On 26-Feb-12 18:13, John Levine wrote:
Are there any places where you can, for example, just tank up and drive
off, and then later receive a bill in the post or have your bank account
linked to automatically take payment at the end of each month?

Um, anywhere that takes credit or debit cards?

Our local fuel company used to have a box full of locks and dials on
each gas pump. Each customer got a key, you unlocked your lock and
pumped, the gallons were counted on your dial, and he sent you a bill
at the end of the month. Then the owner retired, and they don't do
that any more.

It's the only place in the US I've bought gas at an unattended pump.
At places open to the public, fire regulations seem to require that
there be an attendant who can set off the fire suppression system.

That depends on local fire code, apparently, since I've seen a few.
Considering that the convenience store is where fueling stations really
make their profits, though, unattended operation doesn't seem to make a
lot of sense from their perspective.

S

--
Stephen Sprunk "God does not play dice." --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723 "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking

In message , at 20:03:27 on Sun, 26 Feb
2012, Stephen Sprunk remarked:
Considering that the convenience store is where fueling stations really
make their profits, though, unattended operation doesn't seem to make a
lot of sense from their perspective.

It helps with brand loyalty, and assists in keeping competitors out of
the local market.
--
Roland Perry

On 27-Feb-12 03:45, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 20:03:27 on Sun, 26 Feb
2012, Stephen Sprunk remarked:
Considering that the convenience store is where fueling stations really
make their profits, though, unattended operation doesn't seem to make a
lot of sense from their perspective.

It helps with brand loyalty, and assists in keeping competitors out of
the local market.

Ah, good points.

Also, I didn't think to mention semi-unattended operation, which is
actually quite common: stations in low-traffic areas may be unattended
during hours the convenience store doesn't bring in enough revenue to
justify the cost of a cashier, eg. graveyard shift. However, that's no
reason to turn off the fuel pumps' ability to accept plastic.

S

--
Stephen Sprunk "God does not play dice." --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723 "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking