Full Service Gas- do you tip?

[cybrkitn]

NY lifer here and DH and I have never tipped a gas attendent anywhere. We've been through NJ when we travel and I'm still not used not being able to pump my own gas. Drives me nuts. As you can tell, I very rarely use full serve unless I have no choice or on those rare ocassions where I can't smell like gas (aka interview, etc).

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

We filled up in NJ yesterday and DH was getting $1 back. The guy didn't want to let go of it he said! We don't tip gas attendants.

 

[MM27]

Jersey Lifer here (expcept for the past few years that I'm trapped in NY). No, we do not tip for gas. Ever. New Yorkers tip NJ gas attendants, but not us.

But here's the new thing...
When they "top off" the tank after the pump stops, they used to round it off to the next whole dollar to not have to deal with coins. Fine. Now all of a sudden, (at 2 different places I go to often) they are stopping at $0.75 and have to walk clear across the station to the little office to get a quarter...hoping the drivers will just say "forget it" and leave. Which is what I usually do. My husband, however, will sit and wait for them to come back with his quarter because he thinks it's ridiculous. BTW, both of these stations are in NJ close to the bridge to NY, so they get a lot of NY customers filling up before they cross the bridge.

I'm another NJ lifer and I have never tipped at a gas station. I've seen that little trick too, but I keep coins in my car for just such occassions.

I too am sick of all the people that are now asking for tips. I understand going out to dinner and tipping for the service, but when I go through the drive thru at Dunkin Donuts I can't believe they expect a tip.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have never tipped a gas station attendant. They pump gas, I pay them for the gas. I don't understand this new trend for tipping people (other than wait staff) for doing their job in an efficient and pleasant manner. That's what their supposed to do.

New trend? My mom tipped for full serve when I was growing up in the 70s and early 80s, when she was still getting full serve.

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When I'm in OR and NJ, if I ask them to do more than just pump the gas, I will tip. Then again, the last time it came up, I was gassing up at a Safeway gas station, and they REFUSED the tip like a Starbucks-in-Safeway employee has to, so it sort of solved that problem.

 

[Princess89]

I've never been to a full service station. I don't know of one within driving distance in my area.

It's mandatory in NJ How much does this push the price of the fuel up?

Its actually illegal to pump your own gas in NJ, and no it doesn't push up the price of gas.

As for tipping! Never! They get paid to do a job, that job is to pump gas. I've worked as a gas attendant in high school, it wasn't even a twinkle in my eye to get a tip. Now if I checked someone's oil or washed their windshield, I was tipped, but I never expected it, and most times I didn't get one. I don't see getting tipped for doing my job. Wait staff, hairdressers they get paid a certain amount, sometimes below minimum, because they are in 'tipping' positions. Those people at Burger King, and gas attendants DO NOT. They get a full wage! I wonder if I should get tipped for returning phone calls or emails at work?! Or maybe not considering its my j-o-b!

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

I've never been to a full service station. I don't know of one within driving distance in my area.

It's mandatory in NJ How much does this push the price of the fuel up?

I've never pumped my own gas, thank goodness.

NJ has some of the best prices for gasoline.

And as a lifetime resident of NJ, no you don't tip. I have not heard of anyone ever tipping for gas. And in NJ it is mandatory to have gas pumped for you.

 

[declansdad]

I have never tipped a gas station attendant. They pump gas, I pay them for the gas. I don't understand this new trend for tipping people (other than wait staff) for doing their job in an efficient and pleasant manner. That's what their supposed to do.

Isn't that what wait staff are suppose to do?

 

[mrzrich]

Its actually illegal to pump your own gas in NJ, and no it doesn't push up the price of gas.

May I ask why? I mean Americans are capable of pumping our own gas nearly everyplace else. Why does this state feel full service should be madatory.

I just never understood the reasoning. Can someone explain?

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

May I ask why? I mean Americans are capable of pumping our own gas nearly everyplace else. Why does this state feel full service should be madatory.

I just never understood the reasoning. Can someone explain?

I don't understand why anyone would want to get out of their car on a freezing cold day and pump gas.

 

[allison443]

May I ask why? I mean Americans are capable of pumping our own gas nearly everyplace else. Why does this state feel full service should be madatory.

I just never understood the reasoning. Can someone explain?

This article says two states (NJ and Oregon) require full service gas stations
to reduce accidents, assist the elderly/disabled, and create jobs. It also points out that earlier this year NJ was the only state with gas under $3 per gallon.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/22/news/economy/full_service/index.htm

 

[allison443]

I am also in NJ, I have never tipped a gas station attendant (unless they helped me fill a tire or something like that). I use a Hess credit card exclusively because we get a rebate. At the end of the transaction the attendant hands me the card and receipt-I don't even sign so there's no way for me to add a tip to the credit card

I love full service!

 

[Ciao Mickey]

In NJ all our gas is FULL SERVE(one of the perks) Now by full serve I am talking just pumping gas - not cleaning the windows and checking oil. (although they will do that if you ask)
So do you tip when you go full serve? We were having the discussion with friends and it is such an always or never thing- but we are the of the sometimes variety. Depends on the attitude I guess.

No we don't tip gas station attendants in NJ.

Why would you tip them? I don't tip the cashier at the supermarket or department store or the teller at the bank, so why would I tip the guy who pumps my gas?

Years ago, when I first got my driver's license, you would pull into any gas station and the attendant would pump your gas and while waiting for the tank to fill, they would clean your windows front and back, and check your oil. And you'd get a free glass or some other little token for doing business with their company. If you needed directions to someplace, they would give them and provide you with a free road map.

Today you have to wait for them to fill your tank, wait for them to come to the car to pay them, and most of them are foreigners who don't speak any English, so forget about getting directions to anywhere.

 

[akhenaten]

May I ask why? I mean Americans are capable of pumping our own gas nearly everyplace else. Why does this state feel full service should be madatory.

I just never understood the reasoning. Can someone explain?

NJ lifer here.... I am amazed at some of the comments making full serve sound like a bad thing. I have told my kids , if they ever put getting rid of full serve up for a vote ALWAYS vote to keep it!!
Why should you have to get out of your car in all kinds of weather...and get your hands dirty pumping gas????

Manditory Full Serve is a privilige if you ask me....and i don't ever want to see it change!

I have never even thought of tipping the attendant......

 

[Sleepy]

Not sure about America standards, because when I lived there, I always pumped my own. Here, just like NJ, it is full service. It seems standard to NOT tip, however, if they do something like wash your windshield or put air in your tires, a Euro is sufficient.

 

[Princess89]

May I ask why? I mean Americans are capable of pumping our own gas nearly everyplace else. Why does this state feel full service should be madatory.

I just never understood the reasoning. Can someone explain?

I really don't know why its illegal. I have a Corvette that we keep in pristine shape, I get out of my car and pump it myself, because some attendants are lazy and couldn't car less about scratching it with the metal tip or dripping gas down the side of my car. I have to go to stations where they know us, like local ones just to be able to do this. I have never really known a station that has gotten in trouble for allowing it, but I'm sure its possible.

 

[honugirl]

No, I don't tip because I don't use full service. It's too expensive. The one near my house is $3.59 a gallon. I can go to the station next door and pump it for my self for $2.97 a gallon (for now, I'm sure the prices will go up again tomorrow...) I live within 30 miles of 4 refineries, you'd think I'd get a better price. Not that I'm bitter about what I pay, oh no...

 

[Charade]

Isn't that what wait staff are suppose to do?

Yes, they are but tips are part of their pay so if you do an "as expected" job, you'll get a decent tip.

 

[Cindy B]

I've never been to a full service station. I don't know of one within driving distance in my area.

It's mandatory in NJ How much does this push the price of the fuel up?

The price of gas is actually lower than in PA or DE. The price of gas is about 20-35 cents less per gallon in NJ than in those states.

It is one of life mysteries why this is though.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I do tip... I have to admit I do.. If I can tip for someone to pour me a cup of coffee than I can certainly tip the guy who fills my gas tank.. this is JMO, they are all working for a minimum wage and it is my way to helping them out.

 

[Cindy B]

I do tip... I have to admit I do.. If I can tip for someone to pour me a cup of coffee than I can certainly tip the guy who fills my gas tank.. this is JMO, they are all working for a minimum wage and it is my way to helping them out.

They don't make minimum wage--at least around here.