[Konig]

Why can't I find a single gas station in Ontario that makes you prepay before filling while ALL american gas stations ive been too so far requires you to place a deposit?

 

[Jaska]

The prepayment requirement really is obnoxious. It's especially fun when you have to wait in line, and all you have is a large bill, then you go and fuel up and have to wait through line again to beg for your change.

Besides a few trips there (to the States), I would say that I have not dealt with a cashier in a fuel station in about 7 years, since nearly everyone here just uses the pay-at-the-pump option.

 

[roastpuff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why can't I find a single gas station in Ontario that makes you prepay before filling while ALL american gas stations ive been too so far requires you to place a deposit?

BC just passed a law requiring everyone to pre-pay before filling up. This was because a young man working as a night-time operator was struck and dragged along by a car that ran away from the gas station for $12 of gas.

CBC Report on Grant's Law.

I don't know whether to condemn it as stupid or smart.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I just use a credit card. You can always get debit cards and prepaid credit cards, too.

 

[Bob_McBob]

I haven't paid in cash for several years. Pay at the pump is so common here that I go out of my way to avoid gas stations that don't offer it. Your credit/debit card is pre-authorized up to a certain amount, then the charge is done automatically after you finish pumping.

A few 24 hour gas stations in the are require you to pay before pumping late at night.

 

[Jon118]

I haven't ever had to pre-pay. I know they want you to with cash usually, but I use a card every time so it doesn't come up. Some of my friends use cash usually though and they don't always have to pre-pay, usually they do though.

 

[GlendaleViper]

I usually pay at the pump with debit; when I do pay cash, I've never been asked to prepay.

You start curious threads Konig.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The last time I can remember paying cash for gas was sometime around 2000.

 

[fraseyboy]

So... You have to pay some money before you can fill up your car and after you fill up your car?

But... But... THATS MADNESS!

 

[appophylite]

Never prepaid in my life...at least since I've been driving. I always swipe my debit card at the pump.

 

[apnk]

Come to Idaho, the only place where they require to prepay (that I know of) is at the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. That is if you don't use the plastic.

 

[Clutz]

No- the way it works is your credit/debit card is pre-authorized for a certain amount (in BC it's $100, at least it is around here), and then it only charges to your account what you actually use. If you pre-pay with cash, you just go in and hand them $40, and they authorize the pump to give you only $40 worth of gas.

 

[fraseyboy]

What?!

Here, you fill up your car, go into the shop place, say what number pump you used and then they charge you for whatever amount of money is on the ticker thing on that pump...

 

[Jaska]

The thing about paying by credit/debit card is that at stations without a pay-at-the-pump system, you often still have to go in and relinquish your card before they'll switch the pump on. Then when you're done, you have to go in and process the transaction. If they don't get you into the station, how are they going to have the chance to cross-sell some Skoal or Kodiak?

 

[Konig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraseyboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif What?! Here, you fill up your car, go into the shop place, say what number pump you used and then they charge you for whatever amount of money is on the ticker thing on that pump...

yes...... thats what i encounter with most gas stations in this world
I guess America have more gas robbers but its not like Canada doesnt have any