Good Old Days

This is one of the stupidest customer ripoffs.....just plain insulting.  I once asked a service station employee how they could possibly charge a person for AIR....the response was that it cost them energy to operate the pump every time.  My response was that I think I will find another gas station then; and I did.  I notice that some service stations post a sign saying that of the dollar you pay them for AIR; half goes to a charity.  What an insult.  I know it's small potatoes but it sure gets me going.

Yeah, I remember when air was free. Also recall the air hose you ran over that rang a bell to alert the attendant that you needed service. Both were run by an electric compressor and I'm sure it cost a small fraction of what the owner was being paid.

I found several local stations that provided their customers free air as an enticement to use their stations, but one by one they, too, diminished. Shirl bought me a large air compressor for Christmas many years ago and that ended the problem.

There are still some excellent service oriented businesses out there though.  My local oil change place tells customers to pop in anytime you need  tire pressure checked and fluid levels checked...all done free, with a smile and a wave when you leave. When you do come in at oil change time they never try to bs you with upsale garbage....just the straight goods. Smart approach....I have recommended them to many others.

@jack-dodds My oil change place does the same thing Jack. Once a year I change the oil in my three collector cars, since I don't use the type they stock, I bring my own oil and filters. I pay them $20.00 per car and they dispose of the old oil and filters and we're both happy.

Still free in California...

Still free in Australia

I pack my own compressor and gauge in my Sport-Trac. Don't trust the accuracy anywhere else. 

Steve 

@100ford2003, yes, accuracy is a major issue in most air pumps, free or for pay. That's why we have our own pumps and gauges, too.

Hey, the paying for Air in tires isn't as much of a rip-off as paying for TV is!!!  And the real insult with paying for TV is the fact that we are actually paying to see quadruple the number of commercials that we used to see when TV was free.  Don't get me started!!!

@georgeschire 

Hi George, 

Have you had your morning coffee from McDonald's yet... 👍

@georgeschire I rarely ever watch regular TV anymore; I guess I'm spoiled by Netflix, Prime Video, Britbox and the like.  I just cannot bear the bombardment of mostly inane commercials that go on and on and on.....and on.  Grouchy old man syndrome showing up again.  Lol.