Paying before you pump law looking to be put in place

[puckluck]

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/05/30...irst-gas-pumps

Alberta’s top cops are looking to end the growing flow of gas thefts once and for all.
The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police is calling for all gas stations across the province to be made pay-first.
Either by plastic outside or cash inside, users would have to pony up their dollars before they could pump a single drop of gas — similar to existing legislation in British Columbia.
Calgary had over 2,000 reported incidents of gas theft in 2010.
Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson, president of the AACP, said the number of gas-and-dashes is about average for this city, but police would be foolish to believe all incidents are being reported.

I think it's a great idea, and it will give cops more time to deal with other problems.

And really when a full tank costs $50-$100 it only makes sense that you have to pay before you fill up.

[Hockeyguy15]

Makes sense...Every pump has the debit/credit machines in it now anyway.

Don't see how anyone will be upset over this..

[Street Pharmacist]

As posted, this law has been in effect for a while here in BC. It affected things the following way:

-decreased in store sales in gas stations
-pissed off Alberta drivers who can't figure out why pump won't start



Otherwise, it makes no difference in my life and likely saves a lot of people a lot of grief. Hold ups at gas stations go down as well I would imagine as most people will pay with plastic now anyways

[MoneyGuy]

I'd prefer it didn't have to happen but they need to shut down the criminals for gas and dash. Good move.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Makes sense...Every pump has the debit/credit machines in it now anyway.

Don't see how anyone will be upset over this..

Really?
I can guarantee that for some reason a lot of people will be upset about this.

I'll bet we even somehow see someone call this a cash cow.

Never underestimate the kind of stupid things people can get upset about.

[mrkajz44]

I suppose I understand what they are going for. It just seems weird to me that nearly everything else has a 'pay after' policy (food, utilities, credit cards). Why should gas be different?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Really?
I can guarantee that for some reason a lot of people will be upset about this.

I'll bet we even somehow see someone call this a cash cow.

Never underestimate the kind of stupid things people can get upset about.

No I'm sure people will get mad about it but I just can't see how they would get mad about it since it wouldn't make sense to me.

[Ironhorse]

Once again, a few ######bags ruin it for the rest of us. Like Street Pharmacist says, it will now result in decreased store sales, because I will now have exactly zero incentive to go in, pay, pump, get in line again to get my receipt / refund. I'll just pay at the pump and away I go.

I thought that gas stations relied on the in-store business to keep them afloat, since they make very little on the gasoline sales themselves?

[Byrns]

I don't mind paying before pumping in Canada, but in the USA it's a PIA because the pumps want a zip code, and postal codes don't work.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I suppose I understand what they are going for. It just seems weird to me that nearly everything else has a 'pay after' policy (food, utilities, credit cards). Why should gas be different?

Because generally those products aren't on the honour system, and aren't being put directly into the getaway vehicle.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, I first saw this in Miami back in 2004. But once you get used to it, it's just part of the old routine.

[kevman]

Well in fairness to those that don't steal and prefer to pay in cash it can be a huge pain in the but! If you're putting $20 in it's no big deal but if you want to fill up your tank you either over pay and go back in for a second time to get your money back or risk not paying enough and having to go in again to put even more money down.

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Once again, a few ######bags ruin it for the rest of us. Like Street Pharmacist says, it will now result in decreased store sales, because I will now have exactly zero incentive to go in, pay, pump, get in line again to get my receipt / refund. I'll just pay at the pump and away I go.

I thought that gas stations relied on the in-store business to keep them afloat, since they make very little on the gasoline sales themselves?

How would this effect the people who go inside and pay after pumping? I'm sure the people who pay at the pumps with plastic will not be effected by this law and the store won't lose business since these people weren't coming in anyways.

[SeoulFire]

Not all pumps take my PHH card

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Once again, a few ######bags ruin it for the rest of us. Like Street Pharmacist says, it will now result in decreased store sales, because I will now have exactly zero incentive to go in, pay, pump, get in line again to get my receipt / refund. I'll just pay at the pump and away I go.

I thought that gas stations relied on the in-store business to keep them afloat, since they make very little on the gasoline sales themselves?

If that were the case, then pay at the pump would have killed most places already.

If someone wants a drink they're gonna go get their drink.

[Knalus]

I dislike how it's assumed I'm a criminal - which is what it seems these "laws" imply. An ever increasing number of which assume I'm up to no good.

I also dislike how business owners may no longer be allowed to run their business as they see fit, but rather must comply to this regulation to the inconvenience of them and their customers. If this was the decision of the business owner, that's fine. I would just never use that pump again. If it's a law, well, pointless and overly meddling bureaucracy.

[Yasa]

I'm outraged for some reason! This is just a cash cow!

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Byrns

I don't mind paying before pumping in Canada, but in the USA it's a PIA because the pumps want a zip code, and postal codes don't work.

Anytime they need an American zip code, I just use 90210.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by puckluck

How would this effect the people who go inside and pay after pumping? I'm sure the people who pay at the pumps with plastic will not be effected by this law and the store won't lose business since these people weren't coming in anyways.

It really just speeds the change towards paying at the pump. Guaranteed there will be mad people at first. It's still funny watching Albertans who aren't used to the rule flip out now and then

[Byrns]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Anytime they need an American zip code, I just use 90210.

Yeah I tried that and it didn't work when I was in FLA in Feb., and I tried 3 different stations while I was down there...