[devere]

Believe it or not self-service gasoline is a bad idea. The cost of universal service is negligible (maybe 1 cent per gallon?), and provides employment to people who can’t otherwise get any.

[discostu]

In parts of the world where we have both the “full service” pumps are generally at least 10 cents a gallon more than self. Self service is a fine idea. Really, pumping gas ain’t technical, and if that’s the best job somebody can get, they should probably just be on state aid.

[wildcard_redneck]

"Believe it or not self-service gasoline is a bad idea. The cost of universal service is negligible (maybe 1 cent per gallon?), and provides employment to people who can’t otherwise get any."

I'm guessing you are the type that wears a mask when you are alone in the car, a hardcore rules-follower that has a fetish for bureaucracy.

[Leaning Right]

> ...provides employment to people who can’t otherwise get any <

You might catch a bit of flak for that, but it is a fair point. It’s for that reason I refuse to use self-service checkouts. The big difference, of course, is that there are no laws regulating checkout lines.

Anyway, the market will make the final decision. If folks are willing to pay more for an attendant, then there will be an attendant.

[Svartalfiar]

Believe it or not self-service gasoline is a bad idea. The cost of universal service is negligible (maybe 1 cent per gallon?), and provides employment to people who can’t otherwise get any.

Such a bad idea, it doesn't work in the other 48 States? First I've ever heard of it being an issue... But why not force every company to hire superlative positions? Every grocery store should have someone who walks with each customer to get all the stuff off the shelf. Every petco should hire a guy whose only job is to pet each pet that walks in. Every office needs a guy who just walks around asking how everyone's day is going.

Gas stations make maybe three to five cents per gallon. I wouldn't call 20-30% less profit a "negligible cost"...