Comments on: Why Can’t You Pump Your Own Gas in Oregon and New Jersey?

By: Brendan

Brendan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:44:46 +0000

I live in Buffalo, NY, an I happened to come across this article. I think this law is the craziest ever, not to mention I would never trust anyone else to pump my fuel, not even my friends and family: I drive a 2006 New Beetle TDI (diesel-powered for those who don’t know) and I’d be scared to death to let someone else fuel my car; I would always be afraid that the attendant would put in gas in instead of diesel, even though it says “Diesel Fuel Only” on the gas cap and on the filler flap. Even if I told the attedant diesel I could still see a several hundred dollar mistake happening. I would rather stand out in the pouring rain!

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:08:08 +0000

Having lived in Oregon all my life it just seems natural to have someone pump my gas for me. Although convenient most of the time, there have been some incidences where it has been obnoxious – like pulling up to the station trying to get to work on time and being told by the attendant I would have to wait ten minutes because they were in the middle of a shift change.

By: CH

CH — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:49:47 +0000

I grew up in Oregon and I have no problem with someone pumping my gas. Especially in the winter. The way the economy is these days, I actuallly think the fact that its creating jobs.

By: shaye

shaye — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:17:27 +0000

I grew up in Washington, but live in Oregon now. I rarely have to wait to have my gas pumped, and usually then only when the pumps are all in use, which happens at stations in Washington as well.

When I first moved to Oregon it irritated me, but I’m used to it now and have to admit that I really like not having to get out of the car when the wind chill is 25 degrees F. (For those making dismissive noises of our winter weather – I felt warmer in Anchorage, AK last winter than in Portland, and the actual thermostat temperature was 20 degrees warmer in OR.) I’m perfectly capable of pumping my own gas – it’s just nicer not to have to.

And yes, our gas prices are lower because we have lower gas taxes.

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:19:12 +0000

I love full-service in Oregon. The cost is not worth the few pennies difference whoever you compare it to.

I think this issue keeps coming up because other states are jealous and wish they had only full-service like us. Otherwise they should leave us alone. We like it this way.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:07:32 +0000

I just ran across this article and have read many of the comments. I live in both Portland, Oregon and part time in Manhattan, New York and so therefore am frequently exposed to the full service aspect while obtaining gas. Frankly, I love the whole concept. To say that service is slower than at a self pump station is moot, since I have had to wait in line for a gas pump at a self serve while the car owner was inside the station’s mini mart purchasing drinks, snacks, going to the toilet, etc., while their car sits at the gas pump. I can state that I would much rather have someone else get out in the cold, rain, snow, humid heat and pump my gas than for me to do the same, where upon I end up smelling like gasoline and need to wash my hands. For male and female drivers, nothing sucks more than to be dressed in nice business or evening attire and splash gasoline on your clothes. And frankly, the gas is cheaper in both of these states compared to the surroinding states that allow self serve. The gas price in all states is influenced more by state and federal fuel taxes than by whether an employee or you pump the gas.

By: POPEYE'S WORLD

POPEYE'S WORLD — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:54:49 +0000

I know this is long over debate, but I just saw this on her. But my $64.00 question is: why as a truck driver, am I required to fuel up my own truck. I fueled up all the time at the TA at Exit 278. They had gas and diesel fuel-up there. The attendants would fuel up the cars, but leave our trucks alone. I use to mess with them all the time and the would hate it. SO…WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?????

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:37:11 +0000

I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and one of the suburbs here, Richmond, has the same law. gas is 10c more per litre (40c more per gallon roughly) and the service is horrible. the reason in richmond is that there is a large wealthy asian population who 1 – don’t know how to pump gas (not kidding) and 2 – feel that someone else should do it for them.

By: Maryann

Maryann — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:19:49 +0000

We not only don’t have to pump our own gas in Jersey it is still cheaper then all the other states that have to pump their own!!!! we don’t want to pump our own gas but out of state people seem bothered by it….If it works don’t try to fix us we don’t have that many good things going for us.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:15:00 +0000

Recent debates about this in Oregon keep mentioning the fact that because the insurance costs are lower, the price of gas stays relatively the same. And I know that I’m paying less here than some of my friends in of the country. And I have to say, it’s nice to not have to get out in the rain, and after growing up here I’m used to the wait. Even if they’re low paying jobs, these days I’m glad for any job people can have that doesn’t require a high school dipolma so that these people can at lease have somewhere to work.