A silly way to get scammed at the gas station

[MongGrel]

Haven't seen a lock on a pump in decades myself, yeah.

Just saying.

 

[MustISO]

People who don't notice that there's no gas being pumped should probably refrain from driving a 4000lb vehicle. Dear lord...

 

[shortylickens]

People who don't notice that there's no gas being pumped should probably refrain from driving a 4000lb vehicle. Dear lord...

I think it should be harder to get a drivers license. And easier to lose.
Considering those machines are huge and have outrageous killing power.

 

[natto fire]

With some of those overhead hose type pumps, and a practiced thief, I can see some people not noticing.

Right. That must have been the same woman I saw the other day eating noodles and talking on her cell phone while merging on to one of the busiest freeways in town.

While I appreciate the heads up, maybe people with this little amount of situational awareness should not be pumping gas, much less driving.

 

[EightySix Four]

Grew up in and live in Texas, why do some places not have pump locks? I have never seen one malfunction and having to hold it the whole time just seems silly.

 

[96Firebird]

I think it has to do with ensuring the pumper does not go back into their car during pumping. I've read that sometimes you can collect static electricity and if you shock the handle (or anything for that matter), the fumes could catch fire.

How likely this is, I have no idea... Around here, some pumps have locks, some don't.

 

[DaTT]

just keep a tennis ball in the console

Gas cap works.

 

[jji7skyline]

Grew up in and live in Texas, why do some places not have pump locks? I have never seen one malfunction and having to hold it the whole time just seems silly.

 

[BUTCH1]

I think it has to do with ensuring the pumper does not go back into their car during pumping. I've read that sometimes you can collect static electricity and if you shock the handle (or anything for that matter), the fumes could catch fire.

How likely this is, I have no idea... Around here, some pumps have locks, some don't.

Way, way back in the day (mid-'70's) when self-serv first started I was finishing up pumping when a guy pulls up with a GM that filled from behind the license plate, guy sends his 12-13yr old out to do it and he's just pumping gas directly on the ground, guy smells the gas and starts yelling at his kid then opens his door to check out WTF was going on WITH A LIT CIGAR IN HIS MOUTH!, I jumped in and hauled ass outta there fast as I was expecting the whole island to be ablaze at any moment!

 

[holden j caufield]

stupid scam, there is so little upside for the risk.

 

[gorcorps]

I have a hard time believing I wouldn't notice the smell, sound, and kickback from when gas flow starts. Seems like a silly idea