

If they pass it and it's optional getting someone to pump it for you will be more money.

 

[bobpbx]

If they pass it and it's optional getting someone to pump it for you will be more money.

How do you feel about it?

 

[this_is_nascar]

Maybe they'll pass a new law that requires an attendant to plug my car in for me by that point.

And then the new bumper stickers will say "Jersey girls don't plug in" or something like that

Let's hope not. These EV's may be OK for casual driving, but for anything serious.....

 

[this_is_nascar]

Headlines always say: "New Jersey is one of two states where you can't pump your own gas".

The headline should read: "NJ citizens are lucky, they have their gas pumped into their car for them. And it keeps about 8,000 people employed".

I'd be interested to see how much of that income actually remains in the state/country.

 

[ninemileskid]

How do you feel about it?

I'm against it, for the same reasons I'm against checking myself out at the Stop and Shop or any other store I'm at. Why should I do your job for you? Exxon or Shell or whoever don't make enough money now? And don't tell me about saving time. You'll sit through 45 minutes of commercials to watch a football game and that's OK? I pumped gas when I was a kid, I was happy to have a fairly easy job. There was a time you'd get your oil checked and windshield cleaned too....gone forever. Nowadays you can't even get your groceries bagged. Bags? We don't need no stinking bags (you got to be a Bogie fan to get that one)

 

[Boyd]

We don't need no stinking bags (you got to be a Bogie fan to get that one)

Actually, a "Bogie fan" would know that nobody says "we don't need no stinking badges" in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, this is a very common mis-quote. The actual lines from that movie are: "We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges".

 

[stiltzkin]

Actually, a "Bogie fan" would know that nobody says "we don't need no stinking badges" in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, this is a very common mis-quote. The actual lines from that movie are: "We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges".

Indeed. And parodied in one of my favorite movies of all time, UHF (which also does not technically have the line correct, but it's just a gag):

 

[Ben Ruset]

I'm against it, for the same reasons I'm against checking myself out at the Stop and Shop or any other store I'm at. Why should I do your job for you? Exxon or Shell or whoever don't make enough money now? And don't tell me about saving time. You'll sit through 45 minutes of commercials to watch a football game and that's OK? I pumped gas when I was a kid, I was happy to have a fairly easy job. There was a time you'd get your oil checked and windshield cleaned too....gone forever. Nowadays you can't even get your groceries bagged. Bags? We don't need no stinking bags (you got to be a Bogie fan to get that one)

Personally I avoid stores that don't have self checkout now. I can breeze in and out a lot quicker than waiting in line for one of the two or three registers (out of 10+ actually in the store) that are open. I keep bags in the trunk of my car so it's a non issue for me, too.

Exxon and Shell make plenty of money - but the stations that you buy the gas at are run by franchise operators that are on tight margins. Exxon and Shell should charge them less so they can pass the lower prices on to us or, even better, provide something closer to a living wage.

 

[ninemileskid]

Actually, a "Bogie fan" would know that nobody says "we don't need no stinking badges" in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, this is a very common mis-quote. The actual lines from that movie are: "We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges".

I stand corrected.

 

[ninemileskid]

Personally I avoid stores that don't have self checkout now. I can breeze in and out a lot quicker than waiting in line for one of the two or three registers (out of 10+ actually in the store) that are open. I keep bags in the trunk of my car so it's a non issue for me, too.

Exxon and Shell make plenty of money - but the stations that you buy the gas at are run by franchise operators that are on tight margins. Exxon and Shell should charge them less so they can pass the lower prices on to us or, even better, provide something closer to a living wage.

The problem is Exxon , Shell, and all the others.......well, why should they sell cheaper when people are buying. What has to happen is everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY has to stop buying one brand, doesn't matter what it is. Lets call it Brand X. If we don't buy Brand X they make no money. In order to make money they have to offer their gas cheaper than all the rest. It's all about competition. Not with us, the consumer, but with other gas suppliers. So Brand X is now the cheapest gas around. People will buy their gas and not their competition's. So what does the competition do to sell gas? They lower their prices. PRICE WARS! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

 

[TommyP]

I hate self checkout at grocery stores. It always messes up and they need to come swipe the card or enter a code anyway. They want to put everyone out of work to make more money. I’ll have my gas pumped, thank you. If you can’t find anything in a store and there’s no one around to ask, this is why.