Okay. So, the last few times I’ve had to put gas in the car, I’ve had some issues. The way I remember it, you selected the grade, begin fueling, and pay afterward either at the pump or at the cashier inside. I’m pretty sure that’s how it was supposed to happen the last time I was home in early September 2008…right?
The first time I put gas in the car since coming back from England I had some malfunction with paying where I ended up having to go to the cashier despite trying to pay with a card. I thought nothing of it at the time; maybe I hit the wrong key or something. To be honest, I can’t remember if there was a time between then and now, but tonight/just after midnight (early Thursday) I seemed to have some kind of malfunction again!
I pulled into the Mobil station at the corner of Golf and Higgins. I did the whole select grade thing, but the screen never told me to “Begin Fueling”. I waited patiently, thinking there was simply some kind of delay. When it got to be minutes, I thought perhaps there was something wrong with the pump. Okay, no big deal, just go to a different one.
Getting back in the car, I drove around the corner to a different pump, one on the opposite side of where I had originally parked. Once again, I selected the grade and waited. Nothing happened. The gas station attendant came out and asked me if I intended to pay at the cashier. I told him no, I had a card. He then instructed me to insert the card first.
What? Has that always been a thing? When the hell did that become a thing?
There was also some mishap with the credit card I selected where it prompted me to key in a five-digit code. It was my dad’s card so not only did I not know the code, but I also don’t remember ever having been prompted to key in anything when using a credit card. I got mildly flustered and just ended up using my debit card anyway.
I was again perplexed when the pump stopped at $30. I wondered if it had actually filled up. Not wanting to be anymore embarrassed than I already was, I decided to forget about it and just leave. (It just so happened that to fill up was a flat $30.)
The experience made me wonder how the hell I could have forgotten how to pump gas. Have I really forgotten? If so, could someone perhaps give me a tutorial on how to fuel up my car without embarrassing myself?
It has been many years since most pumps required that you swipe your credit card *prior* to beginning to pump gas. This was the rule long before September 2008. You can also pay the cashier inside a set amount and then pump that exact amount of gas, but no one does that. The 5-digit code is simply your zip code (the one where the bills for that credit card are sent, i.e. your parents’ house). It is requested to verify your identity. I have no idea what is going on with the $30 limit.
For pay at the pump, it may always have been “pay” first; you insert your credit card and it treats it like a bar tab – it will give you fluid as long as you ask for it and charge for whatever amount you end up using. The other button option is to go in and pay afterward.
The 5-digit number is your zip code, these days. That one’s become more standard since you’ve been away. I don’t know why they ask for it – for usage stats purposes? I don’t lie about it (like I do for most usage stats things) b/c I worry that they may check it against the credit card’s records for verification or something. Probably a silly paranoia.
Oh man, speak of embarrassing oneself at the pump.. I think it was just after we came back from visiting you abroad. I was driving home, tired, and stopped to gas my car. Put the card in. It says “please insert card and remove quickly”. Tried again. And again. It says “please see clerk” and I stomp inside all sullen irritation. Turns out this wasn’t one of the stations where it’ll accept a card put in facing either way. Even had a picture showing where the magnetic strip had to be, but I didn’t notice. I’m a moron. :/
I don’t ever remember it being swipe last. As a matter of fact, when using my stepdad’s company card for the company card back in 1994, I was shocked that it wasn’t like the commercial where Jerry Seinfeld got “the perfect pump” (meaning exactly $20.00), then gave it one quick pump just to put a little extra on the bill, then paid at the pump with a credit card. So, 15 years ago, I expected it to be pump then swipe, but it wasn’t.
I should clarify the first sentence of my prior comment. It should read: “It has been many years since most pumps *began requiring* that you swipe your credit card prior to beginning to pump gas.” It should have been apparent from the context of the rest of my comment, but just to be sure, I meant that in my experience it has been “swipe first” for years now.
I agree. I only remember swiping first with a credit card. When paying the cashier, I seem to remember a time when you could pay after but I guess too many people like to run off without paying. Though I think there are still pumps around where there are “This Pump is pre-pay only” stickers on the pumps closest to the road, so I wonder if you can pay the cashier after with the other pumps at those stations. It’s strange that it asked you for a 5 digit code. I’ve never seen that. When the pump asks me for a code, it usually specifies that it wants my zip code.