An everyday detail turned into an embarrassing adventure

[Svenskaflicka]

This happened to me tonight, when dad handed me a credit card and told me to go fill the tank on his car:


First, I couldn't open the lid covering the hole where you fill the gas, and I had to ask two people before we managed to get it open.

Then, just as I was supposed to put the handle in the car, I realized I was about to fill the car with the wrong KIND of gas, which would have destroyed dad's expensive Mercedes and cut me out of the family will.

I didn't dare close the lid once I finally had managed to open it, so I kept that open while I drove about 5 meters to the pump with the proper gas.

Then I remembered that I had punched in the code for the credit card on the first gasmeter, and people could get free gas on dad's account.

Went back there, lifted off the handle, put it back, hoping that would nullify the counter so the machine would think I had filled up the car and was finished, thus not charging the credit card.

Back to the other pump, pushed the button "pay in store", since I figured I better go in and talk to them anyway, to make sure nothing had been charged on dad's credit card from the first pump.

Push the button, stick handle into car - nothing happens. Except that the pump starts beeping its head off, as if I'd tried to tank-and-run.

(Which, actually was the second loud beeping I had caused that evening, becuase a few minutes earlier when I was trying to find the button to open the gas lid, I accidentally locked the car, and when I opened it, the burglar alarm went off.)

Push button again, ooops, here comes the gas, quickly, put handle in car!

I think I made the gas station manager's day. She definitely had a wide smile on her face when she assured me that nothing had been charged to dad's account from the wrong pump.

Absolutely true, it happened to me less than 5 hours ago.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I remember being off on a diving expedition when the guide inadvertently put gasoline in his diesel truck. We had to siphon out the entire thing into a barrel, put it in the bed of the truck for use on the boat and refill it with diesel. Sheesh!

 

[AngelicaPink]

Sometimes I'm really glad I don't drive at all! lol kidding

 

[fifty5]

I remember being off on a diving expedition when the guide inadvertently put gasoline in his diesel truck. We had to siphon out the entire thing into a barrel, put it in the bed of the truck for use on the boat and refill it with diesel. Sheesh!

I did the mirror image of that...

Working for an agency, they sent me off to fill up a car. Absolute, definite instructions: this car runs on diesel.

I took it to the filling station - the diesel pump.

The nozzle didn't fit well, but my instructions were clear, so I persevered: filled the tank, paid and started back to the agency office.

I didn't get there. The petrol (gas for US readers) engine wouldn't run on diesel!

Their blunder, so I took no flack. The tank had to be drained - and swabbed clean - and the engine pumped clean too.

I'd just been following orders, so I wasn't blamed.

If they'd given me discretion I could have saved them quite a lot (the right pump nozzle would have fitted), but they preferred to give explicit instructions, that I followed.

Moral? Trust your drivers and delegate responsibility!

 

[TE999]

I have seen people in gas stations walking round and round their vehicles looking for the hatch where the gas goes...then they try to open it...then they invariably lock the nozzle on the highest fill setting and the gas blows out the filler pipe before it shuts off. For these people alone we need to go back to having someone pump your gas, check your tires and clean the windshield.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

It is illegal to pump your own gasoline at a New Jersey station. I have only personally done it three or four times in my entire life.

 

[Boxlicker101]

It is illegal to pump your own gasoline at a New Jersey station. I have only personally done it three or four times in my entire life.

That's interesting. I always pump my own gas, and have never had a bit of trouble. I don't know when the last time was that I even saw a station where an attendant was available to pump gas. I'm sure there are some, though.

There is also a state law requiring attendants, if there are any, to pump gas for anybody having a handicapped license plate, which is a reasonable idea.

 

[TE999]

It is illegal to pump your own gasoline at a New Jersey station. I have only personally done it three or four times in my entire life.

I encountered that on the Jersey 'Pike on my way to up Cape Cod...I got out of my truck and was looking for the card slot on the pump when the attendant came running out and pointed to a sign saying self-service's a no-no. I wonder why NJ has a law like that? The gas station attendants union push it through the legislature?

 

[The_Fool]

I encountered that on the Jersey 'Pike on my way to up Cape Cod...I got out of my truck and was looking for the card slot on the pump when the attendant came running out and pointed to a sign saying self-service's a no-no. I wonder why NJ has a law like that? The gas station attendants union push it through the legislature?

Last I knew, Oregon was like that too.

 

[theravenfox]

Yes, Oregon still has that law in effect. Moving here from Mississippi, I argued with the first attendant I encountered because I assumed it would cost extra unless I did it myself. Then, when I tipped him, he looked at me like I'd grown a third arm right there in front of him.

Of course, my damn credit card NEVER works at the pump, so I have to get out of my car and go inside anyway. And if I ask for $20 worth and the tank only takes $18 worth, they make ME go inside for the change. I'm assuming the law is not for the convienience of the citizens! LOL

 

[carsonshepherd]

Oh crap, sorry wrong thread. Funny story about the gas pump though.

 

[trysail]

It is illegal to pump your own gasoline at a New Jersey station. I have only personally done it three or four times in my entire life.

Well, I'll be damned— ya learn something new every day. I had always assumed that "attendant-only" service stations were an anomaly.

I had absolutely no idea there were states where there was a legal prohibition against self-service pumps.

I suppose it does prevent some of the ( thankfully rare ) ludicrous episodes of ditzy/bird-brained customers accidentally driving off with a hose still attached.