Air Costs Money? WTF?!

[Carbo]

Maybe I've been out of it for a while, but I'm not used to paying for the air to pump up my car's tires. I never have before, anyway.
Yesterday, I go to the gas station I've been going to for about four years. Went to put some air in my tires and, lo and behold, the old pump was replaced with a new one that now requires fifty cents. A bit annoyed, I moved on to another station that is down the road a few blocks. Wouldn't you know that this one, also, had a new air pump requiring payment! Sheesh! I'm dropping two bucks a gallon as it is, and now I need to pay up another half buck? Screw 'em. Recommend a good air compressor and I'll buy it and avoid the rip off.

 

[ohtwell]

Some places charge you for air. There are some that don't but most charge around 50 cents I believe.


: ) Amanda

 

[tranceport]

Costs electricity to compress the air. I doubt it costs 50 cents but neither does a coke....

 

My dad bought the "whatever was on sale" compressor a couple years ago at K-Mart and it's been great. It's loud, but we hardly ever use it so it's not a problem. I don't think there's any real distinction if you're just using it to fill up your tires.

 

[Anubis]

Sheets has free air

 

[Yossarian]

cheapskate.

 

[Amused]

Why don't you put your own "free" air compressor out in a parking lot and see how much money it requires to keep running?

Hell, more than 80% of the cost is to cover damage and vandalism on those things.

 

[mugs]

electricity, plus the cost of the compressor.

 

[Pex]

my dad has a compressor. i use it for my mtn bike.

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: Amused
Why don't you put your own "free" air compressor out in a parking lot and see how much money it requires to keep running?

Hell, more than 80% of the cost is to cover damage and vandalism on those things.

yeah, free gas while you're at it

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe

Originally posted by: Amused
Why don't you put your own "free" air compressor out in a parking lot and see how much money it requires to keep running?

Hell, more than 80% of the cost is to cover damage and vandalism on those things.

yeah, free gas while you're at it

Why not charge people for washing their windows too? Those squeegees and buckets of dirty ass water with a small bit of soap cost money too. Maybe $.50 if you do it yourself or $1 if the dork manning the pump does it for you.

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: Amused
Why don't you put your own "free" air compressor out in a parking lot and see how much money it requires to keep running?

Hell, more than 80% of the cost is to cover damage and vandalism on those things.

I have a sneaking suspicion the service stations are making a handsome profit already off of its customers. Gas, lottery tickets, newspapers, fast food, deli service, car wash bay, etc.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe

Originally posted by: Amused
Why don't you put your own "free" air compressor out in a parking lot and see how much money it requires to keep running?

Hell, more than 80% of the cost is to cover damage and vandalism on those things.

yeah, free gas while you're at it

Why not charge people for washing their windows too? Those squeegees and buckets of dirty ass water with a small bit of soap cost money too. Maybe $.50 if you do it yourself or $1 if the dork manning the pump does it for you.

The cost of the window washer equipment and supplies is folded into the cost of your gas. They used to do this with the air, but found that charging for air allowed them to be more competitive on gas prices. After all, it is the gas price sign posted out front that draws the majority of their customers. If station A has to charge 1-2 cents more per gallon to cover the cost of free air, he cannot compete with Station B who has started charging for air, and dropped the price on his gas.

And personally, I'd pay a quarter for a CLEAN window washer system that was always filled. Most stations have window washer equipment I wouldn't use to clean a toilet, much less my windshield.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Carbo

Originally posted by: Amused
Why don't you put your own "free" air compressor out in a parking lot and see how much money it requires to keep running?

Hell, more than 80% of the cost is to cover damage and vandalism on those things.

I have a sneaking suspicion the service stations are making a handsome profit already off of its customers. Gas, lottery tickets, newspapers, fast food, deli service, car wash bay, etc.

Competition is hard core in the mini-market/gas station market. Their profit margins are VERY tight. This is why there are few mom&pop gas stations/mini-markets left. Owning one station is not very profitable.

 

[bigredguy]

I think it depends on your state. I believe that some states have laws against "selling" air at gas stations.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe

Originally posted by: Amused
Why don't you put your own "free" air compressor out in a parking lot and see how much money it requires to keep running?

Hell, more than 80% of the cost is to cover damage and vandalism on those things.

yeah, free gas while you're at it

Why not charge people for washing their windows too? Those squeegees and buckets of dirty ass water with a small bit of soap cost money too. Maybe $.50 if you do it yourself or $1 if the dork manning the pump does it for you.

The cost of the window washer equipment and supplies is folded into the cost of your gas. They used to do this with the air, but found that charging for air allowed them to be more competitive on gas prices. After all, it is the gas price sign posted out front that draws the majority of their customers. If station A has to charge 1-2 cents more per gallon to cover the cost of free air, he cannot compete with Station B who has started charging for air, and dropped the price on his gas.

And personally, I'd pay a quarter for a CLEAN window washer system that was always filled. Most stations have window washer equipment I wouldn't use to clean a toilet, much less my windshield.

I suppose I'm one of the few people who doesn't get a chubby at gas prices that are a few cents cheaper. I don't bounce around from station to station trying to find gas that's two cents cheaper a gallon like most people do so I guess I don't look at it from the same perspective.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Anubis
Sheets has free air

what doesnt sheets have???

order at the pump food service?
nope, they have it

MIKE

 

[Jzero]

I got a portable compressor on clearance from Target for $5. I keep it in my trunk.

 

[Kelvrick]

In California, it's required for gas stations to provide air and water to customers. If you bought gas, they'll turn it on for you for free. More expensive stations like 74, Chevron, and Shell have ones that just turn on automatically when you press the button.