PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Research: Why do you choose a particular gas station?

Palangi · #32 05-29-2003, 02:00 AM

Besides the obvious (quality fuel at competitive price) it's the little things that make me return to certain stations and avoid others.

Free Air is an example. My experience is that less than 50% of the coin operated air pumps actually work! Most of them just take your money! When I find a station with free air and water, you better believe I remember where it is. Sadly, all of them in my town are gone now. I gave up and bought a compressor.

Maintain the equipment. You can't buy gas from a pump with the LCD display not working. Same if the card swipe doesn't work, I just move on, not to the next pump, but to the next station.

Keep the windshield squeege tank filled with CLEAN water. If it's empty, it's worthless. If a swarm of mosquitoes are living in it, it ain't clean.

Post the octane ratings for each grade on the pump.

Keep the pump area clean. I don't like standing in mud and transmission fluid while pumping gas.

Keep the cold drinks cold and the hot drinks hot. Sell a premium brand of coffee, not panther juice like McDonalds sells. There is a lot of money in snack foods, but please limit it to what you can keep fresh.

Clean restrooms. Don't let the TP or the hand towels run out. None of them &%$@# hand drying machines either.

Maps of the local area posted on the wall.

Local newspaper(s) for sale.

Employee's who can speak English.

None of this is rocket science, but it's amazing how many stations fail these simple tests. I get the feeling a lot of the problem is due to absentee ownership.

Good luck in your venture. Be sure to let us know where it is.