Pumping your own gas?

Hey all, we had a friend visit who lives near Portland over the weekend. She was sort of shocked that we pumped our own gas. She said Oregon had a law about not pumping your own gas or something.

I thought I would run this by everyone and she if were getting our leg pulled or if it is full serve in Oregon.

Thanks.

Go figure!

so I don't think she's pulling your leg. It has something to do with safety and people who are not filing-up properly bursting into flames - at least as I understand the reasoning for the law.

But don't believe her if she tries to tell you a stop sign with a white boarder is optional.

It didn't quite work out as planned since many places had the cashier pump the gas and then run in to ring up the sale. This was when there weren't as many pay-at-the-pump places.

The guys that pump my gas NEED jobs, keeps 'em out of trouble & food in their kids bellies. Know what Im sayin?

And then there's the problem of long term exposure to motor fuels.

:dilemma:

On edit: I just did a cross country road trip, an interesting observation, along the interstates most gas stations had full staffs and my impression was that they were doing more business as convenience stores.

Most Oregon stations seem well staffed, always 2, sometimes 3 or 4 at one time. One local owner is on his own jihad over drive offs (which increased 300% in Q1) and keeps a FULL staff.

you pump your own gas. I'm surprised that we don't drill for it ourselves! :P

It has very little to do with job creation, since most gas stations only have one attendant anyhow, and the poor bugger just has to run from pump to pump. Originally, it was done to "reduce the cost" of gas, since Full Serve costs less than Self Serve. At least, that's the stupid logic I have been told since it's been that way all my life. I loved living in New York (upstate) where I could just do it myself.

when I grew up there many years ago were that 1) it supplies a lot of people with jobs, especially students in high school and college, and 2) it was safer for trained individuals to pump their own gas. They still retain the law.

There were individuals who argued that the cost of gas would come down if people could pump their own gas, but research showed that this was not the case. In other states that changed over to self serve, gas still remained about the same price.

I go to Costco for gas--always less there, and lots of employees.

(Zoolander reference, for the unenlightened.)

Pumping gas may seem like a simple thing if you do it every few days, but it's surprising just how tricky it can be if you haven't done it at all in six months or more.

One of the reasons I will never leave Oregon unless compelled by this misadministration to move to Canada. I have pumped my own gas twice in my life in Nevada and California and they were among my least favorite experiences. Guess I'm spoiled--or maybe it's 'cause I'm an old lady in her sixties and can't deal with this pump-your-own routine, but I am sooo grateful that Oregon does not have self serve and I don't think it ever will, since it would have to be voted on by the electorate. Sorta like the sales tax thing--the people say no way! So...Oregon has no sales tax, we don't pump our own gas, we have the most beautiful scenery and finest state parks and pristine wilderness known to mankind, and oh--we're a blue state! Why do I live here? Let me count the ways!!

Tired Old Cynic

when I lived in Oregon for my first 18 years. I moved to Texas for college and stayed there ever since. It took me 40 minutes, the first time I pumped my own gas. After the 3rd time of pumping gas, I preferred it to the 100% self serve of Oregon. Contrary to popular belief it doesn't effect prices significantly (as Oregon prices are lower than some areas that are self serve).

Personally, I like not having a state income tax better as the sales tax only penalizes me when I spend money. I am also glad not to be in Multnomah county where there is a county income tax. Another strange adjustment to Texas life was throwing away my pop cans (no bottle bill). The one negative I have with Texas is the lacking in mountains and Indian casinos.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

You're not allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon; I believe New Jersey has a similar law.

...I'd like to move to Oregon! I'm disabled, and even though legally gas stations in any state are required to pump my gas at no extra charge, getting them to actually do it is like pulling teeth. So whenever I want gas, I have to bring someone with me. It's extremely irritating.

Never throughout CA or NV has anyone even moved toward my vehicle which has handicapped card in window. Still able to get out and pump my own and worked in station when younger so don't fear my own ability, but most people know nothing about volatility of petrol fumes!

However, if you go out in the country far enough, you might find places where they let you pump it yourself. I didn't know it was illegal when I was a kid, since we almost always got gas at a little country store where there was only one attendant on hand, and she had to stay in the store.